Lexus has unveiled the sporty new IS 250 SR. This addition to the line-up comes with a full body kit and 17-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels on the outside. On the inside, aluminium scuff plates and pedals add subtle visual enhancements on the inside while heated front seats are also fitted as standard.
According to the maker the IS 250 SR is designed to deliver some of the sporting allure of the IS F and IS 250 Sport at a high value price. Based on the entry-level IS 250, the new model is packed with features that have a combined customer value of more than £3,500, yet the price tag is less than £1,000 greater model-for-model.
Standard features include 10 airbags, climate control, cruise control, smart keyless entry and engine start and sequenced LED interior lighting.
Power comes from a 204bhp 2.5-litre V6 petrol engine, which means the IS 250 SR will accelerate from rest to 62mph in 8.1 seconds (8.4 with the optional six-speed automatic transmission) and progress to a top speed in excess of 140mph.
The car goes on sale from May 19, and is priced from £24,990 for the manual transmission and £25,800 for the automatic gearbox.
Click on www.contracthireandleasing.com for more car leasing deals on the Lexus IS 250 SR.
Simon McBride

American giant Dodge has confirmed that it is to launch the all-new Journey crossover this summer and prices are to start from £16,995. According to the maker the new Dodge Journey Crossover offers competitive fuel economy, masses of interior space and value for money, without compromising its bold, good looks.
It has a seating arrangement of 5+2 with the plus two seats thought only to being of real use when short trips are necessary.
When launched the car will have a choice of two engines and you can power it by a 2.4-litre petrol engine or a 2.0-litre diesel engine. The diesel engine will be available with either a manual or dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
To accommodate the family, the car includes tilt and slide second-row seats; rear doors that open to 90-degrees for easy access when installing child seats and air-conditioning that works in all three rows.
Simon Elliott, Managing Director of Chrysler UK, said: “Dodge Journey is the perfect right-sized vehicle for families that don’t want the look of a people carrier, but need the functionality and utility of an MPV. Families that need space for seven will love the flexible seating system, spacious storage bins and under-seat storage areas. Safety is also very important for these customers and with ESP and three-row side curtain airbags this really is the ideal family vehicle.”
To lease a Dodge make sure you log on to www.contracthireandleasing.com for the best offers.
Simon McBride

Toyota has revamped the Aygo city car by adding a new dedicated Slate Blue metallic paint finish to its range. It starts from £7,995 on the road.
The colour co-ordination goes from the door mirrors and bumper inserts on the outside to the carpet mats with matching blue stitching and slate blue bezels for the air vents and instrument display on the inside.
The Aygo Blue sits alongside Aygo Platinum at the top of the model range, offering an attractive array of premium equipment features. This includes Bluetooth connectivity, air conditioning and, on manual models, leather gear knob trim are all part of the standard specification.
Two accessory packs are also available for the Aygo Blue. The Aygo Xtra equips the car with rear parking sensors, mud flaps and unpainted rear and side protection strips, while Aygo Style adds élan with alloy wheels, front fog lamps and front scuff plates. The packs are priced £335 and £595 respectively.
According to the maker the Aygo Blue will return an official figure of 61.4mpg on the combined cycle while carbon dioxide emissions are just 108g/km.
The Aygo Blue is powered by a 67bhp 1.0-litre engine, which is mated to a five-speed manual or Multi-mode transmission.
For the best car leasing deals on the Aygo go to www.contracthireandleasing.com for more.
Simon McBride

Toyota Aygo lease prices

Italian maker Alfa Romeo has just launched a limited edition Alfa Romeo Spider just in time for summer.
The car comes complete with £3000 worth of extra features at no extra cost.
The Alfa Spider Limited Edition features a choice of four colour combinations, alloy wheels, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable and heated memory front seats and door mirrors.
Yet the price remains at a cool £25,500. While, extra features include Italian Frau leather upholstery and the unique Blue&Me hands-free system with voice recognition and media player.
Bespoke colours include a Carbonio Black version with a natural leather upholstery while the Alfa Red exterior paintwork is matched to a black leather interior.
The super-cool Ghiaccio White colour scheme comes with a choice of either black or natural leather upholstery.  For added driver and passenger comfort, these leather seats are heated to keep the occupant warm whilst the roof is down on early morning starts or late night drives.
Under the bonnet the 2.2 JTS petrol engine produces 185bhp and powers the Alfa Spider from 0 - 62mph in 8.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 139mph.
To lease an Alfa Romeo check out www.contracthireandleasing.com for the latest offers.
Simon McBride

Subaru’s much-praised new Forester has won a top safety award in the United States, scoring the highest marks for side, rear and offset frontal impact-protection.
The Japanese made car has earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s ‘2008 Top Safety Pick’ award.
To win the award, the vehicle must offer superior overall crash protection amongst its rivals in its class. Not only registering the highest marks in front, side and rear tests the winner must also be equipped with electronic stability control.
Institute President, Adrian Lund, said: “The performance of the Forester underscores Subaru’s commitment to delivering state-of-the-art safety to its customers. You don’t know what kind of crash you are going to be in. That’s why it’s important to choose a vehicle that will protect you in all kinds of crashes. The ‘Top Safety Pick’ designation is intended to help people find the safest choices.”
Meanwhile, Lawrence Good, Managing Director of Subaru (UK) Limited, said: “This is excellent news and perfectly timed just as the UK version of the new Forester is about to go on sale. The tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety are respected worldwide and it is also worth noting that both the US and UK Foresters are Japanese-built and therefore share the same basic potential life-saving features.”
Launched in the UK this month, the completely new Forester will be initially available as a 2.0-litre petrol only with the option of both manual and automatic transmission.
Check out www.contracthireandleasing.com for the latest offers on the new Subaru Forester.
Simon McBride

The new Vauxhall Insignia is nearing its public debut – sure to be a fleet favourite the replacement for the well-loved Vectra will be given its world debut at the London Motorshow in July.
The Insignia has a coupe shape and the Griffin badged maker has confirmed that the car will be available in hatchback and saloon bodystyles from launch.
The frame of the car has been sculpted around the front and rear light designs while the bold radiator grille gives the car a powerful stance from the front.
“We’ve re-defined our design vocabulary,” says Mark Adams, Vice President Design, GM Europe. “The Insignia is muscular, but lithe and curvaceous. Our aim was to develop a confident look which reinforced the car’s superb driving dynamics, but also one that made it clear that this was a premium product, albeit still at a highly competitive price in its class.”
Vauxhall Insignia
The inside has been brought upmarket too with a wrap around dash and ambient lighting, which will be featured in future Vauxhall models. The boffins have also developed the seats to make them more comfortable and safer.
The Insignia will be offered with two variations front-wheel and all-wheel drive and there’ll be five engines to choose from at launch. All of these will meet the Euro 5 emissions standard and come with either manual or automatic six-speed transmissions. The three petrol engines range from a four-cylinder 140PS unit to a V6 with 260PS. While the two new 2.0-litre direct-injection diesel engines will be offered with power outputs of either 130PS or 160PS. In time, the Insignia engine line-up will be extended with an EcoFLEX version offering ultra-low CO2 emissions in addition to other, more powerful variants.
Make sure you check out the latest car leasing deals on the final production models of the Vauxhall Vectra at www.contracthireandleasing.com for the best deals.
Simon McBride

Fancy some open top motoring on a budget?
Then you need to check this out, its the Renault Twingo II Coupé-Cabriolet
Renault has the likes of the Vauxhall Tigra and Peugeot 207 CC in its sights with the Twingo II CC and should be priced around the £10,000.
The car is scheduled to arrive in UK showrooms by the spring of 2009 so that you can have in time for summer.
Insiders from Renault claim that the Twingo II Coupé-Cabriolet is likely to be given its world debut at the Paris Motorshow in October.
The Twingo should stand out as it has a clever single-piece hard-top. This is said to disappear under the rear deck at the touch of a button.
At launch – there will only be a single power plant offered in the guise of a 1.2-litre four cylinder unit which can be found in the standard car. However the unit in the Twingo II CC will have 120bhp.
Check out www.contracthireandleasing.com for the best car leasing deals on the internet.
Simon McBride

Audi has produced what many will see as the first realistic attempt at a diesel supercar. Just one vehicle has been made so far and the Audi R8 V12 TDI Le Mans attracted offers of up to £3.5 million when displayed at the Detroit motorshow. Operating through a 6.0 litre V12 Diesel engine the R8 is alleged to be capable of 200mph whilst returning 25mpg! Audi are planning to put the car into production soon after claiming they think there is room for V12 diesel in the supercar market.

Audi R8 lease prices

Honda have just launched a big online campaign on the biggest fleet website in the uk www.FleetDirectory.co.uk. Honda are attempting to break into the lucrative fleet sector by emphasising the benefits of running the new Honda Accord in large and small fleets. The FleetDirectory.co.uk is predominately aimed at decision makers within the fleet management arena. Honda have previously run highly successful campaigns on this website. To view car leasing prices on the new Honda Accord click on the link below:

Honda Accord Saloon lease prices

• Renault steals Geneva show limelight with four world debuts: Twingo Renaultsport, Koleos, Laguna GT with four-wheel-steer chassis honed by Renaultsport, plus awe-inspiring Mégane Coupé Concept.
• Stunning Mégane Coupé Concept (pictured) stuns the show with “dragonfly wing” doors and squat, aggressive styling. Latest Renault showcar previews future production model and continues new design language of fluid, sporty styling
• First Renault compact 4×4 crossover, Koleos, makes world debut prior to UK launch in Summer 2008
• Twingo Renaultsport 133 unveiled ahead of Autumn 2008 UK launch
• GT performance version of New Laguna completes quartet of unveilings, prior to UK launch in April 2008 with 2.0 Turbo 205 and 2.0 dCi 180 engines and unique sports styling
Mégane Coupé Concept – an expression of character and dynamism
Renault chose the Geneva Motor Show today to take the wraps off of its Mégane Coupé Concept, which previews a compact coupé to be released at a later date. Like its larger sister, Laguna Coupé Concept, which wowed the crowds in Frankfurt last October, it points to an evolution of more fluid, sportier styling from Renault.
The sleek and aggressive-looking Mégane Coupé Concept targets drivers who are not only drawn by the notion of driving pleasure but who also seek to express their personality through their car. Mégane Coupé Concept symbolises Renault’s vision of what a genuine compact sports coupé should deliver, namely character and dynamism, two traits epitomised by the way in which its distinctive four-part twin doors open. With stunning looks, the show-stealer provides a taste of what’s in store with the new Mégane Coupé. With modern and intuitive equipment, the cabin is a compelling extension of the exterior’s dynamic sensuality.
Mégane Coupé Concept is a compact, stylish, dynamic coupé which delivers undeniable driving pleasure, while its performance is also expressed by its modern, elegant cabin. This show car, which builds on the trend established by Laguna Coupé Concept, sees Renault inject further genuine passion into its cars.
Koleos – The first 4×4 crossover from Renault
Also debuting in Geneva is Koleos, its first ever crossover. Ideal for escaping the everyday routine, Koleos is comfortable, easy to drive and boasts genuine off-road ability. It has been designed to be versatile, too, offering the same reassuring drive when motoring in and about town, on open roads and on motorways as it does when it is taken off the beaten track. At the same time, Koleos delivers the same standard of comfort as that expected of a hatchback, with cabin space worthy of a compact MPV. Designed by Renault, developed by Nissan and manufactured in Renault Samsung Motors’ Busan plant in Korea, Koleos is the fruit of extremely close collaboration between teams from each of these Renault-Nissan Alliance brands. The launch of Koleos marks a decisive step in the brand’s development, not only in Europe but across the world. The release of its first 4×4 crossover is a sure sign that Renault has the capacity to take its own authentic stance and a completely fresh approach in segments from which it has traditionally been absent. Koleos offers a unique standard of safety and comfort, a parameter that has become a recognised Renault hallmark which is not only clear for all to see but also highly affordable.
Renault Laguna GT – New high-performance engines and Active Drive chassis, for complete driving pleasure
Stylish, expressive Laguna GT introduces the new Active Drive chassis with four-wheel steering (4WS), developed jointly by Renault and Renault Sport Technologies to yield the ultimate in driving pleasure, as regards handling, response and precision. With a choice of two exclusive high-performance engines (180 and 205hp), Laguna GT makes a sparkling entry into the select field of sport saloons. With its distinctive, sleek design, Laguna GT offers a unique combination of driving pleasure, peace of mind and affordability, backed by a three-year/100,000 mile warranty.
Twingo Renaultsport 133 – The new entry point to the Renaultsport range
Twingo Renaultsport 133 is a high-performance, affordable entry point into the Renaultsport range. Compact proportions and sharp styling echo the Twingo Concept show car which was a star of the 2006 Paris Motor Show. The balanced, sporty handling of Twingo Renaultsport 133 combines driving enjoyment, sports performance and impeccable safety. The two Renaultsport chassis settings are offered, both featuring wider front and rear tracks. The standard ESP can be manually deactivated, ensuring the car is easy to use on a day-to-day basis while maintaining its sporty credentials. Twingo Renaultsport 133 is powered by a normally-aspirated 1.6-litre 16V engine developed by Renault Sport Technologies. The engine delivers 133hp at 6,750rpm with 160Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. The four-into-one exhaust is a technological feat, striking a perfect balance between acoustics, performance and emissions.

www.renault.co.uk