motoring 59 ‘Oh what a chore!’ – Lexus test drive
Les Shorthouse of Shorthouse & Martin Accountants was asked by Lexus Reading to undertake a test drive of the new hybrids on offer from the luxury Japanese manufacturer - ‘Oh what a chore!’
JOIN THE QUIET REVOLUTION
THE NEW CT 200h
The first car to be delivered to my offices was the RX450h, which for those of you who have not experienced a Lexus in all its prime, is a bit like launching yourself from a shuttle for the very first time with more gadgets than NASA could produce and the definitive controls at your fingertips.
The ride was sumptuous to say the least and on the SEL model, which was the vehicle I had been handed, an inbuilt camera to show how near you were to the objects on the nearside, let alone the reversing camera which shows in colour the whole of the rear of the vehicle so even when parking in tight spaces it becomes a breeze.
For the technically minded the vehicle is equipped with a 3.5 litre petrol engine, combined with two high-output electric motors and an advanced compact battery which produces 44.8 miles to the gallon on the combined cycle using unleaded fuel. The top speed is around
130mph and 0-62mph takes a mere 7.8 seconds.
However, for those of you who do not like paying chancellor George Osborne any more money than he is due, the benefit in kind on this vehicle is a modest 15% for the tax year ended April 5, 2011. This means that for the basic taxrate payer, it’s a mere £1,309.80 and for the 40% taxpayer £2,619.60. The best bit is that the road fund licence is just £115.
It delivers a truly rewarding driving experience, with smooth acceleration and agile handling.
Representative example Model
35 Monthly payments Cash price
Representative 9.9% APR† Customer deposit Amount of credit
Guaranteed Future Value/ optional final payment
Total amount payable
Fixed rate of interest (per annum) Term
CT 200h SE-I £299.00
£23,485.00 £5,880.39
£17,604.61 £11,278.80
£27,624.19 5.10%
36 months The CT200H
The cost of the 450h SEi is £48,400 but Lexus is currently offering a 36-month rental agreement on a contract-hire basis with a deposit of £3,105.42 including VAT and monthly rentals of £838.80 also including VAT. VAT for the business user would be recoverable on a 50% basis.
Turning now to the CT200H; this is the latest addition to the luxury fleet and again comes fully equipped with all the refinements that you would expect from Lexus. Having driven the car it is extremely responsive
MINI for the fleet?
The MINI Countryman is a fleet prospect that is hugely compelling
It offers all Mini’s strengths, but adds legitimate family practicality. On the road, the Countryman balances entertaining handling with bump- smoothing comfort, minimising body roll around corners yet soaking up road imperfections without too much cabin vibration.
The higher-set driving position means all-round visibility is good, and it’s easy to get comfortable because there’s a wide range of seat and wheel adjustment.
Front and rear passenger space is abundant, with the sliding rear seats easily able to accommodate six-foot adults. Boot space ranges from 220 litres to 1,170 litres, and with the rear seats in their middle position there’s around 350 litres.
Two individual rear chairs are a no cost option, allowing an innovative ‘Mini Centre Rail’ to run the length of the cabin, on to which a myriad of accessories can be attached, such as mobile phone cradles and cup holders.
The Countryman has all the quirky style and uniqueness Mini is famed for, but adds genuine four-seat practicality, decent boot space and class- leading fuel economy.
Good residuals are guaranteed, too, making it a car that can be chosen with the heart and the head.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2011 The MINI Countryman Cooper D ALL4
The first ever car to get a Green-Car-Guide rating of 10/10; so why does it deserve such an award? The model is class-leading in the 4x4 segment for the lowest emissions, with just 129 g/km CO₂. This translates to 57.6 mpg, which is excellent for a 4x4.
These economy and emissions figures are achieved with the help of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technologies, including automatic stop-start and brake energy regeneration, although these are known as ‘MINIMALISM’ for the MINI brand.
Key facts for the business user and fleet manager: • Fuel consumption (combined) 57.6mpg • CO ₂ emissions: 129 g/km • Green rating: VED band D – first year £0 • Company car tax liability (2010/11): 18%
The Lexus CT 200h is leading a quiet revolution. Its sophisticated full hybrid system creates near-silent driving in electric mode, with class-leading low emissions and superb fuel e∞ ciency.
JOIN THE QUIET REVOLUTION
THE NEW CT 200h
The Lexus CT 200h is leading a quiet revolution. Its sophisticated full hybrid system creates near-silent driving in electric mode, with class-leading low emissions and superb fuel e∞ ciency.
LEXUS READING Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, Berkshire RG2 0HS. Tel: 01189 758877
www.lexus.co.uk/reading LEXUS BRACKNELL Phoenix Business Park, John Nike Way, Amen Corner, Bracknell RG12 8TN. Tel: 01344 789777
www.lexus.co.uk/bracknell
CT 200h prices start from £23,485 OTR. Model shown CT 200h SE-I costing £23,995 including optional metallic paint at £510. Price correct at time of going to print and includes VAT, delivery, number plates, full tank of fuel, one year’s road fund license and £55 fi rst registration fee. †9.9% Representative APR over 3 years on Lexus Connect Contract Purchase available on all new retail CT 200h SE-I, when registered and fi nanced through Lexus Financial Services Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surrey KT18 5UZ at participating Lexus Centres, valid until 31 March 2011. Other fi nance offers are available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. Vehicle on sale from March 2011. Terms and conditions apply. Excess mileage charge applies over 30,000 at 9 pence per mile. Indemnities may be required. Finance subject to status to over 18s only. Lexus Centres are independent of Lexus Financial Services. Subject to availability.
CT 200h fuel consumption and CO2 fi gures: urban 68.9 mpg (4.1L/100km), extra-urban 70.6 mpg (4.0L/100km), combined 68.9 mpg (4.1L/100km). CO2 emissions combined 94 g/km. Cash price
achieving 0-62mph in just over 10 seconds and a top speed of 112mph. The car is available with SatNav, luxurious leather, full climate control and a remote touch system. CO₂ emissions of the vehicle are 96g/ km which relates to a tax payable in the tax year ending April 5. 2011 of £454.80 for the basic tax rate payer and £909.60 for the 40% tax payer. There is no road fund licence payable on the vehicle.
The cost of the car I drove was £22,740, but again Lexus is offering a contract hire for a three-year period
35 Monthly payments
Representative 9.9% APR† Customer deposit Amount of credit
Guaranteed Future Value/ optional final payment
Total amount payable
Representative example Model
CT 200h SE-I £299.00
It delivers a truly rewarding driving experience, with smooth acceleration and agile handling.
with a deposit of £1,507.80 including VAT and monthly rentals of £382.44 including VAT. VAT is recoverable for business users at the rate of 50% which brings down the cost still further.
My only complaint about the CT200h is that when it was delivered it didn’t come equipped with Kylie.
£23,485.00 £5,880.39 £17,604.61
Fixed rate of interest (per annum) Term
Details: 0118-9758877
www.lexus.co.uk/reading
£11,278.80 £27,624.19 5.10%
36 months
LEXUS READING Rose Kiln Lane, Reading, Berkshire RG2 0HS. LEXUS BRACKNELL Phoenix Business Park, John Nike Way, Ame
CT 200h prices start from £23,485 OTR. Model shown CT 200h SE-I costing £23,995 inclu fund license and £55 fi rst registration fee. †9.9% Representative APR over 3 years on Lexus Co Heath, Epsom, Surrey KT18 5UZ at participating Lexus Centres, valid until 31 March 2011. Oth mileage charge applies over 30,000 at 9 pence per mile. Indemnities may be required. Financ
• Just £283 per month (plus deposit) when purchased via a Contract Hire agreement through the MINI Business Partnership programme at Sytner.
CT 200h fuel consumption and CO2 fi gures: urban 68.9 mpg (4.1L/100k
The BMW/MINI Business Partnership is a programme developed specifically for companies with fleets of fewer than 50 company cars including compelling contract hire rates and complimentary vehicle options.
Contact your local Sytner corporate sales manager below for more information on the MINI Countryman range and the BMW/MINI Business Partnership programme:
Details:
Sytner High Wycombe Fiona Kinner 01494-455100
fionakinner@sytner.co.uk
Sytner Maidenhead Gill Finch 01628-680300
gillfinch@sytner.co.uk
Sytner Sunningdale Jonathan Easey 01344-630400
jonathaneasey@sytner.co.uk
www.bmwbusinesspartnership.co.uk
www.businessmag.co.uk
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