AUDI has launched a new version of its A3 hatchback model, the 1.6 TDI.</p><p>The new Audi A3 has low CO2 emissions of just 109g/km. This gives the A3 significant tax allowances. </p><p>The Audi A3 1.6 TDI qualifies for the newly introduced 100% writing down allowance for Corporation Tax
SELF-EMPLOYED driving instructors can be removed immediately from the Register of Approved Driving Instructors following the Royal Assent of a new law.</p><p>The new law –
<p>THE Toyota Yaris supermini has an upgraded look on its best-selling TR model
SMALL companies running from as few as one company car can now benefit from a new BMW Partnership programme and a dedicated business manager.</p><p>The new programme reverses BMW's previously arm's length approach when a small business needed to have at least 10 cars before BMW would consider it for a corporate programme.</p><p>All that has changed with the new BMW Partnership programme, which is dedicated to those small businesses running under 50 business cars.</p><p>"Small businesses can now benefit from a wide range of product offers and services specifically tailored to their needs," commented Stephen Chater, corporate operations manager, BMW.</p><p>"These benefits include a dedicated business manager who provides advice and help with a wide range of business car management issues. We will also be offering competitive contract hire rates," added Mr Chater.</p><p>According to Mr Chater, those businesses that sign up to the BMW Partnership will also receive complimentary options, including Bluetooth telephone preparation or USB interface.</p><p>Mr Chater said that the benefits of BMW included its EfficientDynamics programme, which had helped BMW to achieve the lowest average CO2 emissions of any premium manufacturer for 2008. He added: "BMW offers 157 models that fall below the 160g/km CO2 writing down allowance break without compromising driving performance."</p><p>Businesses sign up to the programme by nominating their nearest BMW dealership.</p><p>The same programme is also being offered to small businesses that run the MINI under the MINI Partnership programme.</p><p><strong>BMW Partnership Special Offers</strong></p><ul><li><strong>BMW X1 sDrive18d SE</strong> L407 per month</li><li><strong>BMW 520d SE saloon</strong> L430 per month</li><li><strong>BMW 116d ES 5dr</strong> L269 per month</li></ul><p><strong>Further information</strong></p><p>We previewed the BMW Partnership programme in our news story <a href="https://www.businessmotoring.co.uk/pages/Newsfull.asp?id=535">BMW opens its doors to small businesses</a>.</p>
WIND in the hair motoring needn't cost the earth any more. Audi is reducing the emissions of its smallest cabrio, the A3, thanks to the use of more efficient technology.</p> <p>At the same time, fuel economy is improved and the car now drops below the 160g/km CO2 tax break, so it qualifies for the 20% writing down allowance for those companies that prefer to buy their business cars.</p><p>So what has Audi done? The engineers have pulled out the existing 1.6-litre engine (105PS, 40.4mpg, 167g/km CO2) and slotted in the smallest ever engine to grace an Audi: a 1.2-litre turbo TFSI unit (105PS, 49.6mpg, 132g/km CO2).</p><p>Even better, it has more torque (the low down engine response) than the old 1.6, too (175Nm) and because it's lighter, should make the car more responsive.</p><p>"The new Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI is the latest example of Audi's drive to cut emissions by replacing larger capacity petrol engines with more compact alternatives," commented Iain Carmichael, head of sales, Audi.</p><p>"This engine 'downsizing' policy uses forced induction and direct injection to deliver even more impressive performance results that provide dramatic economy and emissions improvements - to the benefit of all drivers, but particularly company car drivers," Mr Carmichael added.</p><p>The Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI will be available in three grades: Standard, Sport and S line.</p><p>Standard versions include: 16-inch alloys; air con; powered windows and mirrors; radio with single CD; and semi-automatic hood operation (the hood is attached to and released from the windscreen rail manually but retracts and raises at the touch of a button).</p><p>Sport versions include: 17-inch alloys; sports suspension; sports seats; fully automatic hood operation ('hands-free' detachment/attachment from the windscreen rail); and a wind deflector.</p><p>S line versions up the Sport equipment list with: 18-inch alloys; S line body styling; leather interior; S line multifunction sports steering wheel; perforated leather gear knob; and matt brushed aluminium inlays.</p><p>The Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.2 TFSI goes on sale from May, priced from L19,985.</p>
COMPANIES can make up to a 25% saving on fuel costs but uncovering exaggerated mileage claims.</p><p>The problem is usually much bigger than employers believe, says TMC, an audit specialist.</p><p>"We typically see our clients' mileage bills drop by 25% when they bring in measures to capture and audit their drivers' mileage reports," commented TMC managing director Paul Jackson.</p><p>"For example, if you have 25 company car drivers, each covering around 10,000 miles a year on business, 25% equates to an annual saving of over L6250 on fuel expenses," he added.</p><p>Mr Jackson said that auditing drivers' mileage was more effective at cost saving than efforts at fuel efficiency.</p><p>TMC has released a new guide explaining how businesses can help eradicate over-claiming of expenses. It is based on TMC's experience with more than 70,000 drivers, capturing their monthly mileage reports via online reporting, text messages or voice calls.</p><p>The company audits for mistakes and inaccuracies identified by the system, and will query them with the driver or, if necessary, their employer.</p><p>The guide explains why it is hard for managers who use conventional expenses processes based on paper forms or spread sheets to spot discrepancies, and how this enables drivers to easily over-claim significant numbers of miles each month.</p><p>"Using a third party to record and verify mileages minimises risk of creating internal friction when you are trying to cut mileage bills down to their real size," Mr Jackson added.</p><p>Business car managers can obtain TMC
THE LUXURY Range Rover model will be wafted imperiously along from September by an all-new V8 turbo diesel engine.</p><p>The new 4.4-litre V8 unit promises exceptional refinement and massive low-down throttle response, thanks to parallel sequential turbocharging producing 313PS and phenomenal 700Nm torque.</p><p>A new eight-speed automatic transmission also helps the 4.4-litre LR-TDV8 to achieve fuel economy beyond 30mpg, a first for the Range Rover.</p><p>The new LR-TDV8 4.4-litre replaces the current LR-TDV8 3.6-litre unit in the Range Rover line up.</p><p>"The 2011 Range Rover retains its position as one of the world's most complete luxury vehicles. Its combination of reduced CO2 emissions and superior engine performance continue to make it a clear industry benchmark. And with the introduction of our all-new 'super diesel', we see the Range Rover delivering over 30mpg for the first time," said Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director.</p><p>The 2011 Range Rover also receives improvements to its Terrain Response system in the form of Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control.</p><p>Hill Start Assist retains the initial driver-generated brake pressure long enough for the foot to move from brake pedal to throttle, without the car rolling backwards; Gradient Acceleration Control is designed to provide safety cover on severe gradients when the driver does not have Hill Descent Control engaged.</p><p>The new 2011 Range Rover goes on-sale in the UK from late September 2010.</p>
IF YOU want to drive down your business car costs with exceptional value and the back-up of a long warranty, then Hyundai could be the answer.</p><p>The company with the five-year/unlimited mileage warranty is launching what the company describes as a spacious MPV supermini
THOSE micro businesses employing six to 10 people are showing the greatest resilience in the current economic turbulence.</p><p>According to Experian's latest Insolvency Index, businesses with 6-10 employees saw the biggest annual drop in the rate of insolvencies from 0.21 in September last year to 0.16 in 2010. It was also the only sized business to see a quarterly drop from 0.17% in August.</p><p>Overall, Experian said the rate of insolvencies continued to fall.</p><p>However, the news for the North East was less good. Business failures in the North East of England more than doubled in the space of two months, reported Expedrian.</p><p>Max Firth, managing principle of Experian company pH commented: "The North East of England's business population is one of the smallest so every insolvency can dramatically affect the rate, which explains why we have seen a big variation between August and September. This underlines why businesses must be vigilant and closely monitor the financial health of every organisation they do business with."</p><p>The overall financial strength score for businesses echoed the insolvency rate with a positive annual change and a negative monthly variance, Experian added - up to 81.05 from 80.79 in September last year but down from 81.06 last month.</p><p>Recently, b2group reported that SMEs were displaying their new-found financial confidence by actively searching for new company cars. Of the small businesses surveyed, 26% were planning to change their business cars.</p>