Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Mercedes Benz C Class
It’s amazing what a bodykit and a set of larger alloy wheels can do for a car.car rental uk national car rental
Take the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class. In its standard form it’s a perfectly attractive car, but adding some select AMG bodystyling parts turns it into a far more noticeable and desirable model.car rental uk
The AMG kit comes as standard when you upgrade to Sport trim and gives the C-Class much more in the way of visual clout, from the chunky six-spoke alloys to the deeper front and rear bumpers and prominent three-pointed star nestling in the front grille.car rental uk national car rental
It looks the part, which is good news in a sector where drivers prefer their car to look sporty (think Audi S line and BMW M Sport).car rental uk alamo car rental
The subject of this test is the ultimate incarnation of the recently-launched C-Class estate (discounting the extreme C63 AMG).
The C320 CDI Sport tops the regular range and makes a convincing case as a desirable all-round car.car rental uk
Outside is the aforementioned sports styling pack while under the bonnet is the common rail 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 engine that also plies its trade in the larger E, CLK, S, R, ML and GL models.
So, as the smallest car to package this engine, it’s fair to assume that the C320 CDI isn’t short of power.car rental uk national car rental
With 224bhp and 376lb-ft of torque, this engine delivers effortless performance through the standard-fit seven-speed automatic gearbox.
This performance is delivered with such smoothness that it would be hard to argue for the merits of the petrol C350 V6.
Take the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class. In its standard form it’s a perfectly attractive car, but adding some select AMG bodystyling parts turns it into a far more noticeable and desirable model.car rental uk
The AMG kit comes as standard when you upgrade to Sport trim and gives the C-Class much more in the way of visual clout, from the chunky six-spoke alloys to the deeper front and rear bumpers and prominent three-pointed star nestling in the front grille.car rental uk national car rental
It looks the part, which is good news in a sector where drivers prefer their car to look sporty (think Audi S line and BMW M Sport).car rental uk alamo car rental
The subject of this test is the ultimate incarnation of the recently-launched C-Class estate (discounting the extreme C63 AMG).
The C320 CDI Sport tops the regular range and makes a convincing case as a desirable all-round car.car rental uk
Outside is the aforementioned sports styling pack while under the bonnet is the common rail 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 engine that also plies its trade in the larger E, CLK, S, R, ML and GL models.
So, as the smallest car to package this engine, it’s fair to assume that the C320 CDI isn’t short of power.car rental uk national car rental
With 224bhp and 376lb-ft of torque, this engine delivers effortless performance through the standard-fit seven-speed automatic gearbox.
This performance is delivered with such smoothness that it would be hard to argue for the merits of the petrol C350 V6.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Mazda
It’s normally at about this time, a few months into the ownership of a new car, that I start finding the things I don’t like about it.car rental uk
After the initial rush of picking up a new machine and revelling in its freshness, the novelty wears off and little niggles begin to emerge, stimulating enough of my wrath to easily fill a page with ranting.
Which is why it has been extremely annoying to find that the Mazda6 I took custody of at the beginning of the year has so far been completely dependable.national car rental
I mean, how dare Mazda put together a car that has developed no discernable major faults and draws admiring glances most times I take it out?car rental uk national car rental
Are they trying to put me out of a job?
Well, they won’t get away that easily.
Ok, so the visual impact of the car and its sports appearance pack hasn’t worn off yet.alamo car rental
It still looks sleek and mean, and barely a few days go by without someone asking me about the car when I’m at the supermarket or filling up with diesel.car rental uk national car rental
And, admittedly, the engine has bedded in nicely and continues to impress with its smoothness and refinement once up to temperature.
Yes, it’s very comfortable for hours on end, with seats that are supportive when the going gets twisty and fitted in just the right way for an ideal driving position.
But so what?
As a Fleet News employee, it is my duty to uncover faults and deride what needs to be derided. car rental uk national car rental
Little things like an increasingly satisfying gearbox and perfectly spaced aluminium pedals won’t throw me off, and neither will the excellent Bose stereo and auxiliary input socket that allows me to listen to my iPod.
Sure, the handling is excellent, the boot spacious and the back seats easily accommodating for three adults.
But that won’t stop me savaging it like the cynical hack I am.
Oh no. car rental uk
After the initial rush of picking up a new machine and revelling in its freshness, the novelty wears off and little niggles begin to emerge, stimulating enough of my wrath to easily fill a page with ranting.
Which is why it has been extremely annoying to find that the Mazda6 I took custody of at the beginning of the year has so far been completely dependable.national car rental
I mean, how dare Mazda put together a car that has developed no discernable major faults and draws admiring glances most times I take it out?car rental uk national car rental
Are they trying to put me out of a job?
Well, they won’t get away that easily.
Ok, so the visual impact of the car and its sports appearance pack hasn’t worn off yet.alamo car rental
It still looks sleek and mean, and barely a few days go by without someone asking me about the car when I’m at the supermarket or filling up with diesel.car rental uk national car rental
And, admittedly, the engine has bedded in nicely and continues to impress with its smoothness and refinement once up to temperature.
Yes, it’s very comfortable for hours on end, with seats that are supportive when the going gets twisty and fitted in just the right way for an ideal driving position.
But so what?
As a Fleet News employee, it is my duty to uncover faults and deride what needs to be derided. car rental uk national car rental
Little things like an increasingly satisfying gearbox and perfectly spaced aluminium pedals won’t throw me off, and neither will the excellent Bose stereo and auxiliary input socket that allows me to listen to my iPod.
Sure, the handling is excellent, the boot spacious and the back seats easily accommodating for three adults.
But that won’t stop me savaging it like the cynical hack I am.
Oh no. car rental uk
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Renault Koleos
Renault hasn’t done a ‘proper’ 4x4 before, save for the Megane Scenic RX4 a few years ago.
That was described as a crossover vehicle – a cross between an MPV and a four-wheel-drive. car rental uk national car rental
The new Koleos, however, is different – it’s a crossover vehicle that offers “MPV levels of comfort and genuine off-road ability”… Wait, hang on a minute. car rental uk national car rental
OK, so maybe Renault has done a crossover before, but as far as the French carmaker is concerned, the RX4 didn’t count.
It placed emphasis mostly on the MPV side of things, whereas the Koleos is far more geared to off-roadness. car rental uk
Sort of. guy salmon
The Koleos marks the start of a concerted effort by Renault to branch out into the world of 4x4s, and although it says it doesn’t want to just rebadge an existing off-roader, this new vehicle shares its underpinnings with technology swiped from its partner Nissan.car rental uk national car rental
The Koleos is, essentially, an X-Trail in a fancy French chapeau.
This is no bad thing, as the X-Trail has proven credentials over the rough stuff, and Renault is counting on these skills to establish its own credibility in the sector.car rental uk
The Koleos comes with either full four-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, aimed at those for whom the driveway of their house is as off-road as they will ever get.national car rental
And herein lies the problem.
The Koleos has some decent off-road capability, but Renault admits that very few customers will actually use the thing beyond the school-run and motorway journeys.car rental uk
This is a vehicle designed to show the world that Renault can do capable 4x4s, even if no-one will take advantage of its technology. guy salmon
Of course, one could level the same observation at the likes of Range Rover et al. car rental uk
That was described as a crossover vehicle – a cross between an MPV and a four-wheel-drive. car rental uk national car rental
The new Koleos, however, is different – it’s a crossover vehicle that offers “MPV levels of comfort and genuine off-road ability”… Wait, hang on a minute. car rental uk national car rental
OK, so maybe Renault has done a crossover before, but as far as the French carmaker is concerned, the RX4 didn’t count.
It placed emphasis mostly on the MPV side of things, whereas the Koleos is far more geared to off-roadness. car rental uk
Sort of. guy salmon
The Koleos marks the start of a concerted effort by Renault to branch out into the world of 4x4s, and although it says it doesn’t want to just rebadge an existing off-roader, this new vehicle shares its underpinnings with technology swiped from its partner Nissan.car rental uk national car rental
The Koleos is, essentially, an X-Trail in a fancy French chapeau.
This is no bad thing, as the X-Trail has proven credentials over the rough stuff, and Renault is counting on these skills to establish its own credibility in the sector.car rental uk
The Koleos comes with either full four-wheel drive or front-wheel drive, aimed at those for whom the driveway of their house is as off-road as they will ever get.national car rental
And herein lies the problem.
The Koleos has some decent off-road capability, but Renault admits that very few customers will actually use the thing beyond the school-run and motorway journeys.car rental uk
This is a vehicle designed to show the world that Renault can do capable 4x4s, even if no-one will take advantage of its technology. guy salmon
Of course, one could level the same observation at the likes of Range Rover et al. car rental uk
Monday, May 12, 2008
Ford Kuga
You really can’t fault Ford’s consistency, on two counts.
Firstly, if there’s a niche going strong, it will be years after everybody else has done it before the Blue Oval joins in with one of its own products.
Secondly, when Ford brings out new products these days, invariably they are of the very highest quality. car rental uk national car rental
The new Ford Kuga pretty much ticks these two boxes.
So slow to market, it’s behind even the usually glacial decision-making process of Volkswagen, yet in nearly every way it oozes quality, style and sophistication. car rental us national car rental
Even the name is spot-on, sounding like chunky Lion King pup Simba’s younger brother, and reflecting its compact, muscular appearance.
Indeed, in a sector where looks and image are vitally important, Ford’s director of design Martin Smith has aced it with the Kuga, taking the four-square SUV proportions that attract families and imbuing it with little flourishes here and there that make it the best looking of its kind on the market in my eyes. guy salmon
Then there’s the driving dynamics, which Ford reckons are class-leading, a solid dependable diesel engine, a wide range of lifestyle options and equipment, strong residual values and class-leading CO2 figures.
Before you ask, this isn’t an advertorial paid for out of Ford’s advertising budget, and I apologise if it sounds like one, but this really is a fantastic car.alamo car rental
Let’s temper things before it gets too sycophantic.
There are no door bins on the back doors, which is ridiculous.
And if it’s raining, water will disastrously leak on you through the split rear tailgate when it’s open. car rental uk
Make sure your drivers understand these inadequacies before opting for three years of limited storage and wet-necked hell.
Ford has only 6,000-7,000 Kugas to sell in the UK annually, as production is limited. car rental us national car rental
That means there will be plenty of disappointed customers who didn’t act quickly enough.
Of those available, it is reckoned that around two-thirds will be retail sales. car rental uk
I’d think this was utter tosh at the best of times – with the lowest CO2 in its class, priced at around £20,000 and made by the fleet industry’s largest manufacturer, I’d be amazed if only a third went to fleets.
But Ford has a bit of a thing about talking up its retail share at the moment, and it’s a message that is getting repeated often enough to make you think there’s a deliberate communication strategy going on.
Whatever the theory of the marketing, what are the 2,000 lucky company car drivers going to get with the Kuga? national car rental
Apart from the handsome appearance, the interior also feels well made, clear and functional without being dull, with enough space front and rear without being exceptional (it is built on the Focus platform, after all).
There are two trim levels – Zetec and Titanium – with the first starting at £20,500 and the higher model at £22,500. car rental uk
The Zetec has interior colour styling cues inspired by trainers and sports bras, with flashes of blue or orange across the seats and doors.
The Titanium’s more low-key colour scheme works much better.
Firstly, if there’s a niche going strong, it will be years after everybody else has done it before the Blue Oval joins in with one of its own products.
Secondly, when Ford brings out new products these days, invariably they are of the very highest quality. car rental uk national car rental
The new Ford Kuga pretty much ticks these two boxes.
So slow to market, it’s behind even the usually glacial decision-making process of Volkswagen, yet in nearly every way it oozes quality, style and sophistication. car rental us national car rental
Even the name is spot-on, sounding like chunky Lion King pup Simba’s younger brother, and reflecting its compact, muscular appearance.
Indeed, in a sector where looks and image are vitally important, Ford’s director of design Martin Smith has aced it with the Kuga, taking the four-square SUV proportions that attract families and imbuing it with little flourishes here and there that make it the best looking of its kind on the market in my eyes. guy salmon
Then there’s the driving dynamics, which Ford reckons are class-leading, a solid dependable diesel engine, a wide range of lifestyle options and equipment, strong residual values and class-leading CO2 figures.
Before you ask, this isn’t an advertorial paid for out of Ford’s advertising budget, and I apologise if it sounds like one, but this really is a fantastic car.alamo car rental
Let’s temper things before it gets too sycophantic.
There are no door bins on the back doors, which is ridiculous.
And if it’s raining, water will disastrously leak on you through the split rear tailgate when it’s open. car rental uk
Make sure your drivers understand these inadequacies before opting for three years of limited storage and wet-necked hell.
Ford has only 6,000-7,000 Kugas to sell in the UK annually, as production is limited. car rental us national car rental
That means there will be plenty of disappointed customers who didn’t act quickly enough.
Of those available, it is reckoned that around two-thirds will be retail sales. car rental uk
I’d think this was utter tosh at the best of times – with the lowest CO2 in its class, priced at around £20,000 and made by the fleet industry’s largest manufacturer, I’d be amazed if only a third went to fleets.
But Ford has a bit of a thing about talking up its retail share at the moment, and it’s a message that is getting repeated often enough to make you think there’s a deliberate communication strategy going on.
Whatever the theory of the marketing, what are the 2,000 lucky company car drivers going to get with the Kuga? national car rental
Apart from the handsome appearance, the interior also feels well made, clear and functional without being dull, with enough space front and rear without being exceptional (it is built on the Focus platform, after all).
There are two trim levels – Zetec and Titanium – with the first starting at £20,500 and the higher model at £22,500. car rental uk
The Zetec has interior colour styling cues inspired by trainers and sports bras, with flashes of blue or orange across the seats and doors.
The Titanium’s more low-key colour scheme works much better.
