New ŠKODA Superb delights as the ‘Red Car’ of the Tour de France

The new ŠKODA Superb mastered its first appearance brilliantly as the ‘Red Car’ of the 2015 Tour de France. As the ‘control centre’ for the Tour’s director Christian Prudhomme, the new flagship will roll at the front of the pack until 26 July. ŠKODA AUTO is the official partner of the Tour de France (4-26 July) for the twelfth time.

Four brand-new ŠKODA Superbs have been called into action as the ‘Red Car’ for this year’s Tour de France. As the official ‘Red Car’ leading the field of riders, the new ŠKODA Superb is visible for all fans. During the Tour, the vehicle serves as a ‘mobile control centre’ for Christian Prudhomme, the Tour’s director. The ‘Red Car’ is also the only vehicle allowed to cross the finish line at the same time as riders.

ŠKODA has been the Tour de France’s official vehicle partner since 2004. As part of its commitment, the Czech car manufacturer is providing 250 vehicles in total – most notably, the ŠKODA Octavia Combi and ŠKODA Superb.

The new ŠKODA Superb was launched onto the first markets in mid-June. With expressive design, impressive technical qualities and the best interior space of its class, the newly developed flagship sets new benchmarks in its segment. Based on Volkswagen Group’s innovative MQB technology, ŠKODA’s top model, now in its third generation, reaches new heights when it comes to safety, comfort, connectivity and the environment, taking it to the upper end of the automotive mid-class segment.

The new Superb has been sprayed ‘Corrida red’ especially for its appearance as the Tour’s ‘Red Car’. For the powertrain, a 2.0 TDI 140kW (190PS) engine coupled with a DSG six-speed transmission is used.

For its special use at the Tour de France, the red ŠKODA Superb contains extensive technology, equipment and is fitted with a huge panoramic glass roof that can be opened from the rear.

To ensure strong brand presence at the Tour de France, a large fleet of ŠKODA vehicles is also provided again this year. ŠKODA provides approximately 250 cars which are used as escort vehicles – in particular, the ŠKODA Octavia Combi and ŠKODA Superb. Over their near three-week use, the vehicles will travel around 2.8 million kilometres. Since 2004, the ŠKODA fleet’s total mileage at the Tour de France mounts up to over 30 million kilometres. During this time, ŠKODA has stood out with top reliability: up to now, there hasn’t been a single disruption to the journey due to a technical defect.

Cycling is a cornerstone of ŠKODA’s sponsorship strategy. In addition to the Tour de France and the Tour of Spain (‘Vuelta’), the car manufacturer supports other international cycling races as well as numerous international and national cycling events. ŠKODA’s commitment to cycling demonstrates the unique relationship between the brand and the bicycle. ŠKODA’s founding fathers, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement, began the company’s success story 120 years ago by making bicycles.

For more information on any SKODA model or to book a test drive, contact Pulman SKODA

Pulman SKODA,
Unit 4E Abbey Road,
Retail and Business Park,
County Durham,
DH1 5HA
0191 383 7500
enquiries@pulmanskoda.co.uk

Volkswagen launches the most fuel-efficient petrol-powered Golf yet

Until now, Volkswagen’s Bluemotion badge has been exclusively applied to diesels. This new Golf Bluemotion TSI is the first petrol-engined car to wear it.

Posting 99g/km CO2 emissions and a 65.7mpg economy figure it’s the most fuel-efficient petrol Golf ever.

The engine – a turbocharged version of the 999cc three-cylinder unit already seen in the Up city car – weighs just 89kg, 10kg less than the Golf Mk 7’s four-cylinder 1.2-litre TSI engine. Other fuel-saving techniques include a 15mm lowering of the chassis, deployable flaps ahead of the radiator, underfloor panels and a new spoiler to minimise air drag and low rolling-resistance tyres.

Inside, the cabin is typically excellent, with as much space and comfort in the front as in many larger cars. The seats are wide and relaxing, storage space extensive and the turbine-like engine is virtually silent, seamlessly and all but imperceptibly stopping and starting. .

The compellingly high construction quality means there’s no disputing this Golf’s appeal as an excellent business transport tool.

For more information contact Pulman Volkswagen:

enquiries@pulmanvolkswagen.co.uk

Blog adapted from Chronicle Live:
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/motoring/car-reviews/volkswagen-launches-most-fuel-efficient-petrol-powered-9573522

Pulman annual charity Golf Day raises £40,000

The Pulman Group charity golf day has smashed all previous records at the event held on Monday 29th June 2015 at Close House. The event raised £40,000 for two fantastic North East charities CHUF (Children’s Heart Unit Fund) and the Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital. Both organisations perform life-saving procedures to save so many lives both regionally and nationally, Pulman Group are extremely proud to support them.

The day saw 96 players take to the Lee Westwood Filly course at Close House for 18 holes of golf, with 13 on-course competitions. There were three hole–in–one competitions all to win Pulman Group cars, nearest the pin, longest drive and beat the pro competitions! Additionally there was on-course acoustic guitarists, bars, bacon breakfast rolls, the day finished with a BBQ and live evening music from local band North Star. 

Mike Pulman, Managing Director at the Pulman Group was generous enough to cover all costs of the day to ensure that 100% of the funds raised went to the charities. Mike commented “It was a fantastic day overall and I’m so pleased everyone enjoyed themselves and had great fun, all whilst raising money for two very worthwhile causes. It beat the previous year’s record and that is a great achievement resulting in the total raised over the past nine years of £185,000.”

CHUF is an exceptionally important charity, being only one of two cardiac units to operate on babies and small children in the UK. All funds raised are donated to keep the unit functional to offer this amazing help to young children and their families. Chris Gray, Head of fundraising at CHUF reiterated her thanks “Every penny counts and we are so grateful for the help and continued support to this phenomenally important charity from the Pulman Group.” 

Pulman have the support of many sponsors for the event and without them the day would not be anywhere near as successful! Mike Pulman commented “We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors for their fantastic support! We also received a lot of help from fantastic volunteers from across the region, without their help on the day it would not have ran so smoothly!” Prize donations were also given to facilitate our evening auction which added fantastic value to the money raised.

Close House also made fantastic donations and contributions and really helped to make the day very special. Close House Managing Director John Glendinning says of the day “It was a very special day for a brilliant cause, and anything we could do to help out, we were more than happy to accommodate to make it happen.” 

For more information please email: enquiries@pulmangroup.co.uk

New SKODA Superb forecast to have sector-best RVs

SKODA Superb forecast to have sector-best RVs

The SKODA Superb is officially forecast to have the strongest residual values in the mid-size sector


Four service providers - CAP, EurotaxGlass's, DAT and IBS Automotive - compared the new, third-generation Super against the Ford Mondeo, Hyundai i40, Vauxhall Insignia, Citroen C5, Toyota Avensis, Peugeot 508 and Mazda 5 in the UK and six other key European markets . The results showed the SKODA would be the most resistant to depreciation over the course of three years and 60,000 miles.

Thanks to a retained value that is forecast to be eight per cent higher than the outgoing model, the new Superb is expected to be worth up to £2,650 more after three years and 60,000 miles than its rivals.

In the UK, CAP Gold Book is forecasting than the high-spec Superb SE L Executive 2.0 TDI 150PS will be worth nearly £1,200 more than the outgoing model after three years and 60,000 miles.

Jeff Knight, forecasting editor for CAP, said "With the new Superb SKODA has been added even more space, higher equipment levels and cutting edge technology to a high-quality interior. Enhanced safety features and more efficient power trains, finished off with a dynamic and stylish exterior, make it a compelling choice in the upper-medium sector."

"These figures show the confidence that the industry places in the new Superb - and that comes from recognition that the Superb is the best SKODA ever. The new Superb offers new levels of comfort, space, practicality ad style. It also offers all the characteristics SKODA customers have come to expect: great value, and high levels of safety - as recognised by a top five-start rating from Euro NCAP. All these attributes combine to make a car that will attract new customers to the brand," said Patrick McGillycuddy, head of fleet for SKODA UK.

Article from Fleetworld.com

http://fleetworld.co.uk/news/2015/Jul/Skoda-Superb-forecast-to-have-sector-best-RVs/0434020588 

Italian Police Force puts its faith in the SEAT Leon

SEAT has won the contract to supply the new Leon to Italian Police Forces!

SEAT has won the fleet contract to supply new Leon cars to Italian police forces The first 206 vehicles will start to be handed over in Verona this Friday, with an initial 106 service vehicles being delivered to the Carabinieri and a further 100 to the Polizia di Stato. Overall, the contract includes the option for up to 4,000 vehicles over the next three years. So far, they have taken orders for 925 cars.

This marks the first time that both police forces in Italy have tendered and selected the same brand and the same vehicle. Major factors in this decision included the Leon’s low fuel consumption and emissions figures, as well as its high quality and excellent total cost of ownership – all core competences of the SEAT brand.

“We are honoured by the trust given by the Italian police in SEAT and the Leon. And we are very proud to be able to contribute thanks to reliable, secure and high quality vehicles to public safety” Jürgen Stackmann, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SEAT. “The contract is also a good example of the great success and major growth of the SEAT brand within the fleet business sector”.

The basis for the new Italian police cars is provided by the five-door Leon powered by the punchy 110 kW / 150 hp version of the 2.0 TDI engine. The law enforcement vehicle also needs excellent pulling power supplied by high torque, as the front end of the Leon will be armoured against small arms fire.

Special safety tyres are a further element of the equipment package, with the suspension adapted perfectly to suit – at the end of the extensive day. The Italian security forces will also be calling upon the Leon’s light-footed dynamics. The service vehicle is rounded off by warning and alarm lights, radio and communications equipment, weapons carriers and other items of equipment. The back seat is also laid out as a secure “prisoner cell”, with police officers seated in the front protected by a dividing partition.


For more information or to book a test drive of the SEAT Leon contact Pulman SEAT:


Pulman SEAT,
Burntland Avenue,
Southwick,
Tyne and Wear,
SR5 2ET,

0191 549 2926

enquiries@pulmanseat.co.uk

http://pulmanseat.co.uk/



Article provided by SEATCupra.net

http://www.seatcupra.net/wp/index.php/2015/07/04/armour-plated-leons-for-the-italian-police-force/

SEAT Leon wins two awards from Auto Express!

Third year of glory for Leon with two more Auto Express Awards

‘Best Compact Family Car’ and ‘Best Hot Hatch’

The SEAT Leon has made it three years of Auto Express New Car Awards honours, after being awarded with 2015’s ‘Best Compact Family Car’ and, for its flagship CUPRA incarnation, ‘Best Hot Hatch’. Both titles have been retained for a second year, continuing a winning streak for the Leon that began with it being named Car of the Year in 2013.

Steve Fowler, Auto Express Editor-in-Chief, said: “This hat-trick of wins against such talented opposition is testament to the all-round qualities of the Leon. It’s a clear winner as far as family car buyers are concerned, offering great value, bags of space, generous kit and superb quality. It knocks spots off of its rivals when it comes to looks, too – it’s a seriously stylish car.” 

He had equally warm praise for the Leon CUPRA’s winning qualities, too: “A hot hatch has to be many things, but fun is top of the agenda and the Leon CUPRA delivers that by the bucketload.

It’s brilliant on road and surprisingly capable on track, yet when it comes to its sensible side it offers family-friendly space, reasonable running costs and the sort of tech and quality you’d expect from a supercar rather than a hot hatch.”

 Jürgen Stackman, SEAT SA President and CEO, accepted one of the awards at the presentation ceremony in London last night. He was joined by Richard Harrison, SEAT UK Director, who said: “We’re delighted that in such a fiercely competitive market, Leon remains the benchmark for others to aspire to, witnessed now by three years of success in the Auto Express New Car Awards. We’ve started rolling out the successful Leon formula across other models in the range, including the upcoming New Ibiza, so I’m confident there’s a great chance we’ll be back on the podium next year.”

Success in the Auto Express New Car Awards follows directly on from this year’s Auto Express Driver Power survey, in which Auto Express readers and website visitors also voted Leon 'best compact family car' and the model with the 'best in-car tech'

For more information on the SEAT Leon or to book a test drive contact Pulman SEAT:

Pulman SEAT,

Burntland Avenue,

Southwick,

Tyne and Wear,

SR5 2ET

0191 5492926

Email: enquiries@pulmanseat.co.uk

Article sourced from SEAT UK