Thunder and Lightning, Accidents and Trophies: Motocross Update

The latest update from our sponsored Motocross rider- Mark Osborne's- last two races: Rounds 3 and 4.

Round 3 was at Crediton and presented a few challenges for the riders. The circuit was well prepared and initial practise saw Mark achieving the 4th quickest lap time in the group- giving him a nice boost prior to the race start. Unfortunately the start of race 1 was not quite so succesful- with a stall during passing dropping him down to 12th place. He quickly regained composure and began making up ground on the riders in front but was unable to progress much as the red flags came out and the race was stopped due to an incident on the track.



Race 2 was much more promising (despite a large thunder storm and rain which soaked the track, turning it to mud) and Mark spent a large part of the race in 3rd, before dropping one place to finish 4th overall. This race alone dragged him up from 6th place in the Championship to 4th- just a few points from 3rd!

Round 4 (at Plymouth) was where the magic happened. Despite the hot conditions being in stark contrast to the previous week, Mark managed to gain both a 7th and a 5th placing- earning him 5th place overall and his first trophy- a massive achievement! 

A large crash at the end of the second block meant that only 2 races were run on the day. We wish all involved a speedy recovery; although we understand that no-one was very seriously injured in the incident. 

Mark really has done phenomenally well in the last couple of weeks- thunder and lightning, stark heat, mud and accidents have done nothing to put him off and his recent successes have placed him squarely in 3rd place overall in the championship at the time of writing. Long may it last!




 

Not All Hybrids Are Created Equal

We're just over a week shy of the official launch event weekend and the Outlander PHEV is shaping up to be everything we hoped, and a whole lot more. Our demonstrator arrived at the end of last week on the back of a transporter and, following the obligatory checks in the workshop and complete clean in our valeting bay, has been booked up solidly for demonstration ever since. 

Considering the figures it claims and the numerous awards it boasts, it comes as no surprise: a tiny 44g/km of Co2 emissions, official miles-per-gallon figures of 148, £0 vehicle excise duty and company car tax of just 5% in year one anyone? It's not just the drivers of company cars that benefit either-  a business purchasing one can write down 100% of the cost of the car against its corporation tax in year 1 (compare this to the traditional 18%).

The PHEV is also capable of more than 30 miles and over 60mph on EV power alone and, at the time of writing, charge points can be fitted completely free-of-charge at customers own homes making them both simple and cost-effective to power.

Since it's recent introduction stamps of approval have been awarded left, right and centre: The "Environment Award" from Fleet World, "Best Alternative Fuel Vehicle) from Diesel Car and the Five Star Award for Safety from the Japan New Car Assessment Programme all came within one month. 

Despite all of the above it still came as a surprise to us when orders for the innovative new vehicle began rolling in thick and fast before purchasers had even driven one! Our launch event will be happening on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th June and details will be released soon. If you'd like to test drive one please just give us a call on 01271 342600, email sales@devonshire-motors.co.uk or visit us on Pottington, Barnstaple. Bookings essential. 

Spark Plugs, Crash and a 2/10ths of a Second Miss Out on a Trophy: Motocross Update.

Following our update at the end of April, we have more news from the Motocross track courtesy of sponsored rider- Mark Osborne. 

Round one got off to a 'testing' start at the track at Littlehempton track for Mark (his words!) with mechanical problems. Just prior to practice his bike was not keen to start and- when it did splutter to life- sounded far from its best. 

A quick lap round the track clearly demonstrated that the problems were far from simple and- when Mark returned to the pits- changing the spark plugs repeatedly in the process, it became apparent that it wasn't going to be an easy fix either. Eventually, the problem was spotted by Mark's Dad (a former Motocross rider himself and a big supporter of Mark), two contacts on the plug cap were cleaned, the bike was put back together and it finally fired up! (Much to their relief I'm sure).
 
Race 1 was eventful with Mark being dragged down from 6th to 32nd place following a crash on a hill top two short laps from the finish which left his handlebars twisted. Race 2 was a little better as he crawled back up to 9th place and the final race saw him pull back one more spot and finish in a very respectable 8th. 


Round 2 found Mark at a new track to him- Moreleigh nr Totnes. The first race was spent largely getting used to the track but he claimed 7th place. The start for the second race was equally as good but, due to the track being watered, a first corner crash held many of the riders up (including Mark). Race 3 was a mixed bag- an excellent start paired with a last minute pass at the finish line left Mark in 9th: missing out on an overall 5th place trophy by just 2/10ths of a second!

Regardless of all of this Mark has clearly set himself up well for the championship. Round 2 saw him shift from 10th to 6th place overall, a manageable 4 points off the top 4 riders and- with the mechanical issues now sorted- he's very much looking forward to the next round at Crediton on 8th June. 

Convertible Buying Tips

As the weather is fast hotting up for Summer we decided that there's never been a better time to put a few bits of advice out there for those looking for a convertible to enjoy in the warmer months. 

All of our vehicles receive a complete vehicle health check by our highly trained technicians and every car sold comes complete with a 12 month warranty for your peace of mind. But for those customers who choose to purchase from somewhere other than a main dealer, here are a few points to watch out for:

• Interior-  Inspect any interior metals for signs of bubbling or rust and check for any odours in the carpet or upholstery- a tell tale sign of leaks!
• Doors and Windows- A vital function on any convertible is making sure doors and windows close and seal correctly, if they don't this could be a potential sign of the vehicle having been in an accident previously.
• Mechanics of the Roof- Test the mechanical and electric integrity of the convertible top- the complex system of brackets and springs and the latching mechanism (does it all close smoothly and lock in place?). If it is a soft top check that the fabric is taut- loose and it will be very noisy at speed. You don't want it too tight though- replacements can be costly.
• Test for leaks!- You're spending your hard-earned money so don't be afraid to test the roof for leaks if you have any concerns- spray a hose over the car to simulate heavy rain.
• Insurance- A factor many people don't consider is insurance- frequently more costly than on a standard car so well worthy checking with your insurance company or using comparison sites to find out the cost before you purchase. 
• Practicality- Some people favour a hard roof over a soft top but just be aware that the mechanics involved usually fit into the boot space which compromises luggage capacity. If it's a second car this is less likely to be a problem but best to try it with the roof down whatever the weather to check it works for you.

The above points are specific to convertibles but there are lists all over the web advising of what to look for when buying any used vehicle. Autotraders' is a fairly proficient one: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/advice/2010/07/buying/inspecting-a-used-car

A Mitsubishi Colt CZC3- on our forecourt in May 2014

Finally, vehicles purchased from a reputable main dealer such as ourselves will be HPI checked prior to being put on sale but if you choose to buy from somewhere less established we'd suggest doing this yourself so you can be sure there is no outstanding finance, the vehicle hasn't been stolen, previously written off or clocked. RAC, AA and Glass' Guide online all offer this service for a small fee.

We hope you enjoy the summer weather and wish you all the very best in your search for the perfect convertible. Do bear in mind that while we often have some convertibles on the forecourt this time of year we may also be able to source a vehicle for you if you have a particular one in mind. It's well worth calling a member of our experienced Sales Team on 01271 342600 or emailing sales@devonshire-motors.co.uk and saving yourself all the steps above in the process!

 

Gym Training, Championship Races and a Broken Thumb! Motocross Update.

As many regular readers of our blog/news section will know, we have sponsored local motocross rider- Mark Osborne- for a couple of years now. We were delighted to continue this sponsorship for the 2014 season and thought we'd give you a little update on his progress in the last few months. 

Mark has always been fantastic at keeping us in the loop with events on the track and this year has been no exception. We were, however, disappointed for Mark when we heard his latest news back in early April. 

Training was going very well for him but, while having a practice session in Cornwall, he had a crash on the last run resulting in a swift trip to A&E, scarring down his left side and fractured thumb.


Thankfully for Mark, three weeks and a great deal of strapping later and he's back on the bike. We hear he's put in 4 good 20minute sessions this first week, is planning a combination of rest, recuperation and gym training and is raring to go for the first Championship race on Sunday 11th May- feeling the fittest he has in many seasons.

Visitors for the Championship race are more than welcome and we're told the Littlehampton, Newton Abbott track is one of the best in the South West for viewing. Fingers crossed for a top 10 finish, we're right behind you Mark!








 

Outlander PHEV, The Game-Changer

Top motoring publication, Auto Express, summed up the latest addition to the Mitsubishi range in one short paragraph: "Once in a while a game-changer comes along- a car that proves a hit with buyers and makes rivals rush to copy the concept. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is one of those cars".

The Outlander PHEV is as unique as it is revolutionary- the first ever plug-in hybrid SUV on the market- promises to save owners thousands: it produces just 44g/km of CO2 so no road tax is payable, can achieve up to 32.5 miles on a single charge and, for company car users, attracts a benefit-in-kind tariff of just five per cent (even the cleanest diesel cars are charged at 13% and similar sized SUV's are closer to 25%).

The new model is powered by both a 2.0 litre petrol engine and two electric motors which- when required- can produce around 200bhp and you can keep tabs on everything from economy to which power source the vehicle is running on through the infotainment screen-original to the PHEV- while it flits imperceptibly between petrol and electric power. 

  
Official figures state that it can achieve 148mpg and, while it goes without saying that the potential range and economy will vary depending on the types of roads and driving style, it will be a money saver for most and- for those doing less than the 32-mile electric range- fuel station visits will become a rare occurrence.

Those familiar with the Mitsubishi Outlander will notice little difference from the outside- the only slight tweaks are a minor increase in weight, a reduction in boot space of just 14 litres and a marginally higher floor in the rear to accommodate the batteries. It is still a remarkable off-roader, still a marvel at towing (with a capacity of 1,500kg) and continues to offer a favourable driving position and a user-friendly interior.

Utilising a powerful twin-motor four wheel drive system, the Outlander PHEV is integrated with Mitsubishi's proven S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) system for added traction, the same system found on the legendary Lancer Evolution X.

And it isn't only economical: Autocar rave about the PHEV's "impressively refined drive" and its secure and dependable feel in their latest review, while What Car? praise it for everything from stability to handling. Little wonder that European orders reached in excess of 12,000 in the latter part of 2013.


Smartphone users will love the additional functionality on offer through Mitsubishi's technologically advanced app: owners can view the charge level of their vehicle, control when the vehicle charges and even operate the climate control remotely: No more early mornings de-icing the windscreen.

With so many outstanding positives, many people will be waiting for the 'but', but there just isn't one: Mitsubishi have teamed up with British Gas to fit home charging kits at owners homes for free, the manufacturer have taken the unheard-of decision to charge exactly the same as a similarly equipped Diesel-powered version for the hybrid-starting from £28,249 (inc. £5,000 plug-in car grant) and, while it can reach 80% charge in a mere 30 minutes, a full 5 hour charge will cost under £2 on the average household electricity tariff.

For any further information on what is a completely unique introduction to the motoring industry, or to arrange a test drive please contact us on 01271 342600. Pop in to our showroom in Pottington, Barnstaple or email sales@devonshire-motors.co.uk.

Proud to Work with Local Businesses

We have long been proud of our working relationships with local businesses and have been delighted to assist thousands of businesses in everything from construction, forestry, farming and fishing to find the perfect vehicle for their needs over the years. We don't do 'one size fits all'.

One of our most recent success stories was our supply of three L200 pick-ups to a local veterinary business. Torch Farm and Equine Limited, which works in partnership with the Charter Veterinary Hospital Group and operates seven veterinary clinics across North Devon, approached us in 2013 and- after careful deliberation- decided to opt for three of the rough and rugged L200s for their business.

L to R: Bill Dixon, Chris Chapple (Senior Sales Executive) and Mike Blake, Director of Torch Farm and Equine Ltd.

Bill Dixon, Group Business Manager of the Charter/Torch Farm and Equine Group, was full of praise for the L200's they purchased. He said:

"These vehicles are ideal for our business needs in providing round-the-clock large animal veterinary care and herd management to a farm and equine client base across the wide expanses of North Devon.

The varied terrain and extreme weather conditions of the area require a versatile and robust vehicle which offers excellent off-road capabilities, comfortable and generous cabin space, an easy-to-use and reliable communications package, and the capacity to accommodate and protect a wide inventory of specialist equipment".

Mr Dixon added that the vehicles' five-year warranty had helped his company make their purchase decision and paid tribute to our team, saying:

"The team at Devonshire Motors have provided a highly personalised and cost-smart solution which meets our needs into the future. They couldn't have been more helpful."

We were absolutely delighted to have been able to supply the trio of L200's, we're only too familiar with the qualities of the L200, so to hear a valued customer praise them so highly makes us feel very proud indeed!

Contact a member of our Sales team on 01271 342600 or on sales@devonshire-motors.co.uk to arrange a no-obligation appointment to discuss your business requirements and see what cash-flow savings and other benefits may be available to you.