Renault supplies 55 ZOE hatchback Zero Emission cars to Europcar for the city-based Deliver & Collect service.

• Renault delivers its biggest ever single UK order of the 100 per cent electric Renault ZOE
• Award-winning supermini to be used by Europcar to support its city-based Deliver & Collect service
• Significant order to contribute to Europcar UK’s goal of five per cent of its vehicles to be electric by 2020
• Renault ZOE chosen for its ease of use and driver feedback
• Zero emissions in use hatchbacks will also benefit customers of the all-electric E-Car Club
• Renault ZOE awarded a Which? Best Buy in 2016, voted What Car? ‘Best Electric Car for less than £20,000’ for the third consecutive year and number two overall out of 150 vehicles, in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power ownership survey

Renault has delivered its biggest ever UK order of the all-electric Renault ZOE, with 55 of the innovative supermini having been supplied to Europcar UK for use in the delivery and collection of hire vehicles in major UK cities.

With zero emissions in use and offering the benefits of smooth and instant pulling power, the award-winning Renault ZOE is ideally suited to the busy urban-based role. 

While supporting Europcar’s Deliver & Collect service, which ensures that customers of the leading mobility player enjoy a highly convenient and flexible hire car experience, the Renault ZOEs will also contribute to Europcar’s continued efforts to be at the forefront of reducing vehicle emissions and introducing customers to new technologies.

Europcar is committed to five per cent of its total UK vehicle fleet being electric by 2020.

Ease of use and environmental compatibility were key factors in Europcar choosing the ZOE. The firm’s decision to invest in Europe’s best-selling EV was also influenced by the positive customer feedback it has received from those who have experienced the Renault ZOE through its rental fleet.

In addition to enabling Europcar employees to deliver rental vehicles to customers at their home or workplace, the Renault ZOEs will provide support to E-Car Club – the all-electric car club that Europcar has a majority stake in and the acquisition of which represented the first ever exit of a crowdfunded start-up. 

With E-Car Club attracting more and more private and business customers and working to grow its locations, which span from East London to the Outer Hebrides, the Renault ZOEs will ensure that E-Car Club can quickly access additional cars to meet customer demand.

The 55 Renault ZOEs all feature the Expression Nav level of trim. As standard, the comprehensive specification includes automatic climate control, electric front windows, keycard entry with push button start/stop function, cruise control and speed limiter, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and ETC (Electronic Traction Control), 4x20W Renault R-Link Multimedia system incorporating a 7-inch touch screen, TomTom LIVE satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and voice control.

All have been supplied and prepared by DSG Renault, Morecambe, the dealership having vast experience of Renault’s versatile electric vehicle (EV) range.

Gary Smith, Managing Director, Europcar UK Group said: “Our Deliver & Collect service aims to enhance the rental experience for our customers – taking the time and hassle out of collecting a vehicle at the start of the hire and having to go back to our branch at the end of the journey. 

And the addition of the Renault ZOEs at many of our city branches, enabling our employees to get to and from our branches without expending any emissions, makes the Deliver & Collect service all the more environmentally friendly.”

Chris Morris, Managing Director and Co-Founder of E-Car Club, added: “We are delighted to add to our existing fleet of Renault ZOE; a very popular choice amongst E-Car members. This acquisition of vehicles will help support our forthcoming expansions, particularly in Scotland, where we have significant deployment plans within the next six months.

“Our strategic partnership with Renault continues to grow from strength-to-strength, with the ZOE and Kangoo Van Z.E now making up a significant proportion of the E-Car fleet. We look forward to building on this partnership into the future.”

Nick Tame, Sales Director, Groupe Renault UK, said: “We are exceptionally pleased that Europcar has chosen the Renault ZOE as the most suitable vehicle to support its collection and delivery service, and also make a significant contribution to meeting its environmental ambitions. 

The significant size of the order illustrates the rapidly-increasing popularity of the Renault EV range in the UK and the vast appeal of the ZOE’s superb all-round package, which has seen it recognised by What Car? as the ‘Best electric car on sale for under £20,000’ for the last three consecutive years and also being voted ‘Best Supermini’, and number two overall out of 150 vehicles, in the 2016 Auto Express Driver Power ownership survey.”

Ben Fletcher, Electric Vehicle Product Manager, Groupe Renault UK, added: “With its exceptional ease-of-use, the Renault ZOE is ideal for its varying roles with Europcar and E-Car Club. As the businesses have already discovered, i

t’s an immensely simple, relaxing and rewarding car for anyone to drive, with motorists adapting to its advanced technology just seconds after getting behind the wheel. With no gears to worry about and a variety of convenient charging options, it’s simply a case of get in and go with the absolute minimum of fuss.”

The ZOE is an all-electric, five-door supermini available in three trim levels that comes with a high level of standard specification, including items such as climate control and sat-nav. 

ZOE also has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and was recently awarded the title of What Car? ‘Best Electric Car for less than £20,000’ for the third consecutive year, and ‘Best Electric Vehicle’ in the Auto Express Driver Power 2015 survey. In 2016, ZOE was awarded a Which? Best Buy.

ZOE is fitted with a patented Chameleon™ charger that, unlike other EVs, always allows ZOE to make the best use of whatever charging supply is available in order to speed up charging times. ZOE Dynamique Nav Rapid Charge can charge at up to 43kW, meaning that 0 to 80 per cent full can be achieved in as little as 30 minutes. 

For retail customers with a domestic address and off street parking, a 7kW Homecharger will also be fully installed free of charge enabling ZOE to be charged from flat-to-full in just 3-4 hours.

The model’s official NEDC range, depending on version, is up to 149 miles – Renault estimates that in real-world driving conditions that this equates to around 106 miles in summer and 71 miles in winter.

ZOE is available to purchase in two ways. Firstly, under a battery hire scheme, where ZOE pricing starts at £13,945 after the Government Plug-in Car Grant with battery leasing from £45 per month. Benefits include a lifetime performance guarantee for the battery and 24/7 roadside assistance – even if you run out of charge.

You can also buy your ZOE outright. ZOE i ‘full purchase’ models start from £18,945 after the Government Plug-in Car Grant, giving the buyer full ownership of the car and battery and no monthly battery lease payment.

Renault offers a range of electric vehicles to suit private and commercial requirements. In addition to the ZOE hatchback, the Renault EV range comprises of the innovative, two-seater Twizy city car, 

Twizy Cargo that offers a load area of 180 litres and a useful 75 kg payload, and the Kangoo Z.E and Kangoo Maxi Z.E vans that combine the same generous load capacity and options as the equivalent diesel versions with ultra-low running costs.

Mitsubishi has announced that celebrity chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, has become their latest Brand Ambassador.

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has announced that celebrity chef, Jean-Christophe Novelli, has become their latest Brand Ambassador. The award-winning chef and Michelin Star restaurateur took delivery of his new Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle at The Novelli Academy in Hertfordshire.

Jean-Christophe, who is a regular on TV shows including This Morning, and Loose Women, said: ‘It’s an honour to be in partnership with such an iconic name as Mitsubishi. I used to have a Mitsubishi so I have always admired them and I know what they are all about. I am a sustainable chef and I source my produce locally so the Outlander PHEV suits me perfectly because it is such an environmentally friendly vehicle.’

The multi-award-winning Outlander PHEV is the world’s favourite choice of plug-in vehicle[1]. It can travel up to 32 miles in electric mode alone – more than enough to accommodate many of Jean-Christophe’s journeys. Together with its petrol engine, it has a combined range in excess of 500 miles. Due to its excellent green credentials the vehicle is exempt from vehicle tax plus the London congestion charge and qualifies for the Government’s Plug-in Car Grant.

The former Hell’s Kitchen star added: ‘Attitudes have changed and people are a lot more aware of the importance of low emissions these days so I think the Outlander PHEV is fantastic. I really believe that this sort of technology is the way to go.’

Jean-Christophe joins Mitsubishi at an exciting time for the brand. Statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has been the fastest-growing mainstream car manufacturer for the past three years. The company saw sales growth in passenger cars of 44 per cent in 2015 compared with the previous year, against an overall market up by six per cent. He joins Mitsubishi’s host of Brand Ambassadors, including fellow celebrity chef Rosemary Shrager and TV presenter’s Kate Humble and Konnie Huq.

BMW i3 and Mr Porter.com collaborate on s special edition i3 battery powered hatchback.

BMW i has partnered with MR PORTER.COM, the award-winning online destination for men’s style, to design and produce a one-of-a-kind, limited edition BMW i3.

Inspired by timeless style and enriched with contemporary features, the design teams from both BMW i and MR PORTER have combined their expertise to create a sleek and sophisticated car with a very unique aesthetic.

Reminiscent of the classic tuxedo, one of the most stylish garments in menswear, the limited edition BMW i3 comes with an elegant exterior in tuxedo blue specially developed for this version. Distinctive features on each of the numbered editions have been handcrafted to ensure a completely unique finish, much like in made-to-measure tailoring: the individual painting, and the white accent running the length of the chassis – which can be associated with the pinstripe suit – are hand painted by master craftsmen.

Stefan Ponikva, Head of BMW i Brand Management said: “The BMW i3 represents the effortless merging of sustainability and cutting-edge style. Our dedication to technological innovation, superior quality and first class design concepts that go beyond the ordinary, meant this collaboration with MR PORTER captured our imagination instantly.”

“At MR PORTER we give our customers the global best in men’s style across many categories, so this collaboration with BMW, the best in class in the automotive industry, felt like a bold but natural step. We relish the opportunity to be first to market for projects such as this,” said Mr Toby Bateman, Managing Director, MR PORTER. 

Running on electric power and therefore emission-free, the MR PORTER-inspired BMW i3 offers the same award-winning driving experience – sporting driving characteristics and excellent agility, while being near-silent in motion.

The BMW i3 generates an output of 170hp, with peak torque of 250Nm on demand instantly. This allows the BMW i3 to sprint from zero to 37mph in a mere 3.7 seconds and zero to 62mph in just 7.2 seconds, while the lithium-ion battery gives a range of 80 –100 miles in everyday driving. This rises by approximately 15 per cent in ECO PRO mode and by the same again in ECO PRO+ mode.

The car comes complete with a MR PORTER Essentials Travel Kit that consists of a BMW i leather holdall and four items exclusive to MR PORTER: a black and white London undercover umbrella, a special edition Leica camera, Cutler & Gross sunglasses, Lock & Co bowler hat and a bespoke edition of Phaidon City Guide Book.

To celebrate MR PORTER’s fifth anniversary a limited number of BMW i3 cars will be available to purchase in the UK. It will be priced at £43,500 OTR and orders can be placed from 18th February 2016 from the website below.

Nissan's LCV Range takes the Editors Choice award for it's five year warranty.

Nissan’s Light Commercial Vehicle range rounded off a fantastic year after the manufacturer’s innovative five-year warranty landed a prestigious honour at the What Van? Awards in London today.

The What Van? Editor’s Choice award went to Nissan’s market-leading five-year, or 100,000 mile, Manufacturer Warranty for its range of petrol and diesel trucks and vans.

The warranty, introduced on new vehicles purchased from September 1^st 2015, covers a comprehensive array of component and chassis elements, from powertrain and battery through to paintwork, such is the confidence Nissan has in its LCV range.

It wasn’t the only success Nissan enjoyed at the awards today. The all-electric Nissan e-NV200, which costs just two pence per mile to run, was also Highly Commended in the What Van? Green Award.

““Nissan’s decision to push its standard warranty out to an impressive five years or 100,000 miles is a valuable extension that provides real value and confidence for light commercial vehicle operators,” said What Van? Editor Paul Barker. “It’s a move that illustrates the confidence Nissan has in the durability of its products and we’re delighted to highlight this industry-leading package.”

Nissan has one of the widest ranges of LCVs in Europe, including the all-new NP300 Nissan Navara, which recently won the International Pick-up of the Year. The range also includes the NV200 and NV400 vans and NT400 Cabstar truck.

Designed to suit a variety of uses, Nissan’s vans and pick-ups provide cleverly-designed cargo spaces and the latest technological features as options, including rear view camera and NissanConnect Navigation system. The LCVs provide for a wide range of applications, with impressive manoeuvrability, high levels of driver comfort and affordable cost of ownership from versatile and durable chassis and cabs.

Barry Beeston, Corporate Sales Director at Nissan Motor (GB) said: “We are absolutely thrilled to win the Editor’s Choice award. Receiving an honour like this from such a well-respected industry publication is further proof that Nissan sets the benchmark when it comes to innovation in the light commercial sector.”

What Van? is the UK’s premier title offering Light Commercial Vehicle buying and owning advice, and the awards are decided by its expert editorial panel comprising decades of experience in the industry.

The awards seek to reward the best products, companies and services in the industry for their ability to make life easier, cleaner, safer and more efficient for light commercial vehicle operators in the UK.

USA - Ford Fusion continues to grow with an over 100% growth in sales over the last couple of years.

• Annual Ford Fusion sales jump from 142,000 vehicles in 2006, the popular midsize sedan’s first full year on sale, to 306,000 in 2014
• Over the same period, Honda Accord went from 354,000 vehicles sold to 388,000, while Toyota Camry sales fell, from 448,000 vehicles sold to 428,000
• Radical 2013 Ford Fusion redesign forced other automakers to reconsider “vanilla” styling in midsize segment

Since its 2013 model year redesign, the widely acclaimed Ford Fusion has not only brought sexy back to the midsize sedan segment, it’s also brought back sales.

2015 marks 10 years since launch of Ford’s then all-new midsize sedan, and three years since Fusion’s radical redesign that reset expectations for aggressive styling in a historically staid segment of family vehicles.

Long dominated by Japanese offerings, Ford Fusion has been chipping away at sales and market share in the midsize sedan segment – largely on the strength of its styling.

In 2012, the last model year for the first-generation model, Ford sold 241,263 Fusions compared with Honda’s 331,872 Accords. Through June 2015, that gap closed considerably – Ford selling 178,263 Fusions to Honda’s 190,242 Accords.

“Fusion is achieving growth in all the right places, especially in California, the largest midsize sedan market in the country, followed by Texas,” said Erich Merkle, Ford sales analyst. “Since its introduction, Fusion – in style-conscious California – has grown at almost six times the rate of the overall segment.”

Fusion sales almost tripled in California since launch, while the midsize sedan segment grew 29 percent.  

Texas is the next largest contributor to Fusion sales growth. There, the car’s sales have increased at twice the rate of the overall segment – representing 14 percent of Fusion retail sales growth in the United States based on registration data.

In its short life, Fusion has accumulated multiple awards, including Motor Trend 2010 Car of the Year, J.D. Power and Associates Most Dependable Midsize Car and Best Car for the Money in the 2012 U.S. News and World Report, among many others. 

The UK's best Pick up, the Mitsubishi L200 gets a make over to push it even further ahead of the rest.

Best in class fuel efficiency Best in class performance Best in class emissions Best in class manoeuvrability Best in class carrying capacity

Best in class 4WD ability SUV level driving refinement Stronger, leaner chassis and body New engine and transmissions Best in class aerodynamics

Pick-up trucks are fundamental to Mitsubishi Motors. In the UK our legacy extends through four model generations and 33 years. The Mitsubishi trophy room shows the current L200 Series 4 has won more awards than all of its rivals put together. Since its UK launch in 2006, the current L200 Series 4 has outsold all other pick-ups.

Its forerunner L200 Series 3 was almost entirely responsible for the development of the vehicle segment. Globally, Mitsubishi has six decades of pick-up production, accounting for over 4.1 million vehicles sold.

The new L200 Series 5 inherits the DNA of its predecessors and further advances the pick-up concept. It is an entirely new vehicle from the ground up, with significant improvements in 330 areas. 

The result is the ultimate vehicle for commercial duty, combined with SUV-like refinement in quality and dynamic performance. In all key areas the new L200 Series 5 is best-in-class.

The L200 Series 5 driving experience is a generation ahead of any other pick-up on the market. It is as competent climbing up a mountain or navigating a building site, as it is comfortable on a motorway or around city streets. 

The vehicle retains the marque’s reputation for ruggedness and durability, and continues to have the best 4WD system. It is the only pick-up that can be driven permanently in 2WD and 4WD on tarmac and off-road.

The new L200 Series 5 provides outstanding cabin comfort and ride. The vehicle has class leading leg room. Mitsubishi’s unique ‘J’ curve body design between cabin and cargo area is not just for visual styling. It allows for a 25 degree recline in the rear seats, making for a comfortable 4 or 5-passenger ‘long journey’ space. 

Interior width has also increased, as have the sizes of the driver and front passenger seats, which now incorporate high density, soft touch ‘memory’ foam.

The level of equipment specification on standard models is also class leading. For example, the new dual-zone air conditioning is 30 per cent quicker at cooling down the cabin space from 50 degrees to less than 20 degrees. The result of best in class aerodynamics and superior sound insulation is that the vehicle is significantly quieter.

The Mitsubishi ‘J’ curve design also contributes to the dynamic qualities of the vehicle. Whilst creating the maximum amount of space inside the cabin, it also allows for a compact wheelbase, aiding manoeuvrability and giving the all new L200 Series 5 its best-in-class turning radius of 5.9 metres and steering that can go from lock to lock in 3.8 turns (down from 4.3 in the previous generation L200).

Ride comfort is elevated to SUV levels through the introduction of a fully revised suspension, including six shock absorbing body mounts that are more than double the size of those in the previous model. These absorb noise and vibration from the road, contributing to a smooth and quiet cabin experience.

Torsional rigidity in the all-new L200 Series 5 is 7 per cent greater than in its predecessor. This contributes to a significant improvement in handling and stability. Body roll, which has the effect of slowing down a vehicle’s dynamic response, has been dramatically reduced on the new model, making it much more nimble.

The new L200 Series 5 has stiffer front springs, a larger suspension stabiliser bar and optimised damping characteristics. At the rear, the leaf spring suspension has been increased in length by 120mm.

The new L200 Series 5 has the largest carrying capacity of any pick-up, in no small part due to the extensive use of high-tensile steel in both cabin and cargo bed, building in strength without increasing overall vehicle weight. The result is a pick-up with the best in class combined load bed capacity and full towing capability of 4.1 tonnes.

With a combined 42.8 mpg, L200 Series 5 uses between 11 and 47 per cent less fuel than competitor pick-ups. 

It has the largest range in its class, being able to travel 685 miles on a full tank of fuel. And at just 169g/km CO₂, it has the lowest emissions in its class by as much as 33 per cent, safeguarding owners against a future emissions-based tax regime for commercial vehicles.

The new MIVEC turbo diesel engine combines cutting-edge technologies for fine control of combustion. As a result it achieves one of the lowest compression ratios for a diesel engine, 15.5 to 1. 

A lower compression ratio increases combustion efficiency, which improves economy and emissions. 

Lower compression also allows for the use of lighter materials in the engine’s construction. Consequently, the L200 Series 5 is the first pick-up in the world with an all-aluminium engine, which allows a weight saving of 30 kg. It is also the only pick-up with variable valve timing.

Power and torque are increased to 178bhp and 430Nm at 2,500 rpm, delivering superior performance through a new 6-speed manual transmission or automatic. At 10.4 seconds, L200 Series 5 is two seconds quicker to 62 mph than its predecessor.

New L200 Series 5 incorporates Mitsubishi’s Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE), which is a highly efficient energy absorbing structural design that disperses shock from any direction.

On board Active Stability & Traction Control (ASTC) prevents wheel slip by controlling unstable vehicle movements. It individually brakes spinning wheels and controls power distribution from the engine, if traction is lost on slippery surfaces or when negotiating steep slopes.

Seven SRS airbags have been incorporated into the cabin to protect the vehicle’s occupants. And the steering wheel retracts in a collision.

Shock absorbing structures are installed around the bonnet and bumpers that minimise injury in the case of pedestrian impact. Additionally, the new model is fitted with lane departure warning, trailer stability assist, hill start assist and ABS with electronic brake force distribution.

In recent years, the pick-up truck has evolved to cover everything from commercial to private and recreational use and there has been considerable diversification in what customers look for in this type of vehicle. The L200 Series 5 embodies the comfort of a passenger car with the functionality, strength and reliability of a pick-up and this is strongly reflected in the vehicle’s styling.

The vehicle design is of the next generation. Striking and vibrant exterior lines project a commanding road presence and a muscular, planted stance. The vehicle’s ‘athleticism’ is expressed through sharp, muscular surfaces and a taut ‘belt line’.

The vehicle’s form is expressive but also very much related to its function. The cargo bed of the New L200 Series 5 has improved usability, with more depth and greater overall volume. For additional strength, it is also reinforced with cross sills connected directly to the chassis frame, and has toughened steel panels around the rear gate pillars to resist fatigue.

The all-new L200 Series 5 will go on sale in September. Initially available in double cab, prices start from £19,749 for the 4Life, £20,749 for the Titan, £23,049 for the Warrior and £23,799 for the top of the range Barbarian.

New Hyundai i10 Premium SE trim added to range to improve customer choice.

• Hyundai adds new Premium SE trim level to hugely successful i10 range
• New features include 15” alloy wheels, electric sunroof, rear parking sensors
• Premium SE will showcase many features usually found on cars in the segment above
• Additional updates to existing SE trim level implemented

Hyundai Motor UK has announced an addition to the New Generation i10 line-up. The new range-topping Premium SE derivative will offer customers levels of comfort and technology usually found in the segment above.

Priced at £11,995 on-the-road (OTR) for the manual gearbox, and £12,650 OTR for the automatic, Premium SE customers will benefit from 15” alloy wheels; an electric tilt and slide glass sunroof; rear parking sensors; smart key with engine stop/start button; chrome effect exterior door handles; climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel.

As of February 2015, Hyundai will add the space saver spare tyre as a standard feature on new SE models and above. Furthermore, Hyundai is offering customers, of the SE model, the ‘Connectivity Pack’ option which comprises of Bluetooth^® with voice recognition; steering wheel with audio controls and rear speakers, all for just £175.

Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor UK, commented: “Since its launch a year ago, we’ve already sold over 25,000 units of New Generation i10 in the UK. The introduction of Premium SE will look to build on this success by providing customers with competitive levels of technology, without the need to compromise on the small car package.”

Since going on sale in January 2014, the New Generation i10 has already scooped nine awards including What Car? Best City Car for the second year running, and the Scottish Car of the Year title in 2014.