FEATURE: BUSINESS TRAVEL Holistic approach to congestion


Smarter traffic management systems, more hard-shoulder use and the development of high speed rail are key to reducing congestion on the roads in the West Midlands, say business leaders.


Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group (BCCG) Ross Gurdin


‘HS2 will help increase capacity on the roads’


has welcomed a report by the Transport Select Committee which argues that improving the way roads are managed should form “a key plank of central government transport policy”. Transport congestion costs the economy of the West Midlands over £2 billion a year. The BCCG believes that smarter traffic management


systems and more hard-shoulder use would be a cost- effective way of decreasing congestion within the region.


BCCG policy adviser Ross Gurdin said: “Traffic levels within the West Midlands are incredibly high and we need cost-effective solutions to address this problem. About two-thirds of journeys within the West Midlands metropolitan area are by car and traffic levels are believed to have increased by 242 million trips since 2001. “The Chamber believes that a more holistic approach is needed to ease traffic congestion. An integrated public transport system is vital to the success of any great city and we believe good progress is being made towards encouraging people out of cars. “The Chamber also believes projects such as HS2 will help increase capacity on the roads by encouraging motorists out of their cars and by freeing up capacity on existing railways for more freight.”


REVIEW:HYUNDAI I40 TOURER PREMIUM BY SUE COOKE


company car trends research by GE Capital Fleet Services. At a time when few firms are providing pay rises


E


and fewer drivers are able to afford to run their own car, 85 per cent of fleet decision makers say they highly rate the importance of the company car. Which is one reason why Hyundai says that 60 per


cent of sales of its new i40 Tourer will come from the fleet sector. Having driven the i40, which went on sale in


mployees are valuing a company car as an even more important part of their remuneration package, according to the latest quarterly


FACTS AT A GLANCE Model: Hyundai i40 Tourer Premium


Price: £25,895 otr Engine: 1.7 litre 136 automatic


Performance: 0-62mph in 12 seconds and on to a top speed of 118mph


CO2 emissions: 159g/km


Combined fuel consumption: 47.1mpg


September, the medium family car has attributes which set it way in front of the competition and benefits which are ideal for the company and family car driver.


‘There is a lot of space in this new model which delivers best-in-class dimensions for front seats occupant’


Many fleet cars have a standard traditional boxy shape but the i40 doesn’t and it’s gorgeous. Hyundai describes the design as ‘fluidic sculpture’ and it does have flowing lines and sharp creases along the sides. A very steep rear windscreen is topped by a small spoiler and the small front bonnet has innovative LED daytime running lights. This fluidic sculpture is the design inspiration behind all new Hyundai models. The doors are light but provide a satisfying quality clunk. The seats in the top of the range premium model which I road tested are all leather and have side supports. There is a lot of space in this new model which delivers best-in-class dimensions for front seat


occupants. In the rear, head room is significant and rear seats will gently recline. Equipment has high tech features as standard,


many of which are available only as options on competitor models. The list is never ending but I have to mention the electric parking brake, operated with a finger which has an automatic hold function and hill start assist. It’s not just the design which is fluid. The speed


sensitive steering also provides a very fluid agile drive and a great turning circle. There are two petrol engines and one diesel with


two outputs. I drove the 1.7 litre 136PS diesel which Hyundai says will account for 50 per cent of sales. The 115PS diesel engine has fuel consumption of


65.7mpg and CO2 emissions of just 113g/km. Every i40 Tourer will come equipped with a six- speed gearbox. I drove the automatic version which


has paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. With a host of safety systems and a five year customer care package, the Hyundai i40 Tourer has to be top of the company car choice list. It’s certainly one of the best estates I have driven for a long time.


The new Hyundai i40 Tourer is on show at All Electric Garages, Kidderminster. For more information call Richard Bateman, fleet manager, on 01562 752566.


OCTOBER 2011 CHAMBERLINK 37


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56