A big thank-you to our existing personal lease customer, from Falkirk (Scotland), for sending through pictures of their new car – the ever popular VW Golf.
VW, like many manufacturers, are going through a series of product changes as they endeavour to keep ahead of the new testing standards being introduced into the UK. Our current testing standards, the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) tests were last updated in 1997. This form of testing is generally carried in under laboratory conditions using a “rolling-road” and is used to measure the fuel economy and tailpipes emissions including CO2 and NOx.
The issue with the NEDC style of testing is that many consumers have complained the statistics quoted by the manufacturer are not achievable and the MPG is somewhat misconstrued. Add to that the issues with CO2 measurement (the UK is an emissions-based tax regime) and you have a recipe for change. The new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) has therefore been introduced to alter the way in which we test our vehicle and reflect “real world” driving.
In terms of the car shown here, the Volkswagen GOLF DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 TDI 184 GTD 5dr Manual, this is based on the following configuration:
· Deep Black Pearlescent Paint
· Jacara cloth – Titan black/grey
· 18″ Seville alloy wheel
As standard the car includes heat insulated tinted glass, LED headlights with dynamic cornering, 18” alloys wheels, discover navigation, front sports seats, winter pack, driver and passenger lumbar support, rain sensors, auto hold electronic handbrake, automatic post collision braking, front and read carpet mats, Bluetooth, adaptive cruise control with pedestrian detection, drive mode selector, front and rear parking sensors, 8” touch screen, auto dimming rear view mirror, DAB radio, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors, twin exhaust pipes, LED daytime running lights, climate control, multifunction leather steering wheel, stainless steel pedals, ambient lighting pack, mirror pack, alarm with interior protection, immobiliser, XDS differential lock and space saver spare wheel. In terms of additional factory options, consider adding heated insulated glass 90%, electric sliding panoramic glass sunroof and keyless entry.
On the technical-side company car and business users can note the P11d at £28,780.00 and CO2 at 125g/km for calculating tax/BiK. The 1968CC 6 speed manual engine delivers 60.1 combined MPG, 184ps and 0-62 times of 7.5 seconds. The service intervals on a diesel Golf are every 24 months or 10,000 miles, whichever lands sooner.
So would the VW Golf be your selected leasing option? Or would the Ford Focus, BMW 1 Series or Mercedes A-Class get your vote?
Find the webs best lease deals on the VW Golf right here @CarLease UK —> You can also read more hatchback reviews below.
From September 2018, any newly-registered vehicles must be tested under WLTP. Unlike the previous NEDC standards, the weight/aerodynamics/electrical systems will also be taken into account.
In practice, the new driving cycles/procedures are going to try to replicate the driving situations you encounter each day (the test will be longer in duration/higher speeds/more braking). The result will be that many vehicles will show higher CO2 emissions and reduced fuel economy. The big concern with this is that company car drivers could be affected by the changes although HMRC are in consultation with the industry for potential BiK adjustments for WLTP i.e. by using NEDC until April 2020.
The emission of a vehicles affects the company/driver in two ways:
1. The Lease Rental Restriction – a company contract hiring a vehicle can claim back a proportion of the rentals payable against corporation tax. From 2018, only vehicles emitting 110g/km, or less, can claim back 100% of the rentals. Any other vehicle will be restricted to 85% (Blocked Corporation Tax Relief);
2. Company Car Tax – customers looking to obtain a new vehicle need to carefully consider their choice. The tax a customer pays is based on the CO2, the P11d and their tax bracket. Moving forwards, customers need to think carefully about the CO2 as this will influence the BiK rate massively. Over the next 3 years, the rate of BiK is changing and any company car user in an “inefficient” vehicle is likely to be punished in their pockets.