TMW - Car pricing and why you should keep away from main dealerships, or should you ?

Buying a new car is probably the second biggest purchase the majority of people make in the UK, so, making sure that you buy the best car, at the best prices is something that you should take your time in working out, so, where is the best place to get your nice new car from ?

The Dealership

Buying from your main dealer is always a consideration, they like to make out that you can not buy your car any better than from them, but they have to make money so they will try and make out they are the best, but that's not strictly true, the dealership, will have a lot of overheads, they will have to abide by the brand's terms and conditions, the way that building looks, how many cars they have in the showroom, decoration and so on, all this has a value, and this has to be paid for.

And it is you, the customer that pays for this out of your nice new car, so when you see that sticker price, advertising your nice new car, you are paying for far more than the car, however, you get the backup of that brand, when you have any issues, or you would like to think you do, if you have any issues within the warranty period, the dealership should be the first point of call to go to, to get your issue sorted, but these days, you will find a lot of dealers will try their best to get out of repairing the fault, especially when it is a recall issue, time is not your friend in that case.

The Car Supermarket

The Supermarket is a relatively new way of buying a car, up until the last few years these businesses have mainly dealt with second hand car sales, but more recently they have been selling new cars, MG is one brand that has moved into the Supermarket arena to sell cars, unfortunately number are not available to see if this is working or not, but for a Supermarket like Motorpoint to have a brand on their books it gives them some kudos.

But can it work, well, it is far harder to sell a nice brand new car from these sites that from a main dealer, why, well, say for argument sake you have £10k to spend and you go to one of these sites, do you buy a nice top of the line MG3 or do you buy a 2015 (65 Plate) Volkswagen Polo, personally I know which one I would go for, a supposed quality brand, with the remainder of it's warranty

Online Purchase

The best way to get a car in my opinion, as I have gone the route and purchased a car online, quite successfully, the dealership was dire, but the online company could not have been any better, it was simple, to the point and you have the price take it or leave it, as an example for this report I have chosen one car make and model, the 1.5 Litre. TDCI, Ford Fiesta Five door, 

Dealership      -   £16,795

Supermarket   -   £12,699 -£4,096
Online Purchase £12,252 -£4,543

So you can clearly see the price difference, £4,543 difference between the dearest and cheapest for the same car, all three are brand new, unregistered, UK cars, with only one option, the city Pack, and the this is just the tip of the iceberg, there are other differences that amount to in excess of £10,000 in savings, in fact, a quick check found this car, the AUDI A8 with a discount of nearly £20,000 on dealership forecourt pricing.

But just because you can get a discount online, does not mean that you can't take that figure to your dealership and get them to match it, or, to offer a range of benefits to equal the price through Zero % APR, free servicing, free grade uplift etc, not that I am saying every dealer will be able or willing to do this, some are able, others are not, so, it depends on the relationship you have with that dealer.

If you don't have a relationship with a local dealer, and are happy to buy at the best price possible, and you don't mind travelling to collect your car, then online is probably your best bet, like I said, the Online company, Carfile.net, where we chose to purchase our car through could not be any better, unfortunately the Citroen dealership, Bristol Street Motors, could not have been worse. 

The lack of communication, the lack of pleasantries, the general rudeness of the salesman and the fact that we didn't even get anything as a gratitude for spending so much money with them, shows the total lack of care and concern from this dire business, we won't be using them again, even if it means spending more elsewhere, they put enough fuel in just to get us to the petrol station, as the low fuel signal was on as soon as we started it up, there was NO hand over.

The salesman refused to even show us, yes REFUSE to show us how various switches, dials and buttons worked, his comment that because we bought it through the Internet, we were not entitled to be shown how the car worked, was really dangerous, and to be honest if anyone has asked us to rate the dealership, they get told without any shadow of doubt that these people should be avoided at all costs.

Overall Verdict

Online is the way to go, regardless of the issues we have had, the pricing is simple to understand, you can get all the info on the car from the brand's website, and then from there you can get a price from the main dealer, which you can use to compare against the supermarket, if you have one local to you, or online, if you chose that route, but this is the route we will take next time around when we are due to change cars.

However we will enquire more so, into the dealership that is selling the car, and to make sure that they are better suited to dealing with customers from an online sale way, so, whatever option you chose, you can see that there are savings to be had on virtually every single brand and model, if you are willing to put in some time and effort, and we wish you luck in whatever option you choose, and please do let us know what option you chose and how much you save.

The Motoring World Blog

Jon Mower

No brand, model, Car Supermarket or Online sales outlet are being promoted within this report, all pictures are used for illustrative purposes only, and no affiliation is to be considered as part of this blog post.

Peugeot has extended it's seriously popular Just Add Fuel® with Telematics onto the 308 and 308 SW models.

• Popular Just Add Fuel^® with Telematics now extended to PEUGEOT 308* and 308 SW*
• £1,850 customer saving on the 308 and 308 SW in August and September**
• Customers choosing the innovative Just Add Fuel^® or PEUGEOT Passport are eligible for a further £1,350 in deposit contributions

In time for the ‘66-plate’ September market, PEUGEOT announces that the popular Just Add Fuel^® with Telematics is now extended to the PEUGEOT 308 and 308 SW models (*exclusions apply).  

Launched 12 months ago, initially on the 108 range and later on 208 and 2008 SUV, Just Add Fuel^® with Telematics has proved extremely attractive to retail consumers and is aimed primarily at customers aged from just 18 years, customers who do not have two-years no claim discount or those customers with children who have a requirement to drive the family car.

To further enhance this launch, PEUGEOT is also offering customers who purchase a 308 or 308 SW during this period a £1,850 customer saving (exc. 308 Access model).  

A customer placing a deposit of £1,500 on a PEUGEOT 308 PureTech 110 on Just Add Fuel^® with Telematics will also receive an additional £1,350 in deposit contributions and see payments from £419 per month on an Active model and £426 per month on the Allure model. (Based on an 18 year old living in a low risk Band 2 Postcode)

Just Add Fuel^® is PEUGEOT’s fixed price motoring package has hassle free benefits of a low single fixed monthly payment uniquely covering all motoring costs for the next three years.

• No need to budget separately for insurance, servicing, road fund licence (where applicable), and roadside   assistance costs – as they are all included
• No need to search for cheaper insurance each year – it stays the same over the three- year term
• Fixed price motoring for three years means complete peace-of-mind
• A completely transparent motoring package with no hidden costs
• The opportunity to drive a new car every three years, so there’s no MOT or other costs

For customers not requiring the Telematics package, a PEUGEOT 308 PureTech 130 on Just Add Fuel^® with a £1,500 deposit will see monthly payments of £296 for an Active model and £310 for an Allure. (Based on a 40 year old living in a low risk Band 2 postcode)

Customers choosing to finance with PEUGEOT Passport also benefit from the customer saving and deposit contributions.  With a competitive 4.9% APR PEUGEOT Passport rate available during the period, customers who place a deposit of £1,500 on a PEUGEOT 308 PureTech 130 Active model will see prices start from £268 per month and £281 per month on an Allure model.

* Models excluded – GT Line Blue HDi 150, GT and GTi by Peugeot Sport 250THP & 270THP

** Not available on Access

The extensive 308 range made simple:

SIX TRIM LEVELS: Access, Active, Allure, GT Line, GT and GTi by Peugeot Sport

PRICE RANGE: from £15,930 - £28.890 on the road MRRP

ENGINE CHOICE: seven petrol engines and transmission combinations (Four PureTech 82hp, 110hp S&S, 130hp S&S, 130hp EAT6 S&S and three THP 205hp S&S, 250hp S&S and 270hp S&S) Six BlueHDi diesel engines and transmission combinations (100hp S&S, 120hp S&S, 120hp EAT6 S&S, 150hp S&S, 150hp EAT6 S&S, 180hp EAT6 S&S)

TRANSMISSION: manual 5-speed and 6-speed and EAT6 automatic available

POPULAR MODELS: Allure (39%) | Diesel 1.6L BlueHDi 120hp S&S (41%) | Petrol 1.2L PureTech 130hp S&S (10%) and Petrol 1.2L PureTech 130hp S&S EAT6 (10%)

INTERESTING: GT Line (24%) | Diesel (74%) | Pearlescent White (5%) makes white 15% of range

COLOURFUL CHOICE: eleven colours available; two solid, six metallic, a pearlescent, a 3-layer ‘varnish’ paint finish and the Brand exclusive Coupe Franche (270THP only)

MOST POPULAR COLOUR: Nera Black (20%) White (15%) Aluminium (13%) and Twilight Blue (13%)

Servicing, Tyres, Accessories and more, with Vauxhall, you can pay over three months at 0%apr.

• Repairs, servicing, tyres and accessories can be spread across three months
• Servicing and repairs completed by Vauxhall technicians with genuine parts

Vauxhall is giving its customers even more choice with a zero per cent finance* offering. Savvy customers can now spread the cost of their repairs, servicing or tyre replacements over three months at no extra charge. 

Available at selected Vauxhall retailers, the finance option enables the customer to make the purchase and allows them to leave with confidence that their Vauxhall is in the best possible. 

Allowing them to leave with confidence that their Vauxhall is in the best possible condition.

“We know that our customers like flexibility when looking after their Vauxhall,” said Alexander Shields, Vauxhall’s Aftersales Business Operations Manager. “This finance offer allows customers to be even smarter with their money when it comes to planning their service and maintenance requirements.”

“Even if unexpected repairs are identified during the complimentary Vehicle Health Check that we carry out as duty of care to our customers, the customer is still in control and can choose to drive now and pay later.

“All work is carried out by our fully-trained Vauxhall technicians using genuine Vauxhall parts, offering customers peace-of-mind that their Vauxhall is in the safest hands.”

Vauxhall’s zero per cent finance is available on different types of work, such as servicing, repairs, accident repair, smart repair, tyres and accessories. For more information about the aftersales finance offer, please contact your local Vauxhall retailer.

*Finance provided by Auto Service Finance Limited. Not everyone who applies for a loan will be funded, all loans are subject to affordability and other checks, including use of Credit Reference Agency data. Minimum loan is £100 and you must be aged 18 years or over. Finance subject to zero per cent APR. Finance agreement and full Ts&Cs available on application in retailer. Vauxhall and retailers reserve the right to reject applications or credit at any time.

The Peugeot 108, 208 and 2008 now come with Added Telematics on the Just Add Fuel offer.

• Peugeot is extending the availability of its innovative Just Add Fuel® finance package with ‘Telematics’ to 208* and 2008 models as well as the 108 which debuted this appealing offer
• Sales of Peugeot 108 to adults (over 18-years) with Telematics have seen an increase in demand
• Now also available in Northern Ireland

Just Add Fuel^®, PEUGEOT’s  innovative fixed-cost motoring finance package recently made available to teenage drivers who buy a new Peugeot 108 with a plug-in telematics device has been extended to a wider audience with the 208* and 2008 model range. Drivers in Northern Ireland can also take advantage of the finance package for the very first time.

Since its launch in July 2010, some 30,000 UK drivers have been attracted by the Just Add Fuel^® finance package’s low single fixed monthly payment that covers all motoring costs for a three year period;

• No need to budget separately for insurance^, servicing, road fund licence~, and roadside assistance costs – as they are all included
• No need to search for cheaper insurance each year – it stays the same over the three-year term
• Fixed price motoring for three years means complete peace-of-mind
• A completely transparent motoring package with no hidden costs, ◦Representative 4.9% APR.
• The opportunity to drive a new car every three years, with no MOT or other costs to worry about

Until recently it had only been available to drivers aged 21 or over, but PEUGEOT has again rewritten the retail rule book and, due to telematics technology which monitors a driver’s movements, younger motorists can benefit for the first time on a new 208* or 2008 vehicle as well as 108.

Mark Pickles, PEUGEOT UK Marketing Director, commented: “Just Add Fuel^®isrecognisedas the most significant innovation in vehicle retailing for many years, and this now extends to potential owners of 208* and 2008 vehicles, as well as the 108, further widening its appeal. Our Dealers have experienced an increase in retail sales to adults over 18 years of age since the launch of our new telematics product.”

The low monthly costs are made possible with a discreet telematics device; On 108 this plug in device is sent to customers immediately after taking delivery of their car and it attaches to the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) port under the steering wheel via a simple installation they can do themselves. On 208 and 2008, customers will receive an installer-fitted unit which an engineer will install.

Via satellite tracking, the telematics device stores and sends data on the vehicle’s speed, acceleration, deceleration and lateral G-forces which is then used to assess the customer’s driving style and rate each journey made on a scale from 1–100. Customers can access their driving activity via an online portal.

This is regularly monitored by the insurer and an aggregate score awarded. Feedback is provided to assist the customer in improving this if deemed necessary. If the score falls below an agreed threshold, the driver will receive a warning.  Four warnings a year will result in the insurance policy being cancelled.  Terms and conditions apply.

Just Add Fuel^® with telematics is also available to PEUGEOT 108, 208* and 2008 buyers aged between 21-75 who do not have two years’ No Claim Discount, or have held a full UK driver’s licence for less than two years. 

^Terms and conditions

* 208 GTi and 208 GTi by Peugeot Sport models excluded~ The first years Road Fund Licence (RFL) is included in the price of the car.  

The Dealer will provide customers with a cheque equivalent to twice the current RFL costs, except for a Peugeot 108 where the cost of RFL is £0.   The customer must apply for years 2 & 3 RFL. Just Add Fuel (JAF) is subject to status. ◦ 4.9% APR representative up to 37 months.   ^ Minimum age 18, maximum age 75. 

Drivers are required to install the Telematics Box & consent to Data capture & transmission to qualify for insurance. All drivers must hold a full UK licence & meet eligibility criteria including limits on driving convictions & claims. Insurance subject to cancellation if you receive four warnings for poor driving.  

Excesses apply. 3 years motor insurance is provided and underwritten by U K Insurance Limited which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.  Payments will vary according to age, post code and annual mileage.  

The costs of insurance, servicing and Roadside Assistance are included within the monthly cost of Just Add Fuel® Passport but are provided on a monthly pay-as-you-go basis and can be cancelled at any time without penalty or affecting the remainder of the Just Add Fuel® Passport contract. 

Finance provided by and written quotations available from PSA Finance UK Limited t/a Peugeot Financial Services, Quadrant House, Princess Way, Redhill, RH1 1QA. Excess mileage charges may apply. Routine servicing included, excludes wear parts. A guarantee may be required. Customer deposit may be required. 

Peugeot Motor Company Plc is acting as a credit broker and is not a lender. To finance your lease we will only introduce you to Peugeot Financial Services, the  provider of Just Add Fuel.

Jaguar USA now gets a Five Year package of Roadside Assistance, Servicing & Warranty, what about the UK?

Jaguar is lowering its prices and rolling out free scheduled maintenance in the United States to remove what customers cite as key reasons consumers reject the British brand: high purchase and maintenance costs.

The free EliteCare 5-year/60,000-mile scheduled maintenance warranty and new pricing will launch with the 2016 model year. On average, Jaguar is lowering the price of its cars between $1,500 and $3,000 by slashing the base price or increasing standard equipment, said Joe Eberhardt, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America. The repricing will make “all models significantly more affordable,” he said.

“The Jaguar brand is on the eve of a major transformation that will see it dramatically increase its presence in the United States luxury marketplace with an expanded lineup, pricing focused on the core of the luxury market and an all-new ownership package with best-in-class coverage,” Eberhardt said.

Jaguar's U.S. sales fell 4.4 percent to 10,221 cars through August.

To boost sales, Jaguar is lowering sticker prices in segments the brand wants to target, he said. “We will substantially increase equipment on vehicles where we will not lower the MSRP,” Eberhardt added.

For instance, the base price on the redesigned XF midsize sedan has been cut 9 percent, or $5,275, to $52,895, including shipping. The XF was the most expensive car in the segment, but Jaguar says it is now less than comparable V-6 versions of the Audi A6, BMW 5 series, Cadillac CTS and Mercedes-Benz E class.

Equipment levels across the range have been improved 10 to 20 percent. Base prices on the F-Type coupe or convertible remain the same, but the cars have between $4,000 and $12,000 of additional standard equipment, depending on the model.

Jaguar was often perceived as one of the most expensive brands and buyer surveys showed that price is the top reason a consumer will reject a luxury brand. With the new price strategy, “we are positioned at the heart depending on how you do the price comparison,” Eberhardt said. “Directionally, we are below all the Germans and we are par or slightly above the Asia or domestic competitors.”

The brand is also launching three equipment packages -- premium, prestige and R-Sport -- to simplify ordering and reduce complexity, Eberhardt said. Ninety percent of Jaguar options will be in those packages, he said: “We did not have option packages, and it was inconsistent and random for each model.”

Jaguar is making the moves as it prepares to launch two vehicles into new segments -- the XE compact sedan in April and the F-Pace midsize crossover in May. Starting next year, Jaguar expects these vehicles will represent 60 percent of its U.S. sales volume, Eberhardt said.

Product range

The product range will now start with the $35,895 entry XE, rising to $75,395 for the full-size XJ sedan that competes with the Mercedes-Benz S class and BMW 7 series. Prices include shipping.

Eberhardt said pricing for the F-Pace will be announced when the crossover is unveiled this month at the Frankfurt auto show.

The free scheduled maintenance program will include roadside assistance and Jaguar’s new InControl Protect and Remote system that allows the owner to monitor the car and perform various functions using an app on a smartphone.

Warranty comparison

The 5-year/60,000-mile warranty is 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than the plans offered by BMW and Cadillac. Jaguar will also allow the warranty to be transferred to a second owner. It does not cover wear-and-tear parts such as brakes or wipers.

Jaguar will launch a major marketing campaign to promote its pricing and new warranty and take a test drive program on the road to seven major cities starting this year. Cities include Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Miami and New York. Eberhardt said Jaguar hopes the road tour will have at least 10,000 visitors.

“From a product substance, we are every bit as competitive as our main rivals,” Eberhardt said. “I can say we do not have to hide from anybody in terms of how good our cars are.”

REPORT HERE

Diana T. Kurylko

Vauxhall offers VX360° for all servicing & repairs, 7 will email/text you the video & info on work to be completed.

• See and authorise work on your car, from a computer or mobile device
• Available now as a complimentary extra at participating Vauxhall retailers

Vauxhall is offering servicing you can see for yourself with VX360°, a programme that allows onsite expert technicians to capture on video recommended repair work and share it with owners immediately via mobile and email.

Available now as a complimentary extra at participating retailers, VX360° allows Vauxhall customers to authorise work with complete transparency and confidence.

How VX360° works:

1. The customer books in their car at a participating retailer
2. The retailer shares a film of the customer’s car via email or text, providing details, should there be any urgent or recommended work
3. The customer approves the work at the click of a mouse or by emailing their service advisor

“The innovative VX360° system can be requested free as part of a regular service at participating retailers and enables owners to view exactly what the technician sees, thanks to filmed footage of the customer’s vehicle whilst it is in a workshop,” said Alex Shields, Aftersales Business Operations Manager.

“This places customers in a unique position, where they can view the footage and make the choice about whether they wish to proceed and let workshop teams know immediately, saving both time and hassle.”

VX360° is available with different types of work, such as an MOT, servicing or repairs. Customers can request it on the day or when booking their Vauxhall in over the phone or online. 

Fords new Luxury range, the Vignale, kicks of with the new Mondeo, but is it worth the extra ?

• Ford unveils production version of the new Ford Vignale Mondeo, the first new model to be introduced as part of its Vignale brand
• Every Vignale model is hand-finished by a dedicated team at Ford’s new Vignale Centre in Valencia, Spain
• Ford Vignale Mondeo delivers superior refinement with European debut of Active Noise Cancellation; unique wheels, exclusive style and craftsmanship with tuxedo-stitched quilted leather interior and instrument panel
• Sophisticated technologies including Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, high-power Bi-turbo 2.0-litre TDCi and hybrid powertrains
• Vignale relationship managers to deliver services including collection and delivery for servicing and valeting; Vignale OneCall offers 24-hour customer support
• Ford Vignale Mondeo available to order at Ford Stores from May priced from £29,045

Ford Motor Company today unveiled the production version of the Ford Vignale Mondeo – the first vehicle to be introduced as part of Ford’s new Vignale brand.

Each Ford Vignale model is hand-finished in a special Vignale Centre at Ford’s manufacturing facility in Valencia, Spain. Available in four-door and estate bodystyles, the Ford Vignale Mondeo delivers superior refinement with the European debut of Ford’s Active Noise Cancellation technology, quilted and tuxedo-stitched leather interior and exclusive Vignale Nocciola metallic paint colour.

Customers can now use Ford’s new dedicated Ford Vignale internet destination and online configurator to explore options and pricing. The Ford Vignale Mondeo will be available to order from May at new flagship Ford Stores opening across the UK, priced from £29,045.

The Ford Vignale Mondeo delivers advanced technologies including Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, which can reduce the severity of some frontal collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians, or help drivers avoid some impacts altogether. Powerful and fuel efficient powertrains include Ford’s new 210PS Bi-turbo 2.0-litre TDCi diesel,  240PS EcoBoost petrol, and 187PS petrol-electric hybrid. Ford’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) which automatically enhances traction and road-holding, is also available.

Vignale customers will also receive a personalised service for the duration of their vehicle ownership, supported by a Vignale relationship manager and 24-hour free-phone assistance from the Vignale OneCall service.

“Ford Vignale is the highest expression of the Ford brand in Europe, bringing together award-winning design with a unique ownership experience,” said Jim Farley, Ford executive vice president and president, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Our vision for Vignale is to create a modern, contemporary upscale experience that makes Vignale a valued part of customers’ lives, starting with the Ford Vignale Mondeo, and later this year with introduction of the Ford Vignale S‑MAX.”

Ford’s new Vignale Service smartphone app will support customers with GPS-enabled services including Vignale Park Me, which allows drivers to record an exact location and time elapsed since parking their vehicle. Using online map data, the app can also help drivers locate fuel stations, and provides a one-touch connection with emergency services or Vignale OneCall.

Enhanced refinement and exclusive style

The Ford Vignale Mondeo delivers a whisper-quiet, smooth and comfortable ride using sophisticated technologies and an advanced chassis structure.

Ford’s innovative Active Noise Cancellation system* enhances interior refinement. Using three cabin microphones, the system is able to monitor engine noise in the interior. Advanced audio technology directs opposing sound waves through the audio system to cancel out engine noise and improve cabin ambience.

The Ford Vignale Mondeo interior also features enhanced sound insulation to better isolate road noise from the cabin. Acoustic glass helps reduce wind noise to levels normally experienced only in the premium segment.

Ford’s integral link rear suspension offers a smoother ride, in particular for rear seat passengers, and reduces noise levels by allowing the wheels to move further rearwards on impact with uneven road surfaces. For front seat passengers, comfort can be optimised by Ford Multi-Contour Seats with Active Motion massage function. Designed to reduce muscle fatigue, particularly during longer journeys, the seats use a system of 11 inflatable cushions to deliver an unobtrusive massaging effect for thighs and lower back.

Ford Vignale Mondeo seats are offered in exclusive Vignale leather trim. Laser-cut for high precision, the material features unique Vignale hexagonal quilting and tuxedo stitching withsoft-touch elements that extend to the instrument panel, centre console, arm-rest, and door top-rolls.

Exclusive styling extends to the exterior, where asleek, emotive design, reflecting the latest Ford global design language, offers exclusivity with details including:

• An upper grille featuring unique Vignale hexagonal design in dark matt metallic finish and with a polished aluminium surround
• A high-gloss lower grille with chrome bars
• Chrome door details
• A high-gloss finish for the windshield pillar and door mirror sail, and for the central and rear window pillars

The model’s exclusive status is confirmed with dedicated 18in Vignale alloy wheels and exclusive Vignale Nocciola colour. The Ford Mondeo Vignale features metallic paint as standard, with further options including Vignale Black, Vignale Silver and premium four-coat Vignale White.

“The latest trends from the worlds of architecture and fashion combine to create an elegant place with a sense of luxury, and a feeling of timelessness for Ford Vignale Mondeo – alongside the very latest advanced technologies,” said Chris Bird, design director, Global Colour, Materials and Vehicle Personalisation.

Premium technology and powertrains

The Ford Vignale Mondeo offers sophisticated driver assistance technologies and equipment that contribute to a simplified and stress-free experience, such as Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection. Also offered are:

• SYNC 2, delivered as standard and enabling drivers to operate phone, entertainment, climate and navigation systems using simple conversational language. The system can, for example, bring up a list of local restaurants with the simple voice command: “I’m hungry”
• Active Park Assist featuring Perpendicular Parking enables drivers to detect suitably-sized parking spaces and reverse hands-free into them
• Traffic Sign Recognition,delivered as standard and providing drivers with the latest detected speed limit, cancellation signs and overtaking restrictions via the instrument cluster display
• Active City Stop, which will apply automatic braking to mitigate or avoid a collision with a vehicle ahead at speeds of up to 25mph
• Ford Dynamic LED headlights, which combine the daylight-mimicking light clarity of full-LED headlamps with Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System that adjusts the headlight beam angle and intensity to match the driving environment

An advanced Sony DAB audio and navigation system with 12 hi-fidelity speakers is also offered, and comfort and convenience are further enhanced for drivers with features including a power-adjustable, memory-equipped steering column, as well as power tailgate and heated steering wheel.

Improving safety for rear-seat passengers, Ford’s industry-first Inflatable Rear Seatbelts rapidly expand in the event of an accident to disperse crash forces across a body area five times greater than that achieved by a conventional seatbelt.

The Ford Vignale Mondeo is offered exclusively with high-power engines including 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel, and Ford’s 187PS petrol-electric hybrid powertrain.

The 2.0-litre EcoBoost 240PS is offered with a six-speed automatic transmission. The 180PS 2.0-litre TDCi is offered with six-speed manual and PowerShift automatic transmissions, and with Ford’s iAWD system that delivers seamless transition between front-wheel drive and all-wheel-drive performance.

Also offered is Ford’s new 210PS Bi-turbo 2.0-litre TDCi engine, which enables faster response and 450Nm of torque available from 2000rpm for effortless and fuel-efficient cruising.

Handcrafted and individually tailored

Each Ford Vignale model is hand-finished by six master craftspeople at the new state-of-the-art Vignale Centre, where vehicles are individually tailored to customer specification.

The Vignale Centre at Ford’s Valencia manufacturing facility blends traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. The latest laser and camera technology supports skilled eyes in closely examining quality aspects including panel alignment and paint finish, helping meet customer expectations.

Passionate about precision and attention to detail, Vignale Centre experts hand polish the paintwork and meticulously scrutinise the fine detailing of the leather, with each hide checked for flaws.

Only when it has passed 100 additional checks in addition to the rigorous One Ford quality process will the vehicle be handed over by a Vignale relationship manager in a Vignale Lounge – part of a unique premium customer experience.

Vignale Premium Ownership Experience

Delivering more than outstanding products, Vignale will also make the discovery, acquisition and ownership of a Vignale vehicle a personalised and rewarding experience.

Ford Vignale models are exclusively available to order in the UK from FordStore locations opening across the country, primarily in metropolitan areas. Ford Stores are dedicated to the Ford brand and offer the full range of Ford products and services, with specially-trained Vignale staff available to meet specific customer needs. Ford is initially launching 200 FordStores across Europe, including 54 in the UK by the end of 2015 and rising to around 70 in the future.

At Vignale Lounges customers can experience the Ford Vignale brand in a unique, customer-focused environment that informs and engages throughout the purchasing process and ownership. Luxurious and sensorial, the attention to detail demonstrated in the Vignale Lounge reflects that of the vehicle range. An innovative digital experience delivers information on Ford technologies and Ford Vignale products through a touchscreen table.

The signature Vignale Collection, created by the Ford Design team behind the Vignale model range, is also available to experience and order at Vignale Lounges and via a dedicated online store. The 2015 Vignale Collection, which takes design cues from the vehicle range, includes the Vignale Weekender – a luxury overnight bag awarded a prestigious iF Design award – that reflects the distinctive Vignale trapezoidal shapedgrille, quilted pattern of the handcrafted seats, and the contoured bonnet.

Also presented is a shoulder handbag, handmade from exclusive, high quality leather; a purse, money clip, iPhone sleeve, and business card sleeve; and a handmade silk scarf and silk tie crafted by artisans in Milan, Italy.

“The Vignale Collection encapsulates our passion for design that sets us apart from other brands while echoing Ford’s unique design DNA,” said Erika Tsubaki, creator of the Vignale Collection and design supervisor, Ford of Europe. “The latest Vignale Collection features distinctive design elements of the Vignale models, paying special attention to the high quality leather material and detailing that makes them as beautiful as the models they reflect.”

Personalised service

Every Ford Vignale customer will be supported by a dedicated Vignale relationship manager to ensure a personalised service tailored to individual needs, from the first appointment at the Ford Store and throughout the ownership experience.

Among bespoke services available to customers will be collection and delivery for vehicle servicing – from a home address or office location – alongside servicing scheduled to suit the owner**.

Ford Vignale consumers will also be able to call upon knowledgeable Vignale OneCall advisors 24 hours a day for additional support. Customer interactions will be a priority, whether answering a technical question, arranging a FordStore visit, resolving a customer concern or managing a service booking.

Available for Apple and Android operating systems, the free Vignale Service app also enables owners to directly access the Ford Vignale Internet destination and video content, or create an accident report.Driving tips and information, including traffic regulations for countries in the European Union, are included – as is a dealership locator.

“Ford Vignale is designed for discerning individuals for whom time is the jewel and who demand quality experiences,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “Vignale ensures personalised service tailored to the customer’s needs and makes them feel special from the moment they walk in the door.”