Business car drivers looking for great performance plus being eco-friendly should look no further than the Volkswagen Bluemotion badge according to Windsor Vehicle Leasing.

Volkswagen expects more than 7,000 BlueMotion models to be rolled out in 2008. The BlueMotion has proven to be especially popular with fleets, particularly with local councils and daily rental firms.

The BlueMotion is the badge that denotes the environmentally-friendly arm of Volkswagen with the lowest CO2 emitting model in each range being awarded the badge. Volkswagen will be adding a BlueMotion to each model as they seek to further reduce CO2 emissions. 

The Volkswagen Golf, the most searched for car on ContractHireAndLeasing.com is expected to be the most sought after BlueMotion model with fleets accounting for over 1,400 of the 2,380 sold in the UK. 75% of the Volkswagen BlueMotions sold will go to the corporate sector.

By 2009 the BlueMotion will contain 9 models

• Polo
• Golf
• Golf Plus
• Jetta
• Golf Estate
• Touran
• Passat Saloon
• Passat Estate
• Sharan

“If you want to be eco-friendly whilst getting big performance out of your business car in 2008, you might like to consider a car carrying the Volkswagen BlueMotion badge.” says Windsor Vehicle Leasing’s Ben Newton.

All these models are to available to lease now (please follow links above), the Sharan and the Touran will be available shortly.

Another year, another Budget, and with a raft of tax reforms and realignments affecting the fleet operator, it’s good to know Audi has measures in place to reduce their impact.

The good news starts with the A3 and A3 Sportback 1.9 TDI Special Edition models, which with their CO2 emissions of just 119g/km, fall into the new 13% tax band for diesels in 2008/9. These models will also be exempt from the London Congestion Charge when the punitive new £25 daily charge comes into force on 27 October.

And those looking to consolidate their exposure to the charge can also take comfort that the A8 2.8 FSI - officially the cleanest luxury car on the market - and the A8 3.0 TDI quattro fall below the 225g/km threshold, incurring only the £8 rate rather than the £25 daily charge from October. An attractive proposition for our chauffeur customers and for those needing to drive in Central London.

Iain Carmichael, Head of Fleet Sales, Audi UK

S line and Avant join A4 range

The new Audi A4 range is strengthening all the time with the addition of the sporting S line trim specification, the introduction of the new A4 Avant, plus a new entry model positioned at under £20,000 ROTR.

Powered by a 120PS version of the 1.8 TFSI engine, the A4 1.8 TFSI Standard model marks the new entry point to the A4 range, priced at £19,900 ROTR and including 16 inch alloy wheels, climate control, a Chorus radio-CD player, ESP and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm/immobiliser.

The more overtly sporting S line trim, which adds £2,500 to the price of the equivalent SE model, introduces equipment including 18 inch alloy wheels, a 3-spoke S line sports steering wheel, S line body styling, 20mm lower S line sports suspension, S line sports seats, Xenon headlights with daytime running lights and matt brushed aluminium inlays.

Adding useful extra practicality and a class-leading load area of 1,430 litres with rear seats folded, the new A4 Avant belies its versatility with its sleek lines.

At just £1,150 more than the equivalent Saloon model, the Avant is available to order now, with prices starting at £23,400 ROTR.

Audi A4 Avant lease prices

2.0 TDI quattro joins the TT range

Blending the sporting appeal of the Audi TT with the latest in TDI technology, new Euro 5-compliant TT 2.0 TDI quattro Coupe and Roadster models offer a unique opportunity in tax-efficient sports motoring.

The statistics make compelling reading, with the Coupe returning combined consumption of 53.3mpg and CO2 emissions of just 140g/km, a 20% reduction over the 2.0 TFSI. With 170PS, performance is brisk, too, with a top speed of 140mph and 0-62mph in 7.5sec.

Such figures make a drastic reduction in company car tax liability compared with the 2.0 TFSI: a 40% tax payer in 2008/9, for example, can expect to pay £160 a month for the 2.0 TDI Coupe quattro, compared with £200 a month for the 2.0 TFSI.

As well as quattro permanent four-wheel drive, TT 2.0 TDI models come with 17 inch Trapez alloy wheels, leather and Alcantara trim, climate control and an MP3-compatible Audi Concert radio/CD. The Roadster adds a fully automatic soft-top with wind deflector.

Both Coupe and Roadster models are now available to order, priced from £26,350 ROTR for the Coupe and £28,350 ROTR for the Roadster.

Audi TT Coupe lease prices
Audi TT Roadster lease prices

A8 3.0 TDI escapes congestion penalty

A reduction to 224g/km in the CO2 emissions of the Audi A8 3.0 TDI SE quattro and Sport (including Long Wheel Base variants) has ensured these models will not incur the £25 a day London Congestion Charge when new rules come into force on 27 October 2008.

Together with the 2.8 FSI SE and Sport models, which are by some margin the cleanest cars in the luxury sector, it brings to six the number of Audi A8 derivatives that will incur only the £8 daily charge.

Audi A8 lease prices

Audi Q7 S line for price of SE

With its unrivalled blend of quattro permanent four-wheel drive, seven seats as standard, adaptive air suspension and choice of two FSI petrol and two TDI diesel engines, the Audi Q7 offers real luxury and style with full quattro capability.

Now, the price is the same for both SE and S line models, giving drivers the opportunity to select the specifications that best suits their requirements. Prices start from £41,330 ROTR for the 3.0 TDI quattro 240PS.

Furthermore, the Audi Q7 3.0 TDI S line is now available from Audi Finance on a 24-month/10,000 miles a year basis from £539 a month with £1,617 deposit.

Super luxury for Audi Q7 coastline

Shown alongside the new V12 TDI super-SUV at Geneva, the Audi Q7 coastline design study offers the ultimate in luxury, with a distinctly nautical theme.

Dark waxed American walnut veneer covers parts of the armrest, inner door sill trims, gear knob and luggage compartment floor, giving it a deck-style look that complements the ultra-luminous white exterior and plush velvet and leather-upholstered seats.

Audi Q7 lease prices

Audi A4 voted No1 in Europe

Readers of Auto Express and its 25 European sister publications have voted the new Audi A4 the magazine’s prestigious 2008 Auto 1 award winner at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The overall champion is selected by editors, experts and racing drivers linked to the 26 magazines, but their 40 million readers also play a key role in the judging process.

Audi A4 Saloon lease prices

Motorists need look no further than Škoda after the penny pinching budget was announced. With bigger cars firmly in the firing line, Škoda offers some budget busting options thanks to a range of models that produce less than 151g CO2/km.

From 2009, cars producing less than 131g CO2/km will be exempt from road tax for the first year giving drivers of the Fabia 1.4 TDI PD (120g CO2/km) and the Fabia GreenLine (109g CO2/km), which already fall into VED Band B, a reason to be cheerful.

The two models are also an obvious choice in view of rising fuel prices and a fuel tax rise of 2p/l promised by the Government in October this year - the Fabia 1.4 TDI PD manages a very respectable 61.4mpg and the Fabia GreenLine an impressive 69mpg on combined cycle.

Škoda is just as successful in the estate guise, with its GreenLine model boasting class-leading economy and environmental credentials.

Robert Hazelwood, Škoda’s Brand Director, comments: “The cleaner and greener Fabias not only make financial sense in view of changing legislation but also appeal to the environmentally minded buyer on a tight budget.

“The new budget is an indication of things to come and with the European Commission set to introduce even stricter emissions rules in the near future, we are already manufacturing cars that meet these standard.”

As well as the clean Fabias, Škoda produces the lowest emitting MPV in the UK  – the Roomster 1.4 TDI manages 55.4mpg and generates 135g CO2/km that place it in VED Band C.

www.skoda.co.uk

Fuel economy experts John and Helen Taylor drove a Jeep Compass and a Jeep Patriot, with 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines and carrying two people and their luggage, from London to Berlin on less than a single tank of fuel each.

The husband and wife team, John and Helen Taylor first drove the Jeep Compass and Patriot 658 miles between the two European capitals. After completing their journey, there was sufficient fuel remaining in both vehicles for them to continue into Poland. In total, they travelled a total distance of 698.4 miles.
“This new achievement helps to establish Jeep Compass and Patriot as industry leaders and proves that it is possible to offer global customers fuel efficiency and capability in the same package,” Jim Press, Vice Chairman and President, Chrysler LLC said. “Jeep offers a full range of vehicles powered by efficient diesel engines and we are committed to furthering our efforts to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In fact, at the new Chrysler, we are redesigning our business model with a greater emphasis on fuel-efficient products with features that the customers want and need.”
During the 21-hour drive, passing through six countries, Helen Taylor achieved a fuel consumption figure of 66.76 mpg driving the Jeep Compass. John Taylor performed even better, achieving a fuel consumption figure of 67.46 mpg in a Jeep Patriot. The Taylors were observed during their marathon drive by an independent scrutineer, PC Stephen Driver, of the West Midlands Police.
“We already knew that the Compass and Patriot were among the most economical of all SUVs, but we were amazed by the fuel efficiency that these two vehicles were capable of during this drive,” commented John Taylor. “We drove on normal roads at realistic speeds with two people and their luggage on board and the traffic and weather conditions weren’t favourable at all – cold with many traffic jams,” he said. “We used simple fuel economy driving techniques that any driver could replicate.”

His wife Helen added, “This record achievement challenges the myth that all SUVs are gas guzzlers. We’ve proven, in everyday driving conditions just how fuel efficient these two Jeep SUVs can be.”
The Jeep Compass and Patriot have already been praised by the media for their fuel efficiency. 4×4 & MPV Driver Magazine in the UK ranked Jeep ahead of all other manufacturers of 4×4s and SUVs by presenting the brand with a Gold Award in its 2007 Green Awards scheme. The publication praised the Jeep Compass and Patriot for being “the most economical 4×4s ever to wear the Jeep badge” and for being the least polluting with their CO2 emissions.

For more information visit www.jeep.co.uk.

The two green cars are the Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion and the SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive. ContractHireAndLeasing.com offers the best car leasing prices on these vehicles, why not take a look and help the environment whilst saving yourself money.

Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion lease prices
SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive lease prices

The BlueMotion and the Ecomotive both have the lowest CO2 emissions in the UK at only 99g/km and manage an impressive 74 miles to the gallon. Both cars are great car leasing options with very reasonable monthly payments and unbeatable fuel economy.

Davis Langdon, the project and cost consultancy firm has introduced new restrictions on company car allowances for company cars that emit more than 165 g/km. Employees are being offered an increased car allowance on vehicles on or below the 165 g/km benchmark.

Employees running company cars that exceed the limit will have to make payments towards sustainable projects.

http://www.davislangdon.com/

Porsche’s ongoing battle with Ken Livingstone over the proposed congestion charge increase has found support from Mitsubishi.

Lance Bradley of Mitsubishi believes that Livingstone’s plan “is not a well co-ordinated plan to heavily penalise one group of vehicles over those emitting one gram less”. Bradley does however concede that the new charge will force car manufacturers to place added importance on CO2 emissions when developing their cars.

Bentley contract hire and leasing special offers 

Bentley Motors today unveiled a far-reaching environmental strategy to reduce CO2 emissions and dramatically improve fuel economy.

Bentley will become the first manufacturer in its segment and one of the first in the world to deliver renewable-fuel vehicles throughout its range, along with substantial powertrain improvements. The strategy follows years of engineering studies and intensive product development, exploring alternative environmental technologies in depth. The renewable fuel programme reflects Bentley’s commitment to the environment while maintaining vehicle performance.

Franz-Josef Paefgen, Bentley Chief Executive, said: “This is a major step in the history of Bentley, reflecting the increasing expectation from our customers around the world for performance motoring with fuel efficient engines. We will set a benchmark in our segment of the industry by making every engine capable of running on renewable fuels, reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency throughout our fleet.”

Dr. Paefgen said the initiative will help Bentley as a corporation to address the two-fold global issue of  CO2 emissions and longer-term fuel availability, as part of its corporate social responsibility.

“Bentley does not believe that short-term measures are an appropriate answer to these global issues, and is basing its strategy on a long-term vision,” he added.

Efficiency improvements will be achieved first through the application of innovative technology to its 8 and 12 cylinder engines, including enhanced engine management, and new, improved transmissions and drivelines, as well as through weight reduction. As part of its commitment to reduce CO2 output on every new model, these efforts will lead to at least a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2012.

Secondly, a new powertrain will be introduced by 2012, delivering a 40% reduction in fuel consumption, while maintaining current levels of performance.

Thirdly, all engines across the entire range will become compatible with the use of renewable fuels by 2012, with the initial rollout beginning by next year.

“It is our conviction that renewable fuels, in particular second-generation biofuels, have strong potential,” said Dr.Paefgen. “On a well-to-wheel basis, such fuels can deliver a consistently high net CO2 reduction of up to 90%.

The benefits of second-generation biofuels are significant:

• They deliver a massive reduction in total CO2 emissions
• They do not compete with food requirements as a raw material base
• The use of biomass waste for fuel requires minimal additional land use
• They deliver much higher yields than first generation crop-based fuels

“By preparing our engines at an early stage for these fuels, we believe we will help accelerate their adoption, as the supply and market for them develop. Taken together, the measures we are announcing will make the entire Bentley fleet capable of delivering less that 120 g/km by 2012,” Dr. Paefgen added.

Volkswagen has developed, in the Passat TSI EcoFuel, a 1.4 litre engine that runs on both petrol and compressed gas. Featuring low CO2 emissions and fantastic fuel economy, the EcoFuel is capable of almost 500 miles between its petrol and gas tanks.

The gas is stored in three tanks beneath the boot floor and can achieve almost fifty five miles to the gallon in normal driving.

Available in Europe towards the end of 2008, it is still unclear whether the EcoFuel will make it the UK due to the shortage of outlets selling compressed gas.

Shell have developed a new fuel called GTL, a fuel that typically produces between 26% and 40% less sooty emissions in tested cars.

Shell claim that they “don’t just apply chemistry and engineering, but also a special kind of creative thinking. Because, to create something different, you need to start somewhere different”.

The new fuel is a result of starting with cleaner natural gas and turning it into liquid fuel.

See what you think of Shell’s of new fuel by visiting www.shell.co.uk/realenergy