The Week In Motoring #5

100% Electric Nissan e-NV200 Taxi Heads for Amsterdam

Amsterdam-based Taxi Electric is to become the first private taxi company to add the Nissan e-NV200 taxi to its fleet of zero emission taxis.

The 100% electric e-NV200 taxi will join the 25 LEAFs that Taxi Electric have been using since it became the first private taxi company to operate a fleet of 100% electric taxis in November 2011.

Reliability has not been an issue for the company who have amassed over 1.5million KM since going completely electric which Andy Palmer, European vice President of Nissan says is testament to Nissan’s electric technology.

“(Taxi Electric) have covered an astonishing distance in their fleet in such a short time and have shown just how reliable our electric technology is in a demanding environment. Their pioneering spirit closely matches ours and we are certain they will continue their success with the ground-breaking Nissan e-NV200.”

Cars on UK Roads Reaches 10-year high

2013 saw a 1.4% rise in the number of cars on UK roads reaching a total of 31,917,885 units – over 436,000 up on 2012. Not only demonstrating a 10-year high in industry growth, they also reflect greater vehicle longevity.

It’s said that improvements in car reliability as well as several economic factors have seen the lifespan of cars significantly extended – the average age now being a year older compared to a decade ago. Additionally, numbers of cars over 12 years old rose by a staggering 11.3% in 2012 further proof that cars are being kept on the road for longer.

Chief Executive of SMMT, Mike Hawes, added ‘With more cars bought and less scraped in recent years, the total number on UK roads reached an all time high last year.’

Formula 1 Returns

Looking ahead, we’re very much looking forward to the upcoming Formula 1 season that gets underway this weekend in Melbourne. Let’s face it, the last four seasons have hardly been filled with edge-of-your-seat excitement as Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull has calmly jogged to four consecutive world titles, but there have been murmurings that this season’s championships is set to be one of the most exhilarating in 30 years.

We suggest that this sense of anticipation is down to the sheer unpredictability of the year ahead. New engines, new rules, new regulations, new drivers; this really is impossible to call.

Some bookies have Lewis Hamilton down as a potential favourite for the title but it would still take a brave punter to lump on with him at this early stage. Perhaps most encouraging for those wanting a more competitive season this year is the fact that Red Bull are still experiencing significant issues with their latest car, the RB10, meaning that we are unlikely to see Vettel with one hand on the championship trophy as we enter June.

Whatever happens this year, we can’t wait. But what about you? Are you excited for the new season or have recent years meant you’ve found a better way to spend your Sunday afternoons?

Predictions:
• Drivers Championship:– Lewis Hamilton
• Constructors Championship:– Mercedes

Car of the Week

Our vehicle of the week is the excellent Kia Cee’d – we have two on loan as demonstrators at our showroom at the moment. Here’s the spec. of the vehicle we’ve been driving:

You can read our full profile on this vehicle here (and watch the video too!). If you’d like to book a test drive and talk to us out about our latest leasing options, then don’t hesitate to call on 01753 851561.