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Did you know that there are holiday packages that bundle airfares, accommodation and cosmetic surgery? It’s a sort of incentive program for women (and some men) to have their surgery done overseas and is especially popular in Britain and Australia. Well, as some of you may already know, there are similar programs for people who want to buy a new car.
These so-called, “European Delivery Programs” are offered by companies as diverse as Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volvo. Effectively you’re bundling a discount European vacation with your new car purchase.
You fly to Europe, spend a few nights in a hotel with your mistress family and pick up your car from the dealer or factory there. You save a bit of money on MSRP (no doubt offset by all the souvenirs and what-have-you), enjoy a European holiday and simply drop your car off at the dock when you’re done.
There’s no negotiating or destination fees and turnaround averages four months, with two months to build your car in Europe and another two to ship it back stateside. Many automakers thrown in perks like complimentary meals, free airfares and complimentary stays, insurance and all the rest.
The price can be as little as US$1,500 (€1,050), plus the US$30,000 (€21,000) or so you’ll pay for your entry level BMW or Audi.
But as the luxobarge manufactures are keen to remind us, it’s not about the car...it’s about the experience.
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Toyota today announced prices for its next generation Yaris hatchback in Europe including the UK where the supermini is available for order now with first customer deliveries to take place in September.
The new Yaris is available in three- and five-door body styles with British buyers offered a choice of four grades (T2, TR, SR and T Spirit) and three engines including 1.0 and 1.33-litre petrol units and a 1.4-litre D-4D turbodiesel. On-the-road prices start from £11,700.
The entry-level engine for the range is Toyota’s three-cylinder 1.0-litre VVT-i petrol that generates 68bhp at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 93Nm at 3,600rpm. Toyota says fuel consumption has been improved by four per cent over the outgoing model to 58.9mpg UK (4.8 lt/100km or 49mpg US), while CO2 emissions are down by seven per cent to 111g/km.
Those looking for a bit more oomph can opt for the 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine rated at 98bhp at 6,000rpm and 125Nm at 4,000rpm. When linked to the firm’s latest Multidrive S (CVT) transmission, fuel economy is 56.5mpg UK (5.0lt/100km or 47mpg US) and CO2 emissions are 118g/km.
Diesel options are limited to the 1.4-litre D-4D engine fitted as standard with a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and matched to a six-speed manual gearbox. The four-pot delivers an output of 89bhp at 3,800rpm and maximum torque of 205Nm between 1,800 and 2,800rpm.
According to Toyota, the diesel-powered Yaris’ combined cycle fuel economy has been improved by seven per cent to 72.4mpg UK (3.9lt/10
0km or 60.2mpg US) and CO2 emissions are six per cent lower at 104g/km.
Did you know that there are holiday packages that bundle airfares, accommodation and cosmetic surgery? It’s a sort of incentive program for women (and some men) to have their surgery done overseas and is especially popular in Britain and Australia. Well, as some of you may already know, there are similar programs for people who want to buy a new car. 
There’s no negotiating or destination fees and turnaround averages four months, with two months to build your car in Europe and another two to ship it back stateside. Many automakers thrown in perks like complimentary meals, free airfares and complimentary stays, insurance and all the rest.
