The A1 which was awarded the Best Small Car at the 2011 Fleet World honours, is also flying high in the Audi A1 car lease world as the German manufactures surpassed countrymen BMW as the most requested car to leasing companies. Steve Moody, Fleet World editor said: “Audi’s new A1 is just so desirable, combining chunky good looks with meticulous attention to detail and quality

“It might not be the cheapest, but strong performance on the used market will balance the books. Pre-launch, it always looked like being a winner – now on fleet, it has proved it.”

This award follows on from WhatCar? magazines Car of the Year and Supermini of the Year awards. The A1 also picked up the Best Small Hatchback from Parkers and Best Luxury Small Car at the CarBuyer Awards.

Audi launched the A1 at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010 aiming the vehicle at young,affluent urban buyers in a bid to compete with BMW’s release of the MINI.

The A1 is currently one of the most leased vehicle in the industry and is becoming more and more popular as people appear to have seen the benefits of leasing over buying outright. Automotive industry experts however have stressed the importance of shopping around for lease deals and to make sure that all prices are definitive.

The German manufacturer gave hints at what its plans were for the future when it launched the worlds first iPad application made by an automotive manufacturer. The app is basically an advanced mobile version of the ‘Audi Configure’ option found on the website which allows users to put together an Audi to their personal spec.

Audi Motorsport have also announced that they will be releasing applications for both iPhone and iPad. Applications also include video marketing content, something that an established SEO company can help configure for your business.

Audi has grown as a luxury car manufacturer tenfold over the past few years culminating with it ousting country mate BMW as the most requested lease vehicle. The implementation of technology by the manufacturer has also been nothing short of outstanding. Premium vehicle comes with a built in mobile broadband Wi-Fi hotspot which integrates with the a cars voice recognition allowing hands free Google searches, which are then displayed on a 5’ flat screen which is fitted as standard. Wi-Fi can also be connected to mobile devices as you would expect, invaluable for older kids and adults on longer journeys.

Overall it’s clear to see that Audi have embraced multimedia and online technology alongside automotive technology to create a convergent vehicle of the future.

The WhatCar? magazine awards have often be referred to as ‘The Oscars of the automotive industry’. Steve Fowler, Editor of the magazine said:

“If ever there has been a car that has hit the nail squarely and firmly on the head, the Audi A1 is it. It’s the right car at the right time: a car that combines desirability and ability alongside frugal financials – the perfect combination.”

The Audi A1 has been described by many industry experts as the first ‘premium concept car’ and had already been billed as the most anticipated car of the year by WhatCar?

Jeremy Hicks, Director of Audi UK commented on the win saying:

“It’s a tremendous accolade for the Audi A1 to receive the What Car? Car of the Year Award – a title with such a strong and long-standing reputation.”

The Audi A1 is also one of the first cars to have a tablet based brochure named the “Audi A1 eKatalog”. Which allows users to customise vehicles, includes a 3D driving game and is available as a free download for the Apple iPad.

The Audi A1 is one of the most popular in the leased car industry and Audi A1  contract hire deals are one of the most readily available on the internet. Experts however do recommend that customers shop around as prices quoted online are not always definitive.

Leasing is becoming increasingly more popular as more and more people realise the advantages of leasing over outright buying. Certain leasing companies even include costly servicing and repairs as part of the monthly payment costs. Business owners also need to be aware of the tax benefits of leasing and also the individual tax rates for having a company car.

The Skoda Octvia has been named by Parkers Guide as the ‘Family Car’ for 2011 and also the Fleet News Juniors  ‘Upper Medium Car of the Year’. The Skoda Yeti also scooped the made it two years on the bounce in the ‘Best Crossover’ category and was ‘Highly Commended’ by the publication.

Kieren Puffett, Editor of Parkers paid tribute to the Octavia saying:

In one of the most competitive sectors in the car market, the Octavia underlined just what tremendous value it provides to car buyers. The sheer roominess of the Octavia, its practicality and decent levels of standard kit make it an immediate hit with families. Throw in top build quality, great reliability and the frugal nature of the 1.2-litre petrol engine that also delivers great performance and it is a compelling buy."

Martin Burke, Head of UK Fleet Sales collected the awards adding:

"To pick up one award and get a ‘Highly Commended’ in front of so many people from the industry really puts Skoda at the forefront of their minds when deciding who they should talk to in the future."

Skoda Octavia hatchback lease deals have appeared everywhere in recent years thanks to the excellent rates offered to self-employed taxi drivers. The fuel economy of the vehicle is also outstanding, what may sound like a weak 1.2 engine gives exceptional power and fuel economy. The backing of Volkswagen also means you can expect a long life from the Octavia.

Leasing an Octavia for business is an excellent option as its low emissions and fuel consumption save you money straight away. The design also oozes style and class giving you the best impression if visiting clients. Remember that as a business owner you should be aware of the tax benefits of leasing a company car.  

Although be aware and always check out the hidden charges when getting a quote online, the price you are quoted may not necessarily be the price you pay.

On reviewing the Audi A5 AutoExpress.co.uk even suggested that the coupe model could rival the Mercedes CLK in the luxury mid-size vehicle range.

Over the past year or so Audi contract hire has grown to become the most requested car from contract hire companies.

The Audi A5 just like its competitor screams class and looks amazingly well built, there is even special edition coupe made from completely from aluminium.

What really seems to have impressed people about the A5 though is the 3.0 TDI diesel engine which has been described as “feeling different”. 0-60 in little over 6 seconds shows the power this engine is packing.

For personal use the A5 has one of the biggest boots available, an impressive 455 litres. Pair all of this with the economical running modes you would expect from Audi and it’s an excellent choice for contract hire.

If you think contract hire is for you then be sure to get a range of quotes using a quote site, as some companies offer better packages than others. Many even include servicing and selected repairs as part of their payment packages.

One of the top sellers in the light commercial vehicle sector the Caddy held a 42% market share in 2007 and has since expanded its distribution to numerous worldwide markets. More recently the model scooped a hat trick of awards in 2008 as it awarded ‘Best Small Van’ for three industry publications.

With a range of engine options from a 1.4 16V up to 2.0 TDI there is an option to suit most requirements. When the vehicle was first launched many were concerned the premium pricing would hinder sales and put off would be fleet owners. However the driving experience upon release was recipient of high praise and Volkswagens inclusion of a diesel option, making it the only diesel option in its category.

VW Caddy contract hire has also gone hand in hand with the success of the van with many offering the benefits you would expect from individual deals for fleet hire. Contract hire also a Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) option that could benefit a business over the long term.  As with leasing you don’t actually own the vehicle but your payments are tailored and adapted to reflect the resale value of the Caddy so come the end of the initial lease period you get the option to buy outright. However an added benefit of this deal is that is can include services and certain repairs as part of the monthly payments, Giving you one less thing to worry about.

The Caddy also offers easy modification with models easily adapted to seat up to seven people and can store payloads of up to 750kg., coupled with VW’s usual reliability and economical running it’s definitely worth a look if you’re needing a light commercial vehicle for your business.

The fourth generation Audi A4 is the definition of compact executive car, if you’re wanting to give a good impression to clients or need a vehicle with economic consumption then you’ve found it.

The recent resurgence of Audi as the car of choice for celebrities and footballers hasn’t cheapened it, if anything it shows the how good value this brand is. Dutch Midfielder Mark Von Bommel even reviewed his Audi for a Dutch car website.

Looking good is obviously one thing but if you’re covering a lot of road or wanting to keep costs low then the Audi A4 offers something else. With fuel emissions of only 120g/km you can expect low road tax liability alongside excellent fuel conservation.

If you are going to be using your Audi A4 for business then looking for an Audi contract hire deal might be a good option.

Using contract hire sites also allows you to gauge the market and find the best deals and package to suit you. As a business owner the last thing you need is more worries, by using a contract hire car you can avoid this.

Certain dealers offer inclusive service and repairs to vehicles, another weight off your mind.

According to a poll released in the past few days by Marks & Spencer (M&S) shows that nearly 60% of all drivers in the UK have fallen victim to car crime.

Meaning that a fully protective policy is vital for anyone that is looking for insurance,  which isn’t a problem but it seems a lot of drivers are putting this area of their insurance at risk.

Almost 60% of drivers admitted in the anonymous survey that they do not activate their vehicle’s alarm when it is left parked up. 

Andrew Ferguson, M&S head of general Insurance said:

"It’s important to make sure the vehicle is secure when unattended."

The RSA Insurance group have recently announced the UK’s first online insurance service, RSA customers can now add cover options to their accounts without having to phone a call centre.

The company believe that as the policy is only available online it will help keep premium costs down to a minimum.

Head of RSA Insurance Keith Maxwell said:

RSA eChoice is all about empowering the customer to take complete control of their insurance. Our customers want to be able to pick and mix their covers, rather than buying an off-the-shelf package as traditionally provided by insurers.”

The interior is huge and very practical.   There’s a mountain of room for four adults and still over 540 ltrs of luggage space.  In addition the rear seats fold down in order to give you even more storage space, in fact it almost trebles.  If for some reason you need even more space, there is the option of a fold front passenger seat too. 

Q5:  Lease from around £300pm

The basic trim comes with leather seats, 18” alloy wheels, single zone climate control, four powered windows, parking sensors and automatic lights and wipers.  These are all standard options.   If you want a little more, you could go for the S line version.  This includes more sporty styling touches to the exterior and interior and you get the special xenon headlights. 

There are six engine option available with the Q5.  The diesel options are a 3.0-litre V6 and two 2.0-litre versions.  The two later engine options are the most sensible in regards to economy as they are still strong performance wise and offer significant saving in terms of running costs.  For those of you who are fans of petrol, you can chose from  a 3.2-litre that generates 237bhp or a pair of 2.0-litre turbo charged units.  All are capable performers.  

The Q5 has very firm suspension, which means that it handling is very similar that that of a hatchback, especially considering its size.  The steering  is correctly weighted, loads of grip and solid body control.  You will have fun driving it from day to day however, the firm suspension does mean you make a compromise on the ride.  The ride is understandably firm and you feel every jolt and bump.

On the safety front the Q5 offers a hill-descent control to help you whilst off-roading down slopes.  It also offers off-road programmes that will detect the weight and distribution of the cars load and prevent the car from toppling over.  The Q5 also includes remote central locking as standard.  

The car does come with a load of features and sporty looks.  Prices start from around £26,000 new and lease for around £300 a month

Prices start at £16,0000 and at the top of the range you can pay as much as £30,000.   The entry range models do have a lack of kit compared to competitors.   There is also the huge price difference. The Golf is nearly £1000 lower than the A3 and its basic models offer a little more kit. 

Engines choices start at a 1.6 petrol engine that generates 101hp.  For the deranged there’s an 261hp 2.0 ltr at the other end of the spectrum.  In the diesel category we have 3 choices: A 1.6 and two 2.0ltr.  all three come with start stop function. 

MPG-o-MATIC: Some diesel engine options offer good fuel performance. 

In handling and ride terms the A3 performs well.  It offers a firm ride right from the entry level option.  I holds its speed well through corners although the steering is a little light.  It all lends towards an entertaining drive. 

The car comes with all round airbags; twin front driver and passenger, curtain and side airbags.    The A3 comes with Deadlocks, an alarm and central locking to improve security.  

The standard model comes with a cd player, air conditioning, electric windows and alloy wheels.   There is a sports option which adds a different suspension pack, sports style seats, climate control, mp3 input socket and a multifunction steering wheel.  This line also features some other cosmetics tweaks too, including Larger alloy wheels, leather upholstery and a muscular body kit.  Four wheel drive and xenon headlights are also available on some models. 

If your tall you won’t want to be in the back on any long journeys.  In the front some taller people will find their leg catches on the centre console.  However, the front seats are spacious and in addition, the front seats are adjustable and offer an opportunity get comfortable.  The boot is shaped well and offers plenty of room for the size of the car.  The 5 door model offers further boot space and a little more room in the rear. 

New data from the Association of British insurers shows that Audis 50 group ratings are lower than those of their major German competitors. 
The database which is used to calculate insurance premiums is managed by the Motor Insurance Repair and research centre which updates the list on a monthly basis. Based in Thatcham it completes its work on behalf of ABUI and Lloyds syndicates.

The rating system uses a points system which awards penalty points to each car depending upon a number of factors.  This includes purchase price and the cost of key parts.  The cars are tested by putting them through an independent crash test and then repairing them.  The higher cost of repair and purchase cost, the higher the score.  Therefore a higher insurance group rating. 

On security Audi have scored well by using features throughout its range such as its Thatcham category 1 Alarm and immobiliser and Thatcham category 4 locking wheel nuts.  They also use extensive covet and overt marked parts.  This enabled to reach a maximum 5 star award for theft security from the British Insurance vehicle Security Awards.  In addition the company has three What car security related awards. 

Audi TT; Maintenance and reliability

The Audi TT received great reviews upon its unveiling.   Very modern looking and at the cutting edge of style, Jeremy Clarkson in describing it said “it’s all form and no function” and “a hair scrunchie for men”.  

Now that the TT has been around for a few  years.  How is it fairing in the reliability stakes.   Have any problems surfaced? 

There are no huge problems, but nothing is perfect.  The first problem is minor.   If the radio and rear screen de-fogger are used at the same time, you may hear a whining noise from the speakers.  

Some cars may suffer a coolant leak.  This comes form the Thermostat housing and is usually down to a bad O-ring.

The Engine noise may make a funny noise.  It can howl or groan due to a problem with the pressure system.

Some TTs have problems Idling.   Dirty throttle bores, faulty plugs and dislodged idle control dampers may cause rough idling

The Quattro Models are being fitted with front and rear stabilizers to improve handling

To find Part for your Audi TT Visit: www.carsparefinder.co.uk

For further information on problems visit:  http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2000-to-2006-audi-tt-2.htm