The rise in popularity of car finance has had the wonderful effect of providing an attractive alternative to spending vast sums of money on a new car. However, it’s definitely worth checking out the various forms of car finance before you enter into a deal, since all are geared towards specific situations and may have their potential advantages or drawbacks according to your own set of circumstances. After all, a new car is a significant financial commitment.

First up is Personal Contract Purchase, or PCP. PCP packages are hugely popular, since they give the customer the option of owning a car while paying for it in manageable monthly instalments. It effectively entails you financing your car over a three or four year period before paying one slightly larger lump sum at the end, when the car becomes yours.

One thing to take into account, though, is that PCP deals mean you’ll inevitable incur the cost of depreciation. It’s best you weigh up which means more to you; owning a car outright after an affordable payment plan, or holding onto a bit of extra cash in the future when it comes to upgrading or trading in.

Next up is car leasing, again a really popular form of car finance in recent years. Car leasing works in a similar fashion to PCP, but instead of walking away at the end of the payment plan with the same car, you simply hand in the keys and upgrade to the latest model.

This means that you won’t own the vehicle outright, but you will avoid the damaging cost of depreciation. Recent figures from the AA suggest that cars lose about 60% of their worth over the first three years of their time on the road. By investing in a car leasing arrangement, you can happily go about your business knowing that you’ll have access to another premium motor at the end of the leasing period without losing money on your current vehicle.

Finally, there’s contract hire. Contract hire works in exactly the same way as car leasing, but is specifically designed for business users. In other words, if your company is in need of a fleet of the latest cars off the production line, then contract hire packages can deliver the most recent models on an affordable payment plan.

Not only will your business be served by fantastic vehicles – presenting a good front to your customers up and down the country – but you’ll remove the cost of depreciation from the balance sheets, plus save loads of money on tax if the cars are used exclusively for business purposes.

So, there’s no doubt that car finance can provide you with a great means of getting your hands on the latest premium model at an affordable price. Like everything, though, it’s worth considering each, subtly different form of deal before you take the plunge – one of them is almost certainly ideal for you, now you’ve just got to work out which!

Porsche has confirmed that it will launch a new ‘baby SUV’ called the Macan that’s going to sit alongside its hugely popular cousin in the company garages, the Cayenne. The performance car manufacturer released a teaser video on YouTube offering prospective car finance customers a glimpse of its new SUV, which is expected to be based on the Audi Q5. However, it’ll feature bespoke Porsche extras such as suspension and damper upgrades to offer a sports car feel.

According to Bernhard Maier, member of the Executive Board Sales and Marketing of Porsche, the Macan “combines all sports car characteristics with the benefits of a SUV”. This will be music to the ears of people wanting performance cars on finance deals that offer the qualities of a SUV, such as a commanding driving position and large interior space.

When it comes to styling, it’ll come as no surprise that the Macan will be unmistakably Porsche, featuring lights and lines very similar to the Cayenne. Inside it’ll be plusher than the Q5, and will incorporate an interior similar to the Panamera super-saloon.

Power will be courtesy of a range of new engines, including a pair of 2.0 four cylinder turbo engines offering a diesel or petrol option. Top of the line Macan car finance packages will have either a 3.0 V6 petrol or 3.0 TDI diesel to choose from. Expect the Macan to be available on car finance deals from 2013 onwards.

Maybe your budget is a bit more modest or a SUV might not be to your taste. Instead, you may want to go for something that’s super stylish or a little more environmentally-friendly. If so, then the Chrysler Ypsilon might well be worth a second look.

Don’t let the badge fool you – while it might say Chrysler on the back, the Ypsilon is not a dim-witted American gas-guzzler. In actual fact, it’s a rebadged Lancia; a famous Italian manufacturer who pulled out of the British market in the mid-1990s.

Thankfully, Italian car makers have proved themselves countless times in the supermini market, and the stylish looking Ypsilon is yet another success story. It has been a popular model in Europe for many years now, and its latest incarnation brings Italian soul and fantastic manufacturing. Chrysler has announced a new limited edition Ypsilon for customers looking for stylish small cars on finance that offer plenty of added goodies, called the ‘Black&Red’.

The Black&Red is so called as it comes in a two-tone black and red paint job, resembling the million dollar Bugatti Veyron’s most popular house colours. Standard features include body kits, alloys, special interior trim along with air conditioning, Bluetooth and a posh stereo.

Perhaps you’d prefer your next car finance deal to include something a little sportier. Well, if that’s the case then Mazda may well be the brand to look towards. If you’re looking to finance cars to have fun and a sporty feeling, the MX-5 offers great value for money.

The MX-5 Venture is available now with leather, climate control and alloy detailing inside as well as classy wheels, cruise control and a sat nav system, bringing all the creature comforts sometimes absent on other models in the MX-5 range. Be sure to check it out if open-top motoring thrills is your thing.

Once again, it’ll only be available in estate form and is based on the current A4 Avant. Unlike the normal A4 though, there will be a fire breathing 444bhp 4.2 litre V8 under the bonnet, which also stars in the RS5 coupé and which deals with 0-62mph in a mere 4.7 seconds. It’s surely going to become a popular choice for drivers looking for lively cars on finance that will blow many bespoke sports cars out of the water.

Top speed on the RS4 will be limited to 155mph but, without the limiter, Audi claims its speedy estate can top 174mph. Fuel economy isn’t always the biggest concern when considering performance cars on finance, but the seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox will help nudge the miles per gallon figure north of 25. It may not sound impressive, but for a car of this nature it’s a decent return. The RS4 also features aggressive body styling and lowered suspension for that extra sporty experience. Audi says that the RS4 will be available on car finance deals sometime within the coming months.

If you require a more practical set of wheels for your next car finance deal, you could do a lot worse than the Land Rover Freelander. Land Rover is enjoying great success at the moment, buoyed by strong export sales. The Freelander has proved to be a popular choice in the small off-road cars on finance market, and Land Rover is planning to add some tweaks to the existing model to keep it ahead of its rivals.

The Freelander looks much the same as the existing model, but with subtle changes such as a new grill that looks similar to the one that adorns the front of the Range Rover Evoque. Also coming will be a new 2.2 diesel engine and some interior upgrades in both quality and equipment. It’s believed that the new Freelander will be previewed at the Paris Motor Show later this year.

Meanwhile Hyundai plans to inject its family cars with a dose of pizazz with the announcement that there’ll be sporty versions of its i30 and i40 coming out soon. Both cars will most likely use technology first shown in the Veloster sports car, such as its 1.6 litre turbo engine and the gearbox of the i30. While Hyundai represents a sensible choice for people looking for practical and reliable cars on finance, the new sports models should add some desirability to the brand.

The i40 will be buffed up with aggressive body kits and wings to offer an alternative to the top of the range Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insigna. Stiffer suspension is also on the cards, which Hyundai hopes will turn its saloon into something a bit more special.

Car leasing has rapidly become one of the most popular forms of car finance in the UK in recent years. People looking to get their hands on a brand new car as cheaply as possible have been seduced by the large savings car leasing can offer, as well as the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a posh car that might’ve been out of their budget range previously.

Of course, you might think that, in a perfect world, you’d be able to save up the cash in full and go out and buy a car without resorting to car finance. However, going down that route is time consuming and can end up costing you a lot of money that you’re more than likely going to lose through depreciation. The average car in the UK loses over 50% of its value in its first two years, so why would you buy one for cash only to lose half of it within a couple of years? It’s a lot of money that you’ll never get back.

Car finance, on the other hand, allows you to break down the expense into more manageable monthly payments. You can either use car finance to buy your car, like on a personal contract purchase (PCP) agreement, or you can lease your car for an agreed period of time. Car leasing might seem like a strange concept to some people, but its advantages can be very attractive.

Firstly, since you don’t own the car, you don’t lose those great chunks of cash on depreciation like you would when buying a car for cash. You simply pay a fixed monthly fee for the use of the car over an agreed period, which is typically three or four years. When the agreement is over, you might be able to buy the car outright or you can hand back the keys to the leasing company and upgrade to the latest model. Alternatively, you could change to something bigger or sportier should you so wish.

What’s more, car leasing allows you to get your hands on something a bit more premium at an affordable price, like an Audi or a BMW. As these cars have strong residual values over their lifetime, the leasing company can pass the savings onto the leasing customer.

This idea works in a similar way to contract hire arrangements, a method of car leasing used by businesses. Contract hire packages allow businesses to keep expensive depreciating assets off their balance sheet, get access to tax breaks and allow them to keep a modern, up to date fleet of cars that reflects well on the company’s image.

So, if you’re looking to get your hands on a new car and save a large chunk of cash while you’re doing it, make sure you look at all the car finance options to find out which one may best suit you. In these times of belt tightening, contract hire, PCP and car leasing really could give you access to a brand new, premium vehicle while keeping a lot of money safely tucked up in your pocket.

BMW has pointed both barrels at the performance car market with its decision to launch the stunning M6 at the prestigious Geneva Motor Show next month.

The M6 rests at the top of the tree for the 6 Series coupe and convertible, borrowing the genes of the more practical M5 and wrapping it up in a sleeker body. Lighter than its saloon brother, the M6 slingshots from 0 to 62 in just 4.2 seconds. Designed to take on the likes of the Jaguar XKR-S, the M6 is well worth the consideration of those seeking high performance cars on finance.

While its performance figures take the new generation M6 to new heights, BMW’s engineers have also been hard at work improving the efficiency of the sporty grand tourer. The 4.4 litre twin turbo V8 is 30% more efficient than the outgoing V10, and returns a respectable 28.5 mpg for the coupe and 27.4 mpg for the convertible.

Another plus point for anyone considering the M6 on a car finance deal is its large amount of interior space and cavernous boot. If you want a car finance package that combines superb performance with fantastic practicality, then the M6 will definitely be worth a look when it hits British roads in September.

The Ford B-Max is also preparing for its big launch at Geneva amid much fanfare. Ford has leaked some more details about the practical family bus, which is sure to be popular amongst parents looking for family cars on finance.

One feature likely to be a big hit is the new ‘Easy Access Door System’, which allows for an unobstructed 1.5 metre wide opening on either side of the car. The new function will allow easy entrance and exit for passengers, as well as the smoother installation of any extra equipment such as a child’s seat.

The B-pillar is incorporated into the rear door, allowing for the large access and loading space. The B-Max is due to go on sale in the UK in September, with more details on specs and engines to be revealed in Geneva.

Meanwhile, Saab owners have had legitimate cause for concern in recent weeks following the bankruptcy of the Swedish car firm. There are over 188,000 Saab drivers in the UK, and following the news of the manufacturer’s demise there have been questions about the availability of parts to keep existing cars on the road.

Thankfully, drivers who purchased Saab car finance deals in the past can rest assured that replacement parts will be available to keep their vehicles going in the UK for a long time yet. A new company called Saab Automobile Parks UK Ltd began trading last month, providing genuine Saab parts to customers, while there are 87 Saab authorised specialists throughout the UK who have the knowledge to look after the quirky Swedish models.

Volkswagen has unveiled plans to launch a hot GTI version of its Golf Cabriolet, with its debut pencilled in for the Geneva Motor Show in March. It sees VW harking back to its early 1980s roots, as no GTI version of its Golf convertibles has been available since the Mark I trendsetter. Sure to be popular on car finance deals, the GTI Cabriolet is likely to be the last hurrah for the current generation Golf before its replacement arrives in 2013.

The new GTI drop-top will benefit from the same 208bhp 2.0 turbocharged engine available in the standard Golf GTI, along with stiffer suspension for those who love affordable performance cars on finance deals. It’ll also get other GTI signature items such as interior trim, six speed manual and DSG gearboxes, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Golf has always had an air of quality and class about it, and the Cabriolet brings that package together – with the added bonus of being able to take the top down. It’s probably impossible to find a classier car for less money, making the Golf a bargain for those looking for practical but playful cars on finance.

If you like the classy quality of the VW Golf with added open top fun, you’ll be glad to hear that it should be available on VW finance from September.

Another car coming soon from the Volkswagen group – and another much loved premium motor – is the next generation Audi TT. The TT won over legions of fans with its groundbreaking looks when it was first launched in the late 90s. The design has evolved over the years and the German brand is gearing up to make the new TT the sharpest yet.

Although it won’t be launched until early 2014, the engineers at Audi are already at an advanced stage of design and promise that it’ll be a performance coupe as well as a poser mobile. The styling is still in the spirit of previous TTs, with sharper lines and a more purposeful stance integrated into the design.

Audi is looking to close the gap on the Porsche Boxter in the handling stakes, with the VW group stable-mate still the performance benchmark when it comes to cars in this sector. This will mean upgraded suspension and engines, though the idea is to keep the everyday usability of the TT intact. Always a popular choice amongst customers looking for super stylish cars on finance, the TT is sure to be a big hit.

Finally, from the good looking to the not so attractive; Kia recently showed off its new Track’ster concept at the Chicago Motor Show.  The concept is based on its interesting looking Soul, but features upgraded internals to push the power up to hot-hatch status. The engineers behind the beefed-up design wanted to create a tough car that resembled a bulldog. Unfortunately for those dog lovers out there who wouldn’t mind introducing a bit of canine edge to their daily transport, there are no plans as yet to offer the Track’ster to the public.

Kia has taken great strides in recent years to prove to us that its cars are of high quality and genuine alternatives to the usual suspects coming out of Japan and Germany. The highly competitive supermini market is one area where the Korean company has been particularly keen to prove its worth, and a Kia Picanto lease deal might just surprise you in quite a number of ways.

Part of Kia’s appeal is the great deals and extras it offers on its cars compared to its rivals, such as a highly impressive seven-year warranty. No other manufacturer offers such a warranty, giving you the confidence that a Kia Picanto leasing arrangement will be a sound and dependable deal.

But is the Picanto any good? It certainly has its work cut out for it when competing against the likes of the Ford Fiesta, which was Britain’s bestselling car in 2011, and other favourites such as the Vauxhall Corsa and the Toyota Yaris. Thankfully, a fairly recent redesign has freshened up the looks of the Korean city car. Borrowing styling cues from the Cee’d and Sportage has worked well, so you can rest assured that if you go for a Kia Picanto lease deal you’ll be getting a cute little car.

A low insurance group for the base 999cc model means that a Kia Picanto lease deal is likely to be a big hit with new drivers, and Kia Picanto contract hire packages will win over corporate fans with its low fuel consumption of 67.3mpg. A highly impressive CO2 figure of just 99g/km will also be of great news to companies interested in Kia Picanto contract hire deals.

Inside, the Picanto is a spacious little car, with neat packaging allowing for good headroom and legroom for passengers front and rear. A 200 litre boot will swallow up that weekly shop too, which will be music to the ears of mums looking for something easy to drive and simple to park at the supermarket.

On the road the Kia is eager to please, with plenty of feel in the corners and its lightweight nature brought out in the bends as it fizzes along. The ride quality is class leading, and would put you in mind of a much more expensive car.

The engines are also to be found in the Hyundai i10 range and are quite impressive. Along with the base 999cc engine, there’s a 1.25 four pot petrol unit that offers a bit more grunt. The result is 84bhp, and a still very impressive 65.7mpg fuel figure and just 100g/km CO2, once again great news for prospective Kia Picanto contract hire arrangement clients.

The build quality of the Picanto is of a good standard, although the quality of the interior trim and fittings perhaps could’ve been better. Most rivals come with air conditioning as standard throughout the range, whereas the Picanto is sadly lacking in this department on the base model. However, these minor issues aside, a Kia Picanto leasing deal is definitely a good bet if you’re looking for an affordable urban runabout.

The quality of your average family hatchback has come on considerably in recent years, with better workmanship, higher levels of extras offered as standard and increased safety ratings. These improvements have seen the once humdrum family hatchback become a world-beater. However, while many of them are brilliant, they still haven’t got the edge when it comes to excitement, style and passion.

Thankfully, you can get all of this with an Alfa Romeo Giulietta lease arrangement. Italians have always been famed for their stylish and pretty cars, but also equally known for investing in poor build quality. Mercifully, if the Giulietta is anything to go by, those troubles seem to have been put behind manufacturers such as Alfa.

From the outside it’s stunning, with beautiful curves and creases. With an Alfa Romeo Giulietta leasing deal, you’ll be getting your hands on one of the most affordably stylish cars on the road today.  If you’re looking for a fleet of cars to help your company stand out from the crowd, then an Alfa Romeo Giulietta contract hire deal might be the perfect answer.

The style continues inside, with hand-stitched Italian leather an option and high quality materials used throughout. It’s perfectly practical too, with good rear headroom and legroom as well as a large 350 litre boot – perfect for those considering an Alfa Romeo Giulietta leasing arrangement who have to take into account a family.

There are a whole host of neat detailing and touches too. The satnav screen pops out of the dash with added extras such as a G-meter and a sporty display showing throttle input and turbo boost levels – perfect for the sporty-minded driver interested in an Alfa Romeo Giulietta lease deal.

You can also switch the ‘DNA’ of the car, with settings for ‘dynamic’, ‘normal’ and ‘all-weather’, so the Giulietta can cope with whatever you or the road can throw at it. It also has a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension system made mostly from aluminium, which Alfa claims saves up to 10kg compared to its rivals.

With all this superb driver-focused technology, you’d expect that if you went for an Alfa Romeo Giulietta leasing arrangement you’d be getting a driver’s car. You’d be right – it feels sharp, responsive and alive in the corners, rides well and sounds great. The TCT gearbox option uses technology developed by Ferrari for its California Spyder, adding further plus points to the car.

The power line up is also impressive, with a host of diesel and petrol engines to choose from. There are those that think it’s sacrilege to have a diesel Alfa Romeo, but the diesel options are very good. They range from the 104bhp, 1.6 JTDM to thee 2.0 JTDM offering 168bhp. All offer great CO2 figures and fuel economy, which is great news for Alfa Romeo Giulietta contract hire package clients looking to keep their fleet’s running costs low.

Petrol engines are equally kind to the environment, with the base 1.4 turbo offering either 118bhp or 168bhp depending on spec. There’s also a hot Cloverleaf version, with a 1.75 turbo putting out 232bhp.

So, if you want a practical hatch with some Italian flair, style and soul, then an Alfa Romeo finance deal may just be the perfect option for you.

Iconic British car maker Jaguar has been roaring from strength to strength in recent years, with strong export lead sales and a fresh approach to new models under the guidance of parent company Tata driving the company on. New factories have been developed to help with increasing demand, including a new small facility this week that opened in Coventry.

The Bladon Jets Engineering Centre may sound like something unrelated to building cars, but Jaguar plans to use the small factory to develop a new type of engine for their forthcoming C-X75 sports car, planned for launch in 2015. A crack team will be tasked with building small gas turbines, which work in a very similar way to jet engines. While it may sound exciting to get a Jaguar finance deal that includes a jet engine under the bonnet, Jaguar maintains that the new technology has several different benefits, not just high speed.

The micro gas turbines are very light, weighing about 35kg each, and have fewer moving parts than conventional engines, which will mean less break downs. The gas turbine will combine with a series of electric motors to power the wheels, meaning a high amount of performance, an impressive (for a performance car) fuel range of 560 miles and a mere 28g/km CO2.

So, if you’re interested in environmentally-friendly performance cars on finance, you’ll watch the developments at Jaguar with interest over the next couple of years. If you’d prefer a more conventional set up for your next car finance package, then you’ll be delighted to know that the gorgeous Jaguar will also come with the option of a conventional petrol engine developed by the Williams Formula One team.

While new technology is a great way to pique the interest of future car finance customers, some manufacturers also use limited edition models as a way to entice new buyers looking for fully loaded cars on finance. Nissan has decided to liven up its Juke with the limited edition Shiro. While the looks of the Juke may be an acquired taste, it seems to have been a big hit for Nissan, especially amongst women attracted to its SUV features like a chunky body and commanding driving position.

The new Juke Shiro comes in two colours – black or ‘nightshade’. It’s based on the ‘Tekna’ spec level and features leather interiors and a whole host of standard equipment to keep you occupied and comfortable. There’ll be a choice of three engines when the Shiro arrives in March, including a 1.5 diesel, 1.6 petrol and a 1.6 turbo petrol unit.

Another limited edition model coming your way is the Mini ‘Highgate’ convertible. We previously brought you news of two new London inspired Mini limited editions, with the ever-popular car firm announcing the Highgate to offer the option of a convertible to those interested in fashionable Minis on finance. The Highgate will come with a choice of two colours, exclusive alloy wheels, leather interiors and chrome detailing to add to the exclusive package. Highgate trim will be available on the Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper D and Cooper SD cabrios from March.

Buying a new car can be a difficult process accompanied by a good old dose of reality. We all want to pick up our dream car, drive off with it and be done. However, sometimes our budget or circumstances mean that our favoured vehicle is quite simply off limits. Maybe it’s a luxury saloon or a sporty little number – either way, all too often we’re forced to put it to the back of our minds and settle for something else.

However, there might not be a need to settle for second best, as paying for your dream car will be made easier on a car finance deal. You might be under the impression that in order to buy a new car, you have to save up your cash and hand it over to a car dealer. But there’s no need to do this, since the concept of car finance allows you to pay for a car over an agreed period on much more affordable terms.

Car finance itself has so many different options to suit everybody. Car leasing is the newest kid on the car finance block, and has risen quickly to become one of Britain’s favourite methods to get a new car.

But what does car leasing actually entail? Well, it allows you to lease a car for an agreed period of time during which you pay a fixed sum of money each month. After the lease period ends, you hand the keys back and upgrade yourself to the latest model. You might even have the option to buy the car you were using at the end of the lease period if you’ve become attached to it.

While you might think that not owning your car is a bad thing, it actually has the benefit of saving you money since you bypass the damaging costs of depreciation. The average car in the UK loses over half its value in depreciation alone in its first two years. Car leasing allows you to avoid such pain as well as allowing you to pick up a premium car that may have been out of your budget reach previously, like an Audi or BMW, as they hold their value more. The savings are pretty generous and are certainly worth checking out, since they could get you that dream motor after all.

Contract hire packages work in a similar way to car leasing, but are tailored to business users. Again, contract hire deals have loads of advantages over firms opting to buy a fleet of cars.  A company can claim back the VAT in full if the car is for just business use, or 50% if the car will see some private use too. Another distinct advantage of contract hire arrangements is that they keep depreciating assets off the balance sheet, and they last for an agreed period of time so a company can keep their fleet modern and up to date.

So, if you want to get your hands on something new, classy and reliable on very attractive terms, be sure to investigate the car finance options that suit you.