Friday, July 29, 2005
Jaguar XJ6 3.0 V6
I HAVE to admit that I am anxious about the future of the Jaguar XJ6. Remember when Woody was supplanted in his owner’s affections by Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story? Very upsetting.
Well, with the arrival of a diesel XJ, the fuel du jour, I am rather concerned that executives, like hyperactive kids at Christmas desperate for the latest toy craze, will charge blindly for the derv option, completely forgetting that there is this perfectly good alternative powered by petrol.
So for the three months I report on our new long-term Jaguar, I shall be appealing to fleet managers to ensure that, when the managing director comes barreling through your door, slavering, wild-eyed over the XJ TDVi brochure, you sit him down, give him a cup of tea and push the XJ6 brochure under his nose as well. Car rental uk
Diesel is where it is at in the executive class: the Mercedes-Benz S-class mix is almost entirely diesel, and with the rave reviews the diesel XJ has been getting, Jaguar could also find itself in such a situation. Car rental uk
But Jaguar has an advantage with the XJ6 over its rivals. It is fantastic value for money for a luxury car, costing less than £40,000 for the entry-level model. Of the others, you can’t get an S-class for less than £44,000, an Audi A8 costs £47,000 and a BMW 7-series starts at £48,500.
With a £2,000 lower P11D price than the entry-level XJ TDVi, the XJ6 is about £700 more expensive a year in tax paid, but the performance and wonderful growl the Jag’s engine makes will be worth the extra money to some.
The fact that Jaguar suddenly finds itself in a situation where it has the best-selling luxury petrol car, and the most refined diesel as well, is testament to the skills still on show in the Midlands. Car rental uk
It might sound odd, but the XJ6 doesn’t really feel like all the other luxury saloons. They have an autocratic, tyrannical air: big imposing grilles to sweep the proles aside who hinder their vital progress, while the interiors are mostly like the lobbies of smoked-glass buildings – all imposing sweeps, wide open spaces and metallic surfaces.
The XJ feels altogether more intimate. From the driver’s seat it has the poise and lightfootedness of a smaller car, and doesn’t feel as though you are hauling a two-and-a-half tonne corporate intimidator about.
Why you get that feeling is because you aren’t. Thanks to its aluminium construction and sweeping body, the XJ6 is as feathery as you can get at this level, weighing in at a slimline 1,539kg – about the same as a Volkswagen Passat and half-a-tonne less than an S-class. Car rental uk
What this means is lower emissions, better performance and, hopefully, good fuel consumption. If I can wean myself off the noise under acceleration, I’ll have some decent economy figures for the next report.
What we expect
REFINEMENT, athleticism and easy pace – Jaguar’s XJ6 should deliver all of these attributes. It is not the biggest luxury saloon on the market, but we certainly expect it to be the one with the most character. Jaguars have always been good value to buy, but we will be looking at how its running costs stack up, and also keeping a close eye on reliability – historically not a Jaguar strength.
Well, with the arrival of a diesel XJ, the fuel du jour, I am rather concerned that executives, like hyperactive kids at Christmas desperate for the latest toy craze, will charge blindly for the derv option, completely forgetting that there is this perfectly good alternative powered by petrol.
So for the three months I report on our new long-term Jaguar, I shall be appealing to fleet managers to ensure that, when the managing director comes barreling through your door, slavering, wild-eyed over the XJ TDVi brochure, you sit him down, give him a cup of tea and push the XJ6 brochure under his nose as well. Car rental uk
Diesel is where it is at in the executive class: the Mercedes-Benz S-class mix is almost entirely diesel, and with the rave reviews the diesel XJ has been getting, Jaguar could also find itself in such a situation. Car rental uk
But Jaguar has an advantage with the XJ6 over its rivals. It is fantastic value for money for a luxury car, costing less than £40,000 for the entry-level model. Of the others, you can’t get an S-class for less than £44,000, an Audi A8 costs £47,000 and a BMW 7-series starts at £48,500.
With a £2,000 lower P11D price than the entry-level XJ TDVi, the XJ6 is about £700 more expensive a year in tax paid, but the performance and wonderful growl the Jag’s engine makes will be worth the extra money to some.
The fact that Jaguar suddenly finds itself in a situation where it has the best-selling luxury petrol car, and the most refined diesel as well, is testament to the skills still on show in the Midlands. Car rental uk
It might sound odd, but the XJ6 doesn’t really feel like all the other luxury saloons. They have an autocratic, tyrannical air: big imposing grilles to sweep the proles aside who hinder their vital progress, while the interiors are mostly like the lobbies of smoked-glass buildings – all imposing sweeps, wide open spaces and metallic surfaces.
The XJ feels altogether more intimate. From the driver’s seat it has the poise and lightfootedness of a smaller car, and doesn’t feel as though you are hauling a two-and-a-half tonne corporate intimidator about.
Why you get that feeling is because you aren’t. Thanks to its aluminium construction and sweeping body, the XJ6 is as feathery as you can get at this level, weighing in at a slimline 1,539kg – about the same as a Volkswagen Passat and half-a-tonne less than an S-class. Car rental uk
What this means is lower emissions, better performance and, hopefully, good fuel consumption. If I can wean myself off the noise under acceleration, I’ll have some decent economy figures for the next report.
What we expect
REFINEMENT, athleticism and easy pace – Jaguar’s XJ6 should deliver all of these attributes. It is not the biggest luxury saloon on the market, but we certainly expect it to be the one with the most character. Jaguars have always been good value to buy, but we will be looking at how its running costs stack up, and also keeping a close eye on reliability – historically not a Jaguar strength.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Mitsubishi Grandis
Mitsubishi is currently bucking the downward trend in the car market. Sales are up 14% across its car and commercial division, and part of this is undoubtedly attributable to new models the Colt supermini and the strength of its 4x4 models such as the Shogun and L200 pick-up.
The promise of a more comprehensive car and commercial range over the next few years ensures Mitsubishi’s current 40,000 sales a year are certain to grow further. Yet despite some healthy fleet business, particularly among specialist operators, Mitsubishi UK managing director Jim Tyrrell states: ‘Mitsubishi doesn’t do fleet sales.’ car rental uk
But the new Mitsubishi Grandis DI-D diesel may just change that. Introduced in July last year, the Grandis won praise for its striking style and versatile interior. But with its 2.4-litre petrol engine and automatic transmission its appeal was always going to be rather limited.
However, by raiding the parts bin of Volkswagen, Mitsubishi has procured a 134bhp, 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine for its smart seven-seat people carrier. car rental uk
That’s certain to ensure a massive growth in sales, as diesel power currently accounts for 85% of full-sized MPV sales in the UK.
As a result, Mitsubishi expects to sell 4,000 Grandis DI-D models in its first year – alongside the 700 or so existing petrol sales.
Residual values are predicted to better the petrol model, with the DI-D versions expected to retain around 39% after three years/60,000 miles, compared with between 33% and 35% for the 2.4i models. car rental uk
And that’s likely to be of interest to fleet buyers. Andy Wertheim, manager, fleet and used sales, suggests the Grandis will be Mitsubishi’s second-biggest fleet seller behind the L200.
That’s hardly surprising as it offers a smart alternative to the full-sized MPV competition with its seven-seat potential (the two rearmost seats can be folded down into the boot floor to create a large boot area), is Euro IV- compliant, offers 42.8mpg official combined economy, CO2 emissions of 176g/km, putting it into the 22% company car tax band and has performance to better diesel rivals such as the Ford Galaxy, Peugeot 807 and Toyota’s Avensis Verso. car rental uk
Four trim levels will be offered from its September launch, with prices starting at £19,699 on-the-road.
Behind the wheel
Mitsubishi has not just added a diesel engine to the Grandis, but has also taken the opportunity to fine-tune its dynamics. Revised steering and suspension settings improve response in a bid to appeal to more enthusiastic drivers, despite its MPV status.
On the road, the changes have been reasonably effective. The steering is sharp, though still rather devoid of feel, and the six-speed manual transmission isn’t the slickest either.
However, the ride is good on both motorways and backroads – it is not ‘sporty’ as Mitsubishi suggests – but overall it is one of the better driving choices among the large MPV fraternity.
The 2.0-litre 134bhp engine delivers good performance, with a 0-62mph time of just 10.8 seconds and a potential top speed of 121mph. That gives the Grandis the power to compete with all-comers in its class.
Emissions are impressive too at 176g/km, while the official combined economy figure of 42.8mpg is also highly competitive. Unsurprisingly, the way the diesel performs is rather familiar to anyone who has experienced Volkswagen’s turbodiesels. That means a rather peaky power delivery – for a diesel it thrives on revs and its power comes in rather abruptly. It is also quite vocal under power, Mitsubishi not quite managing to deaden out sound as effectively as Volkswagen does. It quietens down at cruising speeds though, where the Grandis excels.
The interior is versatile with its variable seating for seven proving simple to use. Space is ample, too. However, the look and feel of the trim lacks the quality feel of rivals like Toyota’s Avensis Verso. You are compensated for this with excellent standard equipment – even the entry-level Classic model comes with alloy wheels, climate control, leather steering wheel, trip computer and front, side and curtain airbags.
Driving verdict
Now able to boast a competent all-rounder in the MPV class, the Mitsubishi impresses. Plentiful equipment, smart styling, an easy drive allied to a three-year unlimited mileage warranty ensures the Grandis DI-D is worth a look, even if interior quality and refinement could be improved upon.
Grandis
The promise of a more comprehensive car and commercial range over the next few years ensures Mitsubishi’s current 40,000 sales a year are certain to grow further. Yet despite some healthy fleet business, particularly among specialist operators, Mitsubishi UK managing director Jim Tyrrell states: ‘Mitsubishi doesn’t do fleet sales.’ car rental uk
But the new Mitsubishi Grandis DI-D diesel may just change that. Introduced in July last year, the Grandis won praise for its striking style and versatile interior. But with its 2.4-litre petrol engine and automatic transmission its appeal was always going to be rather limited.
However, by raiding the parts bin of Volkswagen, Mitsubishi has procured a 134bhp, 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine for its smart seven-seat people carrier. car rental uk
That’s certain to ensure a massive growth in sales, as diesel power currently accounts for 85% of full-sized MPV sales in the UK.
As a result, Mitsubishi expects to sell 4,000 Grandis DI-D models in its first year – alongside the 700 or so existing petrol sales.
Residual values are predicted to better the petrol model, with the DI-D versions expected to retain around 39% after three years/60,000 miles, compared with between 33% and 35% for the 2.4i models. car rental uk
And that’s likely to be of interest to fleet buyers. Andy Wertheim, manager, fleet and used sales, suggests the Grandis will be Mitsubishi’s second-biggest fleet seller behind the L200.
That’s hardly surprising as it offers a smart alternative to the full-sized MPV competition with its seven-seat potential (the two rearmost seats can be folded down into the boot floor to create a large boot area), is Euro IV- compliant, offers 42.8mpg official combined economy, CO2 emissions of 176g/km, putting it into the 22% company car tax band and has performance to better diesel rivals such as the Ford Galaxy, Peugeot 807 and Toyota’s Avensis Verso. car rental uk
Four trim levels will be offered from its September launch, with prices starting at £19,699 on-the-road.
Behind the wheel
Mitsubishi has not just added a diesel engine to the Grandis, but has also taken the opportunity to fine-tune its dynamics. Revised steering and suspension settings improve response in a bid to appeal to more enthusiastic drivers, despite its MPV status.
On the road, the changes have been reasonably effective. The steering is sharp, though still rather devoid of feel, and the six-speed manual transmission isn’t the slickest either.
However, the ride is good on both motorways and backroads – it is not ‘sporty’ as Mitsubishi suggests – but overall it is one of the better driving choices among the large MPV fraternity.
The 2.0-litre 134bhp engine delivers good performance, with a 0-62mph time of just 10.8 seconds and a potential top speed of 121mph. That gives the Grandis the power to compete with all-comers in its class.
Emissions are impressive too at 176g/km, while the official combined economy figure of 42.8mpg is also highly competitive. Unsurprisingly, the way the diesel performs is rather familiar to anyone who has experienced Volkswagen’s turbodiesels. That means a rather peaky power delivery – for a diesel it thrives on revs and its power comes in rather abruptly. It is also quite vocal under power, Mitsubishi not quite managing to deaden out sound as effectively as Volkswagen does. It quietens down at cruising speeds though, where the Grandis excels.
The interior is versatile with its variable seating for seven proving simple to use. Space is ample, too. However, the look and feel of the trim lacks the quality feel of rivals like Toyota’s Avensis Verso. You are compensated for this with excellent standard equipment – even the entry-level Classic model comes with alloy wheels, climate control, leather steering wheel, trip computer and front, side and curtain airbags.
Driving verdict
Now able to boast a competent all-rounder in the MPV class, the Mitsubishi impresses. Plentiful equipment, smart styling, an easy drive allied to a three-year unlimited mileage warranty ensures the Grandis DI-D is worth a look, even if interior quality and refinement could be improved upon.
Grandis
Monday, July 18, 2005
Porsche 911 Carrera
I SUSPECT you opened this page expecting to read a gushing eulogy on the merits of the Porsche 911 with some flowery words about driving such a wonderful car. But let’s get the dull stuff out of the way first.
Predictable running costs. Reliability. Strong residual values. Car park cachet. In a wish list for the ideal company car these four themes would occupy the top spots. Car rental uk
And in each sector there is often a car that ticks these boxes more often than any others. But with sports cars, vehicles that fulfill these criteria are thin on the ground. Maserati 4200? Running costs are terrifying. Jaguar XK? On its way out and a cruiser. BMW 6-series? Odd looks don’t always play well. How about a Morgan Aero 8? As you can see, pickings are thin on the ground.
It’s fortunate then, that when the managing director wanders into the office, pondering his or her new car, the new Porsche 911 exists.
This is the ultimate company car. It has everything a fleet needs, applied to the extreme, exclusive end of transportation. For a start, the 911’s 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine is one of the greatest powerplants ever fitted to a car. This is not only for the savage way it will fling you along, but for the fact that it works like clockwork. Car rental uk
A shrieking, highly strung thoroughbred Italian performance engine may evoke more emotion, but try doing 20,000 miles a year in one. It will not happen. It will in a 911.
And because the new 997-generation 911 is a development of a car which has been constantly tinkered and honed, modernised and perfected over 40 years and more than 50 models, Porsche knows its 911 inside out, which means running cost predictability.
It has even extended the service intervals of the new car to an impressive 18,500 miles, reducing the cost of servicing over three years by around a third compared to the 996 model. Car rental uk
CAP predicts a 911 Carrera will cost 63 pence per mile to run over 60,000 miles. That is not cheap at just under £40,000 in total, but 10ppm less than a Range Rover 4.4 V8, and about the same as a top of the range BMW 545i. I know which I’d rather spend my working life in.
As well as fantastic reliability that allows the 911 to be an everyday car, it also has almost unmatched residual values. According to CAP, thrash 60,000 miles out of one for the next three years and it will be still worth 52% of list price. This seems low though. Sold privately, it will fetch a much higher price than that.
In terms of cost to a driver, it will cost £8,200 a year in tax, and whether to run one as a company car depends more on office politics and mileage rates. To opt out and contract hire a 911 would be £1,200 a month – considerably more than the monthly tax bill of £689 for a top-rate payer. It is never worth doing unless the business mileage reimbursement rate is very generous.
In purely selfish individual terms, rather than the total cost to the company, how it makes sense to opt out of a company car scheme when you have an expensive car eludes me. Car rental uk
I apologise for the rather prosaic sermon on running costs and residual values. It’s over now. Part of the reason to start with that side of running a 911 is that any discussion of having one as a company car would be dominated by the cost of it, because there’s very little argument about the merits or otherwise of the car. It is utterly wonderful.
Predictable running costs. Reliability. Strong residual values. Car park cachet. In a wish list for the ideal company car these four themes would occupy the top spots. Car rental uk
And in each sector there is often a car that ticks these boxes more often than any others. But with sports cars, vehicles that fulfill these criteria are thin on the ground. Maserati 4200? Running costs are terrifying. Jaguar XK? On its way out and a cruiser. BMW 6-series? Odd looks don’t always play well. How about a Morgan Aero 8? As you can see, pickings are thin on the ground.
It’s fortunate then, that when the managing director wanders into the office, pondering his or her new car, the new Porsche 911 exists.
This is the ultimate company car. It has everything a fleet needs, applied to the extreme, exclusive end of transportation. For a start, the 911’s 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine is one of the greatest powerplants ever fitted to a car. This is not only for the savage way it will fling you along, but for the fact that it works like clockwork. Car rental uk
A shrieking, highly strung thoroughbred Italian performance engine may evoke more emotion, but try doing 20,000 miles a year in one. It will not happen. It will in a 911.
And because the new 997-generation 911 is a development of a car which has been constantly tinkered and honed, modernised and perfected over 40 years and more than 50 models, Porsche knows its 911 inside out, which means running cost predictability.
It has even extended the service intervals of the new car to an impressive 18,500 miles, reducing the cost of servicing over three years by around a third compared to the 996 model. Car rental uk
CAP predicts a 911 Carrera will cost 63 pence per mile to run over 60,000 miles. That is not cheap at just under £40,000 in total, but 10ppm less than a Range Rover 4.4 V8, and about the same as a top of the range BMW 545i. I know which I’d rather spend my working life in.
As well as fantastic reliability that allows the 911 to be an everyday car, it also has almost unmatched residual values. According to CAP, thrash 60,000 miles out of one for the next three years and it will be still worth 52% of list price. This seems low though. Sold privately, it will fetch a much higher price than that.
In terms of cost to a driver, it will cost £8,200 a year in tax, and whether to run one as a company car depends more on office politics and mileage rates. To opt out and contract hire a 911 would be £1,200 a month – considerably more than the monthly tax bill of £689 for a top-rate payer. It is never worth doing unless the business mileage reimbursement rate is very generous.
In purely selfish individual terms, rather than the total cost to the company, how it makes sense to opt out of a company car scheme when you have an expensive car eludes me. Car rental uk
I apologise for the rather prosaic sermon on running costs and residual values. It’s over now. Part of the reason to start with that side of running a 911 is that any discussion of having one as a company car would be dominated by the cost of it, because there’s very little argument about the merits or otherwise of the car. It is utterly wonderful.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
BMW M514
SHALL we get the bad news out of the way first? Even if your managing director has the hefty sum of £61,760 allocated for his next company car, he couldn’t buy a BMW M5. In fact, you can’t buy one for the next three years unless you pay a premium and get one from the classified section of The Sunday Times. Car rental uk
The reason is simple – BMW and its M performance car division simply haven’t got the capacity to build any more of these awesome saloons; and demand for them is at such a level that the next three years’ production capacity is already sold. Just 450 right-hand drive cars will reach the UK each year.
The good news is that if you put a deposit down now, there are only 36 months to wait before your boss can get his hands on one of the finest sporting saloons ever built. car rental uk
BMW UK managing director Jim O’Donnell said: ‘If we could obtain more production I’m confident we could easily out-sell our record with the last M5 (the previous generation M5 sold 1,510 units in the UK between 1999 and 2003).
‘However, it appears we will be unable to get enough and the waiting list will continue to be a long one.’
With a 5.0-litre V10 engine producing a maximum of 507bhp (or ‘just’ 400bhp in its normal start-up mode) and a seven-speed SMG sequential manual gearbox operated by steering wheel-mounted paddles, this is Formula One technology in a vaguely sensible suit. car rental uk
In fact, the M5 could be mistaken for a 530d Sport, were it not for the four fat exhaust pipes exiting under the rear bumper, cooling vents in the front wing, subtle side skirts and bumpers and 19-inch alloy wheels. It is this ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ approach which ensures the M5’s appeal – owners don’t like to shout too much about their wealth and the performance of their car.
BMW says the typical M5 owner is a 45-year-old married man who is either a senior executive in a large company, a leading professional type or a successful business entrepreneur. He’s also got at least two other cars in his garage. car rental uk
And, unlike some businessmen who prefer to be chauffeured, the M5 driver will be doing his own work behind the wheel, which is hardly surprising when you consider the performance and technology on offer.
As well as the headline power and speed figures, there’s a host of technology packed into the M5 such as Drivelogic, a system which allows the driver to choose from 11 settings for the gearbox, from fully automatic for stress-free urban driving to neck-snappingly quick upshifts with the full-on mental setting.
Then there’s the brilliant Head-up Display which projects a rev counter and speedo somewhere towards the front of the bonnet, meaning you don’t have to look down at the instrument binnacle to see what speed or revs you’re doing. This is a great safety aid, and it can’t be too long before this technology starts to filter down to other BMW models in the range.
Another great feature is the active front seats with their inflatable side bolsters. As you corner, they inflate to hold you in place, and they work brilliantly. When you’re really cornering hard, as we were on a race circuit during the car’s launch, it felt as though you were being suffocated – they really do hold you that tight. car rental uk
So, that’s your boss’s appetite whetted for the M5. All you need to do now is put an order down for one and wait patiently for the next three years.
Behind the wheel
THE first challenge when you slide behind the M5’s three-spoke steering wheel is to decide which buttons to press.
You can choose to disengage the DSC traction control system if you wish, although it’s not advisable unless you have plenty of skill at the wheel. Then you’ve got to set the Drivelogic system to choose the right gearbox setting for your mood – there are 11 in total, from fully automatic to racecar sharp.
Then there’s the innocuous looking ‘M’ button on the steering wheel spoke. Pressing this button not only activates the Head-up Display, it also unleashes some extra power from the V10 engine. When the engine is started it is in default 400bhp mode until it is warmed up. But pushing ‘M’ gives you the whole nine yards, or 507bhp. This is where things get very interesting. Not only is the M5 searingly quick, but the V10 engine is also incredibly flexible. You can accelerate briskly from 40mph in seventh gear.
But it’s in full-on attack mode where the M5 takes your breath away. The sound of the V10 howling to the 8,250rpm red line is spine tingling.
And the M5 is not just a straight line demon. During the launch we were unleashed on a private race track to fully explore the M5’s handling limits. And it certainly grips well, with mild understeer in hairpins followed by some impressive power oversteer when exiting corners.
Driving verdict
ASTONISHINGLY quick, packed with gadgets and with understated styling, the M5 is a businessman’s express par excellence. For the executive in a hurry, there’s little to touch the awesome M5.
The reason is simple – BMW and its M performance car division simply haven’t got the capacity to build any more of these awesome saloons; and demand for them is at such a level that the next three years’ production capacity is already sold. Just 450 right-hand drive cars will reach the UK each year.
The good news is that if you put a deposit down now, there are only 36 months to wait before your boss can get his hands on one of the finest sporting saloons ever built. car rental uk
BMW UK managing director Jim O’Donnell said: ‘If we could obtain more production I’m confident we could easily out-sell our record with the last M5 (the previous generation M5 sold 1,510 units in the UK between 1999 and 2003).
‘However, it appears we will be unable to get enough and the waiting list will continue to be a long one.’
With a 5.0-litre V10 engine producing a maximum of 507bhp (or ‘just’ 400bhp in its normal start-up mode) and a seven-speed SMG sequential manual gearbox operated by steering wheel-mounted paddles, this is Formula One technology in a vaguely sensible suit. car rental uk
In fact, the M5 could be mistaken for a 530d Sport, were it not for the four fat exhaust pipes exiting under the rear bumper, cooling vents in the front wing, subtle side skirts and bumpers and 19-inch alloy wheels. It is this ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ approach which ensures the M5’s appeal – owners don’t like to shout too much about their wealth and the performance of their car.
BMW says the typical M5 owner is a 45-year-old married man who is either a senior executive in a large company, a leading professional type or a successful business entrepreneur. He’s also got at least two other cars in his garage. car rental uk
And, unlike some businessmen who prefer to be chauffeured, the M5 driver will be doing his own work behind the wheel, which is hardly surprising when you consider the performance and technology on offer.
As well as the headline power and speed figures, there’s a host of technology packed into the M5 such as Drivelogic, a system which allows the driver to choose from 11 settings for the gearbox, from fully automatic for stress-free urban driving to neck-snappingly quick upshifts with the full-on mental setting.
Then there’s the brilliant Head-up Display which projects a rev counter and speedo somewhere towards the front of the bonnet, meaning you don’t have to look down at the instrument binnacle to see what speed or revs you’re doing. This is a great safety aid, and it can’t be too long before this technology starts to filter down to other BMW models in the range.
Another great feature is the active front seats with their inflatable side bolsters. As you corner, they inflate to hold you in place, and they work brilliantly. When you’re really cornering hard, as we were on a race circuit during the car’s launch, it felt as though you were being suffocated – they really do hold you that tight. car rental uk
So, that’s your boss’s appetite whetted for the M5. All you need to do now is put an order down for one and wait patiently for the next three years.
Behind the wheel
THE first challenge when you slide behind the M5’s three-spoke steering wheel is to decide which buttons to press.
You can choose to disengage the DSC traction control system if you wish, although it’s not advisable unless you have plenty of skill at the wheel. Then you’ve got to set the Drivelogic system to choose the right gearbox setting for your mood – there are 11 in total, from fully automatic to racecar sharp.
Then there’s the innocuous looking ‘M’ button on the steering wheel spoke. Pressing this button not only activates the Head-up Display, it also unleashes some extra power from the V10 engine. When the engine is started it is in default 400bhp mode until it is warmed up. But pushing ‘M’ gives you the whole nine yards, or 507bhp. This is where things get very interesting. Not only is the M5 searingly quick, but the V10 engine is also incredibly flexible. You can accelerate briskly from 40mph in seventh gear.
But it’s in full-on attack mode where the M5 takes your breath away. The sound of the V10 howling to the 8,250rpm red line is spine tingling.
And the M5 is not just a straight line demon. During the launch we were unleashed on a private race track to fully explore the M5’s handling limits. And it certainly grips well, with mild understeer in hairpins followed by some impressive power oversteer when exiting corners.
Driving verdict
ASTONISHINGLY quick, packed with gadgets and with understated styling, the M5 is a businessman’s express par excellence. For the executive in a hurry, there’s little to touch the awesome M5.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Nissan Navara
BRITAIN’S double-cab 4x4 market is set to take a dramatic turn in August with the launch of the new Nissan Navara.
Until now, while all the offerings in the sector are tough and macho-looking, none manage to achieve a car-like driving quality on the road. All are slow and all, except the Toyota Hilux, have old-fashioned diesel engines rather than the more modern common rail versions. Car rental uk
With the launch of the new Navara, the Japanese maker has not only moved the sector’s goalposts – it has set a whole new playing field of its own. In short, the Navara is head and shoulders above the rest in handling and power.
Across Europe, the new vehicle will be available in two power outputs – 145bhp and 174bhp. But British buyers will only be offered the higher-powered version, putting the new Navara in a league of its own power-wise. Car rental uk
Torque is up, too. The old Navara was already market leader at 224lb-ft but the new model has a stonking 297lb-ft, putting it way ahead of the nearest rival, the Isuzu Rodeo, at 206lb-ft. Finally, British double-cab buyers have a vehicle to choose from that goes as well as it looks.
The new vehicle is based on the Nissan Pathfinder – it will roll off the same production line in Barcelona and shares its platform and even its dashboard.
There will be two models available – double cab and king cab – and prices will range from £14,695 for the standard king cab to £21,970 for the top-of-the-range double-cab Aventura (all prices exclude VAT). All have a payload above 1,045kg and a maximum towing weight of 2,700kg. As with most vehicles of this type, a myriad of styling accessories is available. car rental uk
The basic spec models have standard driver and passenger airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, alarm and immobiliser, remote plip locking and a CD player.
The basic model has steel wheels while the SE version adds 17-inch alloys, rail side steps, dual-zone climate control, leather steering wheel and electric heated door mirrors.
The Outlaw version adds roof bars for double-cabs, front foglamps, headlamp washers, rain sensing windscreen wipers, a six-CD player with steering wheel controls, cruise control and under-seat rear storage compartments while the Aventura has an electric sunroof, leather seats, power/heated front seats, side and curtain airbags, Nissan’s Birdview sat-nav system and Bluetooth phone integration
Until now, while all the offerings in the sector are tough and macho-looking, none manage to achieve a car-like driving quality on the road. All are slow and all, except the Toyota Hilux, have old-fashioned diesel engines rather than the more modern common rail versions. Car rental uk
With the launch of the new Navara, the Japanese maker has not only moved the sector’s goalposts – it has set a whole new playing field of its own. In short, the Navara is head and shoulders above the rest in handling and power.
Across Europe, the new vehicle will be available in two power outputs – 145bhp and 174bhp. But British buyers will only be offered the higher-powered version, putting the new Navara in a league of its own power-wise. Car rental uk
Torque is up, too. The old Navara was already market leader at 224lb-ft but the new model has a stonking 297lb-ft, putting it way ahead of the nearest rival, the Isuzu Rodeo, at 206lb-ft. Finally, British double-cab buyers have a vehicle to choose from that goes as well as it looks.
The new vehicle is based on the Nissan Pathfinder – it will roll off the same production line in Barcelona and shares its platform and even its dashboard.
There will be two models available – double cab and king cab – and prices will range from £14,695 for the standard king cab to £21,970 for the top-of-the-range double-cab Aventura (all prices exclude VAT). All have a payload above 1,045kg and a maximum towing weight of 2,700kg. As with most vehicles of this type, a myriad of styling accessories is available. car rental uk
The basic spec models have standard driver and passenger airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution, alarm and immobiliser, remote plip locking and a CD player.
The basic model has steel wheels while the SE version adds 17-inch alloys, rail side steps, dual-zone climate control, leather steering wheel and electric heated door mirrors.
The Outlaw version adds roof bars for double-cabs, front foglamps, headlamp washers, rain sensing windscreen wipers, a six-CD player with steering wheel controls, cruise control and under-seat rear storage compartments while the Aventura has an electric sunroof, leather seats, power/heated front seats, side and curtain airbags, Nissan’s Birdview sat-nav system and Bluetooth phone integration
Saturday, July 02, 2005
Volvo D5
HAVE you noticed how you can buy August-dated magazines already? Well, the same marketing-led impatience is making its way into the car industry, and 2006 model year ranges are now being launched.
No model in the 2006 Volvo line-up, on sale now, has escaped the attention of the designers and marketing people, with specification changes and some very subtle styling revisions (like a new black grille on the S80). It’s the engineers who have been the busiest.
The single most significant change is the introduction of a heavily-revised version of the 2.4-litre five-cylinder diesel. It receives a boost in power from the 163bhp of the outgoing unit to 185bhp, and also gains a six-speed manual transmission as standard. A new six-speed Geartronic ’box will be introduced later this year. Car rental uk
The new D5 engine benefits from a particulate filter and Euro IV compliance and will be available in the S60, V70, XC70 and XC90. However, the increase in power is off-set by slightly higher emissions.
That’s not necessarily bad news though, as the changes bring the Volvo’s performance in line with many six-cylinder rivals, yet the five-cylinder turbodiesel still manages to undercut key competitors on emissions and price.Car rental uk
The introduction of the more powerful D5 allowed Volvo to offer a lower power version based on the same unit and delivering the same 163bhp as the outgoing D5.
Volvo S60 D5
Called the 2.4D, it too has Euro IV compliance and a particulate filter. The two new diesels give Volvo more breadth in the growing fleet diesel market, with the D5 able to compete with larger capacity rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, while the lower output 2.4D is better positioned against diesel rivals, offering up to 160bhp.
And the fleet market is clearly very important to Volvo’s UK success, with business sales growing markedly. Car rental uk
In its first full year on the market back in 2000 the S60 achieved 6,699 sales. Of those 42% were to fleet buyers. In 2004 there was a huge increase in the private/company mix with 3,860 of Volvo’s 6,000 UK S60s going to business customers. That represents 64% of S60s being bought with the company chequebook.
Unsurprisingly, it is diesels which make up a significant number of S60s sold in the UK market. Indeed, Volvo has seen its growth in diesel sales leaping from just 8% in 2000, to 59% in 2004. That latter figure significantly betters the 33% diesel sales exhibited in the overall UK market.
Both the S60 and V70 are available with the new 163bhp 2.4D and the 185bhp D5 units, while the four-wheel drive V70 AWD, XC70 and XC90 are only offered with the more powerful D5.
In the S60 and V70, diesels will claim around 60% to 65% of the range mix, with the XC90 significantly more at around 85%. Fleet sales for the XC90 stand at around 28%; a growth on the 19.6% figure the XC90s managed last year. car rental uk
Of those, the majority will be highly specified, with the bulk of sales in SE specification and above.
Few XC90s are ever specified without leather and sat nav, and both items are increasingly important to ensure good residual values.
To cater for this increasing demand for personalisation Volvo has introduced an Inscription range which gives customers greater freedom to choose from a wider and wilder range of leather trims, carpets and wood inlays in a similar fashion to schemes offered by BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover.
Inscription will be limited to tiny numbers, but even in standard guise the new Volvo ranges offer generous standard equipment. All Volvos from the S60 up come with a full compliment of airbags, ISOFIX child seat fittings, ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and DSTC (Directional Stability and Traction Control with Electronic Brake Assistance).
Additionally, they all come with equipment such as electronic climate control, a CD player and alloy wheels. Even the entry-level S-specification comes pretty much fully loaded with all the equipment you could conceivably need, though Sport and SE trim levels are also available on the S60 and SE, and Executive on the XC90 only.
No model in the 2006 Volvo line-up, on sale now, has escaped the attention of the designers and marketing people, with specification changes and some very subtle styling revisions (like a new black grille on the S80). It’s the engineers who have been the busiest.
The single most significant change is the introduction of a heavily-revised version of the 2.4-litre five-cylinder diesel. It receives a boost in power from the 163bhp of the outgoing unit to 185bhp, and also gains a six-speed manual transmission as standard. A new six-speed Geartronic ’box will be introduced later this year. Car rental uk
The new D5 engine benefits from a particulate filter and Euro IV compliance and will be available in the S60, V70, XC70 and XC90. However, the increase in power is off-set by slightly higher emissions.
That’s not necessarily bad news though, as the changes bring the Volvo’s performance in line with many six-cylinder rivals, yet the five-cylinder turbodiesel still manages to undercut key competitors on emissions and price.Car rental uk
The introduction of the more powerful D5 allowed Volvo to offer a lower power version based on the same unit and delivering the same 163bhp as the outgoing D5.
Volvo S60 D5
Called the 2.4D, it too has Euro IV compliance and a particulate filter. The two new diesels give Volvo more breadth in the growing fleet diesel market, with the D5 able to compete with larger capacity rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, while the lower output 2.4D is better positioned against diesel rivals, offering up to 160bhp.
And the fleet market is clearly very important to Volvo’s UK success, with business sales growing markedly. Car rental uk
In its first full year on the market back in 2000 the S60 achieved 6,699 sales. Of those 42% were to fleet buyers. In 2004 there was a huge increase in the private/company mix with 3,860 of Volvo’s 6,000 UK S60s going to business customers. That represents 64% of S60s being bought with the company chequebook.
Unsurprisingly, it is diesels which make up a significant number of S60s sold in the UK market. Indeed, Volvo has seen its growth in diesel sales leaping from just 8% in 2000, to 59% in 2004. That latter figure significantly betters the 33% diesel sales exhibited in the overall UK market.
Both the S60 and V70 are available with the new 163bhp 2.4D and the 185bhp D5 units, while the four-wheel drive V70 AWD, XC70 and XC90 are only offered with the more powerful D5.
In the S60 and V70, diesels will claim around 60% to 65% of the range mix, with the XC90 significantly more at around 85%. Fleet sales for the XC90 stand at around 28%; a growth on the 19.6% figure the XC90s managed last year. car rental uk
Of those, the majority will be highly specified, with the bulk of sales in SE specification and above.
Few XC90s are ever specified without leather and sat nav, and both items are increasingly important to ensure good residual values.
To cater for this increasing demand for personalisation Volvo has introduced an Inscription range which gives customers greater freedom to choose from a wider and wilder range of leather trims, carpets and wood inlays in a similar fashion to schemes offered by BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover.
Inscription will be limited to tiny numbers, but even in standard guise the new Volvo ranges offer generous standard equipment. All Volvos from the S60 up come with a full compliment of airbags, ISOFIX child seat fittings, ABS with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and DSTC (Directional Stability and Traction Control with Electronic Brake Assistance).
Additionally, they all come with equipment such as electronic climate control, a CD player and alloy wheels. Even the entry-level S-specification comes pretty much fully loaded with all the equipment you could conceivably need, though Sport and SE trim levels are also available on the S60 and SE, and Executive on the XC90 only.
