Posts Tagged ‘Mini finance’

Jaguar experiments with new engine technology, limited edition Juke and Mini

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

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.

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New Minis, Kia launch new showroom design, …

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

Popular car brand Mini is launching two limited-edition models in March. Both new models will have plenty of extra kit and are sure to be big hits with Mini car finance customers. It looks like Mini is keen to cash in on their British heritage, with the two models called the Bayswater and Baker Street.

The Bayswater will come in a choice of three colours, depending on the model variant. ‘Kite Blue’ metallic is standard across the range, with ‘Midnight Black’ metallic and ‘Eclipse Grey’ metallic available on Cooper S and Cooper SD engine variants. There’s extra sporty trim on the inside and outside of the new model, with snazzy alloy wheels and added equipment unique to this line. This extra equipment is likely to make the Bayswater a tempting package for people looking at Minis on car finance deals, ensuring they get plenty of bang for their buck.

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The Knowledge: car sales figures growth fuelled by exciting new Audis and Minis

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

Despite traditionally being a quiet month for sales, August has seen the first rise in new car sales in the UK in 13 months, rising to 7.3% over July’s figures. The positive growth in sales is also being reflected by some of Europe’s top car manufacturers, with Audi CEO Rupert Stadler stating that the popular German firm ‘will clear the bar of 1.2 million sales cleanly, perhaps with some air in between’. Mini are also reporting positive growth for their brand with the BMW subsidiary on course to top 270,000 sales this year.

Both companies are keen to capitalise on their strong sales figures by continuing their aggressive sales strategies and offering up more new and exciting cars which will soon be available for you to drive away on attractive car finance deals.

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Car finance: a great way to sidestep depreciation

Monday, July 11th, 2011

The question of why car finance plans have steadily increased in popularity over the last ten years is a valid one. Is it the economy? Employment levels? Increased advertising from the auto industry? Perhaps it is all of these things and more.

What has undoubtedly been a factor in recent years – and will have contributed to the general public’s desire to change cars more regularly – is the manufacturers’ tendency to tailor model line-ups to accommodate demand from consumers. True, all the traditional variations of saloon, off-road, sports and hatchback cars are still in production, however the market now dictates that there must be a variant of each variant.

What this means is that there are now more cars available, and in turn more ways of getting cars on finance – so that even the most difficult to please of car finance sceptics will find a niche model and finance package that should meet their requirements perfectly.

For example, When BMW’s Mini was first released, it didn’t come with nearly as many variations and incarnations. Now, customers can choose from a wide range of models, including the Mini Clubman, which benefits from an extra door and longer wheelbase.

The Mini Countryman is bigger still, with a raised seating position and increased load space. Although it surely goes against everything a Mini should be, consumers are benefiting from the greater amount of variety – especially with so many affordable Mini finance deals available.

Mini are not the only manufacturer playing this game, with Mercedes offering its E-Class on car finance in either saloon, estate, coupe or cabriolet versions. Or, if these are too big, there is also the slightly smaller C-Class in saloon, estate, coupe or cabriolet versions.

With so many variations of finance cars on the market, and a whole host of car finance packages giving drivers an affordable, manageable way to pay for their new cars on a monthly instalment basis, the inflexibility and rigidity that car purchasing entailed in the past has now become obsolete. Customers no longer have to save for years towards a crippling down payment – and they don’t even have to assume full ownership of the car, unless this suits them.

Another contributor to the increasing popularity of car leasing plans - and cars on finance in general – in the UK, is the awareness of depreciation costs over three years of new cars. This has been brought into the public eye over the last few years, as the economy has slumped.

With many drivers trying to downgrade car class to free up some capital, it became apparent that over three years a new car can lose over 50% of its original value. The only way to get around this is to either purchase a classic car which may appreciate (like Chris Evans’ £12m Ferrari 250GT) or, for the regular person, simply let a car finance company take the depreciation risk for you.

Thanks to car finance plans, car buyers no longer have to swallow the bitter pill of initial outright purchase. With a range of great cars on finance, you can now spread the cost of your new car in a way that fits comfortably into your budget – and if you don’t want to own your car at the end of the lease period, you can trade it in for a shiny new model, alleviating the pain of depreciation.

The Knowledge: the new Mini, VW innovations and the speedy Nissan Leaf

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

In the news this week has been the forthcoming new model in the Mini range, the Mini coupe, as well as a record-breaking speed attempt by Nissan, albeit with a difference. Huge strides have also been made at VW this week as they have released details of an automatic driving system that bridges the gap between driver aids and automated driving capabilities.

Mini has launched details of their forthcoming Mini Coupe which, if you have been considering a Mini finance package, should certainly be on your radar. The car has been built with a brief of attracting more male customers to the Mini brand, and building on the success of the current range, which is already one of our most popular car finance brands.

Mini Coupe car finance deals will become available soon after the car’s release, which is scheduled for 1st October 2011. Early indications are that the basic version of the Coupe will be priced competitively with the Mini Cooper S hatchback offering some good Mini Leasing deals.

On a completely different note, Nissan is looking to get into the record books by setting new speed records at the forthcoming Festival of Speed at Goodwood. It is not with their record-breaking GTR supercar however, but incredibly the Nissan Leaf, which is unsurprisingly a very popular finance car option for electric vehicle enthusiasts.

The 2011 Car of the Year, which is looking to set two new records at this forthcoming Festival of Speed, is taking a slightly backwards approach, and will attempt to set the fastest time across the famous Goodwood hillclimb circuit, in reverse.

If you’re considering a Nissan leasing deal, you should know that your potential new car may also be able to do this, as unlike petrol engine cars, the Leaf’s electric powertrain can theoretically go as fast in reverse gear as it can in forward gears, allowing a top reversing speed of 90mph.

Lastly, VW have successfully developed a system that can effectively drive you home safely without you having to do any of the hard work. The system is called the Temporary Auto Pilot (TAP) and works by combining various other driving aids and packaging them up into the most advanced automatic driving system to date.

It incorporates cruise control with forward distance sensors, automatic speed reduction before a bend and monitors your central position within your lane on the motorway. It also observes overtaking rules and speed limits.

If you’re considering looking at VW finance options, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to spec TAP with your car in the immediate future. Don’t despair though – with this much research and development on the system it is only a matter of time before it becomes widely available across a range of finance cars.

Compare prices on cars on finance online to make sure you find the best deals. With a range of finance cars available and a host of monthly payment options, you could have your new car delivered direct to your door and make significant savings.

Mini Cooper: the marriage of a British concept and German precision

Monday, June 27th, 2011

The Mini Cooper has been a favourite of the UK car buyers market for over 50 years. Although it has changed substantially in that time, from the smallest car on the road to something significantly larger, it still bears the Mini name and carries it well. A Mini lease deal will still get you a car that delivers definite retro chic, so don’t worry.

The ‘new’ BMW Mini has been designed to resemble the original Rover version in every way, including the styling, handling and even the noise it makes from its gearbox. It also resembles the original in terms of driving dynamics, which is no bad thing, as anyone who grew up in the 1960s will tell you.

The Mini Cooper was the best handling car on the road, due to its light weight, small proportions and wheel-in-each-corner stance. For fans of old style motoring, a Mini Cooper car leasing plan – or Mini Cooper contract hire deal for businesses – may be the most affordable way to indulge that passion.

BMW’s Mini is unlikely to fail where the Rover Mini did, however, which was in impact protection, interior build quality, options and comfort levels. There was also the small matter of rust – if you parked it outside, you would have to watch as the panels beneath the headlights, doors, bootlid and the corners of the roof all dissolved into orange coloured bubbles. At the time this was considered quirky, although because of this, finding a good Rover Mini these days is about as tough as finding a needle in a haystack.

If you opt for a Mini Cooper car lease deal, there’s no need to be concerned about rusting, however – BMW have ensured that their new Minis will stay rust-free practically forever. And the improvements don’t stop there – with a Mini Cooper car lease deal you can choose either the manual or automatic model, and you will benefit from significantly more punch than any Rover Mini had during its 40 years at the top.

Not only this, but despite the increase in size and weight over the original, it still retains hugely impressive sporty handling and poise, and grips better than any other hatchback in its class. This is some indication of why Mini Cooper car leasing packages are such a popular choice among drivers who appreciate a car with personality and great ride quality.

You will also notice that thought that has gone into the ergonomic layout of the interior. Whilst obviously design heavy, with an expanse of buttons, toggles, switches and gizmos, after a few days getting to know your new Mini, you’ll be able to operate every function as if you had designed it yourself.

Overall, Mini Cooper car leasing deals for individuals and Mini Cooper contract hire packages for businesses make it an absolute bargain for anyone looking to get hold of the perfect car to not only get from A to B, but to have fun whilst doing it.

And, unlike the old Minis, a motorway journey need not be hell, reliability will never be a concern, and you’ll never need to worry about body panels giving up the ghost whenever it rains. Much like the original Mini, however, passengers might find themselves a little cramped in the back – but from the driver’s seat you are unlikely to worry too much about that.

Whether you’re an individual taken by the Mini’s retro charms or a business customer looking for a stylish addition to your fleet, Mini Cooper lease deals and Mini Cooper finance packages are the most convenient, affordable way to have your new car delivered direct to your garage.