Wednesday, January 19, 2005
ITS TIME FOR MATCH OF THE HATCH
So this is it. In fleet terms, it's the Rumble in the Jungle, the Thrilla in Manilla. Its the Match of the Hatch.
2004 has been a year of vast change in the lower-medium sector and it's barely recognisable from 2003, when many of the models, such as the Focus, Golf and Astra and Xsara, were ageing and the Megane was only getting established.
All six of these cars are core fleet models, which will sell thousands of vehicles a year through the leasing industry. So they need to be able to combine solid, depending running costs with strong RVs to ensure the best rental rates. The carmaker that has really got the knack of doing this over the past few years is Volkswagen. The Golf haas been a darling of the leasing industry for years. Will the same new one continue in the same view or have the new Focus, Astra and C4 got what it takes to wrestle the mantle off it?
In terms of the actual car on the street, the new Vauxhall and Ford are at least on a par with the VW, if not better. Will that reflect in the figures?
The two most established fleets cars here are the 307 and the Megane, but has the market moved on so fast this year that it has left them behind?
This year has been one of the enormous change in the lower-medium hatchback sector. How do the new models shape up against each other?
CITROEN C4 1.6 v VTR 5dr
The newsest addition to the sector is the Citroen C4, which is a stylish car. It is completely different to the outgoing Citroen Xsara, offering innovative technology such as the Lane Department Warning System.
Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec 5dr
A year ago this was a two horse race-Ford Focus for car fans, Volkswagen Golf for badge enthusiasts. This year, all the bets are off. Fords latest Focus is more competent than ever. Handling and road holding are improved, build quaility is superb and rear-end styling is great. But the front is more corporate and a less leading edge.
Peugeot 307 1.6 16V SE 5dr
The 307 was stunning at launch but it is now looking tired and in need of a facelift, while the interior is plasticky and reliability and RV's are not the best.
Renault Megane 1.6 VVT Privilege 5dr
The Megane is a fantastic funs design with great new gadgets and class-leading safety.
The Peugeot 307 and Renault Megane show how fast this sector moves and how unforgiving it is. Both are capable but neither looks like generating a cult following.
Vauxhall Astra 1.6i 16v SXi 5dr
As ever a very popular choice, the Astra is transformed, streets ahead of its predecessor and every aspect of the car an improvement- don't expect this model to be a used-car bargain in three years time.
Volkswagen Golf 1.6 FSI S 5dr
The Golf is all about evolution, not revolution. Cabin space and refinements are better. It has all the trappings of the brand, and tackles the old car's weakness but, unless it's the new GTI, it struggles to incite real emotion.
.
2004 has been a year of vast change in the lower-medium sector and it's barely recognisable from 2003, when many of the models, such as the Focus, Golf and Astra and Xsara, were ageing and the Megane was only getting established.
All six of these cars are core fleet models, which will sell thousands of vehicles a year through the leasing industry. So they need to be able to combine solid, depending running costs with strong RVs to ensure the best rental rates. The carmaker that has really got the knack of doing this over the past few years is Volkswagen. The Golf haas been a darling of the leasing industry for years. Will the same new one continue in the same view or have the new Focus, Astra and C4 got what it takes to wrestle the mantle off it?
In terms of the actual car on the street, the new Vauxhall and Ford are at least on a par with the VW, if not better. Will that reflect in the figures?
The two most established fleets cars here are the 307 and the Megane, but has the market moved on so fast this year that it has left them behind?
This year has been one of the enormous change in the lower-medium hatchback sector. How do the new models shape up against each other?
CITROEN C4 1.6 v VTR 5dr
The newsest addition to the sector is the Citroen C4, which is a stylish car. It is completely different to the outgoing Citroen Xsara, offering innovative technology such as the Lane Department Warning System.
Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec 5dr
A year ago this was a two horse race-Ford Focus for car fans, Volkswagen Golf for badge enthusiasts. This year, all the bets are off. Fords latest Focus is more competent than ever. Handling and road holding are improved, build quaility is superb and rear-end styling is great. But the front is more corporate and a less leading edge.
Peugeot 307 1.6 16V SE 5dr
The 307 was stunning at launch but it is now looking tired and in need of a facelift, while the interior is plasticky and reliability and RV's are not the best.
Renault Megane 1.6 VVT Privilege 5dr
The Megane is a fantastic funs design with great new gadgets and class-leading safety.
The Peugeot 307 and Renault Megane show how fast this sector moves and how unforgiving it is. Both are capable but neither looks like generating a cult following.
Vauxhall Astra 1.6i 16v SXi 5dr
As ever a very popular choice, the Astra is transformed, streets ahead of its predecessor and every aspect of the car an improvement- don't expect this model to be a used-car bargain in three years time.
Volkswagen Golf 1.6 FSI S 5dr
The Golf is all about evolution, not revolution. Cabin space and refinements are better. It has all the trappings of the brand, and tackles the old car's weakness but, unless it's the new GTI, it struggles to incite real emotion.
.
# posted by Liz Laurie @ 4:02 AM 
