News

Aston DBX proves performance potential

BN AstonMartin DBX development

ASTON Martin’s DBX has entered the final stages of development. The British brand’s first SUV will be powered by a 550hp 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 – the most powerful V8 in the current line-up. Testing has been taking place at Aston Martin’s two key engineering centres at Silverstone and the Nürburgring. Cornering speeds at the latter German track have been recorded as…

Electrified Transit – Ford launches plug-in van

BN Ford TransitPHEV

FORD has fitted its plug-in hybrid technology on the Transit and Tourneo ranges. First to bring plug-in power to the market, the Transit Custom has a 35 mile electric-only range, and more than 310 miles combined. Fitted with a 1.0 litre EcoBoost petrol engine, the Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid van can run in electric, hybrid, or petrol modes. The electric motor is…

Santander broker business unaffected by asset finance withdrawal

Santander broker business to continue

SANTANDER’S support for the leasing broker channel is to continue. Last week Santander announced it was pulling out of asset finance in the UK. The bank said it would  stop writing new business by the end of the year and would then run down its book over time. However, a spokesperson said that the Santander broker channel would remain unaffected by the…

Moneyshake.com leasing aggregator launches for BVRLA brokers only

Moneyshake team

A NEW leasing aggregator has been launched, called Moneyshake.com. Moneyshake.com says it differentiates itself from other leasing broker portals because it only features BVRLA leasing brokers; and it will only charge a fee for a converted lead. The leasing portal aggregator went live on September 03, 2019. “We charge nothing until the deal is done,” explained CEO Eben Lovatt. “And then the…

New powertrain for Citroen Spacetourer range

BN Citroen Spacetourer

CITROEN’S Spacetourer has been given a new engine and transmission option. Available to order now, the French firm’s 2.0-litre BlueHDi 120 diesel is available with the EAT8 eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s expected to prove a popular choice with customers. The new variant is only £1,700 more than the 1.5-litre BlueHDi 120 diesel with six-speed manual. Benefits include an improved towing capacity. The…

Electric cars to be ‘normal’ by 2030

BN GUL models

TWO thirds of people expect electric vehicles to simply be referred to as ‘cars’ by 2030. That’s according to new research by industry body Go Ultra Low, which has looked at how the technology is being normalised. This theory is backed by increased leasing enquiries for electric cars from customers. New models are coming to market too, with the VW ID.3, Peugeot…

Bridle Insurance sold to the Finch Group

Bridle Insurance

BRIDLE Insurance, part of the Bridle Group, has been sold to Reading-based Finch Group. Finch said that Bridle Insurance, its biggest purchase to date, would bring £10 million in gross written premium (GWP) and a workforce of 17 people. Managing director Vince Gardner added: “Bridle Insurance is a brokerage I have admired for many years. They have strong client relationships and have…

Tesla Model 3 price rise squeezes up lease rentals

Model 3 Profile Grey New

REGISTRATIONS for electric vehicles may have shot up in August – up 377.5% year-on-year – but it seems Tesla’s Model 3 has followed suit. Prices have gone up to £35,000 basic list price as of Friday, September 13, 2019 – putting an additional £80 per month on a Tesla Model 3 PCH lease deal. Demand for the Tesla Model 3 has been…