For greater versatility of use, the new Cruse Station Wagon offers nearly 1,500 litres of litres of load space and is 168mm longer than the hatchback version (4678mm longer compared to 4510mm for the hatchback) and is even more generous than saloon model (at 4,597mm long). Releasing this third version of the Cruze, Chevrolet hope to broaden its appeal, attracting greater interest from private motorists and the fleet sector alike.

The Station Wagon model will be available with a choice of powerful and efficient engines, including a new 130bhp 1.7-litre VCDi diesel engine, with start-stop technology as standard and CO₂ emissions of 119g/km.

Chevrolet’s biggest selling model worldwide, the Cruze is also set to benefit from a number of exterior and interior styling changes for all its models. These include a remodelled front fascia, modified head-lamp interiors and fog lamps, and new wheel styles on the exterior and refinements to the center console and a greater choice of seat finishes for the interior.

"The Cruze Station Wagon caters to an important market segment. It ticks all the boxes for European drivers in terms of distinctive design, dynamic driving, space and economy," said Chevrolet Europe President and Managing Director Susan Docherty.

Chevrolet has yet to confirm a launch date for the new Station Wagon model, but expect more details when the model is revealed at the Geneva Motor Show. The show runs from March 8-18, 2012.

With prices starting from £13,995 and stretching over three trim levels, Chevy hope the new sleeker Cruze will make even more friends within the fleet sector.

Mark Terry, MD of Chevrolet, said: “The hatchback version of the Cruze is a massively important new car for us, as it not only appeals on a retail level, but also massively increases Chevrolet’s appeal to the fleet market alongside the Orlando and the new Captiva.

“With a new Aveo just round the corner, we have a truly holistic model range that will appeal to fleet managers, user-choosers and retail customers alike.”

A five warranty and Electronic Stability Control come as standard on all models with a 1.6 or 1.8 petrol or 2.0 diesel engine and automatic or manual transmission.

The entry-level LS 1.6L model comes with air conditioning, remote locking, electric-front windows, follow-me-home headlights, electrically-adjustable heated door mirrors and a quality radio/CD player with auxiliary input.

Starting from £14,895, the LT trim includes cruise control, electric windows all round, a multi-function trip computer, parking distance sensors,  16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, steering wheel audio controls and a leather steering wheel and gearknob.

The top of the tree LTZ trim (£16,095) offers Bluetooth, a USB port, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights, an electro-chromatic rear view mirror, 17-inch alloys and aluminium-effect trim on the instrument panel. Throwing in the Executive Pack brings a leather trim as standard, along with satellite navigation and heated front seats.

Visit chevrolet.co.uk for more info.

The 1.5 ton hand-crafted sculpture, which demanded the efforts of seven artists and two weeks to create, grabbed plenty of attention and second glances from passers-by and that was the whole point says Les Turton from Chevrolet UK.

“The new Orlando deserves another look and we believe this mould-breaking MPV is a real head-turner – especially when it’s made from tonnes of the nation’s most popular aqua-marine putty,” he said.

“Hopefully our launch will appeal to the inner-child in every parent and it will become a firm family favourite.”

Combining 7-seater practicality, interior flexibility and generous load space, the Orlando is Chevrolet’s first ever European multi-purpose vehicle and will offer something different in the MPV marketplace.

"We’re confident the Orlando not only brings great value for money to the MPV class but at the same time something fresh – a certain function with attitude, as we put it," says Wayne Brannon, president and Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe.

"I believe it will also bring more new customers to the Chevrolet brand."

Although the Orlando is capable of reaching 121mph, safety is always primary with a body structure constructed of high strength steel that forms an effective passenger safety cage providing protection in the event of a collision to the front, rear and side of the car.

Under the bonnet, Chevrolet’s fuel efficient engines, one petrol and two diesels, are transversely mounted 4-cylinder units with double overhead camshafts, 16 valves and either multi-point fuel injection, or in the case of the diesels, common rail technology. All the engines have a cast-iron cylinder block and alloy head.

For more info on the new Chevrolet Orlando, visit www.chevroletfleet.co.uk.

With more than 860,000 units since since its launch in 2005, the well-established Kia Rio has taken a ‘big step forward’ with its new line partly due to its revised looks which will bring it in line with the rest of Kia’s striking design-led passenger car range.

Soon-Nam Lee, director of Kia’s Overseas Marketing, said: “The Rio has always been successful and with this new incarnation, we have a car that people will want to buy for its looks.”

Featuring more passenger space and a high level of quality previously associated with larger models, the five door model will ship from September with a three door following in early 2012. The Kia Rio will be unveiled alongside the all new Picanto.

Read more on the new Picanto here

Another car set to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show is the Saab 9-5 Sportwagon.

Sleek and a real blast to drive, the SportWagon is said to inject versatility to the widely acclaimed 9-5 saloon and will bring a distinctive, alternative choice to the premium large estate segment.

“The launch of the 9-5 SportWagon is a much-awaited next step in the roll-out of our new product offensive,” says Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson. “It will take Saab back into the large estate segment where we have established a strong presence in many key markets with our previous offering.”

Backed by the same all-turbo petrol and diesel powertrain line-up as the 9-5 saloon, the Sportwagon also features Saab’s DriveSense adaptive chassis control, adaptive cruise control (from late 2012), and Bi-Xenon SmartBeam adaptive lighting.

Orders will be taken in the spring with the first customer vehicles set to appear from September.

Click here for Saab leasing deals

What, more world premieres?! ‘Fraid so, but a familiar face nonetheless.

Volkswagen’s all-new Golf Cabriolet is the first since the Mk IV Golf was launched in 1999 and the two-door, four-seater, front-engined soft top is aimed at building on VW’s reputation for producing popular convertibles which first started with the original Beetle cabriolet.

A choice of three engines will be available from launch; a 1.2-litre TSI 105 PS, 1.4-litre TSI 160 PS and a 1.6-litre 105 PS TDI with a further three following later in the year; a 1.4-litre TSI 122 PS, 2.0-litre TSI 210 PS and a 2.0-litre TDI with 140 PS.

To view leasing deals on existing VW Golf models, click here

Those behind the new Ford Ranger Wildtrak say the revised model is “bold, powerful and confident with more power, capability and features”.

Boasting exceptional towing capability and Smart technologies including Adaptive Load Control, Trailer Sway Control, Voice Control and the segment’s first rear-view camera system, the new Ranger Wildtrak is expected to serve as an exciting addition to the commercial vehicle market.

Click here to see available leasing deals on the Ford Ranger

Epitomising their altered ideals, the Hyundai i40 is intended highlight the company’s new ‘modern premium’ concept – the belief that the highest quality and characteristics should be accessible to everyone.

“Offering more for less has always been a fundamental principle at Hyundai,” said Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe.

“The i40 is a perfect example of how we are offering the best and making it accessible to everyone.  From stunning design and specification, to industry-leading technology and aftersales care – the i40 sets itself apart from its competitors.”

With a purely European identity, the i40’s 1.7-litre diesel engine will emit from just 113 g/km of CO₂ emissions – a best-in-class figure that also demonstrates Hyundai’s pro-active approach towards eco-technology.

To view the latest Hyundai leasing deals, click here

Toyota will use the Geneva Motor Show as a prime opportunity to parade the next stage in its hybrid power technology strategy for sustainable future transport with the Yaris HSD.

Incorporating hybrid-specific styling cues and new, forward-looking design elements, the Yaris HSD heralds a production model that will bring full hybrid power to the B-segment and the next step in Toyota’s roll-out of full hybrid versions of its complete model range across Europe.

There are tons of leasing deals available on the Toyota Yaris here

The Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E. will be the newest addition to Renault’s range of electric vehicles when it goes on sale at the end of 2011.

Driven by a 44kW motor (equivalent to 60hp) which is powered by a 22kWh lithium-ion battery located beneath the floor, the extended version of the Kangoo Van Z.E. allows a greater carrying capacity of up to 4.6m³ (1.1m³ more than Kangoo Van Z.E.) with a wheelbase lengthened to 4.60 metres, and will come in a two- and five-seat form.

Renault hopes the Kangoo Van Maxi Z.E. will appeal to fleet ownerswho are looking for maximum carrying capacity, and in the case of the crew van version, additionally a people carrier and who wish to lower their fleet CO₂ emissions.

For leasing deals on the Renault Kangoo, click here

The Chevrolet Cruze will continue to grow in popularity at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, at least that’s what Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe hopes.

“Cruze is turning out to be a real success story,” said Brannon. “We are selling it in 70 countries around the world and it has recently surpassed the Aveo as our top selling passenger car nameplate globally.

“Hatchbacks play a critical role in many markets. The total compact segment in Europe represents around 4.8 million units which is over a quarter of the total market, with hatchbacks representing around 65% of that volume. We therefore expect to see increased business in a number of regions, while sending out a signal that Chevrolet is now a serious mainstream player in Europe.”

To read more on the Chevrolet Cruze, click here

Striking a balance between high levels of driving dynamics and low emissions and consumption is the new Volvo V60 which offers sub-120 g/km emissions and 62.8 mpg from its 1.6 litre turbo diesel engines.

"We have moved ahead very quickly since we launched our first three 119 gram models in Paris in autumn 2008,” says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stefan Jacoby. “The fact that we now have seven models below 120 g/km, three of them below 100 grams, emphasises that few of our competitors can match us in the drive for increasingly eco-efficient cars.”

Production is set to start imminently with customer vehicles expecting to be delivered in April 2011.

Click here to view Volvo leasing deals

We’ll wind this up with just one more world debut, the new revised Renault 308.

After undergoing a spruce-up style-wise, the 308’s new look adopts a more sophisticated elegant appearance and with reduced weight, redesigned aerodynamics, and optimised engines, now sets the benchmark in terms of environmental efficiency.

With its 1.6 litre HDi FAP 112 bhp Euro 5 engine, the 308 paves the way for CO₂ emissions of 98 g/km – another new record in the segment.

For Renault leasing deals, click here

If you are heading to the show, why not leave a comment below and tell us which models you’re most eager to see up-close.

Alternatively, if you’re sticking to home soil, which cars would you be excited about seeing?

Gavin Cook, previously Used Car Manager for Chevrolet, has been with the company for more than two years and has over eight years of experience within the automotive industry. Gavin’s focus will be on working with key rental and remarketing partners to ensure a well planned daily rental business which maximises the volumes and benefits of this highly visible fleet segment while effectively managing used car disposals and residual values.

“This is a positive step for us and clearly demonstrates our strategic and long term thinking. The daily rental industry is an area of opportunity for Chevrolet, however, the approach needs to be carefully managed to ensure that the effects are not detrimental to residual values or used vehicle stock mix. Our strategy going forwards is to work in partnership with our rental customer and retailer network with a considered approach in maximising benefits for all involved,” commented Gavin Cook

Chevrolet will kick off 2011 with the launch of the Orlando MPV, followed by new Captiva SUV, 5dr version of the Cruze compact car and finally, the new Aveo. All these cars are being currently being showcased at the Paris Motor Show.

Entering the small car segment, the new Chevrolet Aveo is reminiscent of the recently introduced Spark and Chevrolet are hopeful that it will appeal to younger customers with its sporty hot-hatch look.

"It’s just such an exciting time to be at Chevrolet; not only do we have new entries into the MPV and compact classes, in Aveo we have a car which is ready to compete against the best in the small car segment, which is also Europe’s largest segment," says Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe.

The new Aveo is longer and wider than the current model and the chassis has been fine tuned to satisfy European tastes. Electronic stability control (ESC) and ABS brakes will be standard. A range of four cylinder petrol and diesel engines will be available. The petrol engine range includes a 1.2 litre version (at 86 hp) and a 1.4 litre unit (100 hp). For the first time, Aveo will be offered with two versions of a 1.3 litre diesel engine (at 75 hp and at 95 hp) featuring Start/Stop technology.

Chevrolet’s first 6-speed automatic transmission on a small car will feature on the Aveo 1.4 as an option in most markets; manual transmissions are of 5 or 6 speed depending on engine choice.

The new Aveo is to be launched in Autumn 2011.

Neville Briggs, managing director at CFC, said: “Early adopters of electric cars and vans are likely to be organisations that have a strong environmental bias and are making a corporate statement by being among the first customers.

“However, fleet managers must ensure that these vehicles are not treated as novelties. Rather they are transport assets like any other that a company may own or lease. They should be subject to the same kind of managerial scrutiny with accurate information gathering about their performance and cost with regular reporting taking place.

“In fact, because the technology behind these vehicles is new to almost everyone in the fleet industry, the level of attention should exceed that of a normal car or van. Fleet managers should be learning everything they can about the real world range of these vehicles, charging speeds and cost, effects of driving styles and maintenance regimes.”

Up and coming EV’s are expected to start to find a home on fleets during the next 12 months, aided by a £5,000 Government subsidy.

Briggs continued: “In the medium-long term, concerns about CO2 and pollution in general may mean that the future of the company car and van as the business transport tool of choice will depend on EVs becoming part of the fleet mix, so employers need to learn to manage them effectively.

“Operationally, the big challenge is range. With current battery technology, a practical range of around 100 miles per charge seems to be the norm followed by at least a three hour and possibly overnight charge. This makes them suitable for some fleet applications but not for others. Managers need to identify which.”

Briggs agrees with industry opinion that residual values for EVs need to be competitive in order for them to compete effectively in the fleet market.

He said: “The other limitations of electric cars and vans, such as range, can be managed by many fleets to a certain degree and are partially offset by advantages such as lower maintenance costs. However, if the financial argument for EVs is weak – and RVs are the big unknown factor here – they will never become common on fleets.”

For this reason, Briggs supports calls made by Glass’s, among others, for batteries to be leased separately from vehicles, at least until the technology is proven.

He said: “Batteries are the big unknown factor when it comes to predicting RVs. They will become less effective as they age but there is a question mark over how quickly and to what extent. Leasing them separately from the vehicle will contain that risk.”

A good compromise for fleets, at least in the medium term, might be GM’s Chevrolet Volt/Vauxhall Ampera range-extended electric vehicle design, Briggs believes.

He said: “The GM concept, of having an electric vehicle with support from a petrol motor purely recharging the vehicles battery, solves many of the issues that fleets may have with EVs while also retaining many of their advantages.

“If such technology was applied to a van, for instance, the range gains a fleet could benefit from could substantially remove the ‘range anxiety’ many currently face. If the running costs make sense, it could prove popular.”

Chevrolet lease prices
Chevrolet new and nearly new prices
Vauxhall lease prices
Vauxhall new and nearly new prices

With 1.0- and 1.2-litre petrol engines on offer with 67- and 80bhp respectively, the Spark is never going to be very sparky when it comes to naked 0-62mph times. The 1.0-litre model manages 0-62mph in 15.5 seconds while the 1.2 takes a noticeably shorter length of time at 12.1 seconds. If you’re confined to city driving, the 1.0-litre is adequate and it can hold its own in most traffic situations, but the 1.2-litre motor is much the better all-rounder and can even tackle motorways with confidence. Both engines need to be worked hard to give their best, but they seem to thrive on this kind of treatment and the five-speed manual gearbox has well judged ratios. The ’box’s change is not the most precise, but it’s light and easy to use.

Read the full Chevrolet Spark road test

RoadTestReports.co.uk provides road tests reports written by members of the Guild of Motoring Writers. These reports are complemented by car reviews submitted by the members of the public who drive the vehicles day in day out.

Chevrolet Spark consumer car reviews
Chevrolet Spark lease prices
Chevrolet Spark new and nearly new

The Cruze 2.0 VCDi LT features a new six-speed automatic gearbox which operates in a fully automatic mode yet at the same time also allows for a manual shifting. The dual function allows for the performance and flexibility of a manual gearbox with the ease of an automatic.

The benefits to fleet operators are clear, the Cruze 2.0 VCDi LT adheres to Chevrolet’s core value of low running costs, offering a combined mpg figure of 42.1mpg, increasing to 51.4mpg on the extra urban cycle.

Fleet drivers will also be able to keep their costs down. Thanks to the new 150PS diesel engines CO2 emissions are 177g/km, meaning an annual road tax bill at current rates of £150.00.

The top-of-the range Cruze 2.0 VCDi LT comes equipped with cruise control, climate control, rain-sensing wipers, reverse parking sensors, an upgraded high-output stereo with 6-CD changer and MP3 socket and 17-inch alloy wheels, plus the option of an integrated satellite navigation system (which also adds a USB socket but replaces the 6-CD changer).

With a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, the only car to date to ever to achieve maximum points in offset frontal and side-impact tests, the Cruze is also one of the safest cars on the road making it the perfect choice for high mileage fleet drivers.

Newly appointed Chevrolet National Fleet Sales Manager, Keith Jones commented: “We believe that the introduction of the automatic gearbox for the Cruze 2.0 VCDi LT further adds to our offering in the fleet market. The standard equipment levels are outstanding and with the new 150PS diesel engine now available, the line up makes financial and environmental sense to fleet managers and drivers alike”.

Furthermore, the company has appointed Keith Jones as its National Fleet Sales Manager, whose aim is to successfully grow the business by realising Chevrolet’s potential in the fleet market with the launch of several new models over the coming months, starting with the all-new Spark.

Jones, 50, has a strong fleet background, having worked for the past 12 years within General Motors, most recently as Saab National Fleet Sales Manager, as well as several field-based jobs before that.

“It’s a really exciting time to be part of Chevrolet UK,” said Jones. “The company has huge potential in the fleet market, we have a great range of products that keeps on getting better and we‘re ready to offer the same levels of great value for money, stylish design, comprehensive specification and customer-driven service to our fleet clients that are already much admired by our retail customers.”

Chevrolet’s fleet offensive kicks off with the launch of the Spark, which replaces the evergreen Matiz and has youth-focused styling that will appeal to the low mileage user chooser, city-based business user or small business looking for a distinctive new model to promote their company.

Also newly announced is a diesel automatic version of the Cruze, which uses the popular 2.0 VCDi diesel engine. Demand among fleets for the Cruze since the car’s introduction in July 2009 has consistently exceeded expectations, and the new model further strengthens the car’s position in this market, especially among user choosers who value high specification and low P11D values.

The Captiva SUV is also a popular fleet choice, with impressive P11D costs thanks to its highly competitive purchase price and superb equipment levels.

With more new models in the pipeline, all of which will have widespread appeal in the core fleet markets, Chevrolet’s position in the fleet sector is positioned to grow further over the next couple of years.

For more information, visit www.chevrolet.co.uk/fleet.

Seventeen-year old Joe Durkin from Falmouth, Cornwall, achieved 59.71mpg in a Chevrolet Aveo 1.2S – an improvement of over 16 per cent against the car’s 51.4mpg official combined figure, putting him ahead of a number of more experienced drivers in the economy run, including a former outright winner.

The event took in a 360-mile route through the East and West Midlands, including some challenging inclines and tricky B-roads, all of which were perfect practice for the event’s youngest ever competitor.

“I wanted to prove that not all young drivers are irresponsible and careless,” explained Joe, an apprentice marine engineer. “In the area where I live there are an above average number of road deaths involving younger drivers, so I wanted to demonstrate that a responsible and smooth approach to driving will not only save you a packet, but is also a cool thing to do.”

“Lads my age often get a bad press,” he added. “I wanted to prove that you can be cool and responsible at the same time, and the MPG Marathon was a great way of doing it.”

The Chevrolet Cruze is the GM-owned marque’s latest model and is due in showrooms during July.

Operated by Swedish-Norwegian carrier Wallenius Wilhelmsen, the ‘Tijuca’ docked at Portbury, Bristol, with 2,133 Chevrolets on board. Only 1,000 of the cars are to ensure stock levels are maintained.

“We’re thrilled to see such a large batch of cars arriving here,” said Chevrolet Managing Director, Mark Terry.”We’ve seen demand grow massively with three successive months of sales increases, and our stock levels were lower than normal as a result.

“The fact that over half of the cars on the ship were factory-ordered vehicles, already sold to customers, shows just how popular the Chevrolet brand has become in the UK. And as these cars become more visible on the roads, we should expect that popularity to grow further.”

The ‘Tijuca’, which entered service earlier this year, is the biggest ship ever to bring Chevrolet cars to the UK. It has five separate loading decks and has an unladen weight of more than 30,000 metric tons.

The Cruze which looks like a four door coupe, is packed with equipment as standard. It will be offered with a choice of four engines – 1.6 (113PS) and 1.8-litre (141PS) petrols featuring variable valve timing for maximum performance and efficiency, plus two diesels, both 2.0-litres and with a choice of 125PS or 150PS power outputs. Automatic transmission will be offered on the petrol models.

The range will kick off with the 1.6 S, which enjoys a comprehensive list of standard equipment despite its value price tag. As well as remote central locking, the model features follow-me-home lighting, a feature normally reserved for premium cars, a quality CD-radio system, electric front windows, a fully-adjustable driver’s seat and steering wheel, six airbags, ESC, upmarket soft-touch cabin materials, and premium blue-backlit dashboard dials.

The Chevrolet Cruze could well find itself placed on company car lists due to its value for money pricing and that all variants of the car lie below the 160g/km CO2 band – making it a smart fleet choice.

Would you be interested in the Chevrolet Cruze as your next company car? Let us know your thoughts below.