MARTIN Ward, CAP’s manufacturer relationships manager, scours the globe for the week’s insider fleet intelligence.

  • MONDAY AS mentioned a fortnight ago, I used an A8 complete with TV/DVD for a couple of weeks. The question was asked if anyone checks to see if you need a TV licence to drive an A8. When you buy a TV for your home, the retailer has by law got to take your home details. Does the same happen when you buy a car with a TV? Could you be stopped on the M1 by a detector van? And should fleet managers ask the MD to see not only his driving licence regularly, but also his TV licence? The answer comes back from Audi: your car is covered by your home licence.

  • TUESDAY

    WENT up to Skipton to a Volkswagen regional press event, where cars included the Golf Edition 30, the limited edition 30th anniversary model of the GTi. This produces 230bhp and is stunning. There was also an Eos 3.2-litre which, let’s face it, has been built only because it can be and is of very little use to anyone. If you want an Eos, buy a 2.0-litre petrol or diesel, both of which are more than adequate.

    The star of the show was the new Touran 1.4-litre TSI. On paper it sounds massively underpowered: you may think a 1.4-litre engine pulling around a large seven-seat vehicle is ridiculous. Wrong. The power delivery was endless and even pulled away in sixth gear from low speeds. With C02 emissions of 176g/km and residuals of 39% in three years/60,000 miles according to CAP Monitor, it has to be a good bet if you need a people carrier.

    It is a while since I’d been to Skipton, the original home of CAP, and where I started with the company 19 years ago. Ahh, the memories.

    This time next year I shall be looking forward to my CAP-branded gold carriage clock for 20 years’ faithful service…

  • THURSDAY-FRIDAY

    WENT to Madrid for the all-new smart fortwo. The car is 90% new, with a new 999cc engine coupled to a gearbox that now feels part of the car. It has a larger interior and is much more comfortable. It’s one of those cars that just makes sense to buy and use every day. It’s easy to park, economical, safe and reliable.

    Every home should have one and, in fact, Fleet News managing editor Steve Moody has one as a runabout.

    A three-year-old 04/53 fortwo Pulse with 40,000 miles is still worth just under £4,000, according to CAP Black Book, so it’s got reasonable residuals too.

    Smart sold only 3,900 fortwos last year, so used ones will be in short supply. The new fortwo is so much better than the current one, but you’ll have to wait until September to try one yourself. As much sense as it seems to buy one, how many people will? Some think they are too expensive and others are put off by the styling, but at 60mpg and brilliant for nipping in and out of parking spaces, smarts do make sense.