The Show organisers have decided to make the new off-road facilities at Silverstone available for test driving at the Fleet World Fleet Show for the first time, so that fleet managers can test the all-weather capabilities of a range of new off-road vehicles. 

The new attraction is particularly expected to appeal to fleet managers within the public utilities whose engineers have had to cope with horrendous conditions this winter in carrying out their duties. 

Several vehicle manufacturers, including Land Rover, Toyota and Kia, will have their latest 4×4 offerings for fleet managers to evaluate. 

Land Rover will have a number of vehicles at the Show including the Range Rover Sport Hybrid, Range Rover Hybrid, Range Rover Sport 5.0 S/C, Range Rover Evoque SD4 Dynamique Plus Auto plus the new Freelander. 

Toyota, meanwhile, is making the Rav 4, the Hilux and the Land Cruiser V8 available for off-road driving, while Kia will have the Sportage KX3 CRDi 4×4 and the new Sorento KX2 CRDi 4×4 available for off-road driving evaluations on the 4×4 course. 

The off-road area is located within easy reach of the main Silverstone Grand Prix circuit, and Show visitors can experience the course to the full alongside a professional instructor. 

Jerry Ramsdale, organiser of the Fleet World Fleet Show event, said: 'After such an appalling winter when all the major utility companies were stretched to the limit, there’s a high level of interest in vehicles with strong off-road capability to allow engineers to reach remote work locations. 

'Not surprisingly, we’ve had an unusually high level of interest in this year’s Fleet Show from major utility and other local government fleet buyers and for this reason we’ve opened up Silverstone’s off-road circuit for the first time at the show. 

'Silverstone is better known as the home of Formula One racing, but the addition of the 4×4 circuit makes it all the more interesting for fleets working away from the road,' he said. 

For those who want to experience track driving, the main Silverstone Grand Prix circuit has been split in two this year, so that the National circuit can be used for high-speed laps, and the International Circuit for road speed drives. 

At the same time, a new eco-driving initiative at Silverstone’s infield Stowe Circuit is being supported by Allstar Card Services. The Eco-driving Hub will feature those manufacturers with strong low-CO2 sub-brands will demonstrate not only the fuel efficiency of their cars, but also how they can be driven in the most economical fashion. 

And it will be the focus of a range of fuel and cost saving initiatives, all designed to make fleet managers aware of the wide range of products and services available in this area of the fleet market. 

In addition, a team of eco-driving experts from corporate driver training specialists, IAM Drive & Survive, will be available on the day to help fleet managers understand how they can achieve – or even exceed – the published fuel consumption figures for popular fleet cars. 

As well as the test driving element, the Show will again feature an indoor exhibition in halls 1-3 of the Silverstone Wing, with up to 60 exhibitors demonstrating some of the latest developments, products and services in the fleet arena.

The Show also will pioneer an exciting new seminar and training format designed to provide practical hands-on advice and guidance across a range of fleet management disciplines.

Each session will be presented by a respected and current fleet manager whose own experience in their chosen subject area will provide delegates with a case-study style learning experience.

For more details of the Fleet World Fleet Show 2014 please phone 01727 739160, visit www.thefleetshow.co.uk or click here to register: http://www.thefleetshow.co.uk/visiting/