USA - Kia celebrates with International car of the year award for the Cadenza

 Cadenza Recognized for Distinctive Design, Advanced Technology and Unmatched Value

• All-new 2014 Cadenza premium sedan earns top honors from ICOTY
• Back-to-back ICOTY victories for Kia coincides with Road & Travel Magazine’s 25th anniversary

Kia Motors America (KMA) is proud to announce that Road & Travel Magazine (RTM) has named the 2014 Kia Cadenza as the International Car of the Year (ICOTY) at the 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. The all-new 2014 Cadenza’s stunning design combined with premium amenities and impressive value propelled the Kia brand into the premium sedan segment, and the ICOTY award adds to the growing list of accolades the Cadenza has earned since its launch in early 2013. The award marks back-to-back victories for Kia as the 2013 Optima mid-size sedan was honored by RTM with the ICOTY award last year.

“This year marks Kia’s 20th anniversary in the U.S. market, and in that time, we have become known for taking bold steps. The 2014 Cadenza is another leap forward for the brand and has brought new and affluent customers into our retail showrooms, people who had never considered Kia before,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing & communications, KMA. “To win the prestigious ICOTY award two years running is a clear indication that our products continue to offer a world-class balance of design, amenities and value for today’s discerning car buyers.”

RTM presents two “Of the Year” awards annually, one for car of the year and one for truck. In addition to product attributes such as style, comfort and performance, the awards also consider how well the brand connects emotionally with the consumer through its marketing efforts.  The winners are chosen by the ICOTY jury, which consists of nationally renowned automotive journalists from respected publications such as Consumer Guide® Automotive, MSN Autos, New Car News Syndicate and RTM.

“The Kia Cadenza wins in this category for a variety of reasons, including Kia's remarkable effort to emerge in the entry-lux category,” said Courtney Caldwell, editor-in-chief of Road & Travel Magazine. “Overall, the car is beautiful and affordable, making upscale style and performance attainable to mid-America. We applaud Kia's rapid rise from underdog to unbelievable!”

The ICOTY award is the most recent in a string of accolades the 2014 Cadenza has received. Just a few months ago, the Cadenza took top honors in Motor Trend Magazine’s full-size sedan comparison test and was named to the 2014 North American Car of the Year short list.

F-Type and Range Rover win big at AUTOBYTEL awards.

• Jaguar F-TYPE wins 2014 'Car Of The Year' and 'Convertible of the Year'
• 2014 Range Rover wins 2014 'Truck Of The Year' and 'Luxury SUV of the Year'

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC announced today that the all-new Jaguar F-TYPE and 2014 Land Rover Range Rover have been named car and truck of the year by Autobytel, highlighting the momentum both brands have achieved coming into 2014.

"Jaguar F-TYPE and Land Rover Range Rover winning both Car and Truck of the Year awards from Autobytel in the same year is a tremendous honor.  This accomplishment is a testament of our commitment to deliver unique, dynamic luxury cars and SUVs that stand out in the marketplace for design and capability," said Joe Eberhardt, President, Jaguar Land Rover, North America. "Not only are the F-TYPE and Range Rover very popular vehicles, but they represent the essence of what the Jaguar and Land Rover brands stand for. We very much appreciate the acknowledgement from the automotive experts at Autobytel."

In the United States, year-to-date through November, 2013, Jaguar sales are up 41 percent helped by the addition to the lineup of the all new F-TYPE convertible.  In the same period, Land Rover sales are up 15 percent with the all new generation Land Rover Range Rover up 60 percent.

Autobytel Inc. is dedicated to helping consumers research and find the information they need to purchase new and used cars and connect to dealers online. The 2013 Car and Truck of the Year Awards were chosen by the editorial group of Autobytel, led by Editor in Chief, Michelle Naranjo. Autobytel editors have driven hundreds of vehicles and have chosen this year's winners based on their game changing potential, advances in design and overall efficiency.

"Our selection process wasn't easy," said Michelle Naranjo, Editor in Chief, Autobytel. "The offerings within each of the vehicle segments we analyzed are extremely competitive, with some of the highest quality products we've seen in recent years. The Jaguar F-TYPE is quite simply superb, with a gorgeous design and impressive performance in virtually every respect.  It's the perfect blend of style and luxury in a thrill-a-minute ride."

Naranjo continues, "Don't let the 2014 Land Rover Range Rover fool you, it's gorgeous on the outside and lavishly appointed on the inside, yet positively capable off road.  With opulent features, timeless styling, and plenty of utility to handle the toughest terrains, it sits at the top of the Luxury SUV food chain."  

The new Jaguar F-TYPE represents a return to the company's heart: a two-seat, convertible sports car focused on performance, agility and driver involvement. This Jaguar is a continuation of a sporting bloodline that stretches back more than 75 years and encompasses some of the most beautiful, thrilling and desirable sports cars ever built. The 2014 F-TYPE combines low vehicle weight, high power and superb aerodynamics to achieve a pure sports car experience, yet with Jaguar elegance and luxury. The F-TYPE is powered respectively by the new Jaguar supercharged 3.0-liter V6 engine in 340hp and 380hp outputs and a 495hp 5.0-liter supercharged V8. The F-TYPE Coupe goes on sale in spring, 2014.

The Fourth Generation Range Rover is the world's first SUV with a lightweight all-aluminum body, with a weight savings of 700lbs.  The Range Rover takes the capabilities of the brand's flagship to a new level, with even greater luxury and refinement, enhanced performance and handling on all terrains and significant advances in sustainability. The Range Rover was launched in October of 2012 to acclaim, receiving over 20 awards and accolades globally to date.

Carbuyer reveals its car of the year - The new Hyundai i10 (plus all other winners)

• £8,345 Hyundai i10 wins overall Car of the Year prize
• BMW takes three awards, including Best Electric Car for i3
• Kia wins Buyer’s Award for its seven-year warranty
• No Brit-built cars among the winners

Britain’s best new car buys for 2014 have today been revealed by CarBuyer, the UK’s fastest-growing car buying advice website.

Hyundai’s new i10 has been named overall Car of the Year and Best City Car, with judges praising its quality, refinement, style and value – this slick city runabout costs from only £8,345. Hyundai’s Santa Fe beat more established brands like Land Rover to be named Best Large SUV.

There was further success for Korean car makers, with Kia winning the CarBuyer Buyer’s Award for its seven-year warranty, which celebrates its seventh birthday this month.

BMW claimed three wins, including Best Electric/Hybrid Car for its new i3 supermini. The BMW 3 Series and 5 Series also won in the two executive car categories.

Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of CarBuyer said: “The new Hyundai i10 is a brilliant car, offering a real grown-up feel and plenty of space at an incredibly low price. It’s fun to drive and cheap to own, too – the perfect car for cost-conscious car buyers.”

CarBuyer.co.uk was launched just three years ago yet is already established as one of the UK’s most respected sources of car buying advice. Its blend of real-world reviews, expert advice, owner comments and entertaining video has proved to be a big hit with British car buyers. It’s also the only motoring website to be accredited by the Plain English Campaign.

Car of the Year: Hyundai i10

Best City Car: Hyundai i10
Best Small Car: Ford Fiesta
Best Hybrid / Electric Car: BMW i3
Best Small SUV: Dacia Duster
Best Large SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe
Best Family Car: SEAT Leon
Best Large Family Car: Mazda 6
Best Estate Car: Skoda Octavia Estate
Best MPV: SEAT Alhambra
Best Coupe: Toyota GT-86
Best Executive Car: BMW 3 Series
Best Large Executive Car: BMW 5 Series
Best Hot Hatch: Ford Fiesta ST
Best Convertible: Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet
Best Luxury Car: Mercedes S-Class
Buyer’s Award: Kia seven-year warranty

Stunning Alfa 4C gain FHM Magazine "car of the year" title

• Alfa Romeo 4C takes top honours in the 2013 FHM Car of the Year awards
• Lauded for its advanced, lightweight construction and immense driver appeal, the Alfa Romeo 4C is described by FHM’s influential editors as “a magic car”
• This prestigious accolade is a significant endorsement for both the Alfa Romeo 4C and the Alfa Romeo brand from the UK’s biggest men’s lifestyle brand

The Alfa Romeo 4C has been named FHM Magazine’s 2013 Car of the Year. The editors of the UK’s biggest men’s lifestyle brand regard the Alfa Romeo 4C as the vehicle that the British man most aspires to, respects and desires. Alfa Romeo 4C has seen off significant competition to claim the overall victory in FHM’s inaugural Car of the Year awards, and the win highlights not only the appeal of the Alfa Romeo 4C to driving enthusiasts and petrol-heads, but also the broader desirability and allure of this exotic sports car and the Alfa Romeo brand.

Described by FHM as “one of the most exciting sports cars on the planet”, the Alfa Romeo 4C is lauded for its “supertech carbon-fibre chassis, super-lightweight body and clever steering” as well as the note of its engine and the “laser-precision” of its dynamics.

Designed, engineered and built in Italy as a pure driving machine, the mid-engined Alfa Romeo 4C is powered by a new, all-aluminium, 240hp, 1750 Turbo Petrol engine and features Alfa Romeo’s latest-generation ALFA TCT transmission and Alfa D.N.A. driving mode selector - now with a new “Race” mode. The 0-62 mph sprint takes just 4.5 seconds and top speed is 160 mph, but thanks to its light weight and advanced engine and transmission technologies, its official combined-cycle fuel economy figure is 41.5 mpg and its CO2 emissions are just 157g/km.

The Alfa Romeo 4C’s compact shape accentuates its remarkable agility: With a dry weight of 895kg; a 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution; track-honed double-wishbone suspension and Brembo brakes, the Alfa Romeo 4C is capable of generating 1.1g of lateral acceleration and in excess of 1.2g of deceleration force.  The exhaust has been tuned to emit a full, rich sound and the unassisted steering is progressive, direct and engineered to convey as much feedback and feel as possible. The steering ratio (16:2) is such as to allow 90% of bends to be taken without having to take your hands off the steering wheel.

Conor McNicholas, FHM Motoring Editor commented: "After much deliberation, there was only one car that could take the accolade of FHM's Car of the Year. With its neck-tingling speed, dramatic looks and real-world price, the Alfa Romeo 4C was the car that most turned us on in 2013."

Damien Dally, Head of Brand, Alfa Romeo UK noted: “We’re thrilled that the Alfa Romeo 4C has taken top honours in the inaugural FHM Car of the Year awards. FHM has its finger on the pulse of what’s cool and desirable and for the editors to rate the Alfa Romeo 4C so highly is indicative of just what a game-changer this new supercar is.”

Priced from £45,000 OTR, the Alfa Romeo 4C will be available to order shortly, but with some customers putting their names forward when the concept was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011 most, if not all, of the UK’s production allocation for 2014 is already spoken for.

7th generation Golf hits half million sales already.

The Golf’s success story enters the seventh generation as the car continues to inspire both customers and the specialist media. The Golf has been honoured with two dozen prestigious awards over the last twelve months. It was voted European “Car of the Year” and crowned “World Car of the Year 2013”. The new Golf also recently beat the competition in Japan, becoming the first imported car in the 34-year history of the country’s top award to claim the accolade and be named “Car of the Year 2013/2014 Japan” with a score that was streaks ahead of the field. Other awards include the “Golden Steering Wheel 2013”, the “Auto Trophy”, “Auto der Vernunft” (Car of Reason) and “Best cars of 2013”. Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, commented: “The Golf will remain the most important model and a powerful engine for the Volkswagen brand.”

The 500,000th latest-generation Golf will be delivered in a few days’ time just one year after the car was launched. And the bestseller has yet to make its debut in key countries such as China and the United States. Moreover, important derivatives in the Golf family are waiting in the wings: The new Golf Estate has just arrived in showrooms and will be followed next year by the Golf Sportsvan which Volkswagen premiered at the IAA in Frankfurt. There will also be innovative versions such as the e-Golf and the Golf Plug-in Hybrid. “We are delighted the Golf has got off to such a brilliant start and is enjoying such a positive reception from customers. That is first and foremost due to a committed team. Our people very definitely went the extra mile for the Golf and have done a great job,” Winterkorn added.

For years now, the Golf has been the best-selling car in Europe, enjoying this status in several individual countries and taking pole position, for example, in Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Croatia, Luxemburg, Norway, Austria, Switzerland and, of course, its home market of Germany.

The first generation of the Volkswagen Golf went on display at dealers in May 1974 as the successor to the legendary Beetle and has continued its predecessor’s success story for almost 40 years. The Golf has lent its name to an entire vehicle class and has always been available in a range of variants. From the ultra-economical Golf TDI BlueMotion to the sporty GTI, from the three-door model to the estate version, Volkswagen has a Golf to suit every taste and need. That has convinced customers: Volkswagen celebrated the 30 millionth Golf in June 2013.

VW Golf wins car of the year - Japan, the first imported car to win this award.

Volkswagen Golf Captures Japan’s Car of the Year Trophy

After winning this year’s European Car of the Year and World Car of the Year awards, the Volkswagen Golf has picked up its third major international car trophy – the Car of the Year Japan award!

Tokyo:  At the Car of the Year Japan awards ceremony held in conjunction with the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show at Tokyo’s Big Site venue, the Volkswagen Golf achieved a first for imported cars when it captured the Car of the Year Japan award. In the 34-year history of the awards, no foreign car has won the award. Until now.

Shigeru Shoji, president of Volkswagen Japan proudly holds the Japan COTY trophy.

In a contest that was expected to see the Golf trade blows with the Honda Fit/Jazz for honours, the Golf polled strongly from the outset and ended up amassing a commanding 504 votes from the 60 jurors in attendance. The Fit/Jazz came in second with 373 votes and the Volvo V40 placed third with 167 votes.

“This is a very special award for us in so many ways. Firstly, our Golf 7 has become the first ever imported car to win Japan’s COTY award, and we achieved this in our 60th year since Volkswagen imports started into Japan,” commented Shigeru Shoji, president of Volkswagen Japan.

In three new minor awards that were introduced this year, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) picked up the ‘Innovation Award,’ the Mazda Atenza (Mazda6) won the ‘Emotional Award’ and the jointly developed Suzuki Spacia and Mazda Flair Wagon minicars captured the ‘Small Mobility Award.’

The ‘Special Achievement Award’ went to the Daihatsu Move for its front seat lift design, technology created to assist senior citizens and people with disabilities.

SEAT breaks sales record with over a month to go.

• SEAT UK last week surpassed its record-breaking 2012 yearly sales total
• 38,871 registrations by last Monday (11 November) beats 2012’s 38,798 total
• 2013 is already the company’s best ever year, with six weeks remaining
• SEAT achieves its fifth consecutive annual sales rise

SEAT UK can announce that it has already broken its annual sales record, with more than six weeks to spare.

By the morning of Monday 11 November, SEAT had reached 38,871 registrations, surpassing the 38,798 tally posted for 2012, itself a record-breaking year. It means that SEAT can already announce its best year ever, and its fifth consecutive annual sales improvement.

During what has been a fantastic 2013, SEAT has broken its monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, and now annual sales records; September 2013 was SEAT’s best ever month (8,498 registrations), which topped off its best ever quarter (July – September 2013), which had followed its best ever half year (Jan – June 2013).

And October 2013 too has been a landmark month for SEAT, with 2,903 registrations making it the company’s best October ever. Retail sales alone were up by 34% compared to October 2012’s.

SEAT UK Director Neil Williamson says: “In a competitive marketplace it’s a testament to both the quality of our cars and the effort of our dealerships that we’ve broken our annual sales record already. A brilliant team effort.

“What’s most pleasing is that we’ve achieved much of this success in the showrooms: our year-to-date retail sales have gone up by almost a third. We’ve put a lot of focus on getting happy customers into great cars via an outstanding dealership experience.”

The SEAT Leon, which currently holds the Auto Express Car of the Year crown, is now available as a five-door hatchback, a three-door SC and an ST estate. SEAT showrooms now offer the most complete model line-up that the company has ever produced, from the Mii city car, through the ever-popular Ibiza supermini, the new Leon family, the highly practical new Toledo, the Altea and Altea XL MPVs, and the multi-award winning  Alhambra people carrier.

Range Rover wins yet another award.

The All-New Range Rover has been bestowed with this year’s Northern Group of Motoring Writers’ Car of the Year Award following a vote among leading journalists.

It’s the first time in the nine year-old competition that Land Rover has come out in top place cementing the revolutionary aluminium-bodied fourth generation Range Rover as the most refined and technically advanced SUV ever.

Land Rover was presented with the traditional winner’s prize, a genuine North country miner’s lamp, after NGMW secretary, Alan Domville, described the luxury off-roader as “having no equal”.  He said: “Despite having first entered the market place 43 years ago, its success across the world has made it an outstanding showcase for British engineering and design skills.”

Nick Rogers, Range Rover’s Vehicle Line Director said: “Land Rover is absolutely delighted to have won this coveted award for the all-new Range Rover. The team has worked tirelessly to produce the most capable and most luxurious Land Rover ever and the award is a testament to their passion for innovation and perfection.”

T3 magazine names AUDI A8 winner of inaugural COTY tech awards.

Audi luxury saloon wins inaugural Car of the Year Award in influential technology magazine’s annual honours list

• Technology-focused magazine’s annual Gadget Awards recognise particularly innovative products
• Inaugural Car of the Year Award goes to Audi A8 luxury saloon described as ‘an outstanding example of innovation and design’

Technology aficionados at the UK-based T3 Magazine have added a new ‘Car of the Year’ category to their annual Gadget Awards, and Audi is proud to be the recipient of the inaugural award for the A8 luxury saloon.

Presented recently at a high profile ceremony in London that also honoured many other ground-breakers from the worlds of computing, mobile communication, photography, audio and visual entertainment, the awards are allocated not only on the strength of verdicts from a panel of nine tech-savvy journalists, but also based on over 500,000 votes cast online on the T3 website.

Kieran Alger, T3 Magazine Editor-In-Chief, summed up the intensity of the competition for the awards and the calibre of the winners by saying: “This year’s awards have been the hardest fought yet. Every single winning product is truly an outstanding example of innovation and design.” In its citation the A8 is described as ‘a tech-head’s dream motor’, and Editor Luke Peters closes by saying “you know a car’s good when you don’t want to get out of it”.

The primary focus of the Car of the Year award is not surprisingly technological merit. Singled out for particular praise in the A8 are its advanced adaptive air suspension system, its Audi connect technology bringing internet-based services such as Google Earth navigation and Google Street View to the car and creating a mobile wi-fi hotspot, and its ‘unrivalled entertainment systems’.

Built around the advanced, predominantly lightweight aluminium Audi Space Frame, the Audi A8 range has recently been further enhanced by subtle styling revisions, equipment upgrades and improvements to engines, all of which now meet tougher EU6 emissions limits applicable from 2014.

New MatrixBeam LED headlights

Of particular interest to the gadget lovers at T3 will be the futuristic new MatrixBeam headlights and dynamic indicators which become standard equipment for some new generation A8 models. The 25 individual LEDs in each MatrixBeam headlamp unit can be switched on and off or dimmed individually depending on the situation, meaning that the on-board computer can mask specific sections of the high beam by dimming or deactivating individual diodes when it detects other vehicles travelling ahead in either direction.

The lighting system in the A8 also uses predictive route data from the navigation system to adjust the distribution of light in response to the current driving situation, and can recognise and act on route data, such as corners and road classifications.

The dynamic indicators comprise blocks of LEDs arranged in a strip which are sequentially illuminated at 20 millisecond intervals, from the inside outwards, in the desired turning direction. This ‘sweeping function’ makes it even clearer to surrounding road users that the A8 is about to turn.

Cutting edge features are also very much in evidence in the engine bay of the new generation A8. This can now be filled by a wide range of EU6 emissions-compliant units including the latest 435 PS twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 TFSI or naturally aspirated 500 PS 6.3-litre W12 FSI engines, both now incorporating fuel-sparing Cylinder-on-Demand technology, or by a hybrid system combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder TFSI engine with an electric motor.

Scottish COTY - Ford succeeds with a double win

Ford is celebrating a double victory at the Scottish Car of the Year awards, where Fiesta ST took Best Hot Hatch title and Ford’s MyKey technology was judged Innovation of the Year.

Alisdair Suttie, Association of Scottish Motoring Writers president, praised the Ford Fiesta ST which triumphed in the awards’ most hotly contested category.

“Buyers of affordable ‘pocket rockets’ are spoiled for choice these days, with power and fuel economy light years better than ever before,” said Alisdair.  “Our winner is not the most powerful of the shortlisted cars but its ease of driving and superb chassis won over the judges.”

Powered by a 180PS, 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, the Ford Fiesta ST is capable of 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 139mph.

Available from only £16,995, it offers performance-tuned steering, suspension and brakes, Recaro sports seats as well as Ford MyKey as standard.

The Scottish Car of the Year judges were impressed by Ford’s MyKey, an industry-first technology which allows parents to programme a key for younger drivers that limits their top speed, reduces maximum radio volume, disables the radio until seat belts are fastened and prevents deactivation of driver assistance and safety technologies.

“Picking a winner for this year’s innovation category was harder than ever as car makers offer ever more intelligent solutions to life’s ups and downs,” said Alisdair. “However, our judges were bowled over by the simplicity, ease and inventiveness of this thoroughly deserved award winner.”

Danny Bell, Ford Britain’s district manager for Scotland, said:  “It is always a great pleasure to accept awards here in Scotland, especially when they champion automotive innovation and vehicle appeal as strongly as the 2013 Scottish Car of the Year awards do.  The Ford Britain team joins me in thanking the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers for this recognition.”

Scottish COTY - The Car of the Year is - Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen’s best-selling family hatchback, the Golf, which went on sale in the UK in January and has since won a string of accolades, has added a new title to its name after winning both the Family Car and, for the first time, the overall prize at the 2013 Scottish Car of the Year awards.  The award was presented last night at a ceremony held in Glasgow.

Commenting on the Golf’s performance, Alisdair Suttie, President of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, said: ‘Success can often breed complacency but that’s certainly not the case on this occasion.  In a world of uncertainty there’s something solid, familiar and reassuring about our Family Car of the Year yet at the same time this is a thoroughly modern machine.  Its engines are among the most frugal in the segment, there’s a choice of bodystyles and, to both look at and sit in, it feels a nudge above the rest.  Seven generations on and still going strong, take to the driving range in what we believe is every car you’ll ever need.’

Robert Hazelwood, Director of Volkswagen UK, said: ‘2013 has been the year of the Golf. Following a successful UK launch in January the car has gone from strength to strength. It has won awards on both a European and world stage – but the UK awards are the ones which have the most tangible results. Winning the overall Scottish Car of the Year accolade is a huge boost and our Retailers north of the border will be delighted with the additional success I am sure this will bring to the car.’

He continued: ‘From the standard hatchback, through the GTI and GTD performance versions to the economical BlueMotion and the spacious Estate, there is a Golf to suit every need and desire.  The Golf’s high levels of quality, safety equipment, technology and value for money have made it a winner, and we’re delighted these attributes have been recognised in this award.’

The seventh-generation Golf has been named overall World Car of the Year and European Car of the Year, as well as taking numerous awards from a number of publications.

The latest Golf is lighter, safer, more advanced, more spacious, more efficient and better equipped than previous generations of Europe’s best-seller, of which over 30 million have been sold since its introduction in 1974 – some 1.6 million of these in the UK.

All Golf models come with seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, five three-point seatbelts, ABS with ESP, XDS electronic differential lock and Isofix preparation for two rear child seats, while standard technology includes a 5.8-inch colour touchscreen, DAB digital radio, CD player, MDI interface (for connecting iPod or MP3 player), Bluetooth telephone preparation and audio streaming and eight speakers.  Also standard is ‘Climatic’ semi-automatic air conditioning, among a host of other features.  Prices start at £16,495 OTR, RRP.

The Scottish Car of the Year awards were established in 1998, and are judged by all 15 members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, who represent publications and websites from across the country.

The ASMW was founded in 1961 and continues to represent the vast majority of working motoring writers/broadcasters in Scotland.  The membership includes staffers and freelancers covering radio stations, regional and national newspapers, websites and an array of specialist publications. For more details of the Volkswagen Golf, please visit www.volkswagen.co.uk or contact your local Volkswagen Retailer.

Scottish COTY - Best Budget car, The Dacia Sandero

Trailblazing Dacia followed up its stunning Scottish Car of the Year Awards debut last year, including overall Car of the Year for Duster, by picking up another trophy this time around.

Only 12 months on from its hat-trick at the same awards, the “smart buy” Dacia brand is celebrating after the festivities, no doubt with something of a sore head, as the UK’s “most affordable new car” Sandero lived up to its billing after being named best budget motor. It triumphed ahead of stablemate runner-up Logan MCV, with both “comfortably ahead” of the Skoda Rapid and SEAT Toledo in the category, according to the judges.

The Scottish Car of the Year Awards is run and judged by the 15 full members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. President Alisdair Suttie said: “With the economy still in recovery, car buyers are more budget conscious than ever. From the manufacturer behind last year’s Scottish Car of the Year, our winner shows that quality, driving pleasure and plenty of standard equipment don’t have to come at a price.”

Dacia owner Renault also drove off with a record hat-trick of trophies on what proved to be a triumphant night north of the border. According to judges, it is the first time a manufacturer has taken so many accolades in the 15-year history of SCOTY.

Clio won best small car, Captur was named top crossover and ZOE completed a high voltage evening for the French marque after being crowned electric car of the year at the Thistle Hotel, Glasgow.

Mark Potter, Director, Northern Region, Renault UK, said: ““To win a record amount of trophies at one awards ceremony is fantastic recognition. Our new brand, Dacia, and its ‘shockingly affordable’ models,  have really struck a chord with British buyers. Having just handed over our 10,000th Dacia in Perth this month was a particular high. The Scots clearly know and love a bargain when they see one.

“Jaw-dropping prices from only £5,995 probably have a lot to do with it. With supermini style and space for city car money, our Dacia Sandero is already attracting a lot of attention, building on the success of its big brother, last year's overall winner Duster, which has a strong following in the Scottish market.”

Scottish COTY - Renault take hat-trick of awards

Renault drove off with a record hat-trick of trophies at the Scottish Car of the Year awards in Glasgow last night.

Clio triumphed as best small car, Captur was named top crossover and ZOE completed a high voltage evening for the French marque after being crowned electric car of the year. Combined with sister brand, Dacia, according to the judges, it’s the first time a manufacturer has taken so many accolades in the 15-year history of SCOTY.

Collecting the awards at the glittering ceremony held at the Thistle Hotel, Mark Potter, Director, Northern Region, Renault UK, said: “To win three trophies is fantastic recognition for Renault north of the Border. We’ve had a great start to the year, especially with the arrival of our latest three superminis and the refreshed Scénic range. The greater shift towards economical, efficient cars is where our cars are really shining, and I’m delighted to accept these awards which prove that we’re really hitting the mark."

The Scottish Car of the Year Awards is run and judged by the 15 full members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. Its president, Alisdair Suttie, said Renault is enjoying a “new-found confidence on the back of some impressive new releases” at the event, which also featured the iconic Clio – the company’s best-selling model, which continues to show-off its Va Va Voom.

He added: “Clio proves small really can be beautiful, with high fashion combined with low running costs. It also offers plenty of equipment and space mixed with real driving appeal.

“Renault Captur’s desirable good design mixes with space for the family plus some of the most efficient engines in the segment. These qualities ensured victory against a broad mix of models , some two-wheel-drive, some four and some offering the choice of either.”

Spiralling fuel costs and concerns about climate change have seen plug-in electric cars gaining an increasingly stronger presence in recent times, and once again the judges picked Renault’s flagship electric model, ZOE, as best of the bunch.

Alisdair said: “Cost has always been a problem with electric vehicles, but an innovative battery lease solution makes this year's winner a genuine alternative to a conventionally powered supermini.”

Earlier this year, Clio and ZOE picked up trophies for best small car and technology at the Fleet World Honours. Electric supermini ZOE was also named the most environmentally-friendly fleet car at the well-established BusinessCar ‘Techies’, while chic and cheerful newcomer Captur landed Renault a hat-trick of Next Green Car Awards.

Scottish COTY - Best Executive car - AUDI A3

Executive class honours go to the Audi A3, chosen by the expert panel formed of members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers

• Audi A3 wins Executive Car category in 2013 SCOTY awards
• A3 range now comprises three-door, Sportback, Saloon and flagship S3 variants, plus the forthcoming all-new Cabriolet due in March 2014
• S3 Saloon and S3 Cabriolet also planned for next year
• Gripping quattro permanent all-wheel-drive takes to new TDI engine
• A3 prices start from £18,280 OTR for the three-door SE, to £32,740 for the S3 Sportback quattro

Throughout its most ambitious expansion programme ever the all-new Audi A3 range – which will soon include three-door, five-door Sportback, Saloon, Cabriolet and S quattro models – has been making waves in the media, and a Scottish Car of the Year Executive Category Award is the latest acknowledgement of its popularity.

Presented last night at a high profile ceremony in Glasgow, the hotly contested Executive Car of the Year award comes courtesy of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, whose members test dozens of new cars each year and report their findings in the country’s key national and regional titles.

Commenting on the class victory Alisdair Suttie, President of the Association, said: “The premium arena has become a closely contested battlefield. Historically a segment dominated by the Germans, 2013 is no exception with models from the big three brands all featuring highly on the voting sheets. Our winner was the first executive hatch of its type when the original was launched in 1996 and now in its third generation continues to set the standards in terms of desirability and quality. An array of impressively efficient yet powerful engines seals the deal.”

Ben Fish, Product Marketing Manager for Audi UK, added: “The Audi A3 range is broader and more appealing than ever, but it also has competition that has never been more formidable, so it is hugely gratifying to see the car that originally carved out the premium compact hatch segment continuing to excel in the eyes of such respected judges. The fact that they have deemed it to be worthy of an executive category award only reinforces the huge strides forward made by the latest generation model.”

An Audi A3 for all applications
Three different variants of the Audi A3 are now available to order in the UK, the most recent of which being the A3 Saloon, which will be followed in 2014 by a fourth Cabriolet version. Depending on body style these can be combined with a choice of up to eight advanced petrol and TDI engines, including the ultra-frugal 74.3mpg, 99g/km 1.6 TDI and the potent 300PS 2.0-litre TFSI reserved for the S3. The more powerful engines in the range can also be combined with quattro all-wheel-drive.

The Audi A3 and A3 Sportback are offered in SE, Sport or the top-end S line trim, and the Saloon with a Sport or S line specification. Prices start at £18,280 OTR for the A3 1.2 TFSI SE and rise to £29,435 OTR for the A3 2.0 TDI 184 PS quattro S line. Sportback variants command a £620 premium over three-door models, and Saloons a £550 premium over their Sportback equivalents.

At the high performance end of the spectrum, S3 and S3 Sportback prices start at £30,640 and £31,260 respectively.

Scottish COTY - Best Eco Car - Mazda6 2.2d

• New Mazda6 2.2-litre 150ps diesel models win ‘Eco Car Award’ at 2013 SCOTY event
• Judges praise new Mazda6’s ‘no compromise’ approach to space, comfort and practicality
• Choice of 24 new Mazda6 diesel models priced from £21,995 (on the road)

Mazda’s ground-breaking new Mazda6, which features the Japanese brand’s fuel-saving SKYACTIV technology, has won the 2013 Eco Car Award at the annual Scottish Car of the Year (SCOTY) awards ceremony, held in Glasgow on Friday evening.

The popular new Mazda6 2.2-litre 150ps diesel which claimed the Eco Car Award, delivers fuel economy up to 67.3mpg (combined cycle) and CO2 emissions from 108g/km – ensuring that Mazda customers benefit every day from the company’s ‘defy convention’ approach to engineering.  This automotive philosophy guarantees outstanding performance, as well as great fuel economy together with low CO2 emissions, without having to downsize engine capacity.

In Scotland, the new Mazda6 tourer and saloon models were also ranked as ‘runner up’ in the Estate and Family categories of SCOTY by the 15-judges who are members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW).

ASMW President Alisdair Suttie commented: “Who said saving money has to be dull?  Not us, and this year’s eco award winner disproves this assumption completely.  The new Mazda6 demonstrates that frugality doesn’t mean having to compromise on space, comfort and practicality, or any of the other attributes that make up the ideal family transport.”

New Mazda6 buyers can select from 36 saloon and tourer models, with prices ranging from £19,595 to £28,295 on-the-road (OTR).  There is a choice of petrol or diesel power (from 145ps to 175ps), and six-speed manual or automatic transmissions – depending on model.  All the SKYACTIV powertrains available with new Mazda6 are fitted with Mazda’s unique fuel-saving idle-stop system, i‑stop, which delivers the fastest restarts in the industry: 0.35 seconds (petrol engines) and 0.40 seconds (diesel).

"Mazda’s unique SKYACTIV technology is genuinely ground-breaking, enabling us to create best-in-class award-winning vehicles like the new Mazda6, a fact that has now been acknowledged by the presentation of this 2013 Eco Car Award in Scotland– the eighth award new Mazda6 has received since going on sale in January,” comments Peter Allibon, Sales Director, Mazda UK.

“Earlier this year the new Mazda6 saloon also beat off strong competition to win the ‘Best Family Car’ category at the annual Auto Express New Car Awards.  New Mazda6 was our first car to feature the full KODO-Soul of Motion design language and the first to be available with Mazda’s truly innovative i-ELOOP regenerative braking system which can deliver an additional fuel saving of up to 10 per cent fuel, depending on driving conditions,” adds Allibon.

Last month, the new Mazda6 received a 5-Star safety rating in the latest Euro NCAP tests, the highest rating possible.  Now officially one of the safest cars on the road in Britain, the new Mazda6 result endorses Mazda’s strategy of enhancing the safety of all its new vehicles by introducing innovations such as the impact-absorbing SKYACTIV-Body technology.

Both the new Mazda6 saloon and tourer scored top marks in all four Euro NCAP test categories – adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, safety assist systems and pedestrian safety – after undergoing several crash tests.

“The new Mazda6 saloon and tourer line-up offers customers a remarkably compelling ownership proposition, thanks to its excellent fuel economy, low emissions, typically Mazda fun-to-drive performance, high specifications, attractive pricing, low running costs and excellent residual values,” concludes Allibon.

Scottish COTY - Best Diesel - SEAT Leon 2.0 TDi

• Coveted Scottish Car of the Year (SCOTY) Diesel Car award for the most powerful diesel SEAT Leon ever produced
• SCOTY judges praise the car’s outstanding performance and economy  
• SEAT Leon SC FR 2.0 TDI 184 PS on sale now, priced at £22,075
• Fourth award for the SEAT Leon during 2013
• SEAT announces availability of DSG gearbox for 184 PS 2.0 TDI engine
• SEAT is swapping chorizo and Rioja for haggis and whisky to celebrate taking the Diesel Car prize at the annual Scottish Car of the Year Awards (SCOTY).

The Leon SC FR 2.0 TDI 184 PS won the coveted award during a glitzy bash at Glasgow’s Thistle Hotel, beating off stiff competition from cars as distinguished as the Audi SQ5, Range Rover TDV6, and BMW 320d Touring.

Presenting the award at the evening ceremony, Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW) President Alisdair Suttie said that the car’s “smart styling sets it apart from all the alternatives and it’s an engaging car to drive – but costs less to run than some superminis.”

It does indeed. With a combined fuel consumption rating of 67.3 mpg and CO2 emissions of just109 g/km, the Leon SC FR 2.0 TDI 184 PS is the definition of fast and frugal. It gets to 62 mph from zero in just 7.4 seconds and tops out at 142 mph, and with 380 Nm, it’s got more torque than two Caterham Roadsport 175s.

“Everyone who drove the SEAT was impressed by its sheer completeness. Not only does it have the looks, performance and driving dynamics to shame many hot hatches, but the low emissions and exceptional economy figures will strike a chord with Scottish buyers who are canny with their cash," says Stephen Park, ASMW Secretary.

The Leon SC FR 2.0 TDI 184 PS certainly doesn’t have hot hatch running costs, and at £22,255, doesn’t have a hot hatch price tag either. And nor does it scrimp on kit, coming as standard with an FR-specific body kit, 17-inch alloy wheels, LED tail lights, drive-altering SEAT Drive Profile, sports-shaped front seats, SEAT Easy Entry system for comfortable back-end access, dual-zone climate control, dark tinted rear windows and sports suspension.

The car is also eligible for SEAT’s remarkable free Technology Pack offer, which has been extended until at least the end of 2013 for retail customers. It makes the £1,075 pack free-of-charge, meaning buyers can add full-LED headlights, satellite navigation and DAB digital radio to their Leon for the same price as a walk in the Highlands.

Announcing the SEAT Leon FR TDI 184 PS DSG

The SCOTY Diesel Car award presents the perfect opportunity to announce the arrival of a DSG automatic version of the Leon FR 2.0 TDI 184 PS, which begins production at the end of this year, for first deliveries in January 2014.

The quick-shifting DSG retains the manual car’s 7.5-second sprint to 62 mph, while the top speed dips very slightly to 140 mph. Fuel economy is startling, with a 62.8 mpg combined consumption rating and CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km. The price premium over an equivalent manual is £1,250.

SEAT sales and awards success

The SCOTY Best Diesel Car award is the first for the SEAT Leon SC specifically, but the fourth for the Leon model, with the five-door having won awards from What Car? and Auto Express – including the overall Car of the Year prize from the latter.

SEAT UK recently celebrated its best ever month for sales, with the 8,498 new car registrations made in September 2013 the most that the company has enjoyed in a 23-year history; SEAT was established in the UK in September 1985. In fact, the September sales tally capped off SEAT’s best quarter ever, which follows its best half-year ever, between January and June 2013. All told, SEAT is on course for a record-breaking year.

Scottish COTY - Best drop top goes to - The Citroen DS3

• Citroën DS3 Cabrio awarded ‘Drop Top’ honour at Scottish Car of the Year Awards 2013
• Presented by Association of Scottish Motoring Writers at prestigious ceremony in Glasgow
• DS3 Cabrio wins out against rivals Vauxhall Cascada & Audi RS5 Cabriolet

Citroën’s DS3 Cabrio has been named best ‘Drop Top’ at this year’s Scottish Car of the Year awards. Following in the footsteps of the multi-award winning hatchback model, DS3 Cabrio caught the judges’ attention with its class-leading features, chic styling and unique personality.

Inheriting all the hallmarks and thrills of DS3 – a model that was named TopGear Magazine Car of the Year in 2010 – DS3 Cabrio combines bold styling, sophisticated refinement, extensive personalisation and enjoyable handling with the pleasure of al-fresco driving.

DS3 Cabrio saw off competition from the Vauxhall Cascada and Audi RS5 Cabriolet to be named top of the drop-tops by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW) at this year’s awards ceremony in Glasgow.

Alisdair Suttie, President of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, said; “The winner in our drop top category is a model which enhances the appeal of a car that has delivered a turnaround in fortunes for its maker. Style is arguably the top priority in this segment and this chic and characterful newcomer has it in abundance. There’s a choice of petrol or diesel power plus a huge degree of personalisation options allowing owners to create a summer loving drop top that’s truly unique. Moreover, this is the only five-seater in its class.”

Marc Raven, Communications Director at Citroën UK, added; “The DS3 line, including the fantastic Cabrio, continues to win the affections of both public and press, and this latest award is further evidence of the model’s popularity. Thanks to its class-leading space and versatility, DS3 Cabrio delivers all the fun of a drop-top with the practicality of a hatchback – we’re very proud of it. On behalf of Citroën UK, I’d like to thank the ASMW judges for this official recognition.”

Previous Citroën winners at the Scottish Car of the Year Awards have included Citroën DS5 Hybrid4 for ‘Best Eco Car’ and C3 Picasso for ‘MPV of the Year.’

Scottish COTY - Jaguar Land Rover wins three awards

• Jaguar F-TYPE receives Sporting category honours
• Range Rover receives Scottish Luxury Car of the Year award
• Range Rover Sport named SUV of the Year

Jaguar Land Rover achieved a remarkable triple success at the 2013 Scottish Car of the Year Awards, with honours going to the new Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Jaguar F-TYPE sports car.

The Jaguar F-TYPE beat stiff competition to win the Sporting category award, impressing the judges – some of Scotland’s most important motoring journalists – with its elegant design, formidable performance and impressive customer appeal.

Alisdair Suttie, President of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, said: "We have waited a very long time for the Jaguar F-TYPE, more than four decades in fact, but this year’s Sporting winner does it with panache. It also does it with elegance, superb performance and complete desirability."

Ian Callum, Jaguar Director of Design, accepted the award at a ceremony in Glasgow and commented: “This award is a wonderful recognition of the efforts invested in creating the new F-TYPE. It is a sports car that reaffirms the brand’s sporting bloodline in both its performance and design.”

Range Rover received the Best Luxury Car Award, an acknowledgement of how Land Rover has continued to develop the quality, comfort and refinement of the fourth generation vehicle.

Alisdair Suttie said: “Luxury comes in many forms, but the Range Rover brings together such a broad range of talents, it stands head and shoulders above the competition. It also brings innovative design, supreme comfort and world-beating style.”

The accolade adds to a growing list of industry awards for the new Range Rover, including luxury car of the year titles from What Car? and Top Gear Magazine.

The all-new Range Rover Sport was also named Scottish SUV of the Year. Sharing the same lightweight construction principles with its larger sibling, and built on the same highly efficient production line at Land Rover’s Solihull plant, the new Range Rover Sport has made significant advances in handling, performance and customer appeal.

“A good SUV has to be many things: good looking, roomy, comfortable and ideally great both on road and off,” said Alisdair Suttie. “Thanks to an all-aluminium lightweight body that has helped it lose 400kg, the latest Range Rover Sport is all those things, as well as being much faster and surprisingly economical.

“Factor in the availability of a seven-seat option and we think this is the best SUV available on the roads of Scotland today.”

The Range Rover and Range Rover Sport awards were accepted by Fiona Pargeter, Head of Global PR Communications, Jaguar Land Rover, who commented: “Scotland is a key market for Land Rover, so we are extremely proud to receive these awards, and value the recognition they make of Land Rover raising the bar for quality and performance in the premium SUV market.”

Scottish COTY - Kia Carens

• Kia Carens wins ‘Best MPV’ at Scottish Car of the Year Awards
• Carens proves to be a fun and reliable family car
• Carens new specification now available with ‘3 Sat nav’
• The Kia Carens has been voted as ‘Best MPV’ of the year at the 2013 Scottish Car of the Year Awards.

Kia Carens was crowned by an established panel of judges that make up the association of Scottish Motoring Writers. Having been launched in May the new seven-seat Kia Carens is a popular choice with families looking for a versatile car with extra space and comfort.

Kia Motors (UK) Limited President and Chief Executive, Paul Philpott commented: “We are thrilled that our Kia Carens has earned the merit of being named best MPV of the year. This is a welcome endorsement of the Carens’ functionality and versatility as a modern family vehicle and we are certain it will continue to be a popular family choice.”

Alisdair Suttie, President of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers said: “Practicality doesn’t have to be boring and our 2013 MPV of the Year proves this beyond doubt. As the latest in a long line of Scottish Car of the Year category winners from Kia, the Carens offers loads of room and comfort in a car that is fun to drive and easy on the wallet.”

The Carens is available in four specifications- ‘1', ‘2', ‘3' and ‘3 Sat Nav'.The range starts from £17,895 and is available with three engines a 1.6 GDi engine with 133 bhp and a 1.7 CRDi engine with two states of play of 114bhp and 134bhp with CO2 from 124g/km. With standard specification such as air conditioning, leather trimmed steering wheel, seven seats, all round electric windows, body coloured bumpers, door handles and wing mirrors as well as a comprehensive list of safety features.