The clocks have gone forward, we’ve had some sunshine to tempt us into believing summer is around the corner and..hard to believe, but we’re almost halfway through 2017!
How did that happen so quickly?
And so far it has been a bumper year for new cars and we’ve still got the Ford Fiesta supermini, Mazda CX-5 SUV, Renault Koleos SUV and facelifted Nissan Qashqai SUV to come.
While we can look forward to these latest models, I thought it would be good to take a look back and pick five of my favourite new cars that have already been launched this year. Here’s my recap of my models with the mostest.
Alfa Romeo Giulia
Alfa’s first compact executive saloon in half a decade has been well worth the wait! For starters, it looks great, handles well and in fleet-friendly 2.2-litre turbo diesel form is cost effective to run with its 109g/km emissions and 67.3mpg economy. It’s an Alfa! C’mon, you’ve got to love it!
BMW 5-Series
The new 5-Series is not only faster, lighter and more efficient than ever. In 520d form this 5 is good for 68.1mpg and emits just 108g/km. This BMW is also the most advanced in its class; not only can it accelerate, brake and steer itself via the Driving Assistance Package at speeds of up to 130mph — it can also park itself too!
Land Rover Discovery
The Discovery is a bit of legend. In addition to its outstanding off-road ability, it’s a great all-rounder that’s got even better in third-generation form. Outside, there’s sleek, Range Rover Sport-like styling and the new Discovery is impressive to drive, with the 2.0-litre Ingenium diesel engine being powerful enough on and off-road. Curvy and capable, this is possibly the best Discovery yet.
SEAT Ibiza
From its scaled-down Leon looks, to its new bigger chassis and downsized 1.0-litre petrol engines (the expected 95PS best-seller boasts 106g/km emissions and 60.1mpg economy), there’s no doubt the new Ibiza means business in the supermini class. Other highlights include the keen drive and refined ride — it’s going to be a serious challenger to the new Fiesta due shortly.
Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport
The replacement for the Vauxhall fleet favourite, the Insignia Grand Sport, is designed to take on premium class rivals such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class. That could prove tough for this Vauxhall, but the Insignia Grand Sport boasts a longer wheelbase with more interior space, is lighter, has a large range of efficient engines (108bhp,105g/km emissions and 70.6mpg from the 1.6 Ecotec diesel) and is topped off with slick exterior and interior styling. As ever with Vauxhall, running costs are exceptional.
The clocks have gone forward, we’ve had some sunshine to tempt us into believing summer is around the corner and..hard to believe, but we’re almost halfway through 2017! How did that happen so quickly? And so far it has been a bumper year for new cars and we’ve still got the Ford Fiesta supermini, Mazda … Continued
Electric cars: seems like they’ve been around forever. As ever, there were the initial early adopters, but now they are moving from a niche to the ‘oh that’s interesting’ category as they become increasingly popular. And with improvements to battery technology it means that most current electric cars, or EVs since we can’t have cars … Continued
Fleet managers are swimming in very choppy waters at the moment; the trick is not to drown. All around them, the waves of uncertainty are swelling larger with little sign of a red and white buoyancy aid to provide the support they are no doubt seeking. Let’s take diesel. Currently still in the crosshairs of … Continued
Seems like diesel fuel has been in the firing line since the 2015 Volkswagen emissions scandal brought the pollution effects of this heavy fuel into focus. Since then, the anti-diesel sentiment has gained pace. London Mayor Sadiq Kahn announced a £10 ‘Toxicity Charge’, which will apply from September 2017 for older diesel and petrol models, … Continued
It is the end of March and after a 117 day break, plus the reveal of new cars and drivers – 10 teams and 20 drivers go head-to-head to lift the prestigious Formula 1 World Championship and Constructors titles at the first grand prix of the year – Australia this weekend. Will Lewis Hamilton be … Continued
The beginning of March is an exciting time for the motor industry and its staff, as most jump on a plane and decamp to the home of expensive clocks – Geneva! Why? Well, it’s the first European opportunity in 2017 for the car executives to show their new launches – and their concepts – which … Continued
I’ve been thinking about this. There’s currently quite a buzz around ULEVs – registrations are on the up and the volume of product is increasing all the time. (ULEVs, by the way, are cars with CO2 emissions below 75g/km – and ULEV stands for ultra low emission vehicle. You’ll be hearing lots about ULEVs in … Continued
Wow! Demand for new cars continues unabated. Although there were some doubters that car sales could continue at 2016 levels, January 2017 proved the resilience of the car industry and new car registrations reached a 12 year high. But what was really interesting for me and everyone here at Fleet Alliance who has championed greener … Continued
So, the first big motor show of 2017 has taken place. In the cold of Detroit. But the weather won’t stop the thirst for new cars on display at the Detroit Motor Show. Preparations for my own venture into the cold – my arctic trek – meant I didn’t make it to Detroit, but now … Continued
The Consumer Electronics Show, or CES as it’s more simply known today, is to – put it mildly – indulge in a Las Vegas tech fest. Held at the start of 2017, if you want to know what’s going to be massive in consumer electronics, then this it: CES. There’s all the latest developments in … Continued