Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog

Vauxhall Adam Slam interior

When you think of luxury interiors, your thoughts might turn to Rolls Royce, Jaguar, or perhaps to James Bond’s well-equipped Aston Martin. But there are plenty of more affordable, practical cars that offer a comfortable and enjoyable experience for driver and passengers alike.

Creature comforts

Everyone is different, and so everyone has different criteria for what constitutes a great interior. Taller drivers appreciate lots of leg room, as well as head room. If you find yourself acting as a chauffeur for groups of friends, you’ll want enough space in the back to accommodate three adults comfortably, and ideally a proper belt in the middle of the back seat, not just a waist strap. For a small car with a surprisingly spacious interior, try the MINI Cooper or the Mazda5.

For older drivers and those with physical problems, the height of luxury might be a car that is easy to enter and exit without effort or pain. The Suzuki Splash and Honda Jazz fit the bill, as do Ford’s B-Max and larger C-Max people carrier.

However, everyone can agree on the comfort of soft seating, upholstered in classic leather or more modern fabrics. Heated seats make things even cosier, especially when these can be independently controlled by each occupant.

Go go gadget

For technophiles, there can be nothing better than a car fully loaded with gadgets. Why bother with plugging in your sat-nav every journey, when many modern cars, from the BMW 3 Series to the Ford Fiesta, have one built in?

Screens on the backs of the front seats which can play DVDs or computer games are ideal for keeping children, not to mention adults, quiet in the back, especially if they can be controlled separately so passengers have a choice of entertainment. Aftermarket kits are available, but they’re available as an option on Audi’s SQ5 and many other cars.

Green machines

Electric cars and other new, environmentally friendly designs often pride themselves on having a futuristic look, bristling with innovative features. This extends to the inside of the car as well as the exterior. Vauxhall’s Ampera boasts a high definition display screen, reversing camera, and keyless entry. The Renault Zoe also has a smart display with a touchscreen, although most of the interior is identical to the Clio’s.

Small but perfectly formed

The best cars for cheap learner driver insurance tend to be smaller, with a lower powered engine. There are still a decent number of cars in this class offering a luxurious travel experience, however. Try the MINI Cooper with its huge central speedometer, or the new Fiat 500 with its gorgeous, colour-matched retro interior.

It’s the little things

Sometimes, it’s the smallest details that give the most pleasure. The Vauxhall ADAM, winner of the award for best interior design in a production car at the Automotive Interiors Expo 2013, features a host of configurable options, from the colour of the trim and steering-wheel to the shape of the pedals. You can even pick multi-coloured interior lighting. Necessary? No. Fun? You bet.

The Skoda Yeti is great value for money considering its high build quality and great looks. Its crossover features aim to satisfy the needs of tall hatchback users whilst being very capable off-road. Here are a few of the key points which make the Yeti the best in the Skoda range:

Exterior The Skoda Yeti’s new face lift consists of unyielding clean cut lines instead of the subtle curves found on older Skoda models. This gives the tough looking Yeti a much more distinctive and attractive look than its rivals. The boxy front end contains square headlights, a rejuvenated grille and large fog lights, which now sit level with the front bumper. There are also many add on themes to choose from, allowing you to personalise your Yeti. Overall, the exterior of the Yeti has been modernised to lead the way in the crossover SUV market and will certainly turn heads.

Interior  As there was little amiss with the previous Yeti interior, they have kept it the same, with a few changes here and there. However, you can now choose from a range of trim for the dashboard, the style of the steering wheel and the style and finish of the seats. There is also the addition of sliding rear seats and new equipment such as a rear-view parking camera and an automatic parking assistant. Even the entry level models come with electric windows and air conditioning, making the Skoda Yeti interior very practical.

Driving The Skoda range begins with a 1.2 TSI petrol engine. You may think that the 1.2 engine is too small but don’t be deceived, it is actually great for hauling your family around. The petrol engines range from 1.2 to 1.8 litres and all are very economical. There is also a 1.6 TDI diesel and a 2.0 TDI diesel to choose from. Whatever your budget, there is a Yeti perfect for your needs. All engines provide effortless, comfortable and smooth driving.

The weighting of the Yeti, its low vibration suspension and its electric steering add to the ease of driving the crossover across town or off road. The gearbox provides fluid and light shifts making changing gear effortless. There is also the option of a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox which will ensure even smooth gear changes.

The Yeti’s new quirky look, along with its range of economic engines and its great value for money make the Yeti very appealing to buyers. Its practicality and ease to drive make it a great car for family, or anyone looking for a large hatchback that is great off road. What do you think of this blog? Can you think of any more reasons which make the Skoda Yeti the best Skoda in the range. If so, please leave your comments below. This blog was written by Alex Cordwell on behalf of Leasecars, the car leasing specialists.

Mercedes SLS AMG Picture by Martijn Beekmans, all rights reserved.

It’s the start of the week and as always it may be a little rough, so why not dream for a bit and imagine what the perfect day would be for us car fanatics. If you could choose to drive any car for a day, which one would it be? It may actually be easier than you think, with short-term luxury car rentals becoming more and more accessible. Why not feel like a movie star for a day? Sitting in the driver seat of a Lamborghini, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Rolls-Royce, or Bentley puts all of the power into your hands. Where would you drive? Mountain? Beach? City lights? Another interesting way to turn the day into a thrilling experience could be to go to a performance drive circuit and feel like a speed racer for an afternoon. High adrenaline guaranteed… And don’t forget to finish the day by checking out the best online casinos: you never know, you might win the chance to do it all over again the next day!

Crisis? What crisis?

Certain sections of the UK economy may still be feeling the pinch despite improving growth figures, but the British motor industry is certainly not one of them. Following 22 months of continuous growth, the UK is now the second largest car market in Europe, behind only automotive giant Germany in the rankings. Last year 2.26 million cars were sold in the UK – that’s a near 11% jump on the 2012 figure – and the highest since the start of the financial crisis, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Across Europe however car sales have been falling – so what is so different here? The Leden Group, providers of low cost car leasing on Ford Fiestas – the most popular vehicle in the UK last year – explore three potential explanations.

Increased Consumer Confidence During an economic downturn, it is not just a lack of money that stops people buying new things but a lack of confidence. When the news is full of doom and gloom over the economy, households naturally begin to tighten their belts and protect what they have – not go out and enter into an expensive and lengthy finance agreement. It could also be that falling unemployment has had a part to play, as families reacquire the disposable income that they lost during the recession.

Cheap Finance Options The improving economy has also helped to lower the cost of car finance deals and encourage those financing companies to lend more. According to Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, “cheap finance deals… account for around three-quarters of transactions”, so it is clear that this has had a major part to play in the rising sales figures.

PPI Payouts Unless you’ve been living under a rock, in a cave or on the other side of the world for the last two years then you have probably heard about Payment Protection Insurance, and how the financial industry has had to set aside over £17bn for the clean-up. Although it is hard to tell how much of an impact PPI payouts had on the UK’s car sales, considering the average payout was around £3,000 – more than enough to place a deposit down on a new car – it is likely that at least some of this money found its way to the car industry.

Potential Problems Ahead? However the figures aren’t all good news – as the spike in car sales now could see an oversupply of used cars in three years when consumers decide to return their cars at the end of a PCP deal, leading to a subsequent drop in price and increased risk of loan default by consumers. However for the short term at least, growth is expected to continue, although the SMMT predicts that it will slow to 1% for 2014.

Check out the Top 20 best-selling models in the UK in 2013 here!

John Rooney blogs about issues affecting the motor industry as well as the latest innovations in engineering and technology. This guest blog was written in partnership with car leasing specialists, The Leden Group.

BMW i8

As far as new car releases go, 2013 was exciting but 2014 is set to be every car lover’s dream with a great selection of interesting new models making their way onto the market. You can expect new releases from top brands like Jaguar, Porsche and Ferrari, as well as top quality cars from affordable manufacturers Ford, Nissan and Hyundai. As the economy started to recover towards the end of last year we saw all kinds of record sales in the motoring industry and as the economy continues to go from strength to strength, 2014 is surely destined to see a continuation of this trend.

Top affordable cars of 2014

Ford EcoSport

Although junior crossovers have been around for a few years now, the EcoSport is certainly a valiant effort. As a latecomer to the market, you’d be forgiven for thinking that it’s come too late in the day to rival successes like the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. However, with the EcoSport, Ford has done everything properly. Many reviewers will tell you that it’s the best to drive in this category. It’s based on the Fiesta – the bestselling car, year on year – so what else would you expect? This is a car that’s been on sale in other areas of the world, such as Brazil, for a year or so now, but Ford claims it delayed its release into the European market in order to give themselves time to re-engineer the car according to European tastes. They say that: “Engineers have beefed up crash protection and made substantial changes to the chassis in an effort to improve ride comfort, handling and refinement. Interior quality has also been upgraded.” Luckily for us, the wait is nearly over and this new kid on the block will be seen in UK showrooms such as Matlock Ford from May.

Hyundai i10 This will be the second generation of the i10 to hit the UK and it has been developed especially for European markets, just like its predecessor. Although the idea surrounding the new i10 was the same, Hyundai have been a lot more adventurous and the two generations – other than their name – are in no way alike. The new i10 is far more stylish than the previous model, has a good sized boot and will seat four adults comfortably. Although this model is more expensive than the first, it’s definitely worth it and this is a great bid by Hyundai to rival similar cars like VW’s Up!

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai Another second generation that’ll be taking the motor trade by storm this year is the new Nissan Qashqai. This car is slightly more expensive than the earlier model, but is also, in many ways, completely different. It’s much better for the environment, it’s based on a new platform (one that will also be used for other Nissans and also Renaults) and it also has much more room inside without being much larger in size. This car can automatically parallel park, has cameras that help with reverse parking and an Around View Monitor which helps see the space you have available when parking in tight parking bays. As far as technology goes, you can’t get much better.

Audi A3 Cabriolet Yes, it’s yet another version of the Audi A3. However, this is one you’ll be glad of. The new A3 Cabriolet is based on the saloon as opposed to the hatchback, which means it looks exceptionally sophisticated. The interior of the new A3 Cab is just as you’d expect from a great Audi. It exudes quality and sophistication and, for a convertible, there’s a pleasantly surprising amount of space in there too. The range of engines that are available means you could be spending anything from £25-30,000, but you’re unlikely to find anything of the same calibre for a price that’s significantly cheaper.

Mini hatchback There are several reasons why Minis have proven so popular over the past decade and one of those reasons is their style. This is why, despite the fact that this is the third generation of the Mini hatchback, the style remains very much the same. One of the best things about the Mini is the fact that they’re so fun to drive and despite the new model being bigger and taller than the previous model, the driving experience is said to have been improved.

Porsche Macan

Top expensive cars of 2014

Jaguar F-Type Coupe The Jaguar F-Type Coupé is perhaps the most anticipated new car of 2014, much like the F-Type Roadster was in 2013. The pictures have shown that its looks live up to the hype and with a 542bhp engine available, it’s unlikely to disappoint when it comes to power either. You will have to wait another couple of months before you can get your hands on one though, as they don’t go on sale until March.

Porsche Macan Another 4X4 addition to the Porsche family is the Macan, which is smaller than the Cayenne but expected to be just as successful. The first deliveries of the Macan – which has a £43,300 to £59,300 price tag – are expected in April and it’s expected to rival other smaller 4X4s like the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.

BMW i8 The BMW i8 is the second addition to their new eco-friendly ‘i’ collection – although there’s still a bit of a wait for this one as it’s not expected to go on sale until July. The i3 city car was the first vehicle to be released in this range but there’s no need to worry about encountering another range of similar cars with only a couple of differences because there’s barely any similarity between the i3 and the new i8. The petrol and electric powered engine of the i8 is buried deep under the bonnet of a true sportscar and can manage 354bhp. The i8 can reach 62mph in less than five seconds and yet still achieves a mammoth 78mpg.

Ferrari 458 Speciale Almost every year Ferrari brings out a stunner that makes it onto almost every new car list – unless the list is specifically covering affordable cars, obviously, as the 458 Speciale will set you back about £208,000. However, for this you’ll get to your destination quicker than ever with 597bhp available to you. This gets you from 0 to 62mph in exactly three seconds. The fact that the 458 Speciale is much lighter and more powerful than the standard 458 means that extra technology like Side Slip angle Control (SSC) is exceptionally useful when maintaining speed, and more importantly control, around corners.

BMW 4 Series convertible BMW is making several new releases this year and they’re all great. The new 4 Series convertible uses the same folding hard-top roof that can be seen on the convertible 3 Series rather than the weight-saving fabric tops that are so popular at the moment. This new addition to the 4 Series is nothing like its predecessor as it’s wider, lower and longer, but still boasts a massive 303bhp if you opt for the turbo-charged three-litre engine that’s available. Just like with the i8 though, if this is the car you’re waiting for then you’ve got a little longer to wait yet because it doesn’t go on sale until March 8^th.

Ford C-Max Solar Energi concept

The 2014 International CES is underway, which means that technology fans are being bombarded with news about state-of-the-art devices and witnessing ideas in action that seemed impossible to produce only a few years ago. Ford is hoping to be one of the companies that people are talking about across the globe by the time the event draws to a close on January 10th, the American car giant is using the tradeshow in Las Vegas to unveil its C-Max Solar Energi Concept car. Aiming to revolutionise how motorists approach greener motoring, Ford has stated in a press release that the prototype vehicle has “the potential to deliver the best of what a plug-in hybrid offers – without depending on the electric grid for fuel”. This is not the first time Ford has attempted to turn what we know about the motoring industry on its head, though. Here are a couple of other famous concept cars that the US car manufacturer has shown off over the years:

New Ford S-Max concept

Ford used last year’s IFA tradeshow in Berlin to reveal what it hopes to be the next iteration in the Ford S-Max family. While looking stylish on the outside, the main talking point was how technology packed into the vehicle is able to monitor everything from real-time road accidents in the area to how high or low a driver’s blood pressure was. Until the all-seeing S-Max reaches the market though, you can rest assured that the current generation of Ford S-Max cars are packed with handy gadgets designed to help you stay safe on the road. Motorparks is even offering these vehicles at reduced prices at the moment.

Ford Mustang 1 concept

The 50th anniversary of the Ford Mustang’s launch is fast approaching, with the original model first hitting the road on April 17^th 1964. What better way to mark the occasion than by watching this YouTube video from FordMustang, which gives you an insight into how the vehicle looked in its very early stages. You can instantly see the sporty pedigree that the Mustang is so renowned for, from the prototype’s angled nose and soft-top, to the rear wheels being accompanied by large vents. Many of these features can still be seen on the Mustangs just hitting the market today, whether you are looking at the updated 2013 Ford Mustang V6, with its stylish soft-top roof, or the 2013 GT California Special and its elevated nose.

We say keep up the great work, Ford. We like what you’re doing and can’t wait to see what 2014 and beyond has in store for us mere drivers.

Homer Simpson is the most popular sat nav voice in the world.

Most drivers have got a sat nav these days. Stick it on your windscreen, type in your destination and you’re ready to go. Most of the time this goes without a hitch and it’s all we really need the sat nav to do. But did you know you could be getting more out of it? Read on and find out.

Project your sat nav onto your windscreen

Ever been frustrated by your sat nav’s small screen? Download the new Hudway app and you can project your sat nav onto your whole windscreen from your mobile phone. It’s been designed to help reduce accidents and can be used without a consistent internet signal – perfect for when you’re going through a tunnel or more remote areas. It also means drivers no longer have to look down to look at their sat nav – they can keep their eyes on the road, looking out for potential hazards while the projection on the windscreen guides them to their destination. Simply set your destination, place your smartphone on the dashboard and the light from it will project your route onto the windscreen.

Update it regularly

Ever driven along a road that your sat nav doesn’t recognise? Or has your sat nav tried to take you down a road that no longer exists? Having a sat nav that is not up-to-date can be dangerous – particularly for drivers who completely rely on it and forget to use their own road sense. That’s why you should regularly update your sat nav. Most manufacturers let you update it once for free and as a rule of thumb, you should be looking to do so once every six to twelve months. Someone who does a lot of long-distance driving on unfamiliar roads should definitely do this.

Connect your sat nav to your phone

Finally, did you know you can connect your mobile phone to your sat nav for safe, hands-free driving? Using a mobile phone at the wheel is illegal, but hands-free calling is not. If you’ve got a Bluetooth-enabled phone, you can connect it to your sat nav for hands-free calling, SMS messaging and traffic and weather updates. Simply check your mobile phone for compatibility with your sat nav and you should be good to go.

Have you got any more tips about how to get the most out of your sat nav? Share them with us below!

Unicom Insurance are UK based regulated specialists of Motor Trade Insurance. You can connect with Unicom Insurance on Google+ to keep up to date with all the latest news and stories from the Motoring Industry.

The winter time is a truly beautiful spectacle with icy dew, glittering frost and the occasion snowfall transforming towns, village and countryside’s. But behind the mesmerising views in an element of danger as surfaces become slippery, terrain is hidden and visibility is hindered making for one frightening formula.

With this in mind, it’s important to consider not only your own safety but the safety of your children on the roads around this time of the year. Innocently, they may not be aware of the dangers surrounding roads, pavements and traffic and will unsurprisingly be more concerned with playing and exploring this new environment. So we’ve teamed up with Discount Car Parts Online, the UK’s leading supplier of car and service parts with over 50 years’ experience in the motor industry, to guide parents on how to keep their children safe when near roads this festive season.

Slips & Falls  These are the most common injuries sustained, not just by children and can lead serious injuries, not exactly the way you want to start the new year. In fact, the Hospital Episode Statistics for England stated that there were over 7,000 patient admissions to hospitals across the UK in 2012/13 as a results of falls, trips and slips on ice and snow.

Clothing & Footwear Make sure your kids:

• Wear appropriate footwear that is sturdy, waterproof and has good grip for traction.
• Wear appropriate clothing and wrap up warm in layers. Make sure scarfs, gloves and clothing are not loosely hung causing tripping hazards.
• Do not wander from your sight – especially near traffic or built-up areas. Breaking distances are significantly increased in icy conditions so give them fluorescent bibs or brightly coloured clothing to wear.

Terrain Keep an eye out for uneven or unpredictable terrain and steer your children away from passing that way if possible. Consider minimising the need to go out or plan a safe route that you know will be suitably gritted with good visibility. Avoid slopes, steps and hills that may not have been treated. Take your children to secure and safe play areas and parks to run around in the snow and let off some steam. Why not organise to go with a group of friends and their kids – many sets of eyes are better than one!

Take Your Time Finally, the most important thing to remember is that you tell children to take their time in wintry conditions. All children are filled with boundless energy and often prefer to run or rush when excited. Lead by example and give yourself plenty of time to reach destinations, wherever it may be, so that you are not rushing for time yourself.

A combination of all these tips will ensure that you and your family stay safe this winter. It can easy to forget just how dangerous snowy and icy conditions can be and it’s important to constantly remind kids and teens about how to stay safe. The last thing you want to do is start the new year by taking a trip to A & E, so take precautions, be prepared and stay safe during the winter time.

Blogger Phil Warrington pens safety tips to keeping kids and your children safe near roads in wintry conditions in association with Discount Car Parts Online.

Ford Ecosport Policia in Argentina December 2013

* Many thanks to my dear Mum and Dad for this report! *

Thanks to my dear parents backpacking across South America, I can share with you today an exotic Photo Report, just to smooth into 2014 nicely. Just click on the images to enlarge them. Hope you enjoy!

Renault Duster in Patagonia, Argentina December 2013

Toyota Hilux x 4 in Chile December 2013

Ford F-250 in Puerto Montt, Chile December 2013 – Calbuco volcano in the background

Renault Fluence Policia in Brazil December 2013

Daihatsu Rocky in Puerto Montt, Chile December 2013 

Nowadays huge amounts of information are stored online and it can be a nightmare to find exactly what you want. Vertical search engines, also called aggregators, filter and give appropriate relevance to the content that might otherwise be lost among the millions of potential results from a generic search.

As such, aggregators have become a powerful force on the web, and more and more web surfers use aggregators to access detailed product information to assist them on elaborated and high value purchase decisions. Some of the most searched categories include property, car and job classifieds. And this is where Mitula comes into play.

mitula was created in January 2008 by 3 internet visionaries who previously created Globaliza.com, the first real estate portal in Spain. mitula is an international vertical search engine for car, property and job classifieds. It aggregates and lists ads from many different specialized portals. A single click enables users to freely access detailed information matching their search. Countries covered by mitula include Spain, Italy, the UK, Germany, the US, France, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, the Netherlands, Brazil, China, India, Canada, Australia and 22 other countries, more being added constantly.

Today mitula comprises the combined skills and experience of its reference partners, together with their ability to put together a winning team of over 50 young talented people. Their energy, open-mindedness, efficiency and extensive international multicultural background are the heart and soul of mitula’s hallmarks.

Discover Mitula here.