Martin Ward, manufacturer relationships manager at Cap HPI travels to Auto XP, comments on the Jaguar I-Pace launch and travels to Vienna for the Subaru XV. 

Tuesday

Down to AutoXP near Banbury. I guarantee many fleet companies and journalists will have come into contact with AutoXP and perhaps not realised it.

AutoXP delivers demo cars and commercials for 18 manufacturers, and has full UK coverage.

Its 100-plus drivers travel around seven million miles per year, and deliver and collect more than 30,000 vehicles.

There is an on-site bodyshop and paint booth, and also a wheel refurbishment department.

AutoXP also has a training workshop, an EV section, an events team and more.

The operation and logistics is slick and professional – a bit like Amazon, but it delivers vehicles instead of parcels.

Wednesday

After driving the Tesla Model X last week, we saw the Jaguar I-Pace make its first appearance in London and what a first impression – a full barrel role that caught the headlines.

But the real headline is just how good it is, and the price is unbelievable good value. It is pure-electric and Jaguar says it will have a range in excess of 300 miles and prices start at less than £30,000.

Think it’s time for Tesla to start looking over its shoulder.  

Thursday/Friday

To Vienna for an early drive of the all-new Subaru XV. I’m sure many will say, is there a current Subaru XV?

Yes, there is, and this new model is so much improved. 

Many items have been adjusted. Among them: a new platform; cabin noise has been reduced; a new 2.0 Direct Injection petrol engine; it is slightly longer and wider with more leg and headroom; new interior and a revised exterior, though not that different. 

We took it on an off-road course. It went up and down hills you couldn’t scale even on hands and knees.

Due in the UK early 2018, it should be considered more by fleets.

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