A new portable version of the satellite navigation system, Hertz NeverLost, is now available at key gateway cities and airports across Europe.

The updated system enables to use the unit not only when they are in their Hertz rental car, but also outside the car, as the portable GPS unit can now be used as a personal tour guide, Hertz says.

The pocketsize and lightweight Hertz NeverLost units include street maps for customers who have parked their car and want to continue their journey on foot. The touchscreen systems have a number of other new features, including two additional languages - Japanese and Korean (taking the total number of languages to 13) - 2D and 3D mapping and traffic information. Over one million points of interest are stored in the system.

More than 1,500 new portable units will be available from key gateway airports and cities across Europe. The introduction of the new units brings the total number of NeverLost satellite navigation systems to 4000 units, which are available at over 240 Hertz locations in 16 countries across Europe.

Customers can now also arrange to pick the unit up in one location and drop it off at another NeverLost location in the same country.

Hertz NeverLost was initially launched in Europe in November 2005, with over 100,000 customers opting for it as part of their Hertz rental during 2006.