Top 5 Most Anticipated Cars at the Beijing Motor Show

 The Beijing Motor Show is set to start on 23^rd April with some of the world’s top manufacturers and industry experts set to grace the stage. The show will give great insights into the industry, but more importantly, it will give manufacturers the opportunity to show of new car models and concepts. 

1.      1.  Citroen Numero 9 Concept

 

 

The Citroen Numero 9 is a concept car expected to pave the way for the Citroen DS9. The concept car has extreme style and a very creative flair that Citroen say is the building blocks for the DS9. Don’t expect the DS9 to have such outlandish style, but rest assure the car will take some of its styling from the Numero 9 concept.

2. MG Icon Concept

 

MG now owned by the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) are becoming increasingly ambitious with the MG 3, MG5 and MG 6 currently on sale. Each one more ambitious than the last. However MG are set to reveal the MG Icon concept car at the Beijing Motor Show and have said the Icon previews a future production car set to be released to the Chinese market in 2014. As you can see by the outlandish design, the car is even more ambitious than the current production models which MG moving back into the SUV Market. 

3. Fiat Vaggio

The Viaggio is a new saloon car manufactured by Feat. It was teased to the public using the photo above and is due to be unveiled in Beijing. From the image we can see that the car keeps Fiat’s modern styling featured on such cars as the Fiat 500. At the moment the car is only scheduled for release in China however it may make its way to Europe after. 

4. Porsche Cayenne GTS

 

Porsche are to show off their new Cayenne at the Beijing Motor Show. The car is the updated follow-up to the existing Cayenne GTS. It will feature subtle body changes which has become a trademark of Porsche. The GTs it the mid-range Cayenne which slots between the Cayenne S and Turbo models. The car will feature all round improvements such as more power, mini style upgrades and more technological upgrades. 

5. Lamborghini SUV Concept 

Possibly the most anticipated car of the show, the Lamborghini SUV Concept. Several sources claim to expect the SUV to make an appearance at the show. The car has been rumoured for several years with Lamborghini finally acknowledging with a few artist rendered concept drawings they released. It is said to be making an appearance in Beijing to test the public’s response. We are guessing it will mostly be positive if it looks anything like the drawings.

This list was created by the folks at Car Leasing Made Simple. 

 

Nissan Announce New Focus Rival

New Model Based on Invitation Concept

Japanese car manufacturer Nissan has announced plans for an all-new model to rival the Ford Focus. Nissan also announced the car will be built at its Sunderland plant in the UK creating 1125 new jobs for the fragile economy.

The new, but unnamed model is rumoured to be a replacement for the Nissan Note and will be based on the Invitation concept car (pictured) shown at this years Geneva Motor Show. The new car will be will be built alongside the Qashqai, Qashqai+2, Leaf and Juke in Sunderland potentially significantly increasing their presence in the UK.

Along with an £8.2 Million government grant, Nissan is investing £127 Million into its Sunderland plant in preparation for the new model. Nissan predict the plant should be able to produce 550,000 cars per year. The addition of the new model will see both production lines at the plant working at maximum capacity for the first time in its 26 year history. 

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It is fantastic news that Nissan will be building their new hatchback model in the UK. It's proof of the strength and vitality of the British manufacturing industry that leading companies like Nissan are expanding their production in the UK.”

The car is scheduled for a release in 2014 and more news such as pricing, specifications and equipment will be available nearer the time. With the announcement of the new model, this marks Nissan’s first venture out in the mainstream C-segment since the company stopped production of the Almera in 2006.

What Does the Budget 2012 mean for Motorist’s

Yesterday marked that time of year again. When most of the country holds its breath at listening to the Chancellor of the Exchequer potentially ruin or save our year when it comes to your money.

As with all budgets the motor industry was affected with changes, this year Company Car’s saw some limelight as did other commercial vehicles.  The government has concentrated hard of emissions output and reformed the way a company car’s emissions are taxed. This year the budget abolition of the 120g/km CO2 emissions threshold for company car tax calculations. In its place, starting from April 6^th, is a revised sliding scale system where the percentage rate for cars with CO2 emissions of 100-105g/km is 11%, increasing by 1% for every 5g/km to the maximum of 35%.

A positive includes the plans to abolish the Diesel Car Tax law in April 2016, meaning that Diesel drivers will no longer have to pay 3% more tax than petrol drivers.

Petrol

Probably the most significant announcement during the budget is the confirmation of the rise in Fuel duty increases by 3.02p per liter on August 1, 2012. Although this plan had been in the pipeline for a while, many people had thought (and hoped!) Mr. Osborne would abolish the idea. However it was confirmed instead, meaning an even tighter budget for families already struggling to pay for fuel.

With fuel already averaging £1.40 a liter, come August I would not be surprised to see £1.45 a liter being paid in order to fill up your tank. Perhaps it’s about time motorists seriously considered a different mode of transport or making sure their next car is hybrid or electric.  

Commercial

Drivers of company vans, including ‘Double-Cab’ pick-up trucks, who use their vehicles for private mileage pay benefit-in-kind tax. For 2012/13, the charge rate for these vehicles is frozen at £3,000, or £3,550 if the employer also provides ‘free’ fuel for private mileage. The £550 charge for ‘free’ fuel will increase in line with RPI in April 2013.

This translates to annual tax payable on any company van used privately of £600 for a 20% tax payer, or £1,200 for a 40% tax payer. Where fuel is also provided for private use, the tax payable is £710 (20% tax payer), or £1,420 (40% tax payer). Employees who have to take their vans home to enable them to drive to customers in the morning, and who are not allowed other private use, do not pay a benefit tax charge.

For information on leasing company cars please visit our business car leasing page

4 Easy Fuel Efficient Car Tips

Petrol prices are doing nothing but going up. They are going to stay up, permanently. There is no hiding from that fact. So ,as wel all may be able the moment, you could be strapped for cash. Well that's why we have come up with a few simple and easy tips to save you money and increase your fuel efficiency.

1. Keep your windows up

Driving along with the window down can have a bad effect on fuel efficiency. This is because the wind resistance caused by the car losing its naturally aero-dynamic design. This causes the engine to work harder. If It’s a hot day, just open the window when you’re not moving in traffic.

2. Do routine maintenance often

It's true when they say have a service on your car regularly. However this is not for prolonging the life of the engine, it's for fuel efficiency. If your oil is old and dirty, the engine is working harder to run your car as efficiently as it should be running. Making sure your engine is always in pristine condition will ensure that your car is as green as possible and you should not have to worry about breaking down nearly as much either.

3.  Keep your tyres inflated

Having tyres under-inflated is one of the leading reasons for lower fuel efficiency. You should check your tire pressure often to make sure they are at the optimum pressure. If your tyres aren’t up to the correct pressure, they will increase the amount you pay on fuel. The tyres will also wear out a lot faster costing you money to replace them a lot faster. You will also have to worry about disposing of the old tyres, possibly at a charge.

4. Learn to drive economically

This is the most obvious solution, yet the one most people take the least notice off. If they actually realise how much full throttle acceleration actually costs then they wouldn’t do it, simple as that. If you know you’re about to stop, then why still accelerate? For example coming up to a set of traffic lights. Or needless hard acceleration, a slow and elegant move off will still get you to where you’re going, but cheaper!

Just a few short tips to get you thinking about the money you could save buy just putting a little effort in. Here at car leasing made simple, we are constantly reassured by the motor industry about fuel consumption. Manufactures are coming out with great new cars and engines all the time, read about them here!