FIAT brings the world of MOPAR to the UK with a range of accessories to tart up the 500X range of cars.

• New range of Mopar^® FIAT 500X accessories available
• Eight new Xtra Packs are available to enhance the look and functionality of the FIAT 500X range
• Colour Xtra Packs combine a range of colour-coded accessories together in a great-value bundle
• Summer and Winter Xtra Packs simplify the transport of sport equipment and gear while protecting the vehicle
• All accessories are available separately allowing customers to mix-and-match accessories as needed

Mopar^® – the FIAT Chrysler Automobiles brand for services, customer care, spare parts and accessories – has unveiled an extensive range of accessories and personalisation options for the new FIAT 500X crossover.

Over 100 high-quality accessories have been designed specifically for the FIAT 500X crossover to enhance its functionality and allow customers to adapt the look of their vehicle to their particular personalities. 

The unique range of 18-inch alloy wheels, for example, are offered in a range of colours and aesthetic treatments, including machined silver with white recesses, red wheels with black recesses and all-black wheels, and all priced from just £816* for a set of four.

Door mirror fairings are offered in nine colour options from just £61* per pair, while door moulding inserts are available in five finishes from £214* a set and there are also a range of original decals for the roof, bonnet and upper and lower body sides in a variety of colours designed to coordinate perfectly with other accessories in the same colour. 

Pricing for side decals start at just £81* while the roof/bonnet decals start at £127*.

There are six “Xtra Pack” kits available which combine a selection of options in single, great-value bundles. The kits - offered in white, red, bronze and beige - feature matching bonnet/roof stripes, mirror fairings and door moulding inserts and are priced at just £305*, a saving of almost £100 compared to the individually-priced parts. 

For those who prefer the classic look, the Chrome Xtra Pack (Pop, Pop Star and Lounge only) includes chrome-effect mirror fairings, door moulding inserts, fog light trims and a chrome bonnet moulding, while the Black Xtra Pack includes black bonnet and roof decals and black mirror caps but excludes door moulding inserts as the mouldings are already black.

The FIAT 500X's functionality is enhanced by a wide range of roof systems, from the 360-litre Freebox (£259*) to sports equipment systems (from £112*). 

The Winter Xtra Pack, for example, combines custom-fit roof bars with an adaptor capable of securely and safely carrying four skis or two snowboards as well as a moulded cargo bay protector for snow-covered boots and clothing. 

The Summer Xtra Pack consists of the same roof bars combined with a bike carrier and moulded cargo area tray and is currently available for only £235*, a saving of £78 compared to the price of buying the roof bars (£137*), boot protector (£40*) and bike carrier (£136*) separately.

Cargo bay organiser kits are also available, which fit into a special base structure comprised of two slide rails that are fixed to the floor using special adaptors (£345*). Telescopic bars (£62*), spring-loaded bands (£47*) and organiser boxes (£31*) can then be installed to separate, organise and restrain all manner of cargo objects.

A detachable tow bar (£360*) with wiring systems (from £168*) and a towbar-mounted two-bike carrier system (£613) are also available, while a variety of stylish key covers (£43* per twin pack) and carbon-look mirror fairings (in white or black from £120*) round out the options currently available for the 500X.

*Prices include VAT but exclude fitting. Wheel prices do not include tyres.

2000% over subscribed for latest Bentley Apprenticeships, It shows they are a great brand to work for.

• 1,285 people apply for Bentley’s largest apprentice intake in 25 years
• Assessment centres throughout summer, leading to September start
• Job creation by Bentley grows to over 1,000 in past two years

After announcing the company’s largest apprentice intake in 25 years, Bentley has received more applications to join the programme than ever before. 1,285 people applied for 63 positions, with the successful candidates starting the three-year scheme in September.

The second stage of the recruitment process begins now, with assessment centres and interviews taking place throughout the summer.      

40 of the apprentices will be working on a newly developed manufacturing programme. A dual education system of learning, 70 per cent of time is dedicated to practical training delivered by Bentley master trainers, themselves with combined industry experience of over 100 years. The remaining 30 per cent of time will be devoted to theoretical learning within chosen professional areas. 

A further 23 apprentices will be based in business areas at Bentley’s global headquarters in Crewe, including Engineering, Sales and Marketing, Purchasing and Human Resources.     

Marlies Rogait, Member of the Board for Human Resources at Bentley, said: “There has never been a better time to join Bentley. We are the number one luxury car brand in the world and still growing, investing in our cars, our site, and our people. 

This is why interest is so high in our apprenticeship programme. It’s much more than three years, it’s a career, offering invaluable experience throughout, and then a pathway to a structured future. We look forward to welcoming the new recruits in September.”

These 63 new apprenticeship positions mean Bentley has created over 1,000 jobs in the past two years. The company was also recently named one of Britain’s top employers by the Top Employers Institute for the fourth consecutive year.

Bentley was awarded for its commitment and dedication to the 3,800 colleagues working at the Crewe headquarters and was particularly praised for its focus on the talent and personal development of its workforce.      

To support the company’s future investment in its employees and the community, Bentley is also playing a pivotal role in bringing a University Technical College to Crewe. Focused on Engineering and Design, the college will offer an inspiring education for 14-18 year olds seeking a pathway to future employment.

Renault continues to push for sales after better results

With impressive UK sales of its latest models, including the iconic Clio and all-new Captur crossover, Renault’s riding the crest of a wave. Now, with summer almost upon us, it’s looking to tempt even more buyers into its showrooms, as well as turn the heat up on its rivals, with a new promotion for May.

The new offers are applicable to most of the Clio, Captur, ZOE, Mégane and Scénic ranges, with a deposit contribution of up to £1,000 for private buyers. Making the package even sweeter to the same customers, is an additional £250 deposit contribution (including VAT) from Renault on the best-selling versions ordered in May and registered by 30 June 2014.

The Renault May promotion kicks off from a smile-inducing £139 per month and offers:

Clio - the chic supermini with standard air conditioning and 16-inch alloy wheels from £139 per month on Expression+, plus £1,000 deposit contribution, and a further £250 from Renault

ZOE – the stylish pure electric supermini from £189 per month for the well-equipped Dynamique versions, plus £1,000 deposit contribution and a further £250 from Renault

Captur – the striking new crossover with personalisation and practicality aplenty, from £169 per month plus £1,000 deposit contribution, and a further £250 from Renault

Mégane – the recently facelifted range of Hatch, Sport Tourer and Coupé models with fuel-sipping engines and high equipment levels, from £169 per month plus £1,000 deposit contribution, and a further £250 from Renault

Scenic – the world’s first compact MPV, from £199 per month, plus £1,000 deposit contribution, and a further £250 from Renault

Making the offers even more enticing is the availability of the French brand’s 4+ after sales care package, worth at least £1,000. The award-winning package offers impressive peace of mind with a four year/100,000 miles warranty and roadside assistance, plus four years/48,000 miles free servicing for Renault Selections personal contract purchase. Even better, those buying through the same scheme benefit from a £500 contribution from Renault towards the purchase of their next model in the range too.

Representative example (Clio Dynamique MediaNav 1.2 16v 75)

48 monthly payments of	£159
Customer deposit	£1,240
Cash price	£13,195
Dealer deposit contribution	£1,250
Total amount of credit	£10,705
Finance facility fee	£99
Optional final payment	£5,008
Option to purchase fee	£149
Total amount payable	£15,378
Duration	49 months
Fixed interest rate p.a.	6.12%
APR representative 6.9%

Example shown excludes the cost of metallic paint available at an additional £495 (£595 for i.d paint) and is based on 6,000 miles per annum. If the agreed mileage is exceeded a charge of 8p per mile will be made. £1,250 deposit contribution is available to new Renault Finance customers when taking Renault Finance on a new Renault Clio (excluding Clio Expression and Renaultsport). Offers cannot be used with other schemes or finance offers and are only available on specified new vehicles when ordered between 1 and 31 May 2014, and registered by 30 June 2014. Finance provided by RCI Financial Services Limited, PO Box 149, Watford WD17 1FJ.  Subject to status. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. You must be 18 or over and a UK resident (excluding Isle of Man and Channel Islands). Terms and conditions apply. Visitwww.renault.co.uk for details.