< Previous40 Business Link www.blmforum.netAUTOLINKcars cars cars2018 was a packed year for car launches and we will be kept just as busy in 2019. So, without further ado, let’s see some of what we’ve been driving since the last issue. Jaguar XF Sportbrake Jaguar’s XF Sportbrake is an executive blend of refinement and room. At 565-litres, the boot size is respectable, and the flat floor makes loading easy. As well as a large boot, the athletically-styled XF estate has enough room to carry four people in limousine-like luxury. Soft-touch materials and leather are everywhere inside, along with in-car WiFi, ambient lighting and touchscreen infotainment. The XF Sportbrake is a delight to drive, with sharp steering that allows you to test the limits of the car with confidence. Most buyers will select a diesel, and we were handed the keys to the all-wheel-drive 2.0d 240ps R-Sport Auto Sportbrake. The £42,435 car returns up to 48.7mpg and will do 0-62mph in 6.7s. Top speed is 150mph. It’s also very grippy, so will make light work of driving on wintry roads. 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Mitsubishi’s Outlander Plug-in Hybrid 42 Á40-43.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 10:31 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 41 AUTOLINKJaguar XF SportbrakeMitsubishi Outlander PHEV40-43.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 10:31 Page 242 Business Link www.blmforum.netAUTOLINKElectric Vehicle (PHEV) is a no-nonsense executive-cum-family SUV that possesses a valuable electric-only resource. The main alterations for the 2019 Outlander PHEV incorporate its 300V Lithium-ion battery capacity being boosted by 15 per cent, the rear electric motor output being heightened by 10 per cent to 95ps and a bigger 2.4-litre petrol lump, which remains hooked up to an automatic gearbox. The petrol unit also manages to be more economical than before with 156.5mpg possible when combined with the electric power. The 0-62mph time is now 10.5s and the top speed is 106mph. Because the £39,500 PHEV 4h 2.4 Auto, on test here, has an electric motor for every axle, it can give 4×4 capability all the time – even in pure EV mode. 2019 Suzuki Jimny The new Jimny’s latest 1.5-litre petrol power unit produces 101ps. This means the 40+mpg SUV will do 0-60mph in 13.0s, and its top speed is 90mph. Off the black stuff, the Suzuki’s low-range gearing means you’re not going to get stuck in the wild. It attacks tough terrain with gusto - going where many other SUVs wouldn’t dare to tread. The Jimny’s off-the-beaten-track’s talents are Suzuki Jimny40-43.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 10:31 Page 3complete without a roaring V8, so you’ll be pleased to hear Ford offers a colossal 5.0-litre one with 450ps. Together with its active sports exhaust, there are few lovelier tunes in the automotive world, and in convertible 10-speed auto guise, as reviewed here, it’ll race from 0-62mph in 4.5s. Top speed is 155mph. The view you get over the long bonnet is very much retro-Mustang; www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 43 AUTOLINKdue to good ground clearance and the excellent traction provided by its four-wheel-drive arrangement. The tall driving position means you get a great view of the road – and the car’s small, square shape and big windows means visibility is top-notch. Overall, £18,000 for a top of the range Suzuki Jimny SZ5, as driven here, is inexpensive, considering it’s an out-and-out 4x4. New Ford Mustang GT The latest Mustang wouldn’t be and, from the roomy front seats, you get a good view of the road. The £47,645 car has a 332-litre storage capacity, so you’ll get a suitcase plus other bits and pieces in there no worries. Expect only around 20+mpg, though.Ford Mustang GT40-43.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 10:31 Page 444 Business Link www.blmforum.netAUTOLINKNew BMW 8 Series 2019 Engineering excellence The 8 Series is the hottest car to come off BMW’s production line for years. Fast Facts New BMW M850i xDrive Max speed: 155 mph 0-62 mph: 3.7 seconds Combined mpg: 28.8 Engine layout: 4395cc 8-cylinder petrol turbo Max. power (PS): 530 CO2: 224 g/km Price: £99,52544-45.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 11:51 Page 1AUTOLINKThe Bavarian beast looks muscular and assertive in all the right areas, with 20-inch alloys and wide shoulders. But inside is where the new BMW 8 Series really shines. The fit and finish looks and feels luxurious, and you sit low to the ground with the centre console and the iDrive infotainment system towering beside you. Once on the road, the cabin is muted, and the ride is velvety smooth unless a pothole gets in the way. Even then, the car tries its best to cushion the many blows you get from our scarred British road surfaces. All variants get an eight-speed automatic gearbox. This smooth-shifting transmission is coupled to either a petrol or diesel powerplant from launch. Sooner or later an even more blistering M8 will join the line-up – probably using the same unit as housed in the M5 – but for now, the series starts off with the 840d: a 3.0-litre dishing out 320ps. The BMW M850i xDrive we were handed the keys to contains a mammoth 530ps 4.4-litre V8. It feels every bit as rapid as the 3.7-second zero to 62mph dash indicates, launching the vehicle onward ferociously. It is complemented by a satisfying growl, with appropriate crackles from the tailpipes when in Sport setting. Press on, and the M850i stays unruffled. There is no body roll, there’s ladles of traction, and the four-wheel-drive arrangement puts down the clout straightforwardly. On the practical side of things, the 8 Series’ boot is considerable, and the rest of the cabin is good for four adults. Ultimately, the BMW 8 Series is a car that manages to seize a hitherto unoccupied niche between being a supercar and a GT. The German machine is fast, comfy and utterly refined. Indeed, in M850i guise, you get gratifying handling blended with suitable practicality. What more could you ask for? 44-45.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 11:51 Page 246 Business Link www.blmforum.neteventsGreater Lincolnshire Construction & Property Awards 2019 Tuesday 5 February DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln Lincolnshire is once again celebrating its multimillion-pound construction and property industry by hosting a set of industry awards which will recognise, unite and champion the county’s leading © Shutterstock/antbIoD Leader’s Lunch – Beyond Brexit Thursday 7 February 2019 The Mansion, Leeds Is your business ready for Brexit? Understand how it could affect your business with expert advice from Allie Renison, IoD expert on Brexit and Head of Europe and Trace Policy. You’ll also be able to share your views. For more information, email iod.yorkshire@iod.com. © Shutterstock / Rawpixel.comBoston Business Market Thursday 24 January 2019 White Hart Hotel, Boston The Boston Business Network has joined forces with the town’s White Hart Hotel to host this helpful networking event. Spearheaded by the Lincolnshire Chamber, this business-focused event encourages growth across the town and wider county. Not only do delegates enjoy themselves, but also gain valuable business contacts and pick up new opportunities. For more information, email Helen.Tomkinson@lincs-chamber.co.uk. Introduction to Industry 4.0 Tuesday 29 January 2019 MoCap Hub, School of Sport & Exercise Science, University of Lincoln Industry 4.0 is too big a concept for many SMEs to take on board, but when it is broken down into smaller chunks, it becomes a little more relevant, focus on practicalities and it becomes realistic. So, join hosts Business Lincolnshire for a panel discussion and participate in a Q&A session focussing on these practicalities and draw experience from two Lincolnshire SMEs. For more information, email juliet.lawton@bizlincolnshire.com. Leeds Chamber Annual Dinner Thursday 31 January 2019 The Queens Hotel, Leeds This prestigious event brings together key decision makers from some of the region’s most prominent businesses as well as other influential figures from the public sector. For more information, email events@wnychamber.co.uk. Select Lincolnshire Forum Thursday 31 January 2019 The Brackenborough Hotel, Louth This is your chance to meet with other businesses in Select Lincolnshire’s Food Drink and Hospitality network. With regular updates from experts from both Select Lincolnshire and the Lincolnshire Chamber, this forum will update attendees on what’s going on in the rest of the county, help them stay abreast of the latest legislation and allow them to find out what opportunities and support are available to you. For more information, call 01522 523333. 46-47.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 10:35 Page 1www.blmforum.netBusiness Link 47construction and property businesses and the dedicated people who work so hard behind the scenes helping to develop and improve the housing and architectural landscape across Greater Lincolnshire. For more information, visit www.lincs-chamber.co.uk. Doncaster Business Showcase 2019 Thursday 28 February 20019 Doncaster Racecourse This one-day event brings together businesses and individuals from across the borough and surrounding areas to promote their business, gain inspiration, learn the latest business skills and provide excellent networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk. Be Inspired Conference Friday 8 March 2019 Wetherby Racecourse & Conference Centre Join likeminded individuals to celebrate International Women’s Day at Yorkshire’s largest networking conference for women. Returning for its fifth year, the conference will offer a variety of activities, with 60 businesses exhibiting. There are also keynote session and business workshops available. For more information, visit events@yorkshireladieslinks.co.uk. Lincolnshire Farming Conference Tuesday 26 February 2019 The Lincolnshire Showground The Lincolnshire Farming Conference returns to the Lincolnshire Showground as the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society celebrates its 150th anniversary. With that in mind the conference with explore the topic of ‘Lincolnshire agriculture for the next 150 years’. It will feature talks from a number of speakers, case studies and one-to-one sessions with industry experts. For more information, visit www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk. Northern Digital Awards Thursday 31 January 2019 Leeds The Northern Digital Awards recognise the very best in digital marketing campaigns and talent in the region and reward websites across a number of sectors to reflect the online world that public, private and third sector organisations now inhabit, trade and communicate in. For more information, visit www.northerndigitalawards.com.© Shutterstock / VGstockstudio© Shutterstock/vectorfusionart46-47.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 10:35 Page 2FEATURES Engineering Spotlight Printing & Packaging Business Travel & Leisure Training & Apprenticeships Meet The Experts REGULARS Commercial Property Motoring Corporate Hospitality Watch out too for the latest news from across the region in every sectorNext month in February 2019 - Deadline 23rd JanuaryVisit us at www.blmforum.net where you’ll find the latest news as it breaks – and why not subscribe to our newsletters so you can have the latest news emailed to your inbox, in between printed issues?48.qxp_Layout 1 04/01/2019 10:36 Page 1Costa Blanca Close to the beach and Murcia or Alicante airportsLUXURY VILLA RENTALLuxury detached villa with landscaped gardens, private pool, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and large sun terrace. 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Tel: 01724 874400 or email: info@abcvending.co.ukMECHANICAL & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERSHarland Construction Ltd Tel: 01724 280670 Email: info@harlandconstruction.co.uk www.harlandconstruction.co.ukMechanical & Structural EngineeringTRAINING07932 678 535 paultaylor673@gmail.com www.paultaylortraining.co.ukCPC TRAINING Whether you’re a driver or work in transport management, a CPC qualification from Paul Taylor Training will help you to meet your training requirements, legally use your vehicle and improve your professional knowledge.49.qxp_Layout 1 09/01/2019 09:11 Page 1Next >