Petrol or Diesel Cars?

The decision from a cost saving perspective as to whether you should select a petrol or diesel car or van is not just dependant on the cost of the fuel per litre and the mileage you will do each year so let us look at the factors you may need to consider before reaching your decision.

Fuel prices

Currently, here in the UK, diesel is several pence more per litre than petrol but the gap does vary. On the plus side a diesel does more miles to the litre than a petrol vehicle. The number of miles you do each year could have a major impact on your decision which type of fuel to go for. As a rough rule of thumb you may need to be driving at least 10,000 miles per annum to make a diesel car potentially more cost effective that a petrol car assuming that you will retain the vehicle for 3 to 4 years.

Residual value

The residual value of a diesel car tends to be greater than that of a petrol vehicle especially at the moment with road tax tending to be lower for diesels and better fuel economy (subject to the above).

Car tax

Because of lower CO2 emissions diesel cars have lower road tax charges than the petrol version of the same vehicle.

Servicing

Diesel cars tend to be more expensive to service and repair although the periods between servicing can be longer than that of petrol.

Some people are of the opinion that diesel engines are more reliable but nowadays there is likely to be nothing to choose between them.

There are a number of websites that allow you to calculate the period of time to re-coup the cost of running a diesel vehicle when compared to that of a petrol car making numerous assumptions that you may find useful

The New Hyundai i20

Launch Date 7 May 2012

The original Hyundai i20 was launched in the UK in 2009 but has now been updated with additional equipment, improved styling and more economical to drive.

There are four engine options-two petrol and two diesels.

The 1.1 litre “U-II” ‘s 75PS diesel engine has three cylinders and is equipped with Hyundai’s Intelligent Stop and Go system plus low-rolling resistance tyres. This engine emits a mere 84g/km which is the lowest in the UK for a diesel and Hyundai claim the i20 Blue can, on the combined cycle, achieve 88.3mpg.

The 1.2 litre petrol engine has more power than the one it is replacing and better fuel consumption on the combined cycle of 57.7mpg (previously 55.4mpg). Emissions are lower at 114g/km CO2 (previously 119g/km CO2). With 85PS and 0 to 60 in 12.7 seconds and a top speed of 104mph which is just short of one second quicker than the 1.4 (90PS) diesel.

There are three trim levels-Style (top of the range), Active and Classic.

Remote control central locking, air-conditioning, ESP and Vehicle Stability Management plus six air bags come as standard on the Classic.

The Active also has the following – electric/heated door mirrors, leather gear knob and steering wheel, on the five door version rear electric windows, front fog lights, voice recognition Bluetooth and 15-inch alloy wheels.

The Style goes even further with automatic headlights,16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, front wipers with rain sensors, a rear view mirror that dims automatically and a reversing camera

Steering is nicely weighted, no body roll, good gearbox change but the tyres could provide more grip. However to have included as standard the above ESP system is most definitely commendable on Hyundai’s part-this tends to be an optional extra or not available on similar cars.

The exterior has been given a smart new facelift with improved wheel designs, new front grille, rounded front wings that look sleeker, the bonnet has been reshaped and new light clusters. At the rear a revised rear bumper and lights.

Inside is a classy centre console, soft-touch plastic, height- adjustable seat for the driver and adjustable steering wheel. Enough space in the back for the children or two adults on short journeys. A 295-litre boot with a 60:40 split rear seat.

The team here at Economy Leasing will be pleased to discuss your leasing requirements for the Hyundai i20 that is a big competitor for similar cars in its category.

The AA has revealed that, last year, car insurers paid out over £2 billion for whiplash injury claims resulting in about £90 being added to the cost of a policy for car insurance.

They feel that the injury claim system needs to be reformed and ”cannot come soon enough”.

These comments were made as a motor insurance summit was being hosted by ministers in London. Kenneth Clarke, Justice Secretary, mentioned that the plans of the Government will look to deal with dubious medical evidence and ensure it is ”quicker, cheaper and easier for valid injury claims to be dealt with through the small claims court”.

This summer a consultation document is expected to propose to look at the possibility of having independent medical panels. The experts on these panels would have no direct connection with either defendants or claimants. Currently the assessment of injuries for whiplash is carried out by either doctors or GPs on behalf of medical reporting organisations. A doctor can be paid up to £195 for processing such claims.

The Automobile Association commented that during the last two years, whiplash injury claims played a part in the largest increase in premiums for car insurance ever recorded with a 50% increase in comprehensive car insurance.

Director of AA Insurance, Simon Douglas, stated: ”I hope that today’s Government announcement will see a tight timescale applied to reform of the civil litigation system which at present, encourages people to make a claim regardless of how serious their injury is or even if they have not suffered injury at all.

”Importantly, we need reforms that clamp down on cold-call claims management and personal injury firms who have contributed to the growth of claims.”

He further commented: ”The present dysfunctional system has also spawned a fraudulent multi-million-pound ‘cash for crash’ industry.”

Mr Douglas expressed his disappointment with the slow progress made within the report published in April by the House of Commons Transport Committee.

He said: ”But I acknowledge that a lot of momentum has built up. Reform can’t come soon enough. It is wrong that injury claims are rising while the number of accidents on Britain’s roads is falling.”

Mr Clarke said the Government will also ”strongly encourage insurers to pass on the savings back to their customers”,

”It is scandalous that we have a system where it is cheaper for insurers to settle a spurious whiplash claim out of court than defend it, creating rocketing insurance premiums for honest drivers.

”Our reforms will put a stop to this.”

Let us hope car drivers do see a benefit financially.

Launch Date 3 May 2012

MINI is back with the 108^th version since its re-launch in 2001.

In 2011 MINI achieved record sales of 50,138 and a market share of 2.01% in the past 12 months.

The MINI Roadster is a 2-seater convertible version of the popular MINI Coupe but is 5mm longer. The major difference over the normal convertible is a revised roofline due to the A-pillars and windscreen being raked more steeply and it is 20mm lower.

It comes with an active rear spoiler and roll hoops made of stainless steel. Equipped with an easy to operate semi-automatic roof that means it has to be unclipped to open it and bring it forward and re-clip it when closing which takes just 8 seconds to lower or raise when travelling up to 20mph. With no rear seats the boot space at 240 litres is impressive.

The Cooper S version has a 1.6 litre turbocharged 4 cylinder 184bhp petrol engine that goes from 0 to 60mph in 7 seconds achieving a maximum speed of 141mph. Co2 emissions 139g/km and you can, on the combined cycle, get 47.1 mpgThe Cooper SD version has a 2 litre turbocharged 4 cylinder diesel engine getting from 0 to 60 in just 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 132mph. Co2 emissions only 118g/km and 52.3mpg on the combined cycle.

The interior comes with sat-nav and music system with a number of other technical joys including somewhere to plug an iPhone in. Fitted with the usual chrome detailing, speedometer in the centre and large door bins makes you feel like you are back in the 1950’s.

A firm ride and excellent road handling with accurate steering. When the sports button is activated the steering is tightened, the turbocharger is adjusted and a small rear spoiler appears. Equipped with ABS brakes as you would expect. Six-speed manual gearbox with front wheel drive.

There is a meaty and deep noise produced by the exhaust system that adds to the thrill of driving this little beast.

Contact the team here at Economy Leasing on 0844 357 2415 to discuss the excellent car leasing options that we currently have available for the MINI Roadster.