Car Rental Road Raves

Mercedes Benz C Class

2008-05-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

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.

Mazda

2008-05-20T02:35:00.000-07:00

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

Renault Koleos

2008-05-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

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

Ford Kuga

2008-05-12T02:40:00.000-07:00

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.

Saab 95

2008-04-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

CHANCELLOR TURNS HIS BACK ON BIOFUELS, SAYS SAAB

In response to the Chancellor’s announcement that the fuel duty rebate for biofuels will expire from 2010 Jonathan Nash, Managing Director of Saab Great Britain,car rental uk ‘fears that the government has turned its back on biofuels. car rental uk national car rental’‘I am deeply disappointed that the Chancellor has announced the removal of the fuel duty rebate for biofuels from 2010.car rental uk alamo car rental The lack of long term consumer incentives for the use of high blend biofuels is a clear indication of the Government turning its back on this technology.car rental uk national car rental’‘Although the Chancellor has stated he will encourage the development of sustainable biofuels by increasing the buy-out price for suppliers under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, we are fearful that this will do nothing to encourage the use of E85 and could drive up the cost of eco-friendly bioethanol E85 at the pump for the consumer.car rental uk’‘The UK continues to fall behind other European countries where a more generous package of incentives is encouraging consumers and fuel providers to embrace this exciting technology right now, and reduce the environmental impact of their new car purchase. car rental uk

Nissan Pathfinder

2008-04-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

More power, better handlingWith a powerful engine, dynamic handling and incredible traction, car rental uk national car rental the Pathfinder is at home on any surface. In fact, you’ll be able to take your family anywhere!

ENGINE
HANDLING
2.5-litre common rail diesel engine
Maximum traction with ALL MODE 4x4 system Dynamic performance Front and rear independent suspension Hill Descent Control & Hill Start Assist
2.5-litre common rail diesel engine With the 171HP dCi engine, Pathfinder can accelerate from 0 to 62mph in just 11.8 seconds and can achieve up to 28.8 mpg on the combined cycle.car rental uk national car rental And with 403Nm of torque, you can haul 3000Kg of boat, trailer or cargo.Back to top
Maximum traction with ALL MODE 4x4 system Mud, rain or snow – the Pathfinder’s ALL MODE 4x4 electronic system offers maximum traction and instant response. uk car rental alamo car rentalWhatever the weather or surface, you have the confidence of knowing that the four-wheel drive will engage automatically when conditions demand it. For really tough terrain, engage low-ratio and enjoy controlled progress.

Chrysler Concept Cars

2008-04-01T03:07:00.000-07:00

Combining refinement, function and style, the Chrysler Nassau concept explores a new expression of the Chrysler brand. The four-door, four-passenger Chrysler Nassau luxury coupe is, a more emotional and artistic articulation of what it means to be a Chrysler. car rental uk national car rental
Though built on a full-size 120-inch wheelbase, the Nassau appears more visually compact than a comparable Chrysler 300C. car rental uk national car rental Though the arc of the roof resembles that of a coupe, the Chrysler Nassau concept is in fact a four-door hard top with front and rear side glass that retracts fully, revealing the absence of an above-the-belt B-pillar. The crisp but fluid A-line that closes slightly against the rising belt is also of particular note. car rental uk alamo car rentalFronting the long hood is a new interpretation of the eggcrate Chrysler grille, rendered in chrome and satin aluminium. Bracketing the grille and sweeping rearward nearly to the wheel openings, the long, narrowing headlamps and their upper chrome brows combine with the rising sculptured line of the upper fascia to subliminally evoke the uplifted wings of the Chrysler badge. car rental uk national car rental Stepping into the Chrysler Nassau, one enters a new world of luxury specially designed to a younger, aspiring audience. The presiding interior theme is one of flowing seamless sculpture composed of leathers and fabrics derived from futuristic architectural interiors. car rental uk The instrument panel is a showcase for new technologies in data display, personal control interface, and home theatre-inspired entertainment. Gear selection is accomplished via a pod control mounted on the instrument panel while the steering wheel incorporates auxiliary paddle shifters. alamo car rental

Land Rover Discovery 3

2008-03-31T03:58:00.000-07:00

Whatever the surface, Discovery 3 takes it on with confidence and safety. The Terrain Response® dial, standard on derivatives with Air suspension, gives access to over fifty-nine years of Land Rover 4x4 expertise and state-of-the-art dynamic technology.car rental uk national car rental Cruising on tarmac, driving over grass, gravel or snow, taking on mud & ruts, crossing sand and crawling over rocks, Terrain Response® is your own off-road driving expert. car rental uk alamo car rental Simply turn the dial and Discovery 3´s engine, transmission, suspension and Traction settings reconfigure for optimum driveability in all conditions. car rental uk
Enlarge Image

Electronic cross-linked Air suspension
Long-travel, all-independent suspension allows extreme wheel articulation, for example, ruts and rocks are conquered with ease. car rental uk national car rental. Optional four-corner cross-linked Air suspension provides class-leading car-like ride and handling, both on and off-road, as well as a constant, level ride height, irrespective of the number of passengers or load distribution. car rental uk alamo car rental Ride height can also be raised by up to 125mm to clear tricky obstacles, or lowered by 50mm for easy access and loading. car rental uk

Peugeot

2008-03-28T01:55:00.000-07:00

The 308 RC Z, a veritable elixir of driving pleasure in the purest sense, presented by Peugeot as the embodiment of driving pleasure, capable of arousing strong feelings and emotions thanks to its lightweight construction, its efficiency and its respect for the environment. car rental uk national car rental. The 308 RC Z is a useable, modern 2+2 coupé.The 308 RC Z concept car is powered by a 1.6 liter THP turbo-charged petrol engine created from the all-new range of engines designed and developed jointly by PSA Peugeot Citroën and the BMW Group.Using revised engine management software specially developed for the concept car, the 1.6 liter THP engine produces a maximum power of 160 kW (≈218 bhp). It is, however, characterized by its incredible flexibility, thanks to a maximum torque of 280 Nm produced from a very low engine speed (or 300 Nm with the overboost function). car rental uk alamo car rental. These values ensure remarkable responsiveness under all driving conditions.The engine is fitted with an entirely new 6-speed manual gearbox. car rental uk national car rentalThis engine helps to give the 308 RC Z a particularly efficient compromise between performance and fuel consumption.

Astra VXR

2008-03-27T03:54:00.000-07:00

There are plenty of hot hatches on the market, but it's the Astra VXR that's the undisputed Ring leader…
And to prove it, Vauxhall has pulled the wraps off the Nürburgring edition, named after the car's spiritual home, where much of its pre-production development was carried out. car rental uk national car rental
Based on the standard Astra VXR and priced at £20,995, each individually numbered Nürburgring edition will come with an exclusive all-white paint finish and lightweight white 18-inch alloy wheels, equipped with bespoke Dunlop tyres, are also specified. Other exterior features include dark tinted windows, carbon fibre effect mirrors and B-Pillars and distinctive chequered flag body graphics, to further emphasise the car's incredible performance. car rental uk alamo car rental
Mechanically similar to the standard VXR, the Nürburgring Edition produces 240PS in factory tune, giving it the ability to accelerate from 0-60mph in 6.2 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph. Each UK-specification car will also come provided with a Remus Sports Exhaust, developed with Vauxhall's BTCC race team, Triple-Eight Race Engineering. car rental uk national car rental
Like the standard car, the Nürburgring Edition benefits from a six-speed manual gearbox and lowered, uprated VXR suspension with ESP as standard. Ventilated 321mm diameter disc brakes at the front and 278mm diameter discs at the back help slow things down, while blue-painted calipers remain a VXR trademark. alamo car rental
The Nürburgring Edition theme continues inside, with carbon fibre detailing on the door trims and fascia, leather trim with the Nürburgring circuit graphic embossed into the unique Recaro front seat backrests and an individually numbered plaque showing each car's build number.
In fact, the only thing it doesn't come with is one of those Nürburgring bootlid stickers you can buy when you do a lap of the circuit. Such a shame, as it means you'll have to drive it there and buy one yourself.

Why Spirt Rentacar

2008-03-25T04:40:00.000-07:00

At Spirit we provide a fantastic range of vehicles from hundreds of locations all at great prices. Whatever vehicle you want from the latest model hatchback or family saloon, to exciting performance and luxury cars or even a van for that important move. car rental uk national car rental
I have been a frequent user of car rental for many years and all too often found myself disappointed with the deal and the service. It seemed no rental company really cared about me as a customer and made me want to come back to them again. So I started Spirit Rent a Car to provide the kind of service that I, as a customer wanted to buy. car rental uk alamo car rental>
Its our role at Spirit to get you a great rental deal, to make sure the service and the vehicles are of the highest standard because we want you to come back again and again and to recommend us to your friends and family for car rental in the UK. car rental uk national car rental
To provide our rental vehicles we use only the best award winning rental companies. Because we deliver them high volumes of business they give us great terms which we pass on to you. We manage the rental companies on your behalf making sure that you receive the service you deserve, the service that I would want. car rental uk
If you are reading this page the chances are that you have rented a vehicle before that you want to rent again but are not going back to the company you used last time. I understand how you feel, that is why I started Spirit Rent a Car.national car rental
Join the growing number of people who have found in Spirit the great deals and services that they want provided by a small team who really care about wanting you to come to us every time you need to rent

Jaguar XF

2008-03-24T06:58:00.000-07:00

Today is a landmark day for Jaguar as What Car? – one of the most influential motoring publications in the UK – confirms it has voted the Jaguar XF its 'Car of the Year'. This is an incredible achievement and no one should underestimate the importance of these awards to all of us. They carry international significance and most definitely influence customer choice. car rental uk national car rental
Voted 'Best Executive Car', the XF also took the "Car of the Year" award in the face of extremely tough competition and trounced all its main competitors in the segment from BMW, Mercedes and Audi. XF has already received a host of significant awards including 'Car of the Year' from The Sun newspaper, 'Limo of the Year' from Top Gear magazine, 'Interior of the Year' from CAR magazine and the 'Design Award' from Autocar magazine. alamo car rental car rental uk
Be the first to see and drive the Jaguar XF at Lookers Ipswich and Bury St. Edmunds. The car will be launched on Thursday 7th February and demand is already extremely high. car rental uk

Land Rover 3

2008-02-29T02:39:00.000-08:00

Whatever the surface, Discovery 3 takes it on with confidence and safety. The Terrain Response® dial, standard on derivatives with Air suspension, gives access to over fifty-nine years of Land Rover 4x4 expertise and state-of-the-art dynamic technology. car rental uk. National car rental.Cruising on tarmac, driving over grass, gravel or snow, taking on mud & ruts, crossing sand and crawling over rocks, Terrain Response® is your own off-road driving expert. Simply turn the dial and Discovery 3´s engine, transmission, suspension and Traction settings reconfigure for optimum driveability in all conditions. car rental uk
Go to Terrain Response® feature demonstration (1MB)

Enlarge Image

Electronic cross-linked Air suspension
Long-travel, all-independent suspension allows extreme wheel articulation, for example, ruts and rocks are conquered with ease. national car rental Optional four-corner cross-linked Air suspension provides class-leading car-like ride and handling, both on and off-road, as well as a constant, level ride height, irrespective of the number of passengers or load distribution. Ride height can also be raised by up to 125mm to clear tricky obstacles, car rental uk or lowered by 50mm for easy access and loadingnational car rental

Range Rover

2008-01-19T09:15:00.000-08:00

The third Range Rover model -- representing only the second major design update in 32 years -- was officially introduced to the world at the Detroit Motor Show in January 2002. The new model was developed during BMW's period of ownership of Land Rover from 1995 to 2001. The redesign was given a high priority by BMW, with a total "clean sheet" approach resulting in the claim of most expensive development program for any vehicle, ever. The challenge was to update the on-road car rental uk national car rentalperformance and handling from the pedestrian standards of past Range Rovers to levels more competitive with contemporary luxury sedans, while also improving on past Range Rovers' supreme off road abilities. guy salmon (For more information on the developent process, see the RR III Development Page in the Model Year Details section). The designers succeeded brilliantly in improving both on-road handling and off-road ride through the use of a highly innovative cross-coupled independent airbag suspension.car rental uk alamo car rental Acceleration was also improved, although still marginal compared to competing Jeep and Ford models. But the new Range Rover is bigger, better looking, has a fantastic interior, marginally faster, much more refined and of course even more luxurious than its predecessor. car rental uk national car rental
Reassuringly, full attention was paid to off-road capabilities to ensure it is still the "king off road" -- its main selling point in an increasingly crowded luxury SUV market. Following the tradition of all Range Rovers to date, further innovation in suspension design is largely responsible for these remarkable dual personality capabilities.car rental uk It is acknowledged that most buyers may never use its stupendous off road capabilities, but knowing the capability is there is the reason people will shell out $70,000 for a Range Rover when they could get an equally luxurious Cadillac Escalade or Lexus LS470 (or a faster BMW X5 or Mercedes ML500) for less. It's the same reason people will continue to buy Ferraris even though most never actually use their 170 mph capabilities. national car rental
Contrary to earlier rumors, the vehicle is manufactured on a new production line in Land Rover's home town of Solihull, England. Overall, the new Range Rover is a landmark engineering achievement, fully worthy of the Range Rover name. guy salmon
Return to top Body Shape
The redesign continued the recent trend in this market segment towards larger vehicles, expanding the Range Rover's length by another 9.5 inches to 195 inches, providing a body as cavernous as a Toyota Land Cruiser. guy salmonWheelbase is increased by five inches from 108 to 113 inches. The modern monocoque construction techniques did not prevent a 500 lb weight gain, but included retention of the trademark Land Rover aluminum for the hood, front fenders and door panels.

Audi R8

2008-01-15T05:58:00.000-08:00

But it was nothing to the car that was waiting for me in London. The Audi R8.
I had seen pictures of this mid-engined supercar and they left me underwhelmed. I thought it looked a bit boring, like a slightly bigger version of the TT. And it wasn’t going to be a real supercar, was it? Not when you remember Audi owns Lamborghini. I mean, why make a car to compete with your own brand? That’d be stupid. car rental uk national car rental
This view is reinforced when you climb inside. There are very few supercar extravagances. There’s no panic handle. No stitching made from yellowhammer feathers. No titanium machinegun triggers. It’s very grey, very Audi, very normal. And that’s fine, actually, because there are very few traditional supercar drawbacks either. alamo car rental
You can see out, there’s room for your head, even if you have truly enormous hair, and there’s space for briefcases and whatnot on a shelf behind the seats. It’s big in there; much bigger than you’d believe.
Then you set off and there are no histrionics. The exhaust makes a deep, meaningful rumble, but as is the way in Jaguar’s XK you can’t really hear it when you’re inside .car rental uk guy salmon
So it’s spookily quiet, and that’s just the start of it. Because it is also spectacularly comfortable. I don’t mean comfortable . . . for a sports car. I mean it’s so comfortable you can run over anything up to a medium-sized fox and not even notice. Couple this to the usual array of Audi in-car entertainment – sat nav, a hi-fi from Bang & Olufsen no less – and you have a car that, like the Porsche 911, you really could live with every day.
You needn’t even worry about the engine.car rental uk national car rental It’s not a W16 with eight turbos and plugs that foul themselves at every set of lights. It doesn’t run on fertiliser and grated tiger chippings. Instead, it’s the 414bhp 4.2 V8 from the RS 4. I’ve described this as one of the best engines made today and a drive in the R8 has not changed my mind. It does everything, brilliantly. car rental uk guy salmon
Of course, you cannot really expect a quiet, comfortable car with the engine from a saloon to perform well on a track. The suspension would be too soft. The power not quite grunty enough. The track is Lambo land. The Audi belongs in a city, soothing the fevered brow of the man with the midlife crisis, while massaging his ego, all at the same time. Wrong. Very, very wrong. In fact the Audi is outstanding when there’s nothing coming the other way. It’s not blisteringly fast. From rest to 120, it goes at almost exactly the same rate as the Porsche 911 Carrera S. And flat out it’ll be out of steam before it gets to 190. But to dismiss it for this is to miss the point.alamo car rental

Volvo V70

2008-01-14T03:11:00.000-08:00

The new V70 is much more refined that the outgoing model and will, I hope, manage another 145,000 miles without any repairs being needed! Car rental uk national car rental alamo car rental.It is quick off the mark and powers away effortlessly via its amazing D5 engine. europcar car rental uk. The interior is greatly improved and very modern looking but very functional. car rental uk The computer controls for all major functions such as security, radio, lights etc is easy to use and programme. The electronic brake takes a bit of getting used to. Comfort is without doubt greatly improved and the seats, as ever, are the most comfortable of any car in its class. car retnal uk national car rental Highly recommended. alamo car rental

Vauxhall Vectra

2008-01-11T13:40:00.000-08:00

Latest addition to our long-term test fleet is a Vauxhall Vectra SRi, powered by a 150bhp, 1.9-litre diesel engine. It is with us for a year, which provides the opportunity to look in a bit more detail than usual at some of the technology in the car, the most impressive of which is undoubtedly Adaptive Forward Lighting or AFL for short. For those who bunked off physics at school, light does not bend - no matter who you are. However, by developing a system that combines swivelling lights with an additional bulb, Vauxhall has indeed made it possible to see round corners. Car Rental Uk National car rental
The aim of AFL is to make driving in the dark and in bad weather conditions easier and above all safer. According to the latest figures from Germany's Federal Statistics Bureau, more than 40 per cent of all automobile accidents resulting in death occur at night, despite the fact that there is up to 80 per cent less traffic on the road than during the day. Car rental uk. Car rental uk national car rental. It does this in three ways. In bends, the headlight swivel by up to +/- 15 degrees, depending on steering wheel input. At junctions and narrow bends, a turning light provides wide-angle lighting. The illumination is nearly 90 degrees to the direction of travel over a distance of around 100 ft from the car.car rental uk national car rental. This turning-light is designed to function only at speeds up to 30 mph so that it does not activate in situations like lane changes on the motorway. Key benefit is that dark junctions become significantly safer. Finally, at motorway speeds the light angle on dipped beam rises slightly, illuminating the road ahead for a greater distance.
Before I tried the system I was naturally sceptical and while it is an expensive £850 optional extra, it comes into the 'wouldn't be without it' category as of now. Car rental uk national car rental. Source ROSS DURKIN

Mercedes R Class

2008-01-10T04:44:00.000-08:00

Mercedes-Benz R-class
YOU may have drivers on your fleet who, buried within them, have a deep-seated subconscious desire to drive around in a grand sports tourer. They will not know it yet, but the appearance of the Mercedes-Benz R-class could trigger this dormant urge and send them to your door. car rental uk That's because the R-class is the answer to a question not yet posed. It is an estate/MPV/saloon/hearse hybrid, with six seats, four-wheel drive, big engines and lots of space. Mercedes-Benz calls it a Grand Sports Tourer, or GST. We were here with the Renault Vel Satis and Avantime a few years back - minus one seat - and nobody could work them out then. car rental ukBut Mercedes-Benz has ploughed on with its own crossover vehicle and there is enough early evidence to suggest that, on a global basis at least, it will be a success. That's because the R-class is designed with the US in mind. Its size, six chairs, huge cupholders, blacked-out windows and drivetrain configuration suggest it is pitched at Americans tiring of SUVs. It is even built in the US, at the Tuscaloosa plant, home of the M-class. Apparently, US buyers want four-wheel drive for the extra safety it brings and that is why this odd choice is the only option, rather than Mercedes-Benz's more traditional rear-wheel drive set-up. car rental uk. National Car Rental
The fact is that the heavier, thirstier four-wheel drive system makes no sense at all, until you consider that the US market will take most of the volume, and it is a lot cheaper to build it on the M-class platform in the States rather than ship S- or E-class modules over from Europe. Mercedes-Benz reckons on selling 1,800 in a full year in the UK with half of these being the diesel version, but by the very nature of the car this has to have been somewhat plucked out of thin air. True, there is nothing like it on the market but, after spending some time with the R, the multitude of abilities it has slowly dawn on you. car rental uk For a start, anything of this vastness is going to find some friends looking for ultimate carrying ability. At more than five metres long and nearly two metres wide for the long wheelbase version, the R-class is a big hulking piece of metal and head-turning elegance is certainly not a strength. car rental uk. National Car Rental

Mercedes Benz

2008-01-08T02:55:00.000-08:00

Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its second new model series in a month with the new R-Class six-seater, which made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show this week. Car Rental uk
The R-Class takes the different parts of existing vehicle categories, such as a potential for car rental in the UK sporty saloon, estate, MPV and SUV, which Mercedes says, "is all about the three Ds: Dimensions, Design and Dynamism". The new model will be available with two engine variants. The V8 powerplant under the bonnet of the R 500 propels it from 0-62.5 mph in 6.9 seconds with a top speed of 149mph. Also in the engine line-up is a new six-cylinder power unit with third-generation common-rail, direct-injection technology. Car Rental uk

Volvo

2006-03-22T03:40:00.000-08:00

HAVE always had a soft spot for Volvo’s S60. While everyone else ignores it in favour of its German premium rivals, for a long time I’ve admired its svelte body, long- legged nature and the supreme level of comfort it offers. car rental uk
But it is no sports saloon in the mould of BMW’s 3-series. It lacks the involving steering and supple chassis which its German rival majors on. But I defy anyone to name a more comfortable car in this class. car rental uk
The seats are something else – generously padded, they make long distance work a treat.
But as soon as you corner enthusiastically you slide off the side – it’s then that you realise they are designed to cosset rather than grip you. So instead of thinking of the S60 as a sports saloon, I prefer to call it a GT. It has that loping gait which suits the grand tourer title down to a tee.
Even the gear change has a long, lazy feel about it. car rental uk
But this doesn’t matter too much, because such are the reserves of power on offer from this new D5 diesel engine that even a lazy gearchange doesn’t blunt your progress.

This engine is something else. At 185bhp it rockets the S60 to the top of the sub-3.0-litre diesel premium upper-medium power charts.
But it doesn’t feel like a diesel because it revs keenly and cleanly all the way up to the red line, all the while emitting that unusual Volvo five-cylinder howl which has become the firm’s trademark.
Mid-range power is very strong, which makes overtaking anything between the 50-70mph mark so easy that it doesn’t even need you to change down into fourth gear. Leave it in fifth, roll on the throttle and the S60 picks up its skirt and surges forward. The ride is biased towards comfort, although this can be changed by pressing the 4C button and switching from Comfort to Sport. car rental uk
This firms up the ride, but to be honest there’s little point as it just turns the S60 into a hard-riding car rather than a more toned sports saloon.
And the steering is nothing to write home about either. The actual turn-in is quite direct, but there’s none of the feedback you get from a 3-series. And while we’re talking steering, the turning circle on the S60 is poor. Several times while driving the car I went to park in a space and completely missed it as there’s not enough turn on the wheels.
But on the plus side, the interior is a triumph, with a sloping centre console mounted slightly towards you and fairly high up, meaning most controls are within your eye line. car rental uk

Volvo s60

2006-01-23T03:49:00.000-08:00

Honda

2005-12-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

MY initial excitement about a bespoke Honda bike rack fitted to the CR-V was fairly short lived.
The Honda was whisked off to a dealership which promptly fitted the rack and returned the car with a bike rack which is certainly bespoke. Car rental uk
On the positive side, the bikes can be securely locked to the rack, unlike those portable carriers. It is very stable with no wobbles – even at high speeds – and it is easy to load as the bikes don’t have to be lifted very high.
However, I was expecting one of those little gadgets like you buy in Halfords for about £50, but it is more like a mini trailer. It juts out almost a metre from the back of the CR-V but only accommodates two bikes. car rental uk
It can be removed, but it is a cumbersome and difficult manoeuvre. Opening the rear door is impossible unless you tilt the rack and again this is a difficult operation. Since the rack has been fitted, all shopping bags now have to sit on the back seat and my usual reverse parking technique has gone out of the window with all that extra clobber on the back.

The final sting in the tail is the price. It costs a whopping £700 to have the rack attached to the CR-V – I could have bought a second car for the same price. car rental uk
I’ve since discovered that Argos now sells a portable bike rack for 4x4s. It fits over the spare wheel, carries three bikes and costs a mere £69.99. Buying one of these would leave £630 over Honda’s version, enough for a week’s cycling holiday in the South of France.
Bike racks aside, the CR-V is a joy to drive. It is still returning a healthy 36.1mpg, slightly lower than my last figure, but lugging a couple of mountain bikes around could have been the cause.
Honda has also been very clever with the compact styling and useful storage areas inside the cabin. There are cup holders and cubby holes almost everywhere. The dash-mounted cool box only stores two cans of drink but is useful on long journeys and the retractable tray in between the driver and passenger seats is handycar rental

Volvo S60

2005-12-08T06:16:00.000-08:00

New Passat Revealed

2005-12-02T02:19:00.000-08:00

Volkswagen has revelaed the first pictures of its eaglerley waited new passat, which will be officially revealed later this year. Car rental uk

A significant lea in quality over the current model, which itself forged an upmarket reputation eight years ago. Car rental uk

On the outside, cues from the concept C and R show cars such as the large chrome grill are evident and are set to make their way onto future VW's. On the inside cabin quality levels area said to move the current cars reputation on even further. Car rental uk,

Handling has been omrpoved also, thanks to a new four-link rear suspension system and a bodys thats some 54% stiffer. Car rental uk,

New Launch Toyta Hilux

2005-10-06T07:01:00.000-07:00

IN September, Nissan set the scene for a battle royale in the 4x4 pick-up sector by launching the new Navara, a vehicle which left the opposition standing in terms of size, power and driveability.
Just a month later, Toyota has replied with a new Hilux. With a new Mitsubishi L200 on the way early next year, Britain’s pick-up sector is about to move on to a whole new playing field.
Built in South Africa, the new Hilux will be offered in single and double-cab formats but with only one engine – a common rail 2.5-litre diesel offering 102bhp – way short of the Navara’s staggering 174bhp. But Toyota officials say that this model is the first of a roll-out of other variants. Both higher-powered versions and a king-cab will be available next year. car rental uk
Outside, the new Hilux is considerably bigger than the old one. Its length has increased by 340mm to 5,255mm, largely because of a longer wheelbase, which now measures 3,085mm. The width has grown by 65mm while the height adds 30mm over the old model. The load area also grows, so single-cab models have 15% more space while double-cabs increase by 30%.
The cabin now looks more like a car, with conventional-style controls and switches, rather than the van-style controls the old one had. In the double-cab, Toyota claims there is as much legroom as in a upper-medium car. car rental uk
Three grades will be on offer – H2, H3 and Invincible. Basic models have ABS brakes, driver and passenger airbags, electric windows, air-conditioning, remote central locking and CD player.
While companies buying the Hilux for business use won’t be affected by benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax considerations, drivers who choose these vehicles as a way of cutting their tax bills – and there are quite a few – are about to be hit in a big way.
Until April 2007, BIK tax is based on a £500 loading, which means a 22% taxpayer will only have to cough up £110 a year. After that date the loading will increase to £3,000, meaning an annual tax bill of £660. It’s a big leap but even the higher cost is still a reasonable amount for a vehicle of this type.
Behind the wheel
The Hilux looks very similar to the Navara – and no doubt when the new Mitsubishi L200 arrives next year it will look similar, too. They are big, brash, bold and beautiful if you like that sort of thing. car rental uk
Only double-cab versions were on offer for our test drive and once aboard, it was obvious that Toyota’s boast of car-like cabins was not an idle one. Front seats are wide and comfortable while there is plenty of legroom for rear seat passengers.Gone are the old ‘Tonka-toy’ knobs and switches, replaced by a stylish car-like dash and upmarket fixtures and fittings.
The roads around Marbella revealed plenty about the new Hilux. On fast roads it struggled – 102bhp isn’t a lot for a titan like this and with no load on the back, it whined and groaned like a cissy even on relatively gentle inclines.
But heading off-road the Hilux was more impressive. While our ‘dirty’ section wasn’t too challenging, there were some pretty steep slopes to negotiate, along with rough pits and lots of loose shale and with four-wheel drive selected and second gear engaged, there was never any suggestion that it was going to struggle.
The five-speed manual gearchange was slick and the power steering light yet precise. The Hilux retains its second gear lever for changing between two and four-wheel drive while the Navara has a switch on the dashboard.
Driving verdict car rental uk
SO far, with just the Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux to choose from, it seems fleets have a stark choice – raw power from the Navara or the Hilux’s lower running costs.
For those who feel the Navara is too powerful and the Hilux too weak, maybe it would be better to wait and see what extra power Toyota will offer next year. Or will Mitsubishi play a sneaky hand and pitch its new L200 halfway between the two?car rental uk