Business Car Manager: Editor’s Blog
IT SEEMS everyone’s in on the crossover concept. Nissan started the trend with its Qashqai – a car that had all of the appeal of an SUV but without the fuel-sapping 4×4 running gear. And just recently the news arrived that the MINI was pumping itself up for a Countryman model (see news story MINI launches all-new Countryman model).
Before then, in March, we’ll have another crossover, this time from Hyundai. I was talking to corporate sales boss Jeff Peyton-Bruhl last night. To be fair, Jeff was under a fair amount of pressure. He operates a tight business there, so much of what happens in the corporate sales side falls on his shoulders. And he had a lot to deliver – but I’m sure anyone running a small business will recognise that.
One of the key things on his mind was the launch of the new Hyundai iX35 – a new crossover. It has striking SUV looks but with two-wheel drive the emissions are fine for business users.
“We haven’t finalised prices yet,” Jeff told me, “but it will be available in showrooms from March. There will be a 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.0-litre diesel. The diesel will be the one to go for – its emissions are 158g/km CO2, so it comes under the critical writing down allowance threshold of 160g/km. There will also be a 4×4 version for those that want it.”
Apart from telling me that a 1.6 petrol and a 1.7 diesel will be arriving later in the year