emergency services

VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
ISSUE 2 DECEMBER 2014
EMERGENCY SERVICES
NEWSLETTER
HEAVY DUTY
A good blue-light vehicle gets even better
with a new bespoke springs kit
INTRODUCING
THE ULTRA
ANCHORING THE
AIR AMBULANCE
SUPER-FIT
FOR PURPOSE
Performance with economy
from Audi – page 4
Firmly grounded with ŠKODA
Octavia fleet – page 12
New Touareg Response
ready for duty – page 6
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VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
03
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
WELCOME
MEET THE TEAM
...to your quarterly Emergency Services
newsletter from Volkswagen Group UK Ltd
We’re here to give our blue-light customers a world-class service. Each member of our team is a brand
specialist, knowledgeable about the vehicles they will be discussing with you, our ordering processes
and their brands’ retailers.
Welcome back to the
Volkswagen Group
(VWG) Emergency
Services Newsletter.
This latest issue is
the second since I
took the helm at the
VWG Specialist Sales
team just over 12
months ago – and what a busy period that
has been.
The time has flown, particularly with
the build-up for the end of the NPIA
contract and the preparation work
that has taken place to support our
tender submission to supply under the
new Crown Commercial Service (CCS)
framework agreement. I am pleased to
say this has been positively received and
all five Volkswagen Group brands have
been appointed as continued suppliers
under the CCS RM1070 Vehicle Supply
Framework Agreement.
We are very excited about the new
agreement as it now provides a much
broader scope for supply and will allow us
opportunity to showcase vehicles within
our range that could be of consideration for
use in a variety of roles; roles which were
previously out of scope of our award. With
five brands to choose from we are confident
that whatever the role or requirements
we will have something to suit your fleet
needs. Please feel free to contact a member
of the VWG Emergency Services team to
discuss your requirements.
This year’s NAPFM was my first
opportunity to attend the show. I was
surprised how quickly the two days passed,
but appreciated the opportunity to spend
quality time speaking with customers and
converters, getting a real opportunity to
understand the market that we operate
in with blue-light vehicles. I will continue
to build on this as I work my way around
meeting with many of you back at base.
Behind the scenes, we’re busy working
on projects that will improve the
support we provide to you all from both
a product and aftersales perspective.
Among areas we’re looking into are
vehicle enhancements (see the section
on Eibach Suspension upgrades in
this issue), extending into the realms
of in-house warranty repairs at your
own facilities and the introduction of
dedicated blue-light specialist retailers and
authorised repairers within our existing
VWG networks (more information will
follow on both counts).
In this issue, we also bring you
information on the new products and
technologies available from within our
Group, a reminder of the servicing regime
for Eberspächer air-con units and news
on our sponsorship of the London Air
Ambulance.
As much as this newsletter is a platform
for us to share information with you,
we hope you will see it as a platform to
address any matters you’re particularly
interested in. We’re always happy to
receive your suggestions for articles for
future issues. Please feel free to contact
me direct with your ideas.
In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the
newsletter and its updated and refreshed
format.
Steven Cowell
Technical Sales Manager
CoRNELIA Breeden
Specialist Sales Executive
Verity Hopkinson
Specialist Sales Executive
Contact for tenders, technical and
conversion questions and servicing
information.
Responsible for managing quotations,
orders, delivery and product
enquiries for Emergency Services
vehicles, specialising in Volkswagen
Commercial Vehicles.
Responsible for managing quotations,
orders, delivery and product enquiries
for Emergency Services vehicles,
specialising in ŠKODA.
Tel: 07983 021642
Email: steven.cowell@vwg.co.uk
Tel: 01908 548271
Email: emergencyservicessupply@vwg.co.uk
Tel: 01908 548043
Email: emergencyservicessupply@vwg.co.uk
Steven Cowell
Technical Sales Manager
Our network
CONTENTS
P11 Are you X-perienced?
SEAT is about to enter the blue-light
market with a new model, the Leon
X-PERIENCE estate.
P3 Meet the team
P12 ŠKODA anchors air ambulance
fleet When London’s Air Ambulance
can’t fly, the service despatches its
new ŠKODA Octavia rapid response
P4-5 Introducing the Audi ultra
Far greater fuel economy with no
compromise on performance – that’s the
new Audi ultra.
P6-7 Super-fit for purpose
We listened to what the blue-light market
was telling us, and the result is the new
Volkswagen Touareg Response.
P8-9 Smoother operator
A new, Volkswagen Group approved
suspension upgrade kit is putting the
spring back into the step of ŠKODA
Octavia emergency vehicle users.
P6-7 – The new Volkswagen Polo,
our ‘evergreen super-mini’, is a strong
contender for frontline blue-light fleets.
P10 Keeping your cool
Timely air-con servicing makes perfect
sense, especially when there’s a warranty
riding on it.
P11 – The new SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE is a
versatile contender for emergency services
roles with its advanced four-wheel-drive
system and extra ground clearance.
Sara Gurney
Specialist Sales Executive
Julie Mascall
Specialist Sales Executive
Responsible for managing quotations,
orders, delivery and product enquiries
for Emergency Services vehicles,
specialising in SEAT and Audi.
Responsible for managing quotations,
orders, delivery and product enquiries for
Emergency Services vehicles, specialising
in Volkswagen passenger cars.
Tel: 01908 601144
Email: emergencyservicessupply@vwg.co.uk
Tel: 01908 601650
Email: emergencyservicessupply@vwg.co.uk
Frontline support Aftersales
Contact for all aftersales and
technical enquiries.
Tel: 08444 778 444
Email: bluelight@vwg.co.uk
Brand
Number
of sites
Authorised
repairer
only
Full
Retailer
Audi
130
12
118
VWCV
98
27
71
SEAT
138
11
127
ŠKODA
158
24
134
Volkswagen
230
23
207
Trade Parts
Specialist
(TPS)
77
Paint & Body
Repairs
185
As well as the dedicated Emergency Services
team, we have a network of approved VWG
retailers providing aftersales support. To
find your nearest facility, use the dealer
locator tools on the brand websites or
contact one of the team.
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VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
INTRODUCING THE ULTRA
TARGET: TOTAL
CARBON
NEUTRALITY
Low emissions does not have to mean driving around in a small, lowpowered vehicle. Audi has introduced new ultra engine technology to
its range. Audi’s new A6 now includes the ultra variant, offering far
greater fuel economy with the same superb performance.
The new Audi ultra models achieve the rare
feat of returning better fuel economy with
no compromise on performance.
This is all thanks to the efforts of Audi
engineers who focused on delivering
efficiency improvements in line with the
overall aim of Audi becoming a future
carbon-neutral vehicle manufacturer. The
new models emit as little as 109g/km of
CO2.
Audi Product Manager Amy Wand
said: “ultra emphasises the philosophy of
Vorsprung durch Technik, using advanced
technological innovations originally
developed for our award-winning Le Mans
cars, to deliver exceptional driving dynamics
without compromising on efficiency.
“The ultra badge on Audi’s products
symbolises the most emission-efficient and
fuel-efficient models of each car line.
“At a time when there is unprecedented
pressure to make sure you extract the
maximum value for money, and lowest
total cost of ownership, we expect the
availability of these more fuel-efficient
models to make the range even more
appealing. Particularly when fuel costs
make up a large proportion of the overall
running costs.”
With ultra, neither power and
performance nor customer choice is
sacrificed. There is a wide variety of trim
and equipment options across the whole
Audi ultra range and with the lowest CO2
emissions in the range, ultra models provide
significant savings in vehicle excise duty:
free in the first year and £20 thereafter.
For the emergency and allied services,
the principal benefits will be in the lower
running and total ownership costs.
These models join a line-up which
has been bolstered by styling revisions,
upgraded lighting options and new
transmissions and are open for order now.
The A6 2.0 TDI ultra Saloon with S tronic
twin-clutch transmission has increased its
Emergency and allied services will benefit from the lower running and total ownership costs
“Few vehicles can
combine low emissions,
good performance, a
premium brand, and a good
size that deliver driver and
passenger comfort. The ultra
does just that.”
AMY WAND,
AUDI PRODUCT MANAGER
The 2.0-litre-four-cylinder TDI engine in the Audi A6 ultra – four valves per cylinder, common-rail
system with solenoid injectors and water-cooled turbocharger with variable-turbine geometry
range to 67.3mpg and cut its emissions to
109g/km in SE form. The Avant versions
of the TDI ultra SE boast an improved C02
figure of 114g/km for S tronic versions,
equating to a combined fuel economy figure
of 61.4mpg, or 118g/km and 60.1mpg for
manual versions.
Thanks to peak outputs of 190 PS and
400Nm, the A6 TDI ultras still deliver strong
and responsive performance, borne out by
the S tronic saloon’s 8.2-second 0-62mph
time (8.4 seconds for manual ultras) and
144mph top speed.
A key contributor to this trade-off
between pace and frugality is the fully
redeveloped seven-speed S tronic twinclutch transmission which replaces
the familiar eight-speed multitronic
continuously variable transmission in
front-wheel-drive models. Its rapid-fire gear
changes help to build momentum.
It also incorporates a new ‘coasting’
function activated when efficiency mode
is selected in the standard Audi Drive
Select system, allowing the engine to
‘freewheel’ in neutral once the accelerator
is released. The six-speed manual gearbox
available as an alternative in ultra models
is also completely new and notable for its
particularly light weight and low friction
characteristics.
Improvements to the engine start-stop
system also contribute to the efficiency
gains. The system activates as soon as the
car comes to a halt and can switch on or
off several times if required, for example to
maintain the ambient cabin temperature.
Together, the S tronic and start-stop
revisions save up to 8g/km of C02.
Weight-saving measures include the introduction
of Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer springs
Weight-saving measures include the
introduction of Glass Fibre Reinforced
Polymer springs, 40 per cent lighter than
conventional steel springs, as standard, in
the suspension of the A6 Avant TDI ultra
models.
The important changes under the
skin of the new A6 and A6 Avant are
complemented by exterior design
enhancements. Xenon headlamps are now
standard for UK A6 SE models, and LED
headlights with dynamic ‘sweeping’ rear
indicators for S line versions and above.
The range of driver assistance systems
includes Audi side assist, which uses radar
to check behind the car when changing
lanes, along with Audi active lane assist to
prevent unintended lane changes.
Amy Wand added: “Few vehicles can
combine low emissions, good performance,
a premium brand, and a good size that
deliver driver and passenger comfort. The
ultra does just that.”
The Volkswagen Group has a longterm aim of producing CO2-neutral
vehicles throughout the ranges. The
development of ultra is just the latest
step along this road.
At the most challenging end of the
spectrum in sports car racing, Audi
made history in 2012 by winning
the Le Mans 24-hour race using
pioneering hybrid diesel technology in
the R18 e-tron quattro, a design that
has been further refined since
the victory.
More familiar, though, will be
the highly efficient SEAT EcoMotive,
ŠKODA GreenLine and Volkswagen
Blue Motion engine ranges.
05
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VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
07
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
THREE FROM VOLKSWAGEN
Introducing new models of VW favourites
SUPER-FIT
FOR PURPOSE
READY FOR FRONTLINE FUNCTIONS
The Volkswagen Polo, our ‘evergreen supermini’, is a hot contender for frontline blue
light fleets in its latest iteration. The new
Polo, launched earlier this year, features a
new design, a new range of EU6-compliant
petrol and diesel engines and advanced
electronics systems not normally found in
its class of vehicles.
Among these systems are electronic
stability control (ESC), hill hold and
automatic post-collision braking – all
standard – and optional safety features
including a driver alert system, adaptive
cruise control with front assist and city
emergency braking and navigation systems.
Two new Polo BlueMotion models
are available from year-end. One is
a frugal 1.4-litre 75 PS TDI; the other
is Volkswagen’s first petrol-powered
BlueMotion, a Polo with a 1.0-litre 95 PS TSI
engine. BlueMotion technology in the new
Polo incorporates stop/start and battery
regeneration systems for greater economy
and fewer emissions.
This latest Polo is also the first
(from year-end) to use LED lighting.
The light of the dual LED headlights is
whiter and closer to daylight than that of
xenon headlights, and reduces driver eyestrain in half light.
The new Polo’s advanced electronics systems
are not normally found in this class.
ALL-NEW PASSAT
The new Passat is lighter and longer than
previous models and has more interior space.
The new Touareg Response incorporates features that emergency services customers asked for.
Service,
maintenance
and repair costs
for 3 years
Fuel
Insurance
group (1-50)
Annual road
tax
Cost per mile
Model
Residual value
Contact the VWG Emergency Services Team
at emergencyservicessupply@vwg.co.uk
TOTAL COST OF OWNERSHIP
CO2 emissions
figure
neck’ tow bar with a heavy-duty version
more
suitable for the work the Touareg has to do
on the motorway.
Steve said: “it’s a small thing, but it came
about after we recognised that the policy
is often the first vehicle at the scene of an
incident clears the carriageway. This could
mean pulling large and heavy loads, so it
needs the extra functionality and capability
of this equipment.”
“We listened to what the industry was
telling us, and this vehicle is the outcome.”
MPG
needed by the market as standard.”
Both driver and passenger seats in the
new Touareg Response have superior lumbar
support and six-point adjustment.
For blue light fleets, Volkswagen has
stripped out some of the embellishments
on the standard Touareg such as interior
chrome trim but left and added to useful
functionality. Among these features are the
Bluetooth wireless technology that enables
the operatives to use their mobile phones
and tablets, and the maximum number of
built-in storage compartments.
Other features such as air bags and air
conditioning are standard.
Specially for blue light fleet operators,
Volkswagen has replaced the standard ‘swan
estimated 78 mpg.
Standard features include a post-collision
braking system and mis-fuelling prevention.
Front assist, adaptive cruise control,
pre-crash system, driver profile selection,
Ergo comfort seats and front and rear
parking sensors are on SE models and above;
Discover navigation on the SE Business is
aimed at fleet drivers.
The best-selling model is likely to be the
2.0-litre TDI 150 PS with manual gearbox
in SE and SE Business trims. More than 80
per cent are expected to be sold into the
fleet market.
P11D value
(for company
car tax)
I
f proof were needed that Volkswagen
listens to the market, look no further
than the new Touareg Response
edition.
“We chose to build this vehicle based on
direct customer feedback,” said Technical
Sales Manager Steven Cowell.
Its major design considerations are
operational performance, functionality and
front-seat comfort – not just for the driver
but also for the passenger.
“The operational nature of emergency
services vehicles means they are often
manned by two people who spend long
hours in them,” said Steve, “so it’s important
to make them as comfortable as possible,
without overdoing features that are not
UK deliveries of the all-new Passat begin
in January. It’s the most refined and hightech version yet, the eighth generation of
the model first seen in 1973. Prices start at
£22,215 for the saloon; the estate carries a
£1,530 premium.
Thanks to innovative lightweight design,
the new Passat is up to 85kg lighter than
the previous model but has a slightly longer
wheelbase and more interior space.
All three powerful diesel engine options
are EU6 compliant; fuel efficiency has
been improved by as much as 14 per cent.
The diesel BlueMotion model returns an
Passat Saloon 2.0TDI BlueMotion Tech 150
StopStart SE Business 6Spd
25080
61.4
108
8650
2163
5725
21
0
54.8
Passat Saloon 2.0TDI BlueMotion Tech 150
StopStart SE Business DSG Auto8
26680
54.3
118
9100
2287
6473
21
0
59.13
Polo Hatch 3Dr 1.4TDI CR 75 StopStart BlueMotion
15740
91.1
82
5100
1590
3857
13
0
35.95
Polo Hatch 5Dr 1.4TDI CR 75 StopStart BlueMotion
16370
91.1
82
5350
1590
3857
13
0
36.79
Touareg SUV 3.0 V6 TDI BlueMotion Tech 262
44870
42.8
174 16200
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ilita pro occuptature poritae doluptat. Nulparum sitati rem harcia
StopStart
SE TIP
Auto8
4165
8212
40
290
98.24
These TCO figures are based on a three-year period,
with 60,000 miles driven.
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VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
09
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
SMOOTHER OPERATORS
A new, Volkswagen Group-approved suspension upgrade kit is
putting the spring back into the step of emergency vehicle users
and making for a smoother more progressive driving experience.
T
he ŠKODA Octavia estate is
popular with many UK police
and ambulance authorities. It
is not unusual for these fully
operational units to regularly carry up
to 200kg of extra weight in specialised
equipment – with most of the weight
over the rear axle. Not surprisingly,
under extreme operating conditions this
extra load can sometimes compromise a
vehicle’s handling.
To address this, Volkswagen Group has
worked with its approved supplier Eibach
UK, to develop Suspension Enhancement
Kit. The product helps restore the vehicle
ride height back to its unloaded level,
with added benefits of improved handling &
braking characteristics.
VWG Technical Sales Manager Steven
Cowell says: “The introduction of this upgrade
kit demonstrates our commitment to work
closely with our customers; the initial concept
came about as a result of direct customer
comments. The vehicles have been generally
well received as operational units, although
some users felt the vehicle sat a bit too
low when fully loaded, potentially placing
restrictions on when and where the unit could
be deployed in anger.
“We recognised the need for some kind of
enhancement specifically for the operational
side of the market and embarked on the
project with Eibach. Once the back-ofhouse research and development work was
completed, we engaged with customers to
have the kit installed on their own vehicles
and tested under real-life operation
conditions, again listening to customer
feedback and fine tuning the end product
to make sure we could offer the best
possible solution.”
Initial tests yielded impressive results,
with drivers reporting greater confidence
in their vehicles, stating they are now
more agile and capable at speed, making
officers and pedestrians alike safer. Issues
of grounding the rear of the vehicle over
speed bumps have also been eliminated.
Drivers reported greater
confidence in their vehicles,
which are now more agile
and capable at speed,
making officers and
pedestrians alike safer
One of the vehicles performs under testing.
Above, the springs and torsion bars of the
Eibach kit.
Eibach’s design combines higher torsional
stiffness with front and rear anti-roll bars
and specially designed “progressive” front
and rear road springs. This significantly
reduces body roll during hard cornering and
returns the rear of the car to the standard
ride height, even with the high payload. The
progressive nature of the springs means the
vehicle can comfortably be used in a variety
of laden or unladen conditions with little
noticeable compromise in ride quality for the
operators.
The upgraded suspension kit is fully TUV
approved and available through VWG as
a UK-approved accessory option; each kit
comes complete with all required parts
including replacement nuts and bolts, can be
fitted locally to new cars before delivery or
retrofitted on to your existing fleets, without
affecting the base vehicle warranty.
Initially designed for the 2WD ŠKODA
Octavia, there are possibilities for the kit
to be installed onto other Volkswagen
Group products built on the same MQB
platform including the SEAT Leon ST, Audi A3
Sportback, and Volkswagen Golf Mk
VII Estate fitted with the beam rear
axle set-up.
Although the kit is currently only
available for 2WD models, VWG is well
under way with the development of a
4WD set-up, which is due to be released
in coming months.
BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER
AFTER
If you feel your fleet would benefit from this enhancement or would like more information, please contact the Volkswagen Group Emergency
Services team at emergencyservicessupply@vwg.co.uk
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VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
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VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
LEON X-PERIENCE
MAINTENANCE
SEAT’s newcomer to the market
How servicing can affect your warranty
ARE YOU
X-PERIENCED?
KEEPING
YOUR COOL
...with Eberspächer auxiliary systems
Timely servicing makes perfect sense,
especially when there’s a warranty riding
on it.
PSU carriers, cell and dog vans – to name
a few – supplied by Volkswagen Group
are likely to be equipped with auxiliary
Eberspächer air-conditioning (AC) and
climate control systems installed in addition
to the standard Volkswagen Group systems.
While Eberspächer covers its systems
with a standard three-year warranty in
the UK, owners do need to keep an eye on
servicing. Warranty repairs can be an issue
where vehicles have an incorrect servicing
or maintenance history.
“All our converted vehicles supplied
under a one-stop-shop agreement come
with the same three-year base vehicle
warranty as the vehicle itself,” said Steven
Cowell, Technical Sales Manager for
Volkswagen Group Fleet Services. “This
includes the conversion elements.
“The auxiliary AC systems have specific
requirements over and above the standard
vehicle, and often get overlooked.”
Steven advises anyone who hasn’t
received the warranty registration papers
and/or copies of maintenance requirements
with the vehicle to get in touch with the
vehicle converter immediately.
For full warranty protection, the AC
system must be maintained to the correct
guidelines. This means having the system
serviced annually or every 32,000 miles,
whichever is sooner, using the AC service kit
“The auxiliary AC systems
have specific requirements
over and above the
standard vehicle, and
often get overlooked.”
A
supplied by Eberspächer UK (EBUK). These
kits include ‘fair wear and tear’ parts, such
as belts, idlers and driers/filters, and fuel
filters, glow pins and gasket sets that are
needed to complete the recommended
service schedules.
For climate control systems, the heater
should be serviced annually to ensure full
system reliability and fuel efficiency.
A service kit is produced for every vehicle
system, whether it’s AC or climate control,
from a minibus to a frontline ambulance.
EBUK can provide flexible maintenance
schemes on request, and the standard
three-year warranty can be extended to five
and seven years in some market sectors.
A&E ambulances, for example, may have an
extended service schedule; EBUK Aftersales
will be able to provide further details.
In the event of an AC system failure,
warranty customers can call a helpline.
The operator will try to arrange for repairs
at the nearest EBUK accredited or approved
agent, or in certain circumstances will send
an engineer to carry out repairs on the spot.
Helpline service is also available for
vehicles out of warranty, subject to
authorisation.
contact Eberspächer UK:
Headlands Business Park
Salisbury Road
Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3PB
Tel: 01425 480151
Fax: 01425 480152
enquiries@eberspaecher.com
new name is about to enter the bluelight market with a new model. It’s
the SEAT Leon X-PERIENCE estate and
judging by pre-launch commentary, it has a
lot to offer.
The newcomer features generous
carrying capacity, extra ground clearance
with off-road suspension and an advanced
four-wheel-drive (4WD) system for added
performance and safety.
Its official launch date in the UK is
9 January 2015.
SEAT Leon product manager Steve
Mirfin says the Leon X-PERIENCE is capable
in all road situations and poor weather
conditions. Inside and out, it retains all of
the ST’s style and versatility, including its
sizeable 587-litre boot, which increases to
1,470 litres with the rear seats folded at the
pull of a single lever.
“This is a good-looking car that’s practical
and efficient as well with the choice of two
powerful diesel engines,” said Steve.
“The electronic ‘on demand’ 4WD system
is very useful. It’s predominantly a frontwheel-drive vehicle but as soon as the
advanced 4Drive electronics detect the
need, it switches itself to 4WD without the
driver’s intervention.
“This will be as useful in city streets as in
the country – think wet, icy or snowy roads
in winter,” said Steve.
The Leon X-PERIENCE electronic stability
control (ESC) balances the power between
wheels and axles. “When linked to the 4WD
system, it will easily handle speed humps,
slippery roads and rough terrain, making
this vehicle even more efficient and safer
to drive.”
Steve said the factory is studying
requests to produce a blue-light
modification pack to help local converters
fine-tune the vehicle to operational
specifications.
To find out how you can experience the new X-PERIENCE, please call
01908 601987 to speak to the VWG blue light team.
An advanced four-wheel-drive system and
extra ground clearance make the new SEAT
Leon X-PERIENCE a versatile contender for
blue-light roles.
KEY FEATURES
• 4Drive all-wheel-drive system
with intelligent dynamic control
• extended electronic differential
lock (XDS)
• extra ground clearance
• 1,470-litre boot with the rear
seats folded
• premium equipment level
• available with 2.0 TDI 150 and
184 PS engines, latter with DSG
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VOLKSWAGEN GROUP – SUPPLIERS TO THE EMERGENCY SERVICES
ŠKODA ANCHORS AIR
AMBULANCE FLEET
What does London’s Air Ambulance do
when bad weather grounds its helicopter?
It despatches one of its new ŠKODA Octavia
vRS Estate rapid response cars.
This new fleet of six vehicles, equipped
for trauma care and rebranded in the same
red livery as the Air Ambulance’s iconic
helicopter, is ready to handle whatever
medical emergency the capital throws at it.
Londoners are “less familiar” with the
non-flying part of London’s Air Ambulance,
said Graham Hodgkin, the charity’s chief
executive. “It made sense for us to brand
our rapid response cars the same as the
helicopter when the time came to replace
them.”
The charity has worked with ŠKODA
for a number of years. During that time,
innovation and development of its services
has increased the amount of equipment
and medicine its paramedics and doctors
need. The Octavia vRS Estate, with its 1,740
litres of space, is the ideal choice.
The new high-performance and lowemission Octavias are fast and robust, and
are fitted with additional safety features
for emergency blue-light driving. Typically
they operate at night, in adverse weather
conditions or as back-up in major incidents.
The charity’s Physician Response Unit
(PRU) also has a new vehicle, a ŠKODA
Superb 4x4 Estate. Its intelligent all-wheel
drive system and exceptional level of grip
make it the perfect back-up trauma car in
adverse weather conditions.
Two new ŠKODA Yeti crossovers support
the Air Ambulance’s fundraising activities.
“Our rapid response cars are also an
important part of London’s emergency
infrastructure,” said Hodgkin. “They provide
continuity of service through delivering
the same team, with the same equipment,
who can perform the same life-saving
procedures on scene.”
Volkswagen Group Leasing provided
the affordable finance for the charity’s
new vehicle acquisitions. Marco
Capozzoli, Manager – Public Sector Sales
at Volkswagen Group Leasing, said: “Our
competitive proposition offers the charity
a joined up service – finance, vehicles,
delivery and aftersales care.”
This represents “value for money” which,
combined with a high level of service,
is “vital for important medical response
teams”.
Road Fleet Specifications
Rapid Response Cars x6
Make/Model: ŠKODA Octavia vRS Estate
Colour: Corrida Red
Engine size: 2.0 TSI 220PS 6G Manual
Physician Response Unit x1
Make/Model: ŠKODA Superb 4x4 Estate
Colour: Corrida Red
Engine size: 2.0 TDI CR 170PS 4x4 DSG
(Auto) with paddle-shift controls
Fundraising x2
Make/Model: ŠKODA Yeti
Colour: Corrida Red
Engine size: 1.2 TSI
2013 – A YEAR
IN NUMBERS
1,818
patient missions
2
major Incidents
Cause of injury:
34% road traffic collisions
27% falls from height
23% stabbings and shootings
16% other (incidents on the rail network,
industrial accidents, drownings etc).