COMPANY
CAR AND VAN The motoring magazine for SME fleets
Volvo V60:
Swedes continue their winning ways
NISSAN LEAF EVs can go further
TOYOTA COROLLA
Welcome back to the world’s best-selling car
LDV EV80
The large electric van that’s ready to go
December 2018
www.companycarandvan.co.uk
04 12
Electric vehicles are definitely on a longer charge
18 27
Contents 04 Audi Q2 06 Volvo V60 08 Renault Van Premier Editions
For Volvo, 2018 was a fantastic year. Not only did it launch the excellent XC40 but the Swedes followed this up with its latest mid-range estate, the V60, which we drive this time. Also in this issue, we’ve finally got our hands on the latest Nissan Leaf, which will take a careful driver 150 miles on a single charge. Worth ditching your petrol or diesel for? Read all about it inside. Jaguar now has three SUVs – who would have thought it? – one of which, the E-Pace, we had fun in recently. The best-selling UK plug-in hybrid, Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV, has been improved and is also on test, as are the Honda Civic and Mazda6. New cars galore are also featured, including the Hyundai Kona EV, Citroen C5 Aircross, Lexus UX, BMW 3 Series and DS3, while 2019 sees the return of the Toyota Corolla. On the commercial front, we got an opportunity to drive the new Vauxhall Combo, Vauxhall’s first collaboration with the PSA Group. Electric vans are here already and LDV drove its electric van, the EV80, all around the country for Green GB week. We’ve driven it too and it’s really rather good. Fiat Professional’s Talento and the Iveco Daily are also in focus. To finish off this issue we feature new rangetopping pick-ups from Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, while the more basic Isuzu D-Max Utility pick-up proves surprisingly good. Plenty to read – and after you do, Happy Christmas and let’s hope for a really good New Year. Andrew Walker, Editor and Publisher
12 Jaguar E-Pace 14 Nissan LEAF 18 BMW 3 Series Saloon 19 Honda Civic 20 Kia Ceed 24 DS3 27 Hyundai Kona EV 30 Volkswagen Touareg 34 Toyota Corolla 37 Toyota Camry 38 Toyota Hilux 40 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV 44 Mazda6 45 Lexus UX 48 Dealership news 49 Iveco Daily 50 Citroen Berlingo 52 Renault Trucks Master Z.E. 54 Mercedes-Benz X-Class 55 Isuzu D-Max 60 Volkswagen Amarok Aventura 62 Fiat Professional Talento 64 LDV EV80 66 Vauxhall Combo
DECEMBER 2018 • ISSUE 52
Company Car & Van is wholly owned and published by: Walker Advertising & Marketing Ltd
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CAR AND VAN The motoring magazine for SME fleets
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Volvo V60:
Swedes continue their winning ways
Follow us at twitter.com/andrewmaxwalker and www.linkedin.com/in/companycarandvan Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material contained within this magazine, the publisher can accept no responsibility for omissions or inaccuracies in its editorial or advertising content. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The carriage of adverts in this publication should not necessarily be viewed as an endorsement of the products or services advertised. All articles within this publication are copyright of Walker Advertising & Marketing Ltd. Editorial consent must be obtained before any are reproduced, either in printed form or electronically. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
NISSAN LEAF EVs can go further
TOYOTA COROLLA
Welcome back to the world’s best-selling car
LDV EV80
The large electric van that’s ready to go
December 2018
www.companycarandvan.co.uk
Company Car & Van | December 2018 | 03
On test: AUDI Q2
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Andrew Walker thinks the premium SUV sector has found a new gem in the Audi Q2
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udi first hit the SUV sector back in 2005 with the massive and gas guzzling Q7. Since then it has added the Q5, the Q3, a new Q7, a Q8 and in 2017, a baby brother to the above, the Q2. The Q2 is built on the Volkswagen Group’s scalable MQB architecture which it shares with the Volkswagen T-Roc. The Q2’s interior also borrows much of its design from the Audi A3. There’s the familiar dashboard, air vents, climate control panel and dash mounted screen you’d find in the A3. Where the Q2 is different, though, is from the outside with side panels borrowed from the Audi R8, a large range of colour mix and match options, on the C -pillars, for example, or even the option of choosing carbon fibre for a sportier look. As with all current Audi models, the interior is very well made and there’s lashings of soft-touch materials on top of the dashboard. The door handles, switchgear, steering wheel, gear lever and all other flat surfaces are also excellent. Only the door pockets feel cheaper. All Q2s come with a dash-top 7” screen, although unlike in the A3 it doesn’t disappear into the dash when you turn it off. Our Tango red test car featured red index cloth on the seats with red leatherette contrast stoppers and stitching and matching LED red lighting on the dashboard, which comes on at night with, you guessed it, a red finish. Audi’s MMI Navigation system is also fitted with the 7” screen featuring one of the clearest displays I’ve come across, a real stand out on the latest VAG model range, but particularly good on Audis. Our test car also included Audi’s £1,395 optional Technology Pack, which includes the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital dash display, which I particularly like. The Q2 is actually more spacious inside than you’d expect. At 4121mm long, the Q2 is 167mm longer than an Audi A1 and 116mm shorter than an A3. Both front seats have lots of adjustment while in the rear, despite the low roofline, two adults will be comfortable. The centre rear seat, though, is hard and features no foot space. The rear doors are narrow, so getting in and out is not as easy as it could be. The large C-pillars, which look great from the outside, do obscure your view when reversing and also take away valuable cabin light. Our test car had the 1.4 TFSI petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gear box. Top speed is 131 mph and 0-62mph takes 8.5 seconds. There are five driving settings. Auto is the default choice but you can scroll up to Comfort or Efficiency, down for Dynamic or you can tailor it yourself in Individual. Auto works well around town, while I chose Efficiency for a 400-mile motorway trip. 04 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
Q2 happy to take on premium SUV sector The auto box is lovely to use, selecting just the right gear for the driver, with no lag at all. Put your foot down and the power is delivered in a flash. Touch the brakes and the car slows down fast. The foot brake is incredibly sensitive and it took a while to get the touch just right. On wet or slippery roads, the power comes almost too fast and the front wheels will lose some traction. The addition on our test car of 18” wheels adds to the firm ride in the Q2 which is especially notable in the rear, something that’s common with other Audis. It’s not all doom and gloom though. The Q2 handles well, ironing out bends for fun and it feels agile. There’s not too much body roll around corners and it’s almost as good to drive as the MINI Countryman. In town the Q2 is an able companion. The raised driving position helps you see the road ahead and it’s smallish dimensions make it easy to park; just watch out for those C pillars! On the motorway and in cruise control mode, the Q2 is excellent. The cabin is well insulated from outside noise and on smooth motorway tarmac the 1.4 engine eats up the miles. Claimed combined fuel consumption is 52.3 mpg on 18” wheels, with CO2 emissions of 123g/km. As with most petrol cars I’ve driven, our real world economy of 42.9 mpg on the combined cycle, wasn’t too far away from the claimed. We found that a range of 380 miles from a full tank of petrol was achievable. So what does the small Q2 Crossover offer
over and above the A3 Sportback, for example? Blame Nissan, and MINI, as they launched premium SUVs and they sold well, and now everyone is getting in on the act. The SUV format gives car designers more scope to play and add on the visual bits and bobs that customers want – wider wheel arches, larger LED lights and even running boards. The fact that they are often no bigger than the hatchback that they sit alongside, is irrelevant. The Juke and Countryman have sold well and where one succeeds, others have followed. Customers like them and in the case of the Q2, it’s certainly more striking than the A3. If small SUVs were angry, then they would be Conor McGregor. They punch above their weight and the Q2 is no different. I came away from my week in the Q2 more positive about it than I had expected. I prefer the VW T-Roc’s exterior and it is cheaper, but the Q2’s interior build quality, on-board tech and driveability are better, and I’d say it is a real contender.
CC&V VERDICT There’s a few quibbles but overall, a cracking drive. Pick the 1.4-litre over the 1.0-litre as the mpg and CO2 emissions aren’t that much inferior and the drive is a lot more fun
Rating: N
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On test: VOLVO V60
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V60: Vintage Volvo offers the best of both worlds
06 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
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The new V60 offers all those idiosyncratic touches that make Volvos stand out from the crowd – but adds a quality and finesse that challenges the best of Germany, says Andrew Walker
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olvo has had a splendid 12 months. Despite ‘diesel-gate,’ its current range for fleet – mostly diesels – have been a resounding sales success. Led by the XC40, which sold faster than Glastonbury tickets, Volvo could easily have sat back and taken a breather. However, it didn’t rest on its laurels, recently adding a new V60 estate to the range for good measure. Company Car & Van had nothing but good things to say about the larger Volvo V90, so could the V60, which looks just like a smaller version of the V90, be as impressive? With a V60 D4 Inscription delivered to our offices, we were eager to find out. Volvo stated that the V60 is the modern successor to the V70, 850 and 760, cars that were practical but could never be described as eye-catching. The V60 is definitely more striking than these, coming as it does with a wide, chrome Volvo front grille, Thor Hammer headlights, a deep front pyramid air intake and a slanting front windscreen. The rear end is flatter than the one fitted to the V90, although the rear boomerang light clusters are still in evidence. The interior of the V60 mirrors those found in the current Volvo line-up, with the centre console dominated by the Volvo 9” vertical touch screen. All V60 models feature the Volvo Sensus Connect set-up. We’ve written at length about this before. It takes a few days of driving any new Volvo range to get used to Sensus,but once mastered it is excellent. The system offers the choice of three screens. The screen that is on permanent display offers the four main options of SatNav, Audio, Phone and Connectivity – in our case, AppleCar Play – with the car’s heating controls at the base. Scroll left to access the Car Function set up screen, where you can turn on or off functions such as lane departure warning or StopStart. Scroll right and you enter the Car Applications menu, with access to the radio, Bluetooth, sound experience and car apps, such as Spotify. It all works seamlessly and in the V60 is faster than before. Our only criticism of the Volvo set-up is that the heating controls are fiddly to access and we would prefer these to have been stand-alone. Via the multi-function steering wheel you can select cruise control with the buttons on the left, with the hands-free phone, audio and car data accessed with those on the right. In front of the driver sits the 12.3” active TFT driver’s information display which contains the rev counter and speedometer and, for our week in the car, the SatNav road map. The quality inside the V60 is excellent, being right up there with the class-leading German marques. It doesn’t matter which www.companycarandvan.co.uk
CC&V factfile Price: £36,650 CO2: 119g/km BIK: 28% Comb mpg: 62.8 Key details: Total luggage space with rear seats down is a mammoth 1441 litres. Based on V60 D4 Inscription
model in the range you choose, Momentum, R-Design, Inscription or the Pro versions of these, all are beautifully built. Our Inscription featured cosseting sand leather seats and over a 300-mile mostly motorway round-trip, with four adults on board, the V60 was incredibly comfortable, with even my notoriously bad neck pain, often triggered by a long car journey, staying away. Front seat passengers have plenty of room and in the rear, two six-footers will sit comfortably behind similarly proportioned front seat occupants. Cabin storage is generous. There’s decent door pockets, with room for two drinks holders in the centre binnacle, which also contains the hand brake, starter button and gear lever. Lift up the tailgate and the V60 offers up 539 litres of space. The floor space is both wide and flat and our test car featured Volvo’s clever lift-up divider preventing your shopping sliding around the boot floor. The rear seats fold down by pressing two buttons located on the boot side. They lie almost flat to increase the space to 1,441 litres, very useful for a trip to IKEA or the local recycling centre. My family and I took a congestion-free route to the North East on a Thursday morning, which took in the M6 to Tebay, the single lane A685 to Brough, the mostly dual-carriageway A66 to Scotch Corner and finally the A1 and A19 to Sunderland. There and back via the M62, the V60 was not only comfortable, it was quiet, too. The onboard City Safety with Steering Support system showed its worth when it kicked in milliseconds before I braked near Preston, when a small van driver pulled out into the fast lane as we were almost alongside. Heavy rain on the A19 on our return slowed traffic to a crawl, so the on-board adaptive cruise control came into its own in almost zero visibility. The 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds proved its worth on the A685, enabling us to overtake a slow moving HGV with time to spare. I chose to make the journey in Eco mode and averaged just over 49mpg on the journey, pretty good for a large car with four adults on board. Other driving options
offered are the self explanatory Comfort, Individual and Dynamic, modes, but to be honest, I found Eco perfect for my needs and used it for the remainder of my week. Claimed combined economy for our 190hp 2.0 litre diesel, is 61.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of 122g/km. On our long journey the V60 averaged almost 50mpg, while driving shorter distances for the remainder of our week saw the economy drop significantly to 42 mpg. While this may seem like a poor return, it is comparable with the competition. In the main, while we have nothing but praise for the latest V60, the range does come with one caveat and that is the trim. While the safety features are brilliant and are very welcome, to get the full monty of gadgets and apps you need to spend more. The basic OTR price of our test model D4 Inscription is £37,860. If you want the Convenience Pack, which offers power folding rear seat backrests and headrests, a grocery bag holder, the luggage protection net, front tunnel net pocket, 250v/150w 3 pin plug in centre console and 12v cargo area outlet, you’ll need to find an extra £500. Or Intellisafe Pro, which brings you pilot assist, adaptive cruise control, blind spot and cross traffic alert, rear collision mitigation and auto dimming interior and exterior mirrors, and you’ll need to find an additional £1,625. Most disappointing of all, though, is that Smartphone integration for AppleCar Play or Android Auto will cost you a further £300, when this kind of connectivity comes free with Volkswagen’s Car Apps, for example, on its latest model range. Volvo has always built excellent estates and the latest V60 is no different. Just like the larger V90, there is a dramatic improvement in the style and quality on offer. Where Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have been making their estates luxurious for years, Volvo has finally produced something equally as nice, which is also pleasing in a Swedishstyle, is different and, to my mind anyway, is now a stand-out in the sector.
CC&V VERDICT There is something comforting about driving a Volvo estate that I can’t quite put my finger on. If you are looking for a car in this sector, can I suggest that you test drive the V60? You won’t be disappointed. Watch cost of the premium extras, however. A Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra experience
Rating: N
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Company Car & Van | December 2018 | 07
RENAULT LCVS
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Style touches take Renault into the Premier League Renault is celebrating its partnership with Sky Sports Premier League coverage in style with the launch of striking ‘Premier Edition’ versions of its Kangoo, Trafic and Master. The top-of-the-range, special edition LCVs combine distinctive, sporty looks with a high level of equipment and technology, and are certain to score with van users who wish to stand out from the crowd while protecting themselves and their vehicle. Their innovative specification was designed to mark Renault’s sponsorship of Sky Sports Premier League coverage this season, including the Renault ‘Super Sunday’ games. Based on the generous specification of the Business+ level of trim, or the Sport Nav for the award-winning Trafic, the new Premier Edition versions are set off with exclusive black alloy wheels and a choice of black or white decals, plus such standard features as auto headlights and wipers, front fog lights and cruise control. For convenience and safety, all the Premier Edition Renault vans include the R-Link Infotainment system with TOMTOM® navigation, a rear view camera and, a dash cam with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) that detects when the vehicle in front is moving off and also warns of an impending front end collision or if the van is moving out of its lane. The standard fitment of the dash cam with ADAS plays a significant role in heightening safety, its advanced features working to protect the Premier Edition, its passengers and other road users. The desirable specification has also resulted in improved residual values with key industry data providers. The Kangoo Premier Edition additionally benefits from a leather steering wheel, cruise control, metallic paint, and 15-inch ‘ARIA’ black alloy wheels. Customers can choose from a choice of efficient 1.5-litre dCi engines, which, depending on version, are complemented with a five- or six-speed manual gearbox, or the option of a six-speed EDC automatic transmission. The Premier Edition can be specified in three body styles – Panel Van, Maxi Van, and Crew Van – and costs from £18,800 excluding VAT. Body-coloured side mouldings and 17-inch ‘CYCLADE’ black alloy wheels are exclusive to the Renault Trafic Premier Edition. It offers a choice of two wheelbases, plus the availability of a Crew Van version, and can be ordered with the 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine in either dCi 120 , Energy dCi 125 or Energy dCi 145 specification. The Renault Trafic Premier Edition is priced from £26,150 excluding VAT. Extra equipment of the Renault Master Premier Edition, over and above the 08 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
Renault electric vehicles will continue to play a major role in the day-to-day running of the Eden Project and its drive to educate its millions of visitors on the environmental benefits of EVs after the world-famous attraction took delivery of a new fleet of 100 per cent electric ZOE and Kangoo Z.E models. Comprising of three Renault ZOE hatchbacks and 14 Renault Kangoo Z.E. in Van and Maxi Crew Van Cab specifications, the vehicles replace the Eden Project’s previous Renault EV fleet. The latest vehicles complement Eden’s existing Renault Twizys quadricycles, whose compact dimensions make them ideal across the entire Eden site – even in the narrow pathways through the tranquil, climate-controlled Biomes. The usability and high visibility of its previous Renault EVs has allowed the Eden Project to lead by example when it comes to raising awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles in reducing carbon emissions. Compared to equivalent diesel and petrol vehicles, its original Renault EV fleet saved nearly 17 tonnes of CO2 since its inception in 2016, clocking up nearly 94,000 miles in and around its award-winning facility. The mix of ZOE and Kangoo Z.E. will fulfil a variety of roles across the Eden Project, being used by its maintenance, horticulture, security, live programming and catering teams. A number of the vehicles will also be assigned to help with the provision of onsite medical support and transporting less able-bodied visitors around the site. With zero tailpipe emissions and being near silent in use, the Renault EVs have little impact on the tranquillity and striking landscape of the Eden Project. Notably, during the last two years the lack of noise has allowed the busy Eden Live Team to work round the clock without affecting the visitor experience, while the fleet has also chauffeured presenters and celebrities to help facilitate the wide variety of filming that the renowned Cornish venue hosts every year. Business+ level of trim, includes 16-inch black alloy wheels, cruise control and metallic paint. The Premier Edition is available in two wheelbase lengths and with a choice of 2.3-litre turbodiesel engines – dCi 130, Energy dCi 145 and Energy dCi 170. All are mated to a six-speed manual gearbox and drive through the front wheels. The Renault Master Premier Edition starts from £33,400 excluding VAT. As with all Renault LCVs, all Premier Edition variants come with the reassurance of a three-year/100,000-mile warranty and lifetime roadside assistance package.
Renault Trafic Premier Edition
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On test: JAGUAR E-PACE
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Room for one more? Definitely! The roads may be full of SUVs but Andrew Walker reckons there’s still room for another after testing the Jaguar E-Pace
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ith almost every premium car manufacturer offering an SUV, is it any wonder that brands such as Jaguar are cashing in, too? 2016 saw the launch of the F-Pace and in late 2017, the electric I-Pace arrived. Sandwiched between the two and most recently delivered to Company Car Towers, is the E-Pace. We liked the F-Pace, as does the UK car buying public, with it being the fastest selling Jaguar of all time. How, then, would its more compact sibling perform, and is the E-Pace a case of one SUV too many? In the flesh, the E -Pace is more attractive than the F-Pace and to my mind, is one of the 12 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
best looking mid-range SUVs on the market. It’s based on the same chassis as the Range Rover Evoque but the E-Pace manages to look more masculine than the Evoque. Customers can have their E-Pace with two petrol engines: a 247bhp unit or a 296bhp ‘P300’ model, which we were driving, and available only with 4WD and JLR’s nine-speed automatic transmission. Or you can select from the three diesel options. The entry level is a 148bhp (D150) unit with front-wheel-drive and six-speed-manual gearbox, on offer with 4WD in manual or auto. Next up is the mid-range 178bhp (D180) in 4WD manual or auto, followed by the most powerful diesel, the 237bhp (D240) twin turbo which comes in 4WD and automatic format only. For business users, the most efficient choice would be the front-wheel-drive, manual diesel D150, which offers emissions of 124g/km. The E-Pace is also available in Regular and R-Dynamic specs, with a line up of four trim levels within each. Entry level editions come with 17” alloys, dual-zone climate control, a heated windscreen and heated door mirrors as standard. Next up is S trim, which offers 18”
wheels, electric folding door mirrors with puddle lights, electric front seat adjustment, leather upholstery and SatNav. SE trim is next and this adds 19” wheels, LED headlights with auto high beam assist, a WiFi hotspot and adaptive cruise control with queue assist. Top of the range is the HSE and this brings with it 20” wheels, which look massive on the E-Pace, a powered gesture tailgate, 18-way electric memory seats and perforated Windsor leather seats with contrast stitching While the E-Pace looks great from the outside, what’s it like on the inside? Our test model was the HSE R-Dynamic, so unsurprisingly, the interior was incredibly well finished. Standard spec included Mars Red Windsor leather sport seats with red stitch and an ebony/mars red interior, plus ebony suede cloth headline, which costs an additional £820. The overall ambience is lovely, but the small cabin in this combination of colours feels dark. There was a fixed panoramic roof fitted to our test car, which does brighten that cabin, but this will add an additional £970 to the cost. Better to have chosen a lighter coloured www.companycarandvan.co.uk
headline to brighten things up. The steering wheel contains the usual suspects: buttons to control the infotainment system, cruise control, hands-free telephone and vehicle information. Jaguar has sensibly kept the heating controls separate from the 10” touchscreen and these sit below the infotainment screen. The automatic gear lever is underneath these, with the driving options toggle switch alongside. This allows you to select from Dynamic, Comfort, Eco and Rain-Ice-Snow settings. We tried out all of the settings and the Comfort offered the most satisfying combination of fun and economy. Connectivity is paramount nowadays. As standard, you get a pair of USB sockets and four 12-volt sockets fitted, but you can sacrifice one of the 12V inputs as an option, to gain three more USB ports for rear occupants. Despite being smaller than the F-Pace, the E-Pace is actually surprisingly spacious. There’s plenty of head and leg room in the front and in the rear, and four adults will be comfortable on a longer journey. Internal storage is really very good, too. All four door pockets are actually big and useful, there are www.companycarandvan.co.uk
two cup/bottle holders behind the gear lever, a decent sized glove box and a deep eight-litre central ‘bin’ between the front seats, which is enormous. Even better news is that the Jaguar’s boot offers 577 litres, a massive 150 litres up on the Audi Q3. Only downside is a narrow entry to it. With the rear seats lowered, though, the E-Pace provides 1,234 litres compared with 1,325 litres in the Q3, a disappointing drop in capacity that I’m still scratching my head about. Jaguar spoilt us by loaning us the top-ofthe-range R-Dynamic with HSE specced model, which features pretty much everything you’d want in your car. Highlights include keyless entry, LED headlights with signature DRL, Auto High Beam Assist (AHBA), Connect Pro Pack consisting of Pro Services with Wi-Fi Hotspot, Smartphone Pack consisting of InControl Apps, a Meridian™ Sound System – 380W, Park Pack consisting of 360° Parking Aid, Rear Traffic Monitor and Park Assist and a Drive Pack consisting of Adaptive Cruise Control with Queue Assist, High-speed Emergency Braking and Blind Spot Assist. Safety is definitely taken care of. Jaguars should be fun to drive and I’m pleased to say that the E-Pace is. It’s not necessarily the best in class for driver engagement or agility, but when pushed either on winding B roads or, if required, to overtake slow moving traffic, it’s nothing other than composed, with the 20” wheels eating up the tarmac in front of you. In Dynamic mode, the drive gets tighter and the suspension and ride firmer. Eco mode is a sensible choice on the motorway while Comfort mode was best in town. We drove the E-Pace for seven days on all types of roads, in mainly warm and dry conditions, and averaged 25.9 mpg, some way shy of the official combined figure of 35.3mpg. The most powerful engine in the E-Pace range emits 181g/km of CO2, so for
those of you reading this who want to save on your fuel bill, take a look at one of the three diesel options, all of which will offer you better than this. So, the E-Pace, especially in top-of-therange spec HSE, is a lovely place to be and is both fun to drive and usefully spacious. If have a criticism it’s minor and it revolves around the infotainment system. Yes, it looks good and it is fairly simple to work, but the InControl system that Jaguar uses lags behind other systems, such as BMW’s iDrive. It’s too slow to respond to inputs and the fact that smartphone integration is via JLR’s own software is disappointing. Android Auto or Apple CarPlay are not an option. On a premium SUV you should expect this to be standard. For example, even the latest MG SUV, the ZS, comes with Apple CarPlay. This niggle aside I have to say that the E-Pace surprised me and in a good way. I thought it would be tight in the cabin and it’s not. I thought it would be a poor relation to the F-Pace and it’s not. I thought it would be a compromise on many levels, but its not. Given the choice of an Evoque, X1 or Q3, I would unhesitatingly choose the Jaguar. Perhaps, from a fiscal perspective, a diesel in lower spec would make more sense, but none the less, this is a compromise I’d be prepared to take just to spend more time in this lovely Jaguar.
CC&V VERDICT The F-Pace was a game changer for Jaguar, but we actually prefer the smaller E-Pace. The top of the range petrol is brilliant fun, whereas the diesel offers all of the pleasure, with less of the cost.
Rating: N
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Company Car & Van | December 2018 | 13
On test: NISSAN LEAF
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Nissan on the charge – extra range blows Leaf anxieties away Andrew Walker Like it or not, electric cars are the future and Nissan is one of the manufacturers who got in on the act early, launching the first generation Leaf back in 2011. Company Car and Van drove both the original, which at a push would take you 50 miles on one battery charge, and the updated version in 2014, which upped this to 80 miles. Both were good but the range left plenty of room for anxiety; the latest all-new model takes things a step further, with a range of 150 miles, which is a much more appealing. Not only does the latest Leaf go further between charges, it’s also a more conventional looking car. The original would not have been out of place in a Gerry Anderson TV show, but the latest iteration looks not too dissimilar to Nissan’s Pulsar. The front end has the familiar Nissan grille, above which sits the flap that gives you access to the electric charging socket. This now has two inputs for standard and fast charging cables. At the back, the rear light cluster sits high on each corner, merging seamlessly into the tailgate. Indeed, you’d be hard pressed to know this was an EV although the Zero Emission logo on the right rear
14 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
tailgate corner is a bit of a giveaway. We were testing the range-topping Tekna, with an OTR price of £28,390. It’s nicely specced, with full LED headlights, 17” alloys, a gloss black B-pillar, front fog lights, LED signature rear lights, privacy glass and metallic paint. Step inside and the cabin looks and feels very Nissan. The dashboard has some soft touch plastics, although it’s definitely not premium in quality and comes finished in black and chrome. On the centre of the dash sits the 7” TFT screen. The steering wheel features buttons to control the multi media system, including the hands-free phone and cruise control. The cabin is spacious with plenty of room for four adults to undertake a long journey. I keep going on about conventional cars when comparing the Leaf, but to my mind, after range anxiety, boot space concerns customers because of the space taken up by the battery. There’s no such problem in the Leaf. With all seats in use, the boot offers 385 litres of storage. Fold the 60:40 split rear seat’s flat and this increases to 1,161 litres. There’s plenty of room for the two charging
cables with a couple of nets on either side of the boot to tidy them away. I have driven EVs before, but if you haven’t, you may be pleasantly surprised at just how easy they are to drive and how relaxing it is. The Leaf is very quiet. In the cab you can just about hear the rumbling of tyre on tarmac, but otherwise nothing. It’s quick too, with a 0-62 mph sprint achieved in just 7.9 seconds. All of this is achieved effortlessly. Top speed is only 89.5mph but as I’ll explain, this isn’t a car you’ll want to drive much past 70mph anyway. The old Leaf featured regenerative braking. This version goes a step further with what Nissan calls the e-Pedal system. This can be selected by pushing a button inside the car and as we found out, works best in town, rather than on the motorway. Turn on the e-Pedal and the Leaf literally slows down for you without you needing to brake. It feels a little weird at first, with the right-hand pedal offering resistance, as if a large elastic band has been put on the accelerator, but after an hour or so behind the wheel, it quickly becomes second nature. Every Leaf model has a 148bhp electric motor that’s powered by a 40kWh battery. I
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am lucky enough to have a Rolec charger at home which makes running or owning a Leaf so much easier. When fully charged, the range on my test model showed 178 miles. I took a 50 mile motorway round trip to Chester and back and discovered that at a constant 70mph on the motorway, the mileage goes down at a similar pace as a conventional car, ie, mile by mile. However, go much faster and the range falls much quicker. Speaking to colleagues who have had the opportunity to drive a Leaf for several months, confirmed that 70 really is the fastest you’d want to go, especially if you’re travelling upwards of 100 miles on the motorway. This allows you to
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guarantee how far you can travel before planning a pit stop at a charging station. Any journey of 120 miles and above, taken purely on the motorway, will require a stop and a re-charge, so do bear this in mind. Luckily, I spent my week in the Leaf driving mostly locally, 10 miles here, 20 miles there and I was able to recharge it at home to full power in a couple of hours or so. From empty with a 7kW charger such as the one I have, this would take 7.5 hours, or 21 hours on a household plug, making the home charger a no brainer. Stop off at a fast-charging point and this charges to 80% of full power in 40 minutes.
The attraction of an EV for business users is the cost that they are to run. Although the range very much depends on how you drive, how much weight you have on board and the outside weather – the cold and strong wind hinder economy – it can work out significantly cheaper than a conventional petrol or diesel car. Drive carefully, alone, in summer and 168 miles can be achieved, although 150 miles is more likely. Drive the Leaf as if you were in a petrol or diesel and this may fall, but I genuinely think that 130 miles is possible. Furthermore, zero tailpipe emissions means that the Leaf qualifies for the maximum government incentive for buyers of Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles and it’s exempt from the London Congestion Charge. You’ll also save on annual VED rates. The Leaf will be taxed at 9%, compared to 22% for a low emission diesel car of 100g/km of CO2.
CC&V VERDICT Another step up for EV cars. Range is better, as is quality, the cost to buy is down and it looks ‘normal.’ With a home charger, the Leaf is excellent for business users who cover shorter journeys.
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Company Car & Van | December 2018 | 15
NEW CARS: BMW 3
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Latest 3 Series raises the bar and is still the one to beat
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he BMW 3 Series Saloon has had an unparalleled reputation both for its quality, and supreme handling in the premium midsize segment for more than 40 years and this, the seventh generation, raises the bar even higher. Precision, clean lines and bold contours are its hallmarks. The new car is 85mm longer than its predecessor (at 4,709mm), 16 millimetres wider (1,827mm) and just 1 mm taller (1,442 millimetres). Added to that, its wheelbase has been extended by 41 millimetres to 2,851mm, as has its track widths (front: by 43mm, and rear by 21mm). At the front, the large BMW kidney grille elements are framed by a single surround and split up by wide bars and link to the headlight units. The customary BMW twin headlights feature the familiar two-way split that is further emphasised by an eyecatching notch in the front apron that rises into the headlight contour. The bonnet has four contour lines leading to the BMW kidney grille. At its leading edge, it sits flush with the upper edge of the headlights and kidney grille. A pair of character lines rise to the rear of the car at door-handle level and a contour line near the side skirts guides the eye to the sculpted rear wheel arches. Another feature is the ‘Hofmeister kink’ – the familiar counter-swing at the trailing edge of the side window graphic. A BMW hallmark, this element of the window frame is now integrated into the 18 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
C-pillar, giving the rear doors a “freestanding” glass edge. Surface contours lead into the rear apron from the side skirts and extend in an upwards movement via the rear lights up to the spoiler lip on the boot lid. At the rear slim, darkened light units house L-shaped taillights. The interior is designed to accentuate the spaciousness of the cabin and the driverfocused cockpit. The instrument panel has a modern, light look with horizontal lines, high-quality electroplated trim strips and contours that extend into the doors. The newly-designed instrument cluster and Control Display form a large surfaced screen grouping, while the controls not included in these units are arranged into clearly structured function panels. The entry level SE model features increased standard specification. It includes Extended LED headlights with cornering light and eyebrow indicators, BMW Light Carpet, interior Ambient Lighting with up to 11 colour settings, reversing camera and latest generation reversing assistant, electric folding rear view mirrors, three-zone air conditioning and enhanced acoustic glazing. All 3 Series models benefit from 40:20:40 split folding rear seats and folding rear headrests as standard. The entry model features a leather Sport steering wheel and BMW Live Cockpit plus, with its 8.8-inch central instrument cluster. The SE models get line-specific front and rear bumper design, and they also come
with exclusive 17-inch light-alloy wheels or optional 18-inch wheels, bespoke door sill strips and LED front foglights, while the Sport model adds exterior features including BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line trim for the side window surrounds. The upgraded four-cylinder engines from the BMW Group’s Efficient Dynamics family are used in the BMW 330i and the BMW 320d. The 3 Series Saloon will feature a new-generation six-speed manual gearbox and the eight-speed Steptronic transmission. As an alternative to rear-wheel drive, the BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system will also be available for the new BMW 320d at launch. Systematic upgrades have been made to the BMW TwinPower Turbo technology for the two-litre, four-cylinder diesel engines in the BMW 320d and BMW 320d xDrive models. It now includes multi-stage turbocharging, which brings increased efficiency across all engine speeds. The revised diesel has a maximum output of 190hp and a peak torque of 400Nm enabling the BMW 320d to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 7.1 seconds (automatic: 6.8 seconds) while the BMW 320d xDrive can get from zero to 62mph in 6.9 seconds. Average fuel consumption is 64.2mpg (automatic: 67.3mpg) for the 320d and 62.8mpg for the 320d xDrive. The 320d’s CO2 emissions are 115g/km (automatic: 110 g/km) while the 320d xDrive’s CO2 emissions are 118g/km. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
Civic puts diesels back in the game Andrew Walker We drove the petrol Honda Civic way back in 2017 and were impressed with 1.0-litre petrol, mainly because its fuel economy is excellent. It was interesting, then, to spend a week in the 1.6 i-DTEC EX diesel version more recently, which, like its petrol brethren comes completely re-invented. The new model certainly looks striking. The front and rear of the Civic almost mirror each other The front sports aggressive wrap around headlights merging into an all-black front grille. The rear features bulbous rear lights and a curved low slanting rear window. Inside, there is a change. The familiar ‘spaceship’ Honda dashboard from the past two incarnations is gone, replaced by one that’s more conservative, with a mixture of soft-touch plastics. It all works, looks functional and is easy to use but I kind of missed the old Honda, who took the boring norm in most cars, put it in bag, shook it up a bit and produced something a little more interesting for the driver to inhale. The quality of the dash and controls is better than in previous Civics and is equal to the mainstream competition. The seats are comfortable if a little bland and there’s more room in the cabin than there appears from the outside. On the road the new Civic is barely recognisable from its predecessor. New multi-link rear suspension means body control is good, while the driver and front passenger seats are very comfortable. It’s close to the ground as well. Although the new Civic is larger than the previous model, it’s 148mm longer and 29mm wider, it’s also 20mm lower, with a centre of gravity that has moved down 34mm. You do feel close to the road. While most new models launched recently, have got lighter, the Civic is actually heavier, 91kg to be precise, than the Mk9 which undoubtedly harms fuel economy. This extra weight doesn’t spoil the driving fun, though. The steering is light, while the manual six-speed gear box is a beauty, with a short, slick change only enhancing the enjoyment. In order to see just what I could get fuel wise out of the diesel Civic, I drove the entire week and 500 miles in Eco mode. The 1.6 litre engine was a great motorway companion, with my longest motorway round trip of 230 miles seeing the diesel achieve 60mpg. Top speed is 125mph with a 0-62mph time on my EX test model of 10.2 seconds. Honda claims a combined fuel economy of 80.7mpg on the diesel, which if possible would be brilliant. However, when I spent most of my next 250 miles driving more slowly on a mix of urban and A roads, my fuel economy fell to 55.6 mpg. Before you groan, though, a week in the 1.5 petrol www.companycarandvan.co.uk
Civic saw my combined figure flutter around 45mpg. So the diesel unsurprisingly is about 20 per cent better. With an asking price of £25,450 the EX diesel offers great value, too. So how does the diesel compare? Your petrol choice is either the 1.0 litre Civic, which offers great value for money, especially if you go with the entry level SE or next up EX model, with decent mpg and emissions, or there is the
more expensive 1.5 litre version, which is better equipped, faster and quieter but comes with the caveat of decidedly average fuel economy and emissions. That then leaves the diesel 1.6, which for us averaged 55-60 mpg and beats both the 1.0-litre petrol the 1.5 petrol by about 10 mpg. It’s not an easy decision, but if you drive in excess of 20,000 miles per year, the diesel will use considerably less fuel.
CC&V VERDICT If you want a 5 door family hatchback that offers practicality, good performance with acceptable fuel economy and your mileage is low, then look no further then the 1.0-litre petrol manual version of the Civic hatch. The diesel is more frugal and if your job entails lots of motorway use and 15,000+ miles per year, then it’s the most logical choice. The addition of a saloon version with a larger boot and better interior space can only enhance the potential of the Civic. A great allrounder and easy to live with; keeps diesel in the game.
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Company Car & Van | December 2018 | 19
On test: KIA CEED
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Can Kia crack the C-sector puzzle? Yes, Ceed can! Andrew Walker
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aving had the opportunity to drive a lot of cars over the years, there is one car sector above all others that is the toughest to crack. We’re talking about the ‘C’ Sector here, long dominated by the likes of Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra. No one, not the Toyota Auris, Nissan Pulsar, Honda Civic, Mazda3 or the Hyundai i30, has really rocked the sector and disrupted the status quo as they have in so many other sectors – but that hasn’t stopped them trying. Kia is the latest to have a go, with the launch of its latest Ceed. Company Car and Van recently got our hands on the all-new Ceed 1.4 T-GDi First Edition. The Ceed has been made to appeal to the European C-segment hatchback market. It’s designed and built in Europe and is sold exclusively in Europe. The third generation Ceed looks much fresher than its predecessor and it features Kia’s tiger nose grille, sweeping headlights and a more
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aggressive lowered and wider front air intake. The rear isn’t as striking and is reminiscent of both the BMW 1 Series and Vauxhall Astra, with a spoiler above the rear window and wrap around rear lights. The Ceed has been built on Kia’s new K2 platform, which has made the new model 20mm wider, lowered the roofline by 23mm and it’s now 95mm longer. The wheelbase remains the same as before, at 2650mm. The cabin, though, has been moved back 68mm, to improve occupant protection and visibility around the A-pillars. The First Edition looks the part, too, with
CC&V factfile Price: £25,490 CO2: 132g/km BIK: 27% Comb mpg: 50.4mpg Key details: Diesel version prices start from £21,955 and deliver 74.3mpg and 99g/km in 1.6 Eco Pack guise
17” alloys, LED Bi-function headlights, LED rear lights, privacy glass, LED daytime running lights and a wide sunroof fitted with an automatic roll blind. The interior will be familiar to anyone who has a Kia. The quality is good, but not quite up to the inside of a Golf or the latest Ford Focus. There’s soft touch plastics on the top of the dash and the First Edition also features black leather seats, a leather trimmed steering wheel and gear stick. Lower down there’s cheaper looking, harder plastics on the centre console and door pockets, which is a surprise. The infotainment system, however, is first class. First Edition offers an eight-speaker JBL premium sound system, USB and aux in sockets, a USB fast charger in the front centre console, Android Auto and AppleCar Play with voice control, a wireless mobile phone charger, 8” touchscreen SatNav, a reversing camera, DAB, Bluetooth, plus smart park assist. It’s all tidily packaged in a dash-top screen. This First Edition is specced up to the nth
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degree with a heated steering wheel, heated front seat and outer rear seats, engine start/ stop with smart entry system, dual automatic air con and smart cruise control with stop and go functionality. Active safety is impressive: Blind Spot Collision Warning, High Beam Assist, Lane Following Assist, Speed Limit Information Function, High Beam Assist, Forward Collison Avoidance Assist, ESC, ABA, ABS, EBD, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning and Intelligent Stop/Go are all fitted. The 1.4-litre petrol engine is actually pretty
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good. There’s 138bhp on tap, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.9 seconds and a top speed of 128mph. We had the opportunity to put the Ceed through its paces on some B roads in Yorkshire and we found the steering light and precise. You can drive the Ceed with confidence and as we found, it handles winding roads in its sleep. Steer into a bend and the Ceed comes out on the other side incredibly true. The ride, though, is on the firm side and there’s a bit of shuddering over pot-holed roads, which was not helped by the 17” alloys fitted to our test model. Smaller
16” wheels would probably be better. A motorway sojourn proved that the cabin is quiet, with outside noise kept to a minimum. While on the motorway we selected cruise control and the punchy petrol engine allowed us to overtake safely when required. Overall, piloting the new Ceed was enjoyable. Another bonus with all Kia models is that the infotainment settings are easy to get the hang of. Bluetooth connected quickly and with a USB lead, AppleCar Play as well. Continued on pg 22
Company Car and Van | December 2018 |21
On test: KIA CEED
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Continued from page 21 I made a couple of hands-free calls while on the A1 and the sound was clear, enabling me to have a conversation without raising my voice. For those of you looking for a family company car, the Ceed’s interior space is impressive, with good leg and headroom in the rear and there’s 395 litres of space in the boot, 1,291 litres with rear seats folded, which is more than in either the Focus or Golf. The boot floor can be raised to make loading easier, which is handy because the boot does have a reasonably high lip. Our first Edition featured the nippy 1.4 petrol engine, but there’s also a 1.0 litre petrol 3-cylinder 118bhp and 1.6 litre diesel with 114bhp on offer, with a more powerful Ceed GT on the way. First Edition isn’t cheap, with our test car retailing at £26,850 OTR. Combined fuel consumption for the 1.4 is 50.4mpg on the combined cycle and it’s CO2 is 127g/km. The 3-spec model is also more costly, so we would suggest that company car drivers consider the 2-spec petrol model with the 1.0 litre petrol engine. It’s not only cheaper, with the range starting from £18,295, it also comes well equipped with 16” alloy wheels, air-con, a 7” touchscreen audio display, DAB, a reversing camera, cruise control and Forward Collision Assist. In 1.6 Eco Pack diesel guise, kitted out in 3-spec, the fuel economy is even more impressive, with a combined figure of 74.3mpg and low CO2 emissions of 99g/km . The diesels is more expensive, with the range starting at £21,955. As with pretty much all new cars out there, yet again you have an example of a clean Euro6 diesel in the Ceed, offering drivers 22 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
CC&V VERDICT No one takes on the goliaths of VW and Ford and gets away scot-free in the C Sector, but the Kia Ceed comes as close as any to suggesting an alternative now exists to their hegemony. Cheaper than both and plenty to recommend it.
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over 20mpg more than the petrol version and with lower emissions too. High milers and DoT employees, please take note.
In conclusion, then, has the new Kia Ceed got what it takes to match or even beat the Volkswagen Golf? The easy answer is no – but there is some good news coming. The new Ceed is a really good effort from the Koreans. Not only is the latest version around £2,000 cheaper than the equivalent Golf, it’s also better value than the Ford Focus, offers more space than both and comes better equipped like-for-like than the two main rivals. I would goes far as to say that Kia wasn’t really expecting to better the Golf, but what it has done is make a car that’s equally as good as the Astra and better than the likes of the i30, Auris and Leon. Another positive result for KIA. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
NEW CARS: DS 3 CROSSBACK
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The ds3’s bringing sexy back
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ushing back the limits, DS 3 Crossback is a vehicle of distinctive styling and exceptional proportions, bringing back to motoring old school design cues that deliver a superb, sculptured car that turns heads. It is available in either an ICE (Internal Combustion Engines – petrol & diesel) or electric variants, featuring exclusive technologies and taking refinement to the extreme. Built on Groupe PSA’s all-new ‘Common Modular Platform’ (CMP), it opens new horizons in both technology and styling. DS 3 Crossback is both a city car and a long-distance road car. Pushing conventions aside, it opts for spectacular technologies including DS Matrix Led Vision headlights, flush door handles that deploy automatically and a fully digital driving display. These avant-garde features go hand in hand with a sense of refined comfort, a rich array of safety equipment and driver assistance functions, and unequalled acoustic excellence. Elegant and attractive, DS 3 Crossback is for all those looking for a car with instant appeal that is stylish, high-tech, comfortable and dynamic. “DS 3 Crossback fits perfectly into the second generation DS: technology leadership and unequalled sophistication,” said Yves Bonnefont, CEO of DS Automobiles. “With DS 3 Crossback, DS Automobiles also writes a new chapter in its history: electrification, in the form of the 24 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
E-TENSE version. This is a DS 3 Crossback that is 100% electric, with no compromises over style and benefits.” The new car meets all the criteria for attracting and retaining a demanding clientele that is not prepared to trade features for size and compactness. Lovers of beautiful objects will be charmed by its sculptural design, the creativity of its interiors and the care taken with even the smallest details. Avant-garde technologies give customers a driving experience characterised by comfort, well-being, peace of mind and pleasure, over all types of journey and for all types of use, whether they choose a standard internal-combustion engine or a completely electric model. DS 3 Crossback is identifiable at first glance as a premium, compact SUV, with its moderate length of 4.12m, broad on-road stance and large wheels (690mm, 18’’), as well as its ground clearance. At the front, the DS Wings form a finely chiselled setting for the sculpted, vertical lines of the emblematic DS grille. The DRLs (Daytime Running Lights) with their pearl-like vertical LEDs and the tapered headlights of the Ds Matrix Led Vision system suggest a contemporary edge and performance. An impression reinforced by the wide ribbed horizontal bonnet. Attention-to-detail is a hallmark of the DS brand and is visible everywhere, starting with the vehicle exterior:
• the non-visible weather-strip seals, • the elegant flush-fitting door handles, • the roof line is clean, with no visible aerial antenna, • the roof and body in different colours, • the side shark fin, and • chrome-finished twin tailpipes (ICE engine models only). The rear sits squarely on the road, its broad, powerful shoulders striking an evocative note of imposing style. It is also elegant with a high-tech rear light signature spanning the entire width through a strip featuring the Crossback name. The folding flush-fitting door handles are both elegant and modern. Premiered at the start of the summer on the DSXE-Tense Dream Car, this exclusive technology is new to this sector. The principle is simple: the door handles are available to users when required. The rest of the time, they fold into the vehicle sides. Moreover, with Proximity Keyless Entry and Start, the magic takes place as the key holder approaches the car, within a radius of 1.5 metres. The car unlocks and the four handles deploy automatically so the driver and passengers simply get in and drive away. Similarly, the door handles retract and the vehicle locks as they walk away from it. There are plenty of ways you can personalise your DS 3 Crossback to make it even more distinctive. Continued on page 26 www.companycarandvan.co.uk
NEW CARS: DS 3 CROSSBACK
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DS3 Crossback: distinctive design cuts a dash
Continued from page 24
It all starts on the outside: 10 wheel themes, 10 body colours – including the superb Millennium Blue seen on the DS X E-Tense Dream-Car – and three roof colours make up the initial personalisation process. Customers can choose from an extensive range of combinations for a highly personalised result. The ultimate aspect of the personalisation process is expressed with the five DS Inspirations: DS Montmartre, Bastille, Performance Line, Rivoli and Opera; and for the ultimate expression with La Première limited edition. These Inspirations mix and match colours and materials inside and outside the car, to meet individual tastes and requirements. The Inspirations set their stamp on the interior styling for a chic, modern result, featuring grained or full-grain Nappa leather with an ‘Art Leather’ finish, top-stitching in a pearl or diamond pattern, braided textiles, Alcantara®, a steering wheel fully upholstered in full-grain leather including the airbag cushion and chrome trim features with a Paris Hobnail guilloche design. On the
26 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
outside, the Inspirations add specific notes of detail such as the signatures on the bonnet and lower doors or the chrome trim features at the front and at the rear with a gloss, satin or textured shimmering black finish. Power comes via either all-electric or traditional ICE engines. The E-Tense will be launched in the second half of 2019 with an all-electric motor that delivers a range of 186 miles, with a function to charge the battery to 80% in 30 minutes, or five hours for a full charge with a Wall box. This advanced level of performance does not detract from interior space, since the batteries are placed under the floor. Performance is outstanding: 0 to 30mph in
3 seconds and 0 to 62mph in 8.7 seconds. The ICE option is equally as tempting. A city car and a road car by nature, DS 3 Crossback is the first car to feature the latest upgrade of PureTech with a 155hp petrol engine mated to the EAT8 (Efficient Automatic Transmission with 8-speeds). Two other PureTech engines (130hp and 100hp) complete the range of petrol engines compatible with the latest Euro 6.3 standards. Also available, to the latest Euro 6.2 diesel standards, is the 1.5-litre BlueHDi 100 diesel engine. Finally, DS 3 Crossback comes with a host of exciting innovations. It introduces a new generation of full LED lighting with Matrix Beam technology that sees the light beam adjust automatically to provide optimal lighting and can drive outside built-up areas on full headlights without dazzling other road users. This feature is not only spectacular, it also delivers a level of safety and driving comfort never before seen in this class of vehicle. With their modern, high-tech design, DS Matrix Led Vision headlights also contribute to the unique visual identity of DS 3 Crossback, a signature dear to DS.
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KONA scores top marks as electric claims put to the test
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ONA Electric is the latest electrified model from Hyundai, joining both the IONIQ family and the forthcoming NEXO as the brand drives towards 18 new electrified models by 2025. It brings the very latest in battery electric powertrain and connected technology, with an impressive driving range of up to 300 miles, all packaged up in an evolution of the KONA’s striking exterior design. Front styling changes include a signature silver garnish connecting the high level daytime running lamps, a closed grille incorporating the charge point and a redesigned front bumper with active air flaps. At the rear of KONA Electric, the bumper has been redesigned for improved airflow, as well as housing resigned turn signal and fog lamp units. From the side, its dedicated 17” alloy wheels, lower side skirt and wheel arch side claddings are clear differentiators from the internal combustion engine versions of KONA. The KONA Electric models come with a high level of standard safety features, including Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Recognition (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW) Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Smart Cruise Control (ASCC) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with individual tyre pressure display. Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Follow Assist (LFA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are also available dependant on trim level. Prices start from £29,495 (excluding Plug In Car Grant) for the KONA Electric SE
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39kWh, with equipment including a 7” display audio including DAB, Apple Car Play™ and Android Auto™, rear parking sensors with rear view camera, Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel controls and a leather steering wheel. Automatic lights, climate control, driver’s side electric lumbar support and keyless entry with start/stop button are amongst the key specification items. KONA Electric Premium 39kWh is the next model up in the range, which starts from £30,870 (excluding Plug In Car Grant). The specification builds on the SE trim level by offering customers additional equipment including, privacy glass, LED rear lamps, front parking sensors, auto dimming rear mirror and automatic windscreen wipers, 8” touchscreen display audio system with Navigation, DAB, Apple Car Play™ and Android Auto™, combined with the KRELL audio system with 8 speakers and wireless charging for compatible devices. KONA Electric Premium is available with two drivetrains; the 39kWh battery with 100kW motor providing 136PS, or the 64kWh battery with 150kW motor with 204PS. The range-topping Kona Electric Premium SE 64kWh is available from £36,295 (not including Plug In Car Grant), which adds additional equipment to the Premium including LED headlamps with High Beam Assist (HBA), static cornering lights and head up display. Additional enhancements over the Premium specification include leather seat facings, electrically adjustable and heated/ ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel. KONA Electric is available in a choice of six
colours. Galactic Grey (metallic) is a no cost option finish, with Chalk White (pearl), Tangerine Comet (metallic), Ceramic Blue (pearl), Pulse Red (pearl) and Acid Yellow (metallic) being a £565 option. A two-tone roof is available to order as a £420 option on the Premium & Premium SE models. The quality of the KONA Hyundai Motor was highlighted when it achieved top results in the first What Car? Real Range tests for electric cars. In the motoring magazine’s evaluation, which complements its ‘True MPG’ tests for petrol and diesel cars, the KONA Electric achieved a ‘real-world’ figure of 259 miles on a single charge – the longest driving range of any car tested. The KONA Electric equipped with a 64kWh battery pack was tested by What Car? along with 13 other zero-emission cars at the Millbrook Proving Ground test track, in a mixed range of driving conditions. It achieved a real-world range of 259 miles – the equivalent of driving from London to Snowdonia on a single charge, and at a cost of just 3.3 pence per mile. Results of the What Car? testing comes just a few months after KONA Electric was crowned ‘Affordable Electric Car of the Year 2018’ by Auto Express magazine. Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor UK said: “The results of the What Car? Real Range tests are a terrific endorsement of our zero-emissions models. Achieving not only the highest ‘real-world’ driving range, but also the best efficiency and lowest cost-per-mile figure of any brand is testament to our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of our vehicles.” Company Car & Van | December 2018 | 27
On test: VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG
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Bigger - but no less beautiful for that Andrew Walker climbs aboard the Touareg and finds a car carrying the Volkswagen flag
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ack in the mid-noughties, my brother-in-law ran a Mk1 Touareg 3.0 litre petrol. It burned fuel, which at the time didn’t seem to upset too many. The first Volkswagen SUV, the Touareg proved pretty popular as an alternative to the very expensive Range Rover Sport, Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 of the time. A Mk2 model arrived in 2010 and this improved the Touareg across the board. The latest all-new model was launched in 2017 and with emissions, fuel economy and powertrains now a major consideration when purchasing a company car, the new range will include a plug-in hybrid for the first time. The new Touareg has been launched with a choice of SE, SE L and R-Line trims, as well as additional ‘Tech’ packs for each version, with two diesel engines, both V6, offering
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CC&V factfile Price: £56,900 CO2: 173g/km BIK: 37% Fuel consumption: 42.8mpg Key details: Superb infotainment system; intuitive and easy to use. First class airline seating and smooth ride make for cossetted motoring. Based on the Touareg SUV 3.0 V6 TDI 286 R-Line Tech Auto
228bhp or 282bhp, with a V6 petrol, V8 diesel and a plug-in hybrid following on behind. All cars come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and 4Motion AWD. Built on a platform shared with the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini Urus, the Touareg is most definitely the most sensibly priced of these. It’s a really comfortable car to be a passenger in and thanks to the sterling V6 diesel, pretty
quick as well. It also looks good, that is to say similar to the latest Q7 and thankfully nothing like the incredibly ugly Bentley, which is a real case of the ‘Emperor’s new Clothes’. Step inside and you are greeted with high quality on every surface. Finished in black and subtle chrome, with leather and metal here and there, it is of the highest quality. The real ace-in-the-hole, though, is the car’s intuitive layout and its on-trend infotainment system which features Volkswagen’s ‘Innovision Cockpit’. This comprises a set of 12.3” digital dials, as well as a 15” central infotainment screen. This system really is quite something, being great to look at, easy to use and it’s also very clever. It features an onscreen set up, whereby you can select a tile which contains the function you want to use. Using the steering wheel controls, you can toggle through to select the function required. This is then displayed crystal clear. As a bonus. the system works alongside both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital dials in front of the driver are also excellent, allowing the driver to choose to have the SatNav map up or the speedo and rev counter dials. Either way, the driver has
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complete control at the flick of a switch. Customers who buy a large SUV don’t just want tech, they want space and the Touareg has this in spades. Forsaking a seven-seat version, Volkswagen has instead concentrated its efforts on producing a large, comfortable, practical 5-seat car. The latest model is 77mm longer and 44 mm wider than it’s predecessor, as well as 7mm lower. Thanks to clever design there’s no loss of headroom in the rear. Both front seat passengers have first class airline space up front and in the back you will get three six-foot adults in comfortably. Boot space is a more than generous at 810 litres and with the rear seats folded flat this increases to a whopping 1800 litres. For those who want to tow, the range also features Trailer Assist. There’s also 4Motion permanent 4WD with a Torsen gearbox as standard, which features a self-locking central differential with asymmetrical-dynamic drive, off-road driving programme activated by rotary switch and manual ASR deactivation, front and rear independent suspension on double wishbones with acoustically insulated subframe, as well as front and rear anti-roll bar. The Touareg has the lot. I had the opportunity to drive the Touareg on country roads, B roads and along the M40 and it didn’t skip beat. The V6 286 PS diesel engine is a corker. The eight-speed auto tiptronic gearbox is a pleasure to use, with even the gear knob aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Acceleration is rapid, 0-62 mph in just 6.2 seconds and this version will go onto reach a top speed of 146 mph. Fast it may be
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‘The real ace-in-the-hole is the car’s intuitive layout and its on-trend infotainment system which features Volkswagen’s ‘Innovision Cockpit’. This comprises a set of 12.3” digital dials, as well as a 15” central infotainment screen ... great to look at, easy to use and also very clever...’ but it’s also very quiet. The suspension cossets you over any bumps in the road and the aerodynamic shape and glass insulation keep the outside noise at bay. Safety is to the fore, with the new range offering driving dynamics and comfort systems, including technologies such as a Night Vision thermal imaging camera. Traffic Jam and Roadwork Lane Assist, with partly automated steering and lane departure warning up to 37 mph, acceleration and braking. Plus, Front Cross Traffic Assist. Other safety features include Adaptive Cruise Control and an active bonnet, which features a sensor controlled pedestrian protection system to raise the bonnet away from the engine compartment in the event of an impact. The list of equipment is very long. Suffice to say I searched the interior for USB inputs: answer, four. A USB charging socket in the front centre storage compartment, front seat centre armrest and two in the rear centre armrest, guaranteed therefore to keep all passengers happy. Indeed, the Discover Premium infotainment system is pretty comprehensive offering Hybrid radio, a combination of terrestrial and internet radio, mobile online services with eSIM, ensuring continuous online functions even without smartphone, including news, weather and Gracenote online. There’s also an SD card reader, a 64 GB SSD hard drive and SMS functionality which allow you to read, compose and send SMS messages using touchscreen display when stationary. This is only compatible with Android smartphones, however.
Those lucky enough to be in the market for a large SUV will want to know the running costs. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle for our R-Line test model is 42.8mpg, with emissions of 173g CO2/km. Every version costs more than £40,000, so the standard road tax rate of £450 per year applies to all. If you want the R-Line powered by the 3.0 litre 266 PS diesel, the range stars from £56,300 with a P11D value of £56,900 giving you a BIK of 37%. The introduction of the Touareg hybrid will lower this considerably, however. Would I like one? Yes. There’s no doubting that when you drive the Touareg, you understand why customers love their large SUVs. Expensive they may be, but these cars have been designed like the luxury yachts of billionaires, to take passengers where they want to go in supreme comfort and safety. On both of these levels, the Touareg is a hit and although a starting price of over 40k may be too rich for some, when compared to the competition, the Touareg is a bit of a steal.
CC&V VERDICT It may appear expensive on first glance but trust me, you get plenty for your money and compared to the competition, the Touareg is a bit of a steal. A worthy flagship for VW
Rating: N
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Company Car & Van | December 2018 | 31
NEW CAR REVIEW: TOYOTA COROLLA
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New Corollas are a sight for sore eyes
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he stunning new Toyota Corolla Touring Sports made its first appearance at the Paris Motor Show at the start of October, joining the new Corolla hatchback revealed earlier this year. This all-new model has a dynamic design which clearly differentiates it from the hatch as a sleek, refined and versatile wagon. Developed and created in Europe, the Touring Sports body style is aimed at customers who want good looks with uncompromised practicality. The new Corolla range marks the debut of Toyota’s dual hybrid strategy with a brand new 2.0-litre full hybrid electric powertrain joining the line-up. The Corolla Touring Sports reflects Toyota’s continued focus on hybrid electric technology, with just one conventional engine featuring in the range – a 114bhp 1.2-litre turbo petrol unit. This will be offered alongside two hybrids: 120bhp 1.8-litre and 178bhp 2.0-litre powertrains. The latter is unique in Corolla’s segment, as no conventional engine can deliver the same 34 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
balance of performance and low emissions. The 1.8-litre hybrid is an improved version of Toyota’s current unit, offering quiet running, intuitive and responsive performance and self-charging electrified vehicle technology, together with low cost of ownership benefits. The new 2.0-litre system maintains all these qualities together with the ride comfort, stability, handling and driving enjoyment inherent in Corolla’s newly adopted Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) GA-C platform. The suspension features a proven front MacPherson strut arrangement and an all-new rear multilink system. New shock absorber valve technology is used and, for the first time in a Corolla, adaptive variable suspension (AVS) is available. The engine’s low mounting height, the low hip point of the seats and the location of the hybrid battery beneath the rear seats help give the Corolla Touring Sports a low centre of gravity and agile handling. A comprehensive range of technology features for comfort and convenience will be provided as standard on high-grade models
and available as options elsewhere in the range. These include a world-first 3D driver’s meter, premium head-up display, a JBL GreenEdge Premium sound system, wireless mobile phone charging and the Toyota Touch multimedia system. The interior was styled at Toyota’s recently opened Design Centre in Belgium. Thanks to the use of the TNGA platform, the new wagon is no longer simply a variation of the hatchback, but has become a distinct, separate model in its own right. The wheelbase measures 2,700mm, helping achieve best-in-class rear legroom. The design generates a refined, sensuous appearance, with the sweeping roof line of an elegant yet robust estate car. This sporting profile is reinforced by the wide, flared wheel arches, their edges hemmed so that the wheels can be positioned further outboard, emphasising the car’s wider stance and lower centre of gravity. At the rear, the design theme is witnessed in muscular shoulders, widely spaced full-LED lamp clusters and a raked rear screen. Continued on page 36 www.companycarandvan.co.uk
NEW CAR REVIEW: TOYOTA COROLLA
Continued from page 34 The deep rear bumper reflects the catamaran shape that features in Toyota’s current design language. Exclusive to its market segment, the Corolla Touring Sports will be available from launch in four optional bi-tone colour schemes. These match the body colour with a black roof, pillars and lower front grille surround. The all-new interior creates a spacious, modern and cohesive cabin environment in which new textures, colours and trims combine to offer the highest levels of visual and tactile quality. This is in line with the model’s development to appeal specifically to European customers. The Sports Tourer sits alongside the new hatchback, which was launched earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show. Toyota’s new generation of C-segment hatchbacks, saloons and wagons will bear the Corolla name worldwide, building on the model’s credentials as the best-selling car nameplate in automotive history. The Auris nameplate will be discontinued with the introduction of the new generation Corolla in early 2019. The new naming coincides with Corolla adopting a common Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, replacing the three different vehicle platforms currently used in the range.
36 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
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“The TNGA engineering and design philosophy brings a whole new dimension to our next generation C-segment models,” said Dr Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe. “Adding to Corolla’s renowned quality, desirability and reliability, it delivers the more emotional values that our customers aspire to, such as a distinctive design, interior refinement, rewarding driving dynamics and powerful yet efficient hybrid electric powertrains. “There is no better moment than the launch of the upcoming new generation model to reintroduce the Corolla name to our C-segment hatchback and wagon.”
“There is no better moment than the launch of the upcoming new generation model to reintroduce the Corolla name to our C-segment hatchback and wagon.”
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Camry’s back – with new hybrid electric powertrains to boot Toyota is to reintroduce the Camry to the UK market after a 14-year absence, launching a new self-charging hybrid electric model to maintain the company’s presence in the large and executive saloon market. Its arrival during 2019 will increase Toyota’s European hybrid line-up to eight models, spanning the motoring spectrum from the Yaris supermini to the RAV4 SUV. Camry will return in its all-new, eighth generation form, showcasing the engineering and design benefits of the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). The TNGA platform is central to achieving strong “fun-to-drive” dynamic qualities together with alluring styling, precision build quality, highly efficient packaging and the use of innovative, user-friendly technologies. As a result, Camry advances all the core qualities that have made it so popular to date, including segment-leading quality, durability and reliability, quiet running and superb ride quality. To this are added head-turning interior and exterior design, even higher comfort levels, a state-of-the-art powertrain and more driving pleasure, thanks to ride and handling specifically tuned for the European market.
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An extended roofline ensures comfortable cabin dimensions, while compact side glazing contained with the wheelbase gives Camry a stylish and sporting appearance. The interior fuses style, comfort and craftsmanship. In the front, a curving dashboard encloses an ergonomically excellent, driver-focused cockpit; to the rear, passengers are provided with spacious and comfortable accommodation.
Camry has a strong heritage of international awards and more than 19 million global sales since its debut in 1982. Available in more than 100 countries worldwide, it currently it achieves annual sales of more than 700,000 units, making it the world’s best-selling model in its class. Specifications and further details of the new Camry Hybrid will be announced before the 2019 launch date.
Company Car & Van | December 2018 | 37
TOYOTA NEWS
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New Invincible 50 is the gold standard Hilux pick-up The Toyota Hilux’s first 50 years have been packed with achievement, its status as a world-beating machine confirmed by feats such as the conquest of both North and South Poles, scaling the slopes of an erupting volcano and surviving ordeals of fire, water and explosives courtesy of Top Gear. To mark this exceptional half-century, Toyota has created a new and exclusive Hilux, the Hilux Invincible 50. This special edition, for public sale, has been engineered in partnership with Arctic Trucks, the Iceland-based specialists in extreme terrain driving. Appropriately, just 50 individually numbered examples will be available for UK customers. The modifications include a performance suspension system by Arctic Trucks and Bilstein. The new 16 x 7.5 ET05 alloy wheels are specific to the Invincible 50, finished in satin black with a machined lip and fitted with 265/75R16 BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tyres. The special wheel and tyre combination gives Hilux even greater off-road capability, with more ground clearance (the vehicle is raised by 40mm at the front and 20mm at the rear), added articulation and increased approach and departure angles. This is not to the detriment of smooth and confident on-road performance. New styling features include bespoke, wider front and rear wing treatments that amplify the vehicle’s raised stance and muscular character. A double-hoop sports bar is fitted over the vehicle bed, providing a
raised platform for a battery of four highpower Vision X lights. These multi-source LED units project a smooth and powerful light over a great distance, on all driving terrains. Other details include rear Arctic Trucks mudflaps, rear parking sensors, a tough Line-X bed liner and classic Toyota tailgate graphic. A numbered Invincible 50 plaque is featured in the cabin. Invincible 50 chrome badging and detailing are featured on the wings, wheels, doors, tailgate, sports bar, lighting and interior. All vehicles are finished in black paintwork. In other aspects the Invincible 50 matches the specification of the standard Hilux
Invincible, a double-cab model powered by a 148bhp 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine with six-speed automatic transmission. Key equipment features include Toyota Safety Sense with Pre-Collision System, Lane Departure Warning and Road Sign Assist, cruise control, dusk-sensing headlights, Toyota Touch 2 with Go multimedia system with navigation and connectivity for accessing web-based apps, automatic air conditioning, smart entry and start and rear privacy glass. Order books for the new Toyota Hilux Invincible 50 are open now with customer deliveries through December into the New Year.
Toyota Conversions let customers add a precision edge to the Hilux range Interested in converting your new Toyota PROACE into a refrigerator van or Hilux into a tipper truck? Toyota has a host of authorised standard Trade Plus conversions or bespoke Toyota Authorised conversions to make your new CV perfect for your business needs. Toyota Hilux Tipper & Dropside bodies in association with TGS A lightweight yet rugged aluminium tipping body has been designed to fit to the Toyota Hilux Single and Extra Cab pick-up truck, making for a great workhorse for use in many different industries. It’s a conversion that’s fully type approved with Toyota 5 Year Warranty. It comes with fully galvanised frames with 38 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
superior anti corrosion protection and black powder-coated gantry with protection infill panel. You’ll also find anodised aluminium sideboards with over-centre catches and removable corner posts.
A much cooler look can be created with a PROACE refrigeration conversion in association with CoolKit® The CoolKit® insulated van conversion provides the best combination of payload, thermal efficiency, strength and waterproofing achievable. • Insulating materials provide extremely low thermal conductivity (0.025WmK) • Hardwearing light weight plastic inner surface reinforced with woven glass fibres • Kit components uniquely interlock to provided unrivalled strength • Floor edges are laminated in situ for a guaranteed waterproofing across the floor • An under chassis mounted condenser for less wind resistance and better fuel economy. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
On test: MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV
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Refined Outlander plugs in to public’s thirst for change Andrew Walker
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hich car accounts for 50% of all UK plug-in vehicle sales? Answer: the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Since its introduction in 2014 it has transformed the ultra-low emission vehicle landscape here in the UK, with endorsements from the likes of Boris Johnson, if it was an endorsement, only increasing its popularity. Even in the ‘terracotta army-land’ of North Cheshire the PHEV has managed to get a small foothold among the footballer-type Cheshire-set who usually favour Range Rovers and Porsche Cayennes and who care not an iota for global warming or fuel prices I drove the PHEV back in 2014 and in late 2015 the model had a mid-life facelift. Both of these came with an electric range of 20 miles, enough to get you to the shops and back and perhaps to school and back as well, but not much further. Step forward, then, to the 2018 Outlander PHEV, with a claimed electric range of 30 miles. Not only will the latest PHEV go further on electric, some small improvements from Mitsubishi have gone a long way to making 40 | December 2018 | Company Car and Van
this latest version a much more desirable motor. Most important, though, are the changes to the engine. There’s a new Atkinson cycle petrol engine and the drive battery capacity has increased by 15% to 13.8kWh. Drive battery output, electric generator output and the rear electric motor outputs have all increased by 10%. On the outside, the Outlander PHEV was the first execution of Mitsubishi’s new SUV design direction – ‘Dynamic Shield’, which embodies the functionality and reassuring safety inherent in Mitsubishi SUVs. This has been updated on the new model. There’s a new front grille design, which carries the Mitsubishi Three Diamond mark, there’s also new front and rear bumper’s, LED headlamp system, 18” alloy wheels and fog lamp bezels. Four-wheel-drive is also there if you want it. Inside, Mitsubishi has worked hard to improve the quality and luxuriousness of the interior. Updates include new front seats, improved engine refinement, which equals less cabin noise, revised switchgear including a new Drive toggle with a SPORT button, a new instrumentation cluster, the introduction of rear air-con vents, a selection
of new cabin trims and black headlining. The Mitsubishi Multi Communication System is still offering the driver a simple way to communicate through hands-free Bluetooth, Apple Car Play or Android Auto. There’s no SatNav on board, so Google Maps is your best bet, connected via a USB cable. The Outlander PHEV also contains a 360-degree camera, Mitsubishi’s Unintended Acceleration Mitigation System, which prevents accidental acceleration from a stationary position – whether forward or reverse. The Lane Departure Warning System does not activate below 40mph and vehicle momentum changes caused by level five and six regenerative braking trigger the brake lights. As well as being safer the new PHEV is also faster and more fuel efficient. Improvements to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV’s dual powertrains means that it’s not only more efficient than before, it also offers better driving performance. The 0-62mph acceleration benchmark is dispatched in 10.5 seconds, some 0.5 seconds faster than before, while its overtaking acceleration is also improved by a similar margin (e.g. 50mph-62mph is reduced by 0.6 seconds to www.companycarandvan.co.uk
3.7 seconds). My PHEV4h test model came extravagantly equipped with a long list of goodies, including 18” wheels, Smartphone link display audio, dual zone climate control, black leather seats, keyless operation system. front, side, curtain and knee airbags, blind spot warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, DAB digital radio, front seat heaters and a heated steering wheel. Also on offer are cruise control, a power tailgate, 8 way electric driver’s seat, the very important 10amp 240v 5m charging cable and LED daytime running lights In truth, when compared to, say, a Land Rover Discovery, the interior is more functional than inspirational. However, it’s definitely better than before, with some nice soft touch plastic here and there and a quality feel to the switchgear that’s been missing from some Mitsys for some time. Up front there’s acres of space for driver and front seat passenger and in the rear, too, space is excellent. Only the centre rear seat feels squashed, primarily because the seat belt connector is awkwardly positioned The boot is a useful 463 litres, although the battery does eat into the depth of this. Fold the rear seats down and this goes up to www.companycarandvan.co.uk
731 litres. There’s also a neat hidden 35-litre compartment at the rear of the car underneath the boot floor, where you can stow away the charging leads. Despite the PHEV weighing around 1800 kg , there’s no obvious lack of speed or power. Put your foot down and the engine quietly does it’s job and it is this lack of noise that makes the acceleration seem greater than it really is, 0 – 62 mph in 10.5 seconds and a top speed of 106 mph. A fully charged and fuelled up PHEV has a range of 560 miles. If you can find a fast charger the battery can be 80% charged in 30 minutes. Charging at home takes longer though, around five hours using a domestic socket. Luckily, I have a Rolec wall charger at home and this time is cut to just 3.5 hours. When I first connected the charging cable to the Rolec EV socket, it wouldn’t charge. Mitsubishi has cleverly added a timer system to the charging system, whereby you can set the time for the charge to start and finish. This timer had been set up by the last user of my test car, meaning it wouldn’t start. A quick scroll through the infotainment screen and system settings allowed me to turn this off. Very useful though this is, it had me flummoxed for a while.
As luck would have it, I had a van launch in Luton to attend while testing the PHEV. That meant a 360-mile motorway return trip from Altrincham to Luton and back. Motorway driving is a pleasurable thing in the Outlander PHEV. The quiet petrol engine make the miles disappear and via Apple Car Play I got to listen to my favourite podcasts and utilised Google Maps, both at the same time. In petrol mode I did 335 miles and had around a fifth of a tank left. The petrol engine is fine on economy at 65 mph or under, but go just a few miles an hour faster than this and the economy drops. I selected the EV drive setting about 30 miles from home near Crewe on the M6. Knowing I was going to be in road works for 20 miles at a constant 50 mph, I thought I would see just how far the electric motor would take me. I’m happy to report that I was able to drive using electric only for the last 26 miles of my journey and still have about 10% battery life left. Excellent! Around my locality, over shorter distances to the shops for example, I took advantage of the Save Charge button while on the move. Apart from the longer trip to Luton and back, I spent the remainder of my week driving locally and I was able to do this on electric charge only. Charging at home definitely helped and I would urge anyone looking at a plug-in hybrid to get a charger at home or at work if they can, as it’s just quicker and easier to charge with a proper EV wall socket than using a domestic three-pin plug. For company car drivers who are big motorway users, a long journey at motorway speeds need to be undertaken using the petrol engine, but anything shorter or at a constant speed of 50mph or below, offers the driver the opportunity to go electric only. And that extra 10 miles could make all the difference. Championed by Boris when London’s Mayor, four years on and the Outlander PHEV has only got better. It’s a shame that our near-sighted government recently pulled the plug-in grant for cars that do less than 70 miles on electric charge. But, with a reasonable asking price, better quality both inside and out and that 30-mile electric range, the Outlander PHEV is still a good bet for those not quite ready to go full-on electric.
CC&V VERDICT A ground-breaker in more ways than one, the 2019 MY Outlander PHEV has improved on refinement and driver appeal while enhancing its key USP – electric range. A good halfway house for those keen to go electric – but not all the way
Rating: N
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Company Car and Van | December 2018 | 41
NEW CARS: MAZDA 6 / LEXUS UX
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Sedate 6 is a throwback to an age when saloon’s ruled Andrew Walker I have a bit of a soft spot for Mazda. They’re not flash, nor expensive, but they are very good and the latest model to test was the Mazda6, in 2.0 litre petrol 165ps Sport Nav+ guise. The current 6 may have been around for a long time in car years, six in fact, but two refreshes later and it still looks and feels like one of the best cars in its class. Squint hard and you may just notice the updates on the 2018 model. There’s a new front grille, with a different mesh, updated headlights, a refreshed rear bumper and a redesigned boot lid. Most of the changes are actually on board or under the bonnet, including new steering and suspension. As we found out, it’s still good to drive and handles winding roads well. Interior updates are subtle. The centre console has been redesigned and now comes with a smaller panel of climate control buttons. Our Sport Nav+ test car feels more premium than it’s predecessor, with black leather upholstery and a real wood trim. The 8” colour
display allows access to the SatNav, telephone and entertainment functions – in the Sport Nav+ this is a premium Bose system with 11 speakers. In truth, it looks a bit dated when compared to newer rivals but, despite this, it works well and is easy to use. From a practical perspective you can adjust the settings using either the rotary wheel in the centre of the front seats or you can touch the screen to select functions. The graphics, although clear and concise, are also starting to show their age. Mazda has improved safety features. Blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, radar cruise control, lane keep assist and autonomous emergency braking are now fitted across the range. Our test car featured the addition of an £800 Safety Pack, which adds a 360 degree monitor, adaptive LED headlights, rear smart city brake support and
CC&V VERDICT If you want to buck the herd as it stampedes to the SUVs, the Mazda6 is a real contender. A smooth, sedate and precise saloon, well-mannered and poised. Great drive and great room for four passengers
Rating:
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driver attention alert. The Mazda6 is a saloon but you don’t lose out on space if you are used to SUVs; in fact, the interior space is excellent and you’ll comfortably seat four adults. A fifth passenger will struggle for leg room in the rear because of the transmission tunnel. The boot offers a useful 480 litres of space and if required it’s really quick and simple to fold the rear seats down, creating a large more useful space. There is a choice of petrol or diesel engines, with our test car featuring the smaller 2.0 litre petrol 165ps unit. This is fine, offering a top speed of 134mph and a 0-62mph time of 9.6 seconds. However, unlike the diesel it has a lower 150ps and there’s no mid-range oomph, and the lack of torque makes the petrol less enjoyable than it’s diesel brethren. Which to choose? Our test car’s claimed combined economy was 44.1 mpg, though we averaged just 37mpg in a week where we covered over 200 miles, and CO2 emissions are 146g/km, while the 2.2 diesel offered 72mpg and 102g/km of CO2 emissions, making it the better bet, despite the anti-diesel rhetoric out there. Still, the petrol 6 is happy enough on the motorway, with the well insulated cabin keeping both road and wind noise at bay. The seats are mega-comfortable and the seat adjustments work well. Local B roads offered up the chance to push this large saloon out of its comfort zone, but the 6 did not waiver. Compared to the opposition and in this I’m including the Volkswagen Passat, Peugeot 508 and Ford Mondeo, from a driving perspective, the Mazda6 holds its own. The Peugeot is newer and its nicer inside and out, while the Passat and Mondeo offer comfortable, if not exciting, driving. The Mazda6 sits somewhere between them, and is a better drive than either the Ford or the VW. The saloon market has shrunk in the face of a myriad SUVs but if you really have to have a saloon car, then the Mazda6 is well worth your consideration, particularly with the attractive contract hire rates on offer. Interestingly, despite my earlier comments about the diesel’s positive return on mpg and CO2, the contract hire rates deliver a £3,000 saving over three years for the petrol, which may well sway the argument its way. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
UX rips up the rulebook
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he all-new Lexus UX challenges everything that went before. Its bold design expresses unmistakable strength. Yet its elegantly sculpted surfaces suggest a character that is both stylish and dynamic. From the daring front end with its dramatic Lexus signature grille, to the sporty silhouette and bold rear design, the all-new Lexus UX takes a brave new approach to SUV thinking. And the interior is just as exciting, with a design based on the Japanese architectural concept of ‘engawa’ where the boundaries between inside and outside are seamlessly connected. You will feel perfectly at home in a luxurious, driver-focused environment that feels open yet secure. Challenging everything that went before it, the all-new Lexus UX SUV juxtaposes bold urban design with unmistakable strength. Side on, its sculpted body expresses pure and dynamic lines. To the front, the distinctive signature grille displays an intriguing mesh pattern that gradually changes shape outwards from the central Lexus badge, while triple-LED headlights are enhanced by arrowheadshaped daytime running lights. Seeking to innovate, the UX design team developed many aerodynamic breakthroughs. These include a fin on the rear combination light that helps stabilise the vehicle in crosswinds and stepped wheel arch mouldings to improve handling around corners. For the all-new Lexus UX SUV, the creative team set out to eliminate the conventional
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boundaries between exterior and interior design. This is memorably demonstrated from the driver’s seat, where the instrument panel appears to continue through the windscreen into the bonnet. This clever effect enables the driver to better sense the size of the vehicle which, combined with excellent front visibility, makes it easy to manoeuvre in the city. The theme continues with ‘Takumi’-crafted ‘sashiko’ leather upholstery, a stitching technique used to strengthen Judo and Kendo uniforms. Additionally, one of the UX’s trim options displays the delicate paper pattern of ‘shoji’ sliding doors that are often seen in Japanese homes. Enjoy the commanding seating position and excellent visibility of a modern crossover. A low centre of gravity and rigid platform allow the UX to deliver precise driving dynamics that you wouldn’t expect in a SUV. This is further enhanced by unique aerodynamic stabilisers, subtly incorporated into the design of wheel arches and rear lights, that offer stability at speed and in cross winds. Featuring many innovative technologies like Panoramic View Monitor and a worldclass Mark Levinson® Premium Surround system, all UX models are fitted with Lexus Safety System + as standard. This includes a Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection; Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Tracing Assist to help you stay on course; Adaptive High-beam System for enhanced vision at night; and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which regulates your speed to that
of the vehicle in front. The Lexus UX is available in 3 grades. UX, F SPORT and Takumi. You can also create your perfect vehicle with optional custom packs, including Tech and Safety, Premium Plus and F SPORT Takumi. The UX range also offers a new generation Self-Charging Hybrid that combines class-leading fuel efficiency with extremely smooth dynamic performance. The Panoramic View Monitor combines images from four video cameras to give an amazing 360° birds-eye view of the car and its surroundings through an unprecedented 10.3” screen. There’s no need to worry about troublesome cables with the availability of a Qi-compatible wireless charger, allowing you to charge a device such as a smartphone simply by placing it on the charger. With the new Lexus Safety System +, the UX has an outstandingly comprehensive preventative package, including detection of pedestrians and cyclists. Available from £29,900, the UX includes E-CALL, DAB, new L-Navigation, Dual Zone Air Conditioning and 17” Alloys. The F SPORT grade is available from £33,900 and comesw with 18” Alloys, F SPORT Styling, privacy glass, Tahara power seats, heated seats and steering wheel, parking sensors and auto dimming mirror. The Takumi grade is available from £39,100 and includes the above features plus: smooth leather seats, ventilated seats, 10” navigation system, 360 parking camera, Lexus HEAD-UP display, blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic auto brake.
Company Car and Van | December 2018 | 45
DEALERSHIP NEWS
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New models and key personnel make it an exciting time for Lexus Woodford With early 2019 bringing two new Lexus models to market, in the form of the ES mid-range saloon and compact UX SUV, Lexus Woodford has appointed Vince Brand as its new Corporate Sales Manager. Vince will be familiar to many customers in Essex and the surrounding area, having most recently been a part of Essex Auto Group’s Corporate Sales team and the Rayleigh Ford Transit Centre. he is no stranger to the premium marques either, having also been Corporate Sales manager for five years at Fairfield BMW. He arrives at Lexus Woodford just as Lexus is entering an exciting phase in its history. The launch of the ES and especially the UX
will see Lexus gain a couple of important models that will appeal to SME’s, with Lexus expecting the UX to account for 25 per cent of UK Lexus sales by the end of 2019. With the demand for SUVs at an all-time high, the UX joins current best seller the NX and range-topping SUV, the RX, in completing the Lexus cross-over line-up. “I started my career with Ford Motor Company as an apprentice and worked extensively in engineering as a welder, manufacturing and repairing production and prototype tooling, working mainly at Dagenham but also in Portugal,” Vince said. “In my spare time I’m involved with my local cycling club in Chelmsford and organise local
club time trials as well as dabbling with a bit of photography.” Vince joins a team led by Nahide Crisp, who also looks after Hills of Woodford Toyota. Hills has also recently appointed a new Toyota Fleet Sales Manager in Theo Bradley, who joins the Group from Steven Eagell Toyota. Lexus Woodford and Hills of Woodford Toyota are perfectly placed to look after your corporate sales needs, with a range of fuel and tax-efficient hybrid Lexus and Toyota models. With the new Toyota Corolla, Rav4 and Toyota Camry models also arriving at the Toyota dealership in 2019, there’s lots to look forward to at Lexus Woodford and Hills of Woodford Toyota.
Stockport’s own ‘500 Club’ have their cake and eat it after sales bonanza Quarter 3 of the new car sales year has seen an unprecedented change to all manufacturers and dealerships, while they underwent the depletion of non-conformity WLTP stock. However, faced with the challenges of depleting this stock, Volkswagen Stockport, one of the largest Volkswagen retailers in the UK, saw it as a great opportunity to maximise its stock opportunity and set a new record of selling and delivering over 500 new vehicles in the month of July. This also set the ground running for the remaining stock that had to be delivered in August (adding a further 300 new registrations 48 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
in the month). The success of this growth and ability to deliver this amount of volume was attributed by some key local business wins by the amazing fleet team at Stockport, backed by their partners across the dealership, to ensure the high volumes were prepared and delivered to the highest possible standards. This success has cemented relationships with new customers and has paved the way to future growth within the business. By way of recognition a special cake was
made for the team to celebrate this record – branded “The 500 Club” in tribute to the stunning sales effort. As the car industry moves towards new registrations under WLTP, the team is building new order banks and providing support to businesses so that they understand the new laws and their impact on BIK rates as 2019 looms. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
Iveco ups the ante with a go-anywhere 4x4 Daily The new Daily 4x4, entirely manufactured by IVECO, offers for the first time a full line-up of off- and all-road vehicles with cab, van, chassis cowl and crew cab versions. IVECO introduces the first 7-tonne GVW 4x4 vehicle with payload up to 4,300 kg in the market with a choice of body lengths up to 5m. The new Daily 4x4 family features the 180 hp, 3.0 litre engine and offers absolute driving pleasure with the exclusive Hi-Matic 8-speed automatic gearbox and top safety with all disk brakes with ABS and specific Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). This latest generation of IVECO’s ‘goanywhere’ vehicle builds on a family heritage of unlimited versatility, extreme robustness and high driving comfort. It extends the offering with the new all-wheel drive configurations, a choice of manual and the class-exclusive eight-speed Hi-Matic gearbox, new van versions, and the unique seven-tonne GVW 4x4 vehicle with payload up to 4,300 kg. The new Daily 4x4 line up offers cab, chassis cowl and crew cab models in 3.5, 5.5 and 7.0 tonnes GVW versions, with a choice of single
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wheels off-road and twin wheels all-road configurations. Powered by IVECO’s Euro VI 180 hp 3-litre engine, they can accomplish every mission on all terrains with ease. Customers can choose the manual transmission with 12 forward and 2 reverse gears or opt for the absolute driving pleasure of the class-exclusive Hi-Matic automated transmission with 16 forward and 2 reverse gears. The new range also offers advanced safety features such as the all disk brakes with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and ESP
(Electronic Stability Programme) specifically conceived for these 4x4 vehicles. IVECO is also extending the Daily 4x4 family with a new van line up offering 5.5 and 7.0 tonnes versions featuring the same engine and the same choice of transmissions. The spacious vans offer cargo volumes ranging from 9 to 18 m3 for the single wheel off-road and from 16 to 18 m3 for the twin wheel all-road. At the top of the range, the line-up introduces an industry first: the new 7.0 tonne vehicle. With payload up to 4,300 kg, maximum load of 2,700 kg on the front axle and 5,000 on the rear axle, and body lengths up to 5 metres, this new line takes the versatility of the Daily 4x4 to a new level. The new Daily 4x4 vehicles are entirely manufactured by IVECO, requiring no transformation by body builders. This entails multiple advantages for customers, such as warranty coverage of the entire vehicle and reduced lead time for delivery. The new Daily 4x4 is ready to take on every mission, on- and off-road, with an extensive line up, strength and superior driving comfort.
Company Car & Van | December 2018 | 49
CV News: CITROEN BERLINGO
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International van award richly deserved for all-new Berlingo New Citroën Berlingo Van has deservedly been named International Van of the Year 2019, with this third generation hailed for its remarkable developments in terms of comfort and technology, with no compromise on functionality. True to the brand’s signature, ‘Inspired By Pro’, the new Berlingo adapts to the needs of all professions and trades. The judging panel praised its two sizes (M and XL), as well as its comfort and safety features – with no fewer than 20driving aids and four connectivity technologies. UK deliveries of the new Van begun this quarter. Linda Jackson, Citroën Global CEO, commented: “The Citroën brand is proud to see New Berlingo Van receive the prestigious title of International Van of the Year 2019 once again. This award bears witness to the leap taken by this third generation of Berlingo Van in terms of features, and underlines the relevance of Citroën’s offer in the delivery van sector. “This success highlights the brand’s historic commitment to the Light Commercial Vehicle sector, and continues a long success story, from the 2CV delivery van and Type H, to the Dispatch and New Berlingo Van today. The award was announced at the 67th IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover where a panel of 25 journalists and independent magazine editors who specialise in LCVs from across Europe made their choice. While improving its space and practicality, New Berlingo Van was also recognised for its style, increased comfort, technologies and features worthy of today’s passenger cars. This is the fifth time in the history of this sought-after prize that Citroën has won International Van of the Year, and it is the second time for Berlingo Van. Its previous victory dates back to 1997, when the first generation model was introduced. Other LCVs in the Citroën range to have been awarded the accolade are Citroën Relay (in 1994), Citroën Dispatch (in 2008) and Citroën Nemo (in 2009). More than 1.5 million examples have been produced throughout the world since Berlingo was originally launched in 1996, firmly marking its place as one of the key players in its sector. In Europe, in the first six months of this year, the commercial vehicle market represented one registration in four for Citroën, with 110,986 LCVs registered. Even before the introduction of New Berlingo Van, Citroën has enjoyed LCV growth of 10.6%, 50 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
more than twice the market average (+4.9%). The brand has improved its LCV market share in Europe by 0.5 points, to reach 9.9%. Citroën has also earned its place in the European brand rankings, securing a Top Five sales spot. In keeping with Citroën’s new look range, this third generation commercial vehicle presents a robust and reinforced character, with greater visibility and a higher and shorter front end. The external appearance is marked by a re-designed front profile, in keeping with the identity of the Citroën brand and its bigger brother Dispatch, as well as a functional rear designed for a wide range of professional customers Inside, drivers will appreciate a modern interior with an airy cabin, integrating numerous technologies and storage areas (including the ‘Top Box’ glove box) It is available in two sizes: M and XL which are 4.40m and 4.75m long, based on two wheelbase lengths It meets customer expectations by offering two dedicated versions, each one with its own specific features for professional customers: WORKER and DRIVER Its versatility and modularity are reflected by: • the Extenso® Cab for three people • the modular Crew Van, which can carry
up to five passengers and long loads • other optional features (roof flap, ply-lining, doors with windows etc.) As a load-lugger, it has no betters in its sector. It provides excellent rear accessibility, sliding side doors and payloads of up to 1,000kg in Size M (950kg in Size XL), while the wheel arch width is compatible with Euro-pallets, and can hold up to two Euro-pallets in terms of load length Moving with the times, New Berlingo Van provides genuine driving comfort and utmost safety, thanks to its suspension settings, which benefit from Citroën’s expertise to ensure maximum comfort, and the EMP2 platform at the front, for enhanced handling and greater connectivity Again moving with the times drivers will also love the unrivalled levels of technology with the integration of 20 driver assistance systems including: Overload Indicator, Surround Rear Vision, Colour Head-up Display, Electric Parking Brake, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop function Four connectivity technologies including: Citroën Connect Nav and Wireless Smartphone Charging Engine options are both powerful and efficient: BlueHDi 130 S&S manual or EAT8 auto, BlueHDi 75 manual, BlueHDi 100 S&S manual). www.companycarandvan.co.uk
CV NEWS RENAULT TRUCKS
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Renault Trucks, charging ahead The switch to electromobility within the heavy vans and truck sector has started, says Grahame Neagus, Head of LCV, Renault Trucks UK. Here he takes a look at how heavy duty electric commercial vehicles are changing the automotive landscape, and how we need to plan our cities and infrastructure for an electric future. Electric vehicles are nothing new. The first cars with an electric motor were presented at the end of the 19th Century, and very nearly stole the market, but limitations on battery range and size saw the combustion engine overtake. By the 2000s, tightening emissions regulations pushed manufacturers to revisit electric vehicles. Pressures from politicians, industry and the public demanding a zero-emissions alternative to the combustion engine has seen huge investments in battery technology that has improved range, power, energy and durability. For many urban applications, electric vehicles are finally becoming performance and price competitive with the latest diesel combustion engines, putting them right back in front of a new transport revolution: electromobility is the future. The three main type of client in this growth are through Early Adopters, Pushed Customers and Key Account Operators. Leading the charge is Renault Trucks, part of the Volvo Group. A pioneer in this field, it has put electromobility at the heart of its sustainable urban transport strategy. Over the past 10 years, Renault Trucks has been working with commercial operators to prove the operational capacity and commercial viability of a range of hybrid and fully electric vehicle technologies across several countries. In the UK, Renault Trucks’ first hands-on experience with electric vehicles was during the London Olympics in 2012, providing a hybrid electric 26t vehicle which delivered Coca-Cola to sites during the Games – it didn’t miss a beat then, or in a further four years’ operations in the capital. Today, its second generation of fully electric vehicles available from 3.1 to 26 tonnes, with proven performance, offer a range of solutions for urban operations including last mile logistics, refrigerated chilled distribution, street lighting MEWPs, urban passenger transportation and refuse collection. 52 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
All offer zero tailpipe emissions of CO2 and other local pollutants normally associated with the traditional combustion engine. The all-electric Renault Trucks Master Z.E. comes in six variants – four panel vans and two platform cabs – to meet the varied requirements of professionals working in urban environments, covering Logistics, Utilities and Passenger operations. As well as payloads of up to 1,128kg and a real-world operating range of at least 120kms (depending on topography, weight, driving style and season), the Master Z.E. offers loading volumes up to 24m3 and offers no cargo space intrusion as the batteries are mounted under floor. A fully automatic gearbox makes urban distribution a much easier operation for drivers, minimising driving stress and effort. Importantly, Renault Trucks’ investment over the last ten years means it has the experts in its dealer network who are ready to help customers transition seamlessly to electromobility. However, getting the vehicles right and customers on-board is just one part of the story. If we are to increase adoption rates of electric vehicles in the UK and meet the government’s ‘Road to Zero’ targets we need a strategic roadmap that clarifies the key issues of urban planning, establishing a national charging infrastructure and investing in our power networks. With three tiers of regulation coming in from the
EU, Government and now the new city mayors, gaining a uniformed approach across the whole of the UK and Ireland is a huge challenge and there’s a long way to go. A charging network is critical to the success of electric vehicles; the Government has committed £440m to delivering charging infrastructure but if we are to increase the number of vehicle charging points from just 16,500 today to 100,000 by 2020, we need a joined-up approach. Government and industry must work together to agree the way forward for a planned, sustainable, all-electric future that will benefit our businesses, cities and communities. There is some evidence of this happening but it is small scale, however there are examples of planning permission being granted in inner cities on the basis that ultra clean vehicles are to be operated from that location. Some innovative thinking around using lamp posts as charging points in densely populated roads is another opportunity, or utilising stadium carparks during the week when they are largely empty. More recently we have seen BP purchase Chargemaster, one of the largest infrastructure companies, with plans to install rapid chargers in BP fuel stations, the first time an international oil company has joined the electromobility revolution. From Renault Trucks’ perspective, the introduction of their all electric Z.E. range signifies a serious intent to offer operators a truly workable zero emission solution, in terms of pollutants and noise, in line with environmental strategies. www.companycarandvan.co.uk
MERCEDES NEWS
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Full power ahead with X-Class X V6 350d Mercedes’ new X-Class V6 X 350d 4MATIC has been launched, available from £38,350 excluding VAT. All options come in the more popular and versatile doublecab format, with 4MATIC permanent all-wheel-drive and Dynamic Select, 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission. They also benefit from a wide track, long wheelbase and comfort suspension, coupled with a double wishbone front axle, multi-link rear axle with a rigid section, and coil springs at both axles, all as standard. The 350d 4MATIC comes with the high-level POWER equipment line only, and features painted bumpers with simulated under guard in chrome; a rear bumper in chrome with integrated step; fog lights with chrome surround; shoulder line trim strips in chrome; LED high-performance headlights with cleaning system; LED tail lights; electrically folding exterior mirrors; and KEYLESS GO, all as standard. Inside, the X 350d 4MATIC comes with eight-way electrically adjustable driver and front passenger seats, which are heated, as standard, along with a leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles and cruise control, ARTICO leather and DINAMICA microfiber upholstery.
54 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
It also has 18-inch six-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels in himalaya grey and with heated washer fluid jets as standard. For the 4MATIC permanent all-wheel drive, three different all-wheel drive modes can be selected, in which the lock is always regulated. In 4MAT mode the vehicle automatically manages the force distribution. That way, if the vehicle registers loss of grip eg, on the front wheels, the torque is applied to the rear axle instead. In the 4H (High Range) mode a low locking effect of the interaxle differential is presented. This leads to a reduction of the control intervention and therefore improved response characteristics.
The 4L mode (low range) is suited for driving on terrain where maximum force at low speeds is required, such as on steep slopes or muddy roads. Using the Dynamic Select controller the driver can choose between five individually defined drive transmission modes (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Off-Road, and Manual) which allow for the vehicle character to be adjusted as desired: Eco: For fuel efficient driving. Comfort: Standard setting for comfortable driving. Sport: Allows for sporty driving style with faster engine response and faster shifting of the 7G-Tronic Plus. Manual: Enables manual gear selection via Direct Select paddles behind the steering wheel; the engine response is similar to that of the sport setting. Off-road: For higher shift points. The six-cylinder diesel engine with 2,987 cm³ has a power output of 258 hp (190 kW) and a maximum torque of 550 Nm. The new V6 engines sees a change to the X-Class line-up; the Pure And Progressive models will only be available with the 220d and 250d engines. The POWER model will be exclusively available for the 350d.
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Unleash the Fury! Isuzu UK, the pick-up professional, is launching a dynamic new version of the D-Max, the Fury. An extremely striking, comfortable and hardworking pick-up, a limited number of this head-turner is being produced. Isuzu has made the Fury available to pre-order early for delivery in dealerships in January 2019. With an extensive range of unique features, inside and out, the Isuzu D-Max Fury truly makes a statement. Sporting the head-turning Magma Red paint finish, complemented by the bold 18” dark grey alloy wheels and radiator grille with its striking red Isuzu badge, the Fury is a unique vehicle with a strong road presence. Its premium custom designed interior helps create a fun, capable and luxurious blend of uncompromising style. The New Isuzu D-Max Fury is available with manual or automatic transmission. Fury will feature the following key specification as standard: Exterior: Dark Grey Radiator Grill with red Isuzu badge, Dark Grey 18” Alloy Wheels, Gun Metal Side Steps, Folding, Heated, Cosmic Black Door Mirrors with Side Indicator Repeaters, Black Door Handles & Tailgate
Handle and Fury exterior decal. Interior: Cloth Upholstery with a Dark Grey Interior, Red overstitching on soft pad armrests and steering wheel, Fury Branded Carpet Mats. Equipment: Manual Air Conditioning, Reversing Camera, 7” Multifunction Colour Touchscreen, CD Player and Front & Rear USB Ports. For an additional £1,000 + VAT, there is an optional distinctive Black & Red Fury Leather Upholstery available. There’s also a whole host of other
accessories to choose from. In addition to the new features mentioned above, the Isuzu D-Max Fury retains its superior 3.5 tonne towing, outstanding 125,000 mile / five-year warranty and five-year roadside assistance in the UK and across Europe. Pricing for the New Isuzu D-Max Fury starts at only £22,499 CVOTR (Exc. VAT). Following an already successful year for the award-winning Isuzu D-Max, the updated range offers the capability and practicality of the D-Max while looking and feeling more sophisticated throughout the pick-up. The new model joins a D-Max line-up which has already garnered a host of awards during a successful 2018. It was crowned ‘Pick-Up of The Year’ at the prestigious 2018 WhatVan? Awards and the ‘Most Reliable Pick-Up’ for 2018 by Professional Pick-Up & 4X4 magazine. It was also named ‘Best Workhorse Pick-Up’ for 2018 by Trade Van Driver and ‘Best Pick-Up 2018’ by Scottish Field.
The Fury offers a dynamic new version of the pro’s choice for a pick-up, the D-Max
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Company Car & Van | December 2018 | 55
On test: ISUZU D-MAX UTILITY
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No-frills Utility a worthy place to start your D-Max adventure The current Isuzu D-Max pick-up range was upgraded in 2017, with new powertrains, better equipment and a more refined driving experience all helping the vehicle cement its position as one of the UK’s top sellers in the sector. At launch, we spent most of our time driving the top-of-the-range Blade, but with readers asking about the more basic pick-ups out there, we had the opportunity to spend a week in the entry level D-Max Utility and to be perfectly honest, it was a pleasant surprise. For a start, there’s the price: the entry-level Utility D-Max is priced from £15,749 (CVOTR). It may not have SatNav, cruise control, DAB digital radio, roof bars, leather upholstery, heated front seats or rear parking sensors, but nonetheless, it does come equipped with LED daytime running lights, Hill Start Assist, Variable Hill Descent Control, Bluetooth® connectivity, power windows and air conditioning. Furthermore, the D-Max comes with a five-year / 125,000-mile warranty and was the first pick-up in the UK to be offered with such a comprehensive peace-of-mind package. Running costs are kept down by 12,000-mile or 24-month service intervals, five years’ roadside rescue and recovery including European cover, a three-year paint warranty and a six-year anti-corrosion warranty. The key design changes include a new front bumper, bonnet, grille and headlights with LED daytime running lights. The front of the pick-up has a wedge-shape which delivers a more aerodynamic silhouette and the roof has been designed to reduce drag by 0.4% versus 15MY D-Max by directing airflow over the tailgate, thereby improving fuel economy, performance and the level of cabin noise. At the rear, the tailgate has been reshaped with a spoiler design moulded into the top section and features a newly designed handle. A full size spare wheel is now standard on all versions, previously optional on Double Cab models. The interior of the new-generation D-Max has also been updated. The instrument panel has been redesigned with an updated central display and clearer font. Manual transmission models come equipped with a gear shift indicator to assist drivers with achieving optimal fuel economy. Utility offers a single USB ports within the AM-FM Radio. Extended and Double Cab variants are equipped with flexible rear seats that have a folding base, fold flat and also split 60/40. While the Utility may lack the in-your-face rapper looks of the top of the range Blade, 56 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
it’s by no means an unattractive pick-up. The piano black cabin of the D-Max is well laid out and I found all of the controls easy and comfortable to use. The quality inside is better than before good. There’s plenty of room in the front for both driver and passenger. The driver’s seat only adjusts fore and aft, but I was still able to get comfortable in there. Storage is good too, with two water storage pop-outs in the dashboard, two decent sized door pockets and a useful glove-box. On top of the dash there’s also a pop-up storage area and above your head drop-down storage to put your sunglasses as well. You can get three adults in the rear, but whoever sits in the centre seat may not want to be there for long as the rear passenger ride, as with all pick-ups, especially when unladen, is bouncy. Access to the rear via the tailgate is straightforward and I took the opportunity to visit my local recycling centre with a myriad of rubbish from my garage, which all fitted nicely into the load space. Driving in town is okay, although the manual gear change is a bit clunky and the heavy power steering makes parking in tight spaces a bit of a chore. On the open road on either the motorway or A roads, the Utility is a more enjoyable place to be. Acceleration is not to the fore, but once up to motorway speed the Utility will happily keep up with fast-moving traffic. For those of you who want to keep an eye on the pennies, fuel economy in the Utility is a claimed 40.4 mpg on the combined cycle, with CO2 emissions of 183g/km. Both of these are lower than on the old model. Over seven days and 250 miles of mixed urban
and motorway driving, I managed to achieve 34.3 mpg, which is acceptable to me. From a business perspective, if you choose the Utility as your company vehicle, then your BIK at the ‘van’ rate, would be £646 for a 20% tax payer and £1,292 for a 40% tax payer, both infinitely affordable. In detail, the D-Max 1.9 litre 164 ps turbo diesel engine offers maximum torque of 360 Nm @ 2,000 – 2,500 rpm and is Euro 6 compliant. Top speed is 112 mph. The turning circle is 12.2 metres on 17” tyres. The D-Max measures 5.295 m long by 1.860 m wide and is 1.795 m high. Ground clearance is 235 mm. Wheelbase is 3.095 m. The fuel tank holds 69 litres. The rear load bay is 1.552 m x 1.530 m x 46.5 cm with a maximum payload of 1101 kg. While the Utility won’t cut the mustard in Chingford, Esher or Wilmslow, it will do the job that you bought it for, with very little fuss. It may well be your entry into the D-Max range, but don’t overlook it. It’s great vale for money and will happily be your work horse, no questions asked.
CC&V VERDICT Buying the entry model often makes sense, particularly if you’re looking for a workhorse. This is a no-nonsense pick-up with real quality. Might get the Cheshire and Surrey set looking down their noses but far better than you’d imagine from the price tag
Rating: N
NNN
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CV NEWS: VW AMAROK
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• Most luxurious Amarok now available as a special edition • Unique design elements plus extra comfort and equipment • Powered by 258 PS 3.0 V6 engine with 4MOTION 4WD Priced from £39,960 (OTR exc VAT) The Volkswagen Amarok has always been a cut above the rest when it comes to premium features, comfort and refinement. And now, thanks to the introduction of a new special edition Aventura model, customers have the opportunity to secure the keys to the most distinctive and luxurious Amarok ever. The Amarok Aventura features the ultimate specification list that combines striking design features with a host of creature comforts and safety systems. Building on the handsome and rugged looks of the standard Amarok, the Aventura features 20-inch Talca alloy wheels, body coloured sports bar with Aventura badging and chrome-plated side bars with step and LED spot lighting. Like all Amarok models, the Aventura is built to work and also features styling for under-body cladding, power folding mirrors and a protective coating for the load compartment. Customers can specify their Aventura in a range of colours and can also take advantage of a reduced price for special matt finishes. Available in either Ravenna Blue or Indium Grey, the matt paint can be specified as a £2,335 (ex VAT) option – a saving of 24 per cent over the usual price. Also available are Mountain top roll covers made specifically for the Aventura model. Available in black or silver, they can be specified as an option for £1,387.50 (ex VAT). 60 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
The Aventura features ErgoComfort seats with 14-way adjustment... faced in soft Nappa leather
Aventura is a cut above the rest Inside, the Aventura is positively bristling with equipment. ErgoComfort seats with 14-way adjustment are fitted as standard, and ensure that even the longest of journeys can be completed in total comfort. The seats are faced in soft Nappa leather, while the multi-function steering wheel is also leather-wrapped and is fitted with paddle shifts as standard. Volkswagen’s acclaimed Discover Media Navigation system dominates the dashboard layout while special Aventura mats further enhance the feeling of exclusivity. To help keep drivers safe and secure in all conditions, the Aventura features a Lights and Vision package (automatic headlights with separate daytime running lights, Coming
Home feature and windscreen wiper intermittent control with rain sensor) along with front fog lights with cornering function as standard. Powering the new Amarok Aventura is the Amarok’s most powerful 3.0-litre TDI V6 with 258 PS in normal driving and 272 PS when using the overboost function. The engine generates a thumping 580 Nm of torque between 1,400 and 3,000 rpm, while permanent 4MOTION all-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic gearbox ensure that the Amarok can go where others fear to tread. The special edition Amarok Aventura is available to order through Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Van Centres, priced at £39,960 (OTR exc VAT). www.companycarandvan.co.uk
On test: FIAT TALENTO
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Fiat Professional moves into new markets with sharp-looking Talento Fiat replaced the Scudo van in 2016 with the Talento, a model based on the Renault Trafic that will be reassuringly familiar to anyone who has driven the Renault or its Vauxhall equivalent, the Vivaro. Fiat has taken the opportunity to sharpen the exterior of its version. The forwardstretching windscreen connects elegantly to the short bonnet while the Fiat Professional family front grille is designed both to wrap around the headlights and to distinguish it from the competition. Inside, too, the Fiat designers have added some nice touches to the dashboard, with the ‘Living Brown’ colour scheme the standout. The large front seats are comfortable and the familiar dashboard is easy to use, understand and functions really well. There are 90 litres of in-cabin storage, including compartments hidden under the seat base and behind the seat back of the passenger seats. There’s an additional blind spot-mitigating ViewPlus interior mirror and an innovative fold-down central seat with detachable clipboard holder and the available smartphone/tablet holder. There are nine body styles to choose from. The standard low and high-roof vans in short/long-wheelbase versions, short/ long-wheelbase people carriers and crew vans and a long-wheel base platform cab. Innovative features include the ‘CargoPlus’ storage area under the passenger seats which allows professionals to carry objects up to 3.75m in length (4.15 for LWB versions) by sliding them into a special bulkhead opening. Rear doors can open up to a wide angle of 255° allowing easy access and usage of the loading bay while the sliding side door has an aperture of 1,030 mm and a load edge just 100mm above the ground. The load volume equals 5.2m³ in short wheelbase models, 6m³ in long wheelbase versions and a generous 8.6m³ in the long wheelbase high-roof derivative. This means that the Talento, even in the short wheelbase trim level, is capable of carrying three Euro pallets and depending on the version, a payload of up to 1,249 kg with a GVW of up to 3,060kg. On the best performing model, the EcoJet with Stop/Start, fuel consumption of up to 46.3mpg should be possible, with CO2 emissions as low as 155g/km. In terms of safety, all versions are fitted with LED daytime running lights, ABS with EBD (electronic brake distribution) and EBA (emergency brake assistance) in addition to a sophisticated ESC system with Hill Holder and Traction+ as standard. Available safety features include side airbags and window62 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
bags a Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) system. Standard equipment on the entry level Talento includes remote central locking, electric front windows (one-touch lowering on the driver’s side), electrically operated and heated door mirrors, a full bulkhead, a height adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and an arm rest, dual passenger seat, a powerful audio system with Bluetooth, DAB, USB, Aux-in, a full-size spare wheel and steering-wheel remote controls. The entry-level Combi Active adds a rear tailgate with window wiper and de-mister, luggage cover, passenger airbag and folding/ removable rear seats. The SX version adds air con, Mobile Office, ViewPlus, rear parking sensors, upgraded “Living Brown” interior trim and enhanced exterior detailing, while the SX Combi adds 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, automatic lights and wipers, a leather steering wheel, cruise control with speed limiter, the upgraded audio system with satnav and enhanced exterior and interior detailing. SX versions of the Talento van and crew van are priced at £1,000 more than the standard model, while the Combi SX is £2,000 more than the Active trim level. By launching the Talento, Fiat Professional has tapped into the longer van market that falls between their old Scudo and the larger Ducato. This sector is particularly important for Fiat Professional, as the company claims that the longer van could account for as much as 30 per cent of the mid-weight market sector. The previous Scudo model
was unable to compete with the longer van, so Talento has opened up new opportunities for Fiat and along with their Fullback pick-up, also launched ion 2016, the Fiat Professional range is complete. I had the opportunity to drive the Talento for a week around the north west. It’s an easy van to like, with car-like handling and a user-friendly interior. It’s so good to drive you forget that your in a mid-size van which as primarily a car driver, is a real bonus. Add this easy-to-use factor to the van’s obvious practicality and the Talento is now one of my favourite vans. Existing Renault and Vauxhall customers already know how good this van is and so too will Fiat customers from now on. Importantly, the UK Fiat Professional network can now compete with its siblings in the sector and with the current Vivaro due to be replaced by a Group PSA van, similar to the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert, Fiat may just pick up some Vauxhall business too.
CC&V VERDICT This is an Il Grande Torino of a van that will pick up custom from fleets usually stocked by the usual suspects from Ford, VW, Renault and Vauxhall
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On test: LDV EV80
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LDV EV80 catches its rivals napping Andrew Walker Fly to Dublin they said. Meet up with the Harris Group they said. Drive some LDV vans they said. Try the EV version they said. An EV LDV? Surely a Chinese manufacturer could not have produced a large EV van and bring it to market before the might of Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Ford et al? Yes, they can. Currently, of the major van players in Europe only IVECO has tackled the potential of electric vans, with Renaults Master ZE due at the end of 2018, so the fact that UK & Ireland importer of LDV, the Harris Group, is lucky enough to have the Chinese car company SAIC as its parent company, is the reason why. On the outside the EV80 looks no different to the standard V80 panel van. Available in LWB medium roof size, as a 3,500kg panel van, plus as a chassis cab, LDV has really
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grabbed the bull by the horns by offering an electric range well ahead of most of the other major van manufacturers. As with the diesel version, the EV80 panel van offers a load length of 3.3m and a width of 1.7m, offering a total load area of 10.3m3. What is affected, though, is the electric vans load capacity, which because of the battery weight is only 950kg. Range is 120 miles and LDV claims that it can be recharged in just an hour. Cost may be prohibitive as well, with the retail asking price £62,00 for the panel van, £58,000 for the chassis cab, when the standard diesel V80 costs under £15,000. The good news
though, is that if you buy one, the UK government will give you £8,000 towards the purchase price of both EV versions and of course, there are no fuel costs either. Result! Climb aboard and you are met with the same dashboard as the regular V80, with the addition of a digital range display and a battery charge indicator. Big, user-friendly buttons are a bonus. The audio system features FM and AM, while USB and headphone sockets are included. The main wing mirrors are electrically adjustable via a small switch on the driver’s door by the A-pillar and they’re heated, too. The seat adjusters for the driver’s seat worked well,
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but did feel lightweight. The windscreen gives a clear view ahead and with the large side mirrors, with manually adjustable secondary mirrors below them, you can see well all around as well. Passenger space means that there’s enough room to sit three abreast in comfort in the cab. The two passengers sit on a fixed bench, with some space underneath the seats for storage. The high-roof model features overhead storage trays. For tea and coffee, you get a twin cup-holder, ashtray- very 1980s – a 12v socket, glovebox, deep door bins plus, in keeping with the competition a couple of dashtop trays either side of the instruments for your loose ends. Where the standard diesel V80 has high emissions of 248g/km and when I drove it, I averaged around 29mpg, the electric version offers a zero cost solution. In contrast to other large electric vans, the EV80 comes with a single choice of battery pack size, a decent 56kWh, with the 320Nm of output only 10Nm less than the diese We drove the EV80 on several hilly country roads south of Dublin and with the added bonus the CVT box and no gear stick, it was an enjoyable experience. Driving onto a wet, damp field, I forgot that the battery pack hangs low, reducing ground clearance to 165mm and that with the battery, the EV80 is much heavier than the diesel variant and we
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promptly got stuck. You can’t ‘use’ the gears and clutch as you would on a conventional van, to lay down the power softly and get going again, so my cock-up was a hint tot remember that when you drive a heavier van, electric or not, that isn’t 4WD and has lower clearance, be careful when you go onto a building site or any off-road location. In conclusion, the EV80 is potentially a solution to those who use their large panel van in urban areas over short-medium distances. This would include the public sector and educational facilities, but also ANY business whose fleet of vans require a 3.5 tonne payload and only cover shorter distances, ideally in or around an urban area. It’s expensive when compared to sister model the V80 diesel, but not compared with options from the bigger van companies. The short term expense of the EV80 has to be weighed against the savings you would make running an EV over a five-year ownership.
CC&V VERDICT When LDV launched the EV80 in 2017, little did we know that 12 months later it would still be ahead of the game. Best electric range of any large van & in plentiful supply.
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EV80 shows its mettle on Green GB Week LDV’s EV80 demonstrated its superb practicality when it travelled 600 zero-emission miles to mark the inaugural Green GB Week initiative. The week was set up to showcase the benefits and opportunities electric vehicles will bring to all parts of society. A series of roadshows across the country featured an EV80 with a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, with local LDV dealers turning out in force to show their support for the roadshow. Over the course of five days, the EV80 van clocked up 600 zero-emission miles visiting each host city. Starting its journey in Glasgow, the EV80 travelled the first leg of the journey, a 168-mile journey to Durham. From there, it was almost 150 miles to Nottingham and a further 200 miles to Bournemouth. Bristol was the final destination on the journey (80 miles). The EV80 travelled at an average speed of 60mph and made full use of the radio, lights, heater and wipers, in inclement weather – yet achieved 120 miles on a single charge on each leg.
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On test: VAUXHALL COMBO
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The solid, rugged Combo gives Vauxhall a head start in its sector Andrew Walker finds much to praise in the first fruits of the Vauxhall’s tie-up with the PSA Group, the Combo The first Vauxhall to be built on the PeugeotCitroen-Vauxhall shared platform is the Combo van, which Vauxhall launched in late 2018. It’s off to a good start, as it’s already been awarded the International Van of the Year for 2019. It shares its architecture with the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner and comes in a wide number of variants: short and long wheelbase and crew van. It can carry a load volume of up to 4.4m3 and a payload of up to a tonne. Longer items up to 3440mm can be stored safely and securely, thanks to the rear swing doors and FlexCargo load-through hatch. It can also transport payloads up to 1,000kg and will take up to two Euro pallets thanks to the increased distance between the wheel arches. With a low loading edge of just 548mm, rear access is excellent too. Vauxhall has obviously thought long and hard about the Combo and has managed to produce a van with some really clever touches. A sensor-based overload indicator is available, which allows the driver to check the vehicle is not overloaded. There’s also a connectable protection bag that can be fixed to the hatch opening to protect longer loads from damaging the van’s interior. There are three Combo models. Entry level Edition, then Sportive, plus a limited edition NAV model. Customers can choose from three diesel engines. A 1.6 litre with either 75PS or 100PS and a 1.5 130PS, which is available as a manual or auto. There are also two 1.2 petrol engines offering either 110PS or 130PS. Fuel economy has been improved by at least 16 per cent over the old Combo with CO2 emissions at least 17 per cent better than the outgoing model. The entry level 1.6 75PS diesel has combined economy of 65.6mpg with CO2 emissions of 111g/km, the 1.6 100PS comes with a combined figure of 65.6mpg and 111g/km of CO2, while the range topping 1.5 diesel 130PS offers combined fuel economy of 64.2mpg, with CO2 emissions of 116g/km. All are impressive figures that with worry rivals. The entry level model, the Edition, starts from £15,630 ex VAT, which is £800 less than the current Combo entry price. Not only do you get a more up-to-date vehicle but a host of new equipment: under-seat storage, a 66 | December 2018 | Company Car & Van
fixed steel bulkhead, a nearside sliding door, overhead storage, a 5” display radio with Bluetooth and DAB, one-touch windows and electric and heated exterior mirrors. The first model I tested was a mid-range Combo Sportive L1H 1.6 100PS diesel start/ stop model, with two front seats, which I drove laden with 300kg. The build quality is excellent, with solid doors and soft touch plastics on the front and dash that is built to last. The seat fabric feels hard wearing with the floor covering also designed to take some punishment from booted feet. For load access, the twin rear doors open wide and the near-side sliding door opens and closes with a reassuring clunk. My co-driver during the test played rugby in the front row, weighing in at 100kg. Add his weight to my 65kg, plus the 300kg load fixed to a pallet in the back, meant that we were driving around with 465kgs on board. This meant that the 100ps engine felt a little underpowered when trying to overtake on the motorway and also when travelling cross country over undulating roads. For most van users, the 100PS will do just fine, but it did make me think that the 75PS version would feel decidedly slow if driven regularly with a full load. A drive in an unladen 100PS diesel with the three-man bench seat was much more fun, especially when our route back took us cross country on some winding B roads. I took the chance to sit in the middle seat of the bench seat and there is definitely more room for your legs on offer than in some competitors small vans centre seats.
During the drive we also spent 30 minutes on the M1 and the full bulkhead kept noise from the cargo space at bay, as we drove along at 70mph. The five-speed gearbox worked well, although a sixth gear would definitely be useful on the motorway. Both the steering and the clutch were light and the Combo handles well. Only pot holes disturbed our peace as the 16” wheels and suspension struggled to keep the bumpy road surface at bay, though it has to be said the model tested had only 40 miles on the clock so the suspension unit may have needed time to dampen down. Company Car and Van loved the Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert enough to give it our Van of the Year in 2017, while 2019 sees the launch of the PSA-backed Vivaro which will be based on these. What we can safely say about the new Combo, is that it’s well built, well designed, drives well on Euro6 engines and comes at a lower price with lower emissions and better fuel economy than most of the competition. Existing Vauxhall customers should be relaxed about the ‘French Connection.’
CC&V VERDICT The new Combo is far better than it’s predecessor. It’s more frugal, comes better equipped, is more practical and is actually cheaper, a neat trick that Vauxhall have somehow managed to pull-off !
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DECEMBER 2018 • ISSUE 52