New Magentis Adds To Kia's Fleet Firepower

Kia plans an aggressive fleet marketing policy with the all-new Magentis as it seeks to build on the 59% rise achieved in its fleet sales during 2005.

Magentis begins Kia’s assault on the fleet market that will be followed up by two all new MPVs and a new C-segment car, putting the Korean company in position to further increase its 1.2% market share.

Alex Smith, Commercial Director of Kia Motors (UK) Limited said: "Our growth last year was due to Kia branching into the contract hire market and providing dealer contract hire solutions as well as focussing on increasing residual values. Magentis is set to continue this growth by targeting user-choosers and small businesses with a competitive offering encompassing maximum value with low operating costs.

"For the first time Magentis is available with a highly efficient common-rail turbodiesel engine and with carbon dioxide (CO2) output of 162g/km placing it in the 22% benefit-in-kind (BIK) band and costing the tax payer just £62.50 a month to drive the GS model."

Kia's new diesel is a second-generation common-rail unit with a variable geometry turbocharger contributing towards highly-competitive power and torque outputs of 138bhp and 305Nm. With a six-speed manual gearbox it is capable of 47.0mpg on the combined cycle.

The two petrol engines available in new Magentis – a brand-new four-cylinder 2.0 and a much-altered V6 of 2.7 litres – also offer reduced running costs.

That same driver would be only marginally worse off by choosing the highly-efficient petrol 2.0-litre. Kia's new Theta engine develops 143bhp and 189Nm and, in five-speed manual form, does 36.7mpg on the combined cycle while producing 184g/km of CO2 in GS trim. That puts it in the 23% BIK band.

Compare that with the 2.0-litre engine in the old Magentis, which had less power and torque but covered only 32.8mpg on the combined cycle. Meanwhile, a CO2 output of 204g/km saw it rated at 27% for BIK.

The 185bhp 2.7-litre V6 also comes out well compared with the previous 2.5-litre V6 in the old Magentis. It is significantly smoother, more powerful and offers more torque and has a five-speed automatic gearbox as standard, all contributing towards greater performance. Yet it is more than 3mpg more efficient and sits in the same 31% BIK band.

The new V6 will also save operators money on routine servicing. Over 60,000 miles, scheduled costs are more than £350 lower than those for the 2.5-litre V6, while the new 2.0-litre petrol reduces servicing bills by more than £110 over the same mileage compared with its predecessor.

Value all down the line

Kia's unbeatable value for money is evident throughout the range, even accounting for the substantial improvements to every aspect of the car when compared with the outgoing model.

And the fleet 'bibles' are predicting that residual values will be much better than those of best-selling competitors like the Vauxhall Vectra, Ford Mondeo and
Mazda 6, and close to those of the best in class. Glass's Guide expects a 32% retained value for the diesel over 60,000 miles, and 31% for the 2.0-litre petrol.

The full range is:

• 2.0 GS manual (5-speed) - £14,495
• 2.0 CRDi GS manual (6-speed) - £15,495
• 2.0 LS manual (5-speed) - £15,995
• 2.0 LS automatic (4-speed) - £16,995
• 2.0 CRDi LS manual (6-speed) - £16,995
• 2.0 CRDi LS automatic (4-speed) - £17,995
• 2.7 V6 LS automatic (5-speed) - £17,495

Zipp! Into Something More Comfortable This Summer

Kia has introduced two scorching special edition Picantos to this summer’s line-up. The Picanto Zipp! and Zipp+ both feature a panoramic electric folding canvas sunroof which, at the touch of a button, gives Kia customers a breath of fresh air.

Paul Williams, managing director of Kia Motors (UK) Limited said: “The Zipp! models combine the versatility of the Picanto with the feeling of freedom which no other vehicle in this sector can offer at a starting price of just £6,995.”

The discreet Webasto full-length sunroof has two pre-programmable settings and can be retracted to any position to provide varying degrees of sunlight and warm summer breeze into the vehicle. If it gets too hot, simply close the roof using the one-touch panel and flick on the air conditioning which comes as standard on the Zipp+ model.

The 1.0-litre Zipp! comes with all the benefits of the existing Picanto GS which in addition to the unique canvas roof, also offers ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), twin airbags and CD audio with MP3 player.

For only £500 extra, customers can enjoy the 1.1-litre Zipp+ which gives the open-top specification of the Zipp! as well as extras such as a leather steering wheel, body coloured side mouldings and remote central door locking. Customers preferring an automatic transmission on the Zipp+ can pick one up for only £7,995.

The Kia Picanto Zipp Limited Edition is available in scarlet red and cobalt blue and in addition to these colours, the Zipp+ adds Galaxy Black and Liquid Silver. Both Zipp! models are currently offered with one year’s free insurance.

Full Pricing and line-up is as follows:

• Picanto 1.0 Zipp! £6,995
• Picanto 1.1 Zipp+ £7,495
• Picanto 1.1 Zipp+ Auto £7,995
  

Metallic/Mica paint is available for an extra £325 on all Zipp! models

Northern Promise For Petch

In 2005 Stephen Petch Junior finished on the podium of the production class, in the Pirelli Rally. As the rally opens the 2006 Tesco 99 Octane Pirelli Rally Championship, Stephen will be hoping for a repeat performance.

In 2006 the expensive World Rally Cars have been banned from the championship and now the Group N 'showroom specials' will be the headline act. As such Stephen & co-driver Michael Wilkinson are hoping the recent upgrade to a Mitsubishi Evo IX is just what they need to compete with the likes of the 7 previous British Rally Champions whom are also entered this weekend.

Despite limited testing in the car young Petch is confident of a good run. "The car is absolutely awesome. I've only done the Manx in it so far, and my pre-event preparations for that consisted of a couple of miles to make sure my seat was in the correct position!" Stephen then went on to set some very impressive top 3 times in the production class on the event before a faulty fuel injector sidelined their charge. However his pace certainly bodes well for when the British Rally Championship returns to the island later this year.

A brief but successful gravel test in the run up to the Pirelli has given Stephen additional confidence and he is now looking forward to Saturday morning when the flag drops at the start of the first stage. "I really love Kielder. The stages suit my driving style and I went really well there last year, so we are hoping for a good result."

The 2 day Pirelli rally is based in Carlisle and begins at 8 am on Saturday morning. Catering for spectators, the cars will visit a special 'P zero' spectator stage a total of 3 times over the 2 days as well as experiencing some of the toughest forest stages in Europe.

As well as contesting the full British Rally Championship Stephen will also be competing in the ANCRO Gravel Rally Championship in his SGPetch Motorsport run Mitsubishi Evo IX.

More information on Stephen can be found by visiting their Motorsport site.

The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Comes to Silverstone

This weekend (5, 6, 7 May 2006) the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli starts the European Championship at the home of British Motorsport in Silverstone.

Featuring 50 of the all-new Ferrari F430 Challenge racing cars it will be an action-packed weekend as the Ferrari drivers have the first chance to see how the new car will match their driving style in a tough competitive environment with drivers from across the world.

The deep-throated roar of the F430 Challenge’s 490hp V8 engine will be heard throughout the weekend as the British team sets out on the road to take the championship crown after missing out with 2nd place last year.

Ferrari GB Managing Director Massimo Fedeli said: ‘The Ferrari Challenge is the ultimate expression of luxury lifestyle racing and through the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB we offer clients a real racing experience by combining the knowledge of our own dealers and the UK’s unique racing heritage. Whilst our clients will all enjoy the racing experience with only the best hospitality and entertainment in our new suite at Brooklands, we are serious in our aim to win the championship starting with our home race in Silverstone.’

The opening round of the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli this weekend will also see the unveiling of Ferrari’s brand new suite at the world famous Silverstone racing circuit. Ferrari’s guests will be able to enjoy the racing from the Brooklands Suite, a purpose built luxury facility with the best views across the circuit and the finest Italian hospitality.

The Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli is the world’s most exclusive single-make racing series created as the perfect outlet for Ferrari owners who want to race. The 2006 season includes races in the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, climaxing at the World Finals in Italy all delivered in the style and luxury associated with any Ferrari occasion.

In a three-car team this weekend the Ferrari Challenge Dealer Team GB will look to get on the podium with the backing of three of the UK’s Ferrari dealers: Graypaul of Nottingham, HR Owen in London and Maranello Sales Ltd in Egham, Surrey.

Driving for Ferrari Dealer Team GB will be Ross Kaiser and Phil Andrews in the Trofeo Pirelli and Borislav Maletić in the Coppa Shell.

Aston Martin Reveals James Bond's DBS For "Casino Royale"

Aston Martin has unveiled the new DBS which will be driven by James Bond, the legendary British secret agent, in the next 007 film, “CASINO ROYALE”, to be produced by Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli for EON Productions.

In true Bond style, specific details of the new DBS remain top secret, although Aston Martin Design Director, Marek Reichman, said: “This car encapsulates a link between our elegant DB9 road car and the powerful DBR9 race car. It signals an evolutionary development of Aston Martin’s world renowned style and elegance.

“While hinting at our future design direction, the DBS also has very clear links with our heritage – it is instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin.”

Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez added: “The DBS continues our proud and lengthy association with James Bond.

“The DBS is not of the understated elegance of a DB9, nor the youthful agility of the V8 Vantage. It is explosive power in a black tie and has its own unique character which will equal that of James Bond.”

Starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, “CASINO ROYALE” is scheduled for release in November, 2006.

Ascari Heads For The Hollywood Hills

Banbury based supercar manufacturer, Ascari, has topped a public vote to find the star car for the forthcoming Hollywood adaptation of the 70’s crime caper, the Persuaders.

Hosted by CAR magazine on behalf of the movie’s producers, Brass Hat Films, the vote asked the motoring public to select their supercar of choice from a list including Lamborghini, Ferrari and Aston Martin. Notching up a victory for the underdog, Ascari stole the vote, with the stunning KZ1 now readying itself for its big screen appearance alongside some of tinsel town’s biggest stars.

Ben Stiller, Steve Coogan, Hugh Grant and George Clooney are just some of the names tipped to fill the legendry shoes of Tony Curtis and Roger Moore – the stars of the original TV series. Playing two millionaire playboys in the fight against crime, the new on screen heroes will follow on from where Curtis and Moore left off, with stylish clothes, exotic locations, beautiful girls and of course fast cars the order of the day. With 500bhp and a 200mph top speed, the Ascari should be more than a match for any would be villains when filming starts in summer 2007.

Built entirely of carbon fibre, the £235,000 Ascari KZ1 is the UK supercar industry at its finest. Mating stunning performance with everyday usability, the Ascari has the presence and looks to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s best, with its bespoke interior and hand crafted bodywork a testament to the team of craftsman and technicians based at the company’s Banbury HQ.

On hearing the news, Ascari Sales and Marketing Director, Chris Burton, said, "The whole team is obviously delighted. It’s a great result for us and I’d just like to say a big thank you to the readers of CAR for their votes. To have the KZ1 immortalised in celluloid, particularly in a movie with such strong British heritage, is a huge honour for Ascari. The premier can’t come soon enough."