Motoring: Ford revs up for flurry of launches & more

JUST a few weeks into the New Year and Ford has already said that 2015 will be one its busiest years ever in terms of new product launches in the UK.

The auto giant strengthened its UK market lead last year on strong demand for its cars – primarily the country’s best-seller, the Ford Fiesta.

But it is the family sector to which the company has now switched its attentions, with all-new versions of the Mondeo, Galaxy and others all set for launch.

The all-new Galaxy that will join Ford’s family vehicle line-up this year is the fifth generation of one of Europe’s most popular people carriers.

But keen to show its versatility, Ford has also developed a raft of new models to appeal to smaller and growing families. It has lined up a new version of the S-MAX sports activity vehicle, together with the C-MAX and Grand C-MAX multi-activity vehicles. Its intention is to ensure the ‘Blue Oval’ can offer the broadest choice of family vehicles in Europe.

The Mondeo has always been a true all-rounder but Ford wants to extend the limits of the range and for the first time will be offering it as a hybrid electric vehicle.

Another first for the range will be a 1.0-litre EcoBoost, which will be equipped with the engine that achieved an unprecedented third consecutive victory in 2014 when it was named International Engine of the Year. Ford will also introduce to the line-up Intelligent all-wheel drive, and a new twin-sequential turbocharged 210PS 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine.

As an indication of its intention to challenge the more exclusive executive sector, Ford will also be giving a debut to the upmarket Vignale Mondeo.

Among bespoke services available to customers buying the new Vignale will be a collection and delivery facility for vehicle servicing – from a home address or office  – alongside servicing scheduled to suit the owner. Vignale customers will be able to make all arrangements, and make any enquiries via a single, free telephone number. Ford has pledged that Vignale vehicles will always be handled with care and, with a premium valet, handed back to owners waxed, cleaned, and vacuumed.

The company has recognised that today’s drivers want a more sophisticated product, so buyers of the new Mondeo and S-MAX will this year be able to specify a range of technological options including:

•    Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, which can detect people in the road ahead – or that could cross the vehicle’s path – and automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not respond to warnings
•    Active Park Assist with Perpendicular Parking technology, which can detect and reverse the car hands-free into spaces alongside other cars as well as parallel to the road; technology first offered on the new Ford Focus (as seen in the remarkable mirrors advert on TV).

Finally, all of the vehicles being launched in 2015 will feature SYNC 2 – Ford’s connectivity system with advanced voice control and eight-inch colour touchscreen. This enables drivers to operate phone, entertainment, climate and navigation systems using simple conversational language. Drivers can even bring up a list of local restaurants by using the command: “I’m hungry”.

In the SUV segment, Ford will be expanding its range with the launch later in the year of the all new Edge. This is Ford’s most advanced SUV and the vehicle is intended to complement the company’s other utility vehicles, the Kuga and EcoSport.

In the performance segment, Ford has confirmed that its new Mustang will go on sale in the UK later in the year and for the first time in the car’s 50-year history, will be offered with right-hand drive.

Joe Bakaj, vice president, product development, Ford of Europe, said: “Our entire product development team around the world, and especially here in Europe, have been working harder than ever to deliver on the product promises that we have made as part of our revitalisation plan.

“From performance cars that deliver outstanding on-road performance to family vehicles that deliver great quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology, 2015 promises to be one of the most exciting years for Ford of Europe and its customers.”

Bentley set to scale new heights with off-roader

‘DAMNED by faint praise’ isn’t an epithet levelled at the likes of Bentley too often but it’s fair to say the buying public was slightly underwhelmed when it unveiled its last attempt at a luxury off-roader three years ago.

Some said – rather unkindly – that the vehicle debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show should have been called the ‘Moose’ rather than the ‘Falcon’.

Undeterred, Bentley licked its wounds and went away determined to learn from the experience.

The company’s German owner, VW, have continued with the view that its model line-up will forever be incomplete without a vehicle that out-luxuries the Range Rover.

It has now pledged that its latest attempt to lure buyers away from the Solihull superstar will be revealed to buyers later this year.

It has abandoned the label ‘Falcon’ in favour of ‘Bentayga’. The name is taken from Roque Bentayga, a 4,642-foot mountain peak in the Canary Islands.

So far the company has only teased an image (above left) of the new vehicle. However, spy shots have a shown a vehicle which is far more car-like than the last offering and one displaying more of Bentley’s familiar styling trends.

Salary sacrifice schemes offer fresh incentives to employees

AS the nation returns to work, one car salary sacrifice scheme provider has revealed new insight into the hidden employer benefits of salary sacrifice cars.

While falling fuel prices reduce on-road costs, Fleet Evolution is encouraging employers to take advantage of the less measurable benefits of salary sacrifice schemes.

According to data compiled by the firm, 80% of new cars are distributed to employees who have never owned a brand new vehicle. It said this was an incredible perk for workers yet employers also stood to profit from a range of hidden benefits.

It says one clear advantage of helping employees buy a new car is a boost in productivity due to ongoing managed service provision. Instead of employees arriving late for work because of having to take their cars to be serviced, Fleet Evolution’s mechanics collect the car and return it at the end of the day.

Other benefits, it claims are a wider choice of environmentally-friendly vehicles and advanced product engineering such as osteopathic seating to reduce mobility problems.

Drive safely.