The Geneva Motor Show, one of the biggest events in the automotive calendar, is back and Parkers has been there in force taking a look at all the new cars that will soon be making their way to UK shores.
Here we’ve picked the best of the bunch when it comes to getting on your company user-chooser lists – no sports cars here I’m afraid. If you do want our complete top picks from the show – click here.
Here are our favourite cars from the show ideal for company car drivers – could one of these be your next new car choice? Read on to find out.
Mazda CX-3
Small crossovers are increasing in popularity in the company car segment and here is Mazda’s latest offering. The CX-3 is baby brother to the popular CX-5.
Based on the underpinnings of the all-new Mazda 2, the new CX-3 crossover is taller and more spacious.
The CX-3 will be available with a choice of two 2-litre SkyActiv-G petrol engines and one 1.5-litre diesel and there will be both two-wheel and four-wheel drive options.
While power and efficiency data is yet to be released, we are expecting figures to be very good indeed thanks to the firms clever SkyActiv technology which manages to hit the sweet spot between performance and economy, while offering low CO2 emissions too.
The new CX-3 crossover is set to go on sale in the autumn, full pricing and specification details will be released closer to the time.
For more on the Mazda CX-3 click here.
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake
One of the star attractions of the Mercedes-Benz stand this year was this, the new CLA Shooting Brake. Essentially an estate version of the CLA coupe, the new car is based on the A-Class hatchback, a very popular company car here in the UK.
Mercedes-Benz seems to be on a mission to fill every single niche going and places the CLA Shooting Brake against rivals like the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Honda Civic Tourer and SEAT Leon ST.
The new model offers 25 litres more boot space than the CLA Coupe and a plethora of practical features. From launch two diesel and three petrol engines are going to be on offer along with a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearboxes and the option of four-wheel drive on selected models.
On sale since January, deliveries of the new car are set to start soon. We’ll be driving this car at the end of the week, so check back with us for the full review.
For more on the Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake click here.
BMW 1 Series Facelift
Ok, technically this one is not completely new, but the 1 series is a hugely popular company car here in the UK and any changes are well worth noting.
The current generation has received a mid-life facelift for 2015. The headline changes are under the bonnet with revisions to the engines resulting in a reduction of up to 12 percent in fuel consumption.
Key for company car drivers will be the new 116d EfficientDynamics Plus model which offers an impressive 83.1mpg with CO2 emissions of just 89g/km meaning a 16 percent BIK tax band for the 2015/16 tax year.
It’s not all about engines, though. Standard equipment has also been enhanced with kit like online services, an updated parking assist system and subtle design changes help spruce up appearances.
For more on the revised BMW 1 Series click here.
Skoda Superb
Skoda’s flagship car, the Superb, is all-new for 2015 and it’s big news – literally. The new model has been on quite a growth spurt having a larger boot, more legroom and more headroom than the previous generation.
Available as a hatchback or an estate, we’re expecting there will be three trims to choose from and five engines. Crucial for company car drivers will be the Greenline version which is set to be launched towards the fourth quarter of this year and offers CO2 emissions of just 95g/km, meaning a 17 percent BIK tax band for the 2015/16 tax year.
The previous model sold well as a company car with 70 percent of sales heading into the fleet market and the Czech firm does not expect this to change with this latest car. Set to go on sale in September, we’ll be driving the new car soon so check back for our full review.
For more on the new Skoda Superb click here.
Renault Kadjar
A car which shares its platform with the hugely popular Nissan Qashqai is sure to be a success here in the UK, right? Even if it does have an impossible to pronounce name…
The new Kadjar is Renault’s latest Crossover and heads into an already overcrowded segment with the likes of the Skoda Yeti, Vauxhall Mokka and Mazda CX-5.
Despite its raised profile, the Kadjar is meant to be driven on rather than off-road and its compact dimensions make it ideal for city driving.
Offering plenty of the latest kit as standard including the latest active safety features, fuel economy and CO2 figures will be as high as 74.3mpg and as low as 99g/km respectively, meaning a 17 percent BIK band for the 20515/16 tax year. There will be two- and four-wheel drive versions and a choice between a manual and automatic gearbox on selective models.
Full pricing and specifications will be announced closer to Kadjar’s UK launch in the Autumn.