Test Drives - Page 2 of 2

The new 2015 Audi Q7

The new Q7 renounces the massive looks of the first generation and now looks more like a family car than a bulky SUV. This should add more space inside, but also more sportivity, as the car seems to be lower than the former generation and slightly wider. The car is also 660 lbs (350 kg) lighter, and this should also bring a lot of sportivity and fuel efficiency.

If the outside looks are more like an evolution, inside we have a very different story. The dashboard is completely new, with the air conditioning vents spreading on its entire length, Passat-like, and with a new central display finally put where it belonged – directly in the driver’s line of view.

We can also see a second digital display behind the wheel, and we can expect the same amount of graphical entertainment already seen on the new Audi TT. Expect a plethora of driving assistance systems for the driver, including auto-braking, lane keeping, blind spot warning and auto-parking.

Powertrain-wise, we can expect to have a twin-turbo V6 TDI developing 385 PS with the help of a third supercharger, but also the usual lineup of 6 and 8 cylinders – just more powerful and more economical than the current engines. Also be aware that we’ll have an e-tron version combining the V6 TDI with an electric motor that should provide enough range for daily 100% electric driving (30 miles/50 km in full electric mode) or for hitting the road big time (800 miles/1300 km total range).

Fleet Insurance: Make Sure You Get The Right Cover!

Insurance premiums can be very expensive when a company opts to insure all the vehicles they have individually. In order to save money, it is prudent for the management to buy a fleet insurance policy for all the vehicles that they operate and save a lot of money on premiums. The paperwork is also reduced which translates to saving of time that could have been lost going through the papers in the insurance process.

Insurance cover for a number of vehicles that an individual or a company may own can be very expensive when every vehicle is insured on its own. This is where the fleet insurance cover becomes essential because it reduces the cost of the premiums, as the fleet owner will only have to pay a single premium for all the vehicles in operation. Another good thing about this kind of insurance is that individual vehicles can have different level of coverage even though the premium is one. The insurance company on the other hand has an easy time in handling claims with effectiveness and efficiency.

The Things to Consider

Before you embark on purchasing a fleet insurance cover, you will have to determine the number of vehicles you want to insure. You will need to check if the make and models of your cars are covered in the policy that you are planning to buy. Most automotive insurers will consider a fleet to be made up of at least for vehicles, while a few of them will cover 2 vehicles under the fleet insurance policy. There are major insurers who will only insure companies that have large numbers of vehicles.

Restrictions from Some Companies

There are various restrictions when you want to insure a fleet of vehicles under one policy. An example of such restrictions is where some companies will only allow a company to buy the fleet insurance policy if the vehicles to be insured are all of the same type and meet the insurer’s specifications. Continue reading →

Unlock Your Entrepreneurial Dreams!

Pop up stores are taking over social media, but what if you could combine that format with a food truck? When it comes to unlocking your entrepreneurial dreams, sometimes you have to take big risks in order to have a dream you’ve held onto for your whole life. Van Monster has put out a cool infographic on the realities of building a food truck and even using a used van to get started. You may have to do some DIY to get it up and running, and there will be laws and regulations that you’ll need to look into. But at the end of the day, it’ll all be worth it. Check it out!

Will Showrooms change due to Inchcape Volkswagen’s Bold Wager

Competition is naturally high between showrooms, with every dealership hoping to get not just new customers, but make sure that regular ones get the service they need. It’s a balancing act: lean too much on new customers, and loyal ones feel like you’re ignoring them. Go too far in the other direction, and new customers might not feel like you’re equipped to truly focus on them. But Inchcape Volkswagen seems to understand this delicate balance, because the evidence is clear through the construction of their new high tech facility. It sits on over 1.6 acres of land just west of central London, making it a very impressive facility indeed. But it’s not just the exterior that’s catching attention; it’s all of the features found within.

From the minute you walk in, you notice things are different. Four floors are dedicated to showcasing all things Volkswagen. The staff hands out tablets to customers to give them control over their shopping experience. They can search through a nationwide database without leaving the facility and spending the extra petrol driving around to each store.

There are twenty-eight service bays on site, all staffed with super knowledgeable technicians that will be more than happy to answer questions as well as handle repairs efficiently.

It’s clear that there are a lot of lessons that other showrooms can learn from this newly constructed site. Given that customer feedback has been so positive, is this a sign that Inchcape Volkswagen’s gamble is paying off? More to the point, will others follow in their footsteps? While the construction cost was far from cheap, the long term effects will surely be positive.

As a nod to the overall green energy initiative, solar energy collection measures are enforced, and rainwater collection helps irrigate a beautiful vertical garden. It’s these little touches that indicate how well this showroom has prepared to truly stand out in the marketplace.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (ix45)

The new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe has been revealed at the 2012 New York Auto Show and it surely is a step forward in the right direction for the Korean brand. Known as ix45 in Europe, it will start selling in April in the US, and towards the end of the year in Europe.

Hyundai prepared two variants of the new Santa Fe. As you can see from the pictures, the new Hyndai Santa Fe Sport (the shorter version) is a compact SUV, 184.6 inches long (4.690 mm), 66.1 inches tall (1.680 mm) and 74 inches wide (1.880 mm). It’s wheelbase is 106.3 inches, which is a lot for this segment.

Under the hood, the new 2013 Santa Fe Sport will have a choice of two engine: 2.4 l GDI offering 190 hp and 181 lb-ft (245 Nm), and a 2.0-l T-GDI turbo developing 264 HP and 269 lb-ft (364 Nm) of torque. Both engines are coupled with a six-speed automatic gearbox, while the front axle is benefiting from Torque Steering Control.

The new Hyundai Santa Fe is also prepared with safety in mind: customers can opt for a Lane Departure Warning System, while the car comes in standard with no less than seven airbags, including one for the driver’s knees.

Among comfort technologies that will be available on the new Santa Fe we can count a Start/Stop button, keyless entry, a multimedia Supervision Cluster incorporating a color LCD, BlueLink connectivity, LED headlights, heated steering wheel and sliding second-row seats.

BMW 1 Series 2012

We had the opportunity to test and review the new BMW 1 Series 2012 (F20) at the Berlin official launch, and we’re able to bring you the main good and bad points of this car, as well as a comprehensive photo gallery from the test drives.

First of all – BMW 1 Series 2012 at a glance:

1. The car is bigger, wider and the interior space is taller. You have more space for the ankles and feet in the back due to the wider wheelbase, as well as more space for the head and shoulders. This means that now you can have 1.80m (6 ft tall) and sit relaxed in the back. The third person on the back seats will not sit as comfortably, though, so this car is for 4 adults only.

2. The back seats can fold individually, as well as the headrests. This is nice if you want to travel with lot of luggage, the 360 liters offered being above the standard offer in the C segment. Also, you have plenty of storage space in the front, and the door panels are designed intelligently to fit all kind of bottle sizes.

3. Trim quality is up a little, you get better plastics than in the former generation, but the textiles, Sensatec and real leather remain of the same quality (that is, abysmal for the textiles, good for the Sensatec and very good for the real leather).

4. You get the latest installment of the iDrive interface, which at first is extremely confusing and complex, but with time you will grow to like it because of the vast array of options that it offers: from synching with an iPhone to BMW’s Assistance program that can help you (in Europe) find practically anything you want, downloading the data on your navigation system. Continue reading →

New Driver – Check Out These International Driving Laws

Sometimes new drivers write to us because we’re well known for being super car enthusiasts. We love driving because it truly is one of the most stress relieving activities. Of course, that isn’t to say that there aren’t complications when you’re dealing with being on the open road and handling other drivers. A defensive stance on driving is truly the best stance, especially if you want to keep car insurance premiums as low as possible. We reached out to the great team at Northgate to pull in more facts about driving laws around the road. So the next time you feel like complaining about the driving laws, think about these new ones and count your blessings!

1. You Better Bring Hay

You probably aren’t pulling a horse and carriage combo anytime soon, but if you decided to get a little too vintage for your own good, you’d have to abide by UK law that states a driver of a hackney must have hay and oats for the horses. To us this one isn’t totally crazy, as horses do need food. Haven’t you been hungry on the road? We’re sure you can see our point.

2. Breathalyzers For All

The Eiffel Tower is worth seeing in person, but if you ever wanted to drive through the French countryside, you’d need to carry a breathalyzer. Yes, that means that every single French citizen you see on the roads has one in their car, just in case. Maybe the wine really is too potent?

3. No Speed Limits? (Only in THIS Place!)

It’s actually against the law to stop on the German motorway, also known as the autobahn. There are no speed limits and you cannot break down on the side of the road. Somehow, the German drivers seem to do just fine, and they get where they want to go without too many accidents. How interesting!

4. Don’t Go Topless (Men Included!)

If you want to drive in Thailand, you have to make sure that you are fully dressed. The local government frowns on men and women driving topless, even though there’s always someone that thinks they can get around the rules. Don’t be that person!

Overall, not all of these driving laws are completely crazy. Some are designed to protect animals, while others are designed to promote the modesty norms of the area. Either way, if a law carries penalties for breaking it, it makes sense to be aware of it. It can be frustrating for a new driver because it feels like you’re never going to learn all of it. Trust us, it only feels that way in the beginning — it absolutely gets better with time!