I know this is the sort of thing you’re supposed to write in a blog on New Year’s Eve (or Hogmanay as it is more commonly referred to in my native Scotland), but I thought now was as good a time as any to look back on some of the key launches of 2013.
The trouble is I got to 15 without even thinking about it… So there are some belters I’ve had to leave off the list.
So here’s my top 10 cars of 2013 – in alphabetical order:
Audi A3 Sportback
Audi’s classy hatchback with five doors makes it the more complete car for fleets. Especially when fitted with the 99g/km CO2 1.6 105PS diesel engine. Classy, sophisticated.
BMW i3
Is this the game-changing electric car? I reckon so – BMW’s i3 is brilliant to drive and if you’re worried about range, then there’s always the Range Extender version. Guaranteed to change minds.
Honda Civic
OK, so not an all new car, but fitting the long awaited 1.6 diesel engine into this British built hatchback has made it a really fleet-friendly car. Running costs are exceptional – you try and get below 60mpg! Low CO2 emissions for excellent BIK, and really impressive to drive, too.
Land Rover Range Rover
A new version of the aristocracy of four-wheel drive SUVs, the imperious Range Rover manages to combine luxury motorway driving with exceptional off road ability – the like you’ll probably never get a chance to explore. For more pizzazz rather than stately grace, there’s also the new Range Rover Sport.
Mercedes-Benz A Class
I know the car was announced back in 2012, but only became available early 2013. Having a proper ‘Baby Benz’ five-door hatch on the choice lists – as an alternative to the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series – has only got to be a good thing for fleets. Good to see it here.
MINI
You can never ignore a new MINI. And despite retaining all the styling and feel of the previous BMW MINI, it’s all new. And important for fleets. There’s more interior space, better economy and lower CO2 emissions (92g/km) – making it a much more serious company car contender.
Peugeot 308
The new Peugeot 308 looks so much better, so much more stylish that it’s put big distance between itself and the old car – good to see Peugeot getting back on form. But there’s better to come: Peugeot says its 99g engine will be trumped by all new engines delivering 82g/km CO2 later in 2014. Got to be good for BIK!
Skoda Octavia
Quietly Skoda goes about creating great cars. The new Octavia is no exception – it’s a brilliantly large hatchback (think almost Mondeo size) but at Golf type prices. A new GreenLine version will deliver sub 90g/km CO2 emissions!
Vauxhall Insignia
Hard to tell the Insignia has been restyled – but the subtle reshaping has given it more road presence while the interior has been de-cluttered and the quality upped. The best news, though, is the updated engines and running costs: 98g/km CO2 for a company car this size? Sounds impossible – but it’s not. Class leading.
Volkswagen Golf
You’ve got to love a Golf! It still remains wonderfully classless, and with the latest BlueMotion model fleets get fantastic running costs (over 88mpg) and company car drivers low BIK with CO2 emissions of 85g/km. It’s also comfortable to drive and built to a high standard. Another Golf winner.
So that’s my top 10. Do you agree? What would be on your top 10 list? More to the point, what would be top of your wish list for Santa?
Oh, sounds like another blog!
I know this is the sort of thing you’re supposed to write in a blog on New Year’s Eve (or Hogmanay as it is more commonly referred to in my native Scotland), but I thought now was as good a time as any to look back on some of the key launches of 2013. The … Continued
The guy on the radio last night who collects tax discs as a hobby was ecstatic. His reason? The news that the tax disc will cease its paper life and become digital, consigning it to the waste paper basket of history, meant his collection of tax discs (particularly the rarer ones) would go up in … Continued
It’s a staggering success story. October saw the 20th successful rise in new car registrations. Fleet sales were up; business sales were up; private sales were up. Car sales are always a sign of confidence – no more so than in the fleet and business sector. And business is voting with its feet. Companies need … Continued
What was the last book you read? I have to admit I’m more of an occasional reader: when I’m on holiday I like the odd thriller while lazing by the poolside. Otherwise it’s a diet of news digests on my phone and tablet, and the occasional football magazine. Oh, and The Economist. Of course. Naturally. … Continued
BMW has launched the third generation MINI – or the tenth generation if you count the classic Mini (Mark I through VII). The new model replaces the original MINI, launched in 2001 and the updated version of 2006. The MINI has enjoyed a long tenure at the top of the high-end compact car market, but … Continued
What’s the lowest CO2 emission car on your fleet? An electric Nissan Leaf perhaps? Or is your fleet considering the new BMW i3? On the fleet we manage for our clients, the lowest CO2 model we run is the Toyota Auris Hybrid. With CO2 emissions of 91g/km, and combined fuel economy of 72.4mpg, it’s a … Continued
That’s something of a blunt headline, isn’t it? But true, nonetheless. Just look at those bills coming in from the energy firms, slapping on the odd £150 increase to our electricity and gas charges. Can you believe the average bill for both fuels – gas and electricity – has now risen above £1500 a year? … Continued
What’s your idea of a good dinner? One of those £10 supermarket meals for two sitting in front of the TV? Sounds pretty good, I guess… Or something you rustle up – with a piquant jus, of course – based on one of those TV chef programmes? Yeah, sometimes it has been attempted in … Continued
This week we’ve had a car with no steering, and a car that takes over the steering when you’re not capable. Just where is technology taking us? Let’s swerve first to the car with no steering. OK, that’s a slight exaggeration. Yes, it has steering, but not the sort that connects with the wheels in … Continued
OK, I have to admit it. I was in celebratory mood last week. We’d just been named Small Fleet Leasing Company of the Year by Business Car Manager (you can read about it in my previous blog) – and I was having a few drinks with some friends to celebrate. I might also have mentioned … Continued