Top Safety Pick

A new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in America has found that Subaru vehicles are among the safest on the road. 

The insurance backed organisation conducted a series of stringent frontal, side, rear and rollover crash tests on a wide variety of vehicles and found that Subaru was the only manufacturer to receive enough points to be awarded its “Top Safety Pick” award for every car model it entered. Subaru outperformed other contenders from the likes of Audi, Honda, Ford, Volkswagen and Volvo.

Subaru’s five IIHS Top Safety Pick awards came in four different categories as follows;

- The new Legacy and Outback were recognised in the Midsize car group.

- The Imprezza was picked for the Small car category.

- The Forester was awarded the small SUV section.

- Finally the Tribeca was awarded the Midsize SUV class.

Subaru car leasing prices on all the range are available off the site now.

Zoe Burton

The Ford WISE (Women Into Science and Engineering) prize has been awarded to engineering student, Zoe Burton. This annual award recognises women who are studying engineering and is intended to promote engineering as a career. Zoe received her £1,000 prize from HRH Princess Anne at the WISE award ceremony in London.

Zoe Burton said, “To win the Ford WISE prize was such a wonderful surprise. I am passionate about engineering, and to have my enthusiasm recognised in the form of such a prestigious award was a huge honour for me”.

Luis Cilimingras

The data can then be downloaded via a USB stick and plugged into your computer. Anaylsis is then provided to help improve your driving performance with recommendations for CO2 and fuel consumption efficiencies. Luis Cilimingras, who is responsible for the Fiat eco:Drive project collected the award having travelled especially from Italy.

He said,”I am very happy to accept this award on behalf of Fiat. eco:Drive has won many honours since its launch a year ago but, until now, they were mostly for innovation or marketing. The Green Apple accolade is much more fulfilling, since it gives recognition of the work we have done for the environment”.

Nissan NV200

The Institute of Transport Management has awarded the Nissan NV200 the title of “Van of the Year 2010″. This innovative van from Nissan was praised for its versatility, fuel efficiency and value for money.

Fuel efficiency is impressive, offering up to 54mpg and this commercial small van also offers a low CO2 emissions of only 137g/km. Powered by a 1.5-litre four cylinder diesel engine you will certainly help the environment and keep your costs down.

The van can hold up to seven people, while still retaining a significant storage capacity and with its folding seat systems it can be easily adapted to carry a larger load. Patrick Sheedy, ITM Media and PR Director said,”It is my pleasure therefore to announce the accreditation of Nissan’s NV200 with the “Van of the Year Award” 2010. Congratulations to everyone at Nissan who contributed to the design, production and marketing of this vehicle”.

Ducato

Fiat has been awarded the “Most Improved Van Manufacturer of the Year” at the Fleet Van awards at the Lancaster Hotel, Hyde Park, London.

Gerry Clarke, director Fiat Professional said,”We are delighted with this recognition, as constant improvement is something we are always striving to achieve”.

The Fiat Professional van range includes Grande Punto Van, Fiorino, Scudo, Ducato and Doblo Cargo.

Berlingo Crew Van

Citroen has won the Institute of Transport Management’s LCV of the year award with their Berlingo Crew Van. The judges were impressed by the flexibility of this light commercial van, with its innovative sliding/folding rear seat and bulkhead. This allows the van to be either used as a five seater (1,320mm long and 2.4cu.m) or a two-seater with an 1,805mm long, 3.35cu.m load compartment. Add to this the low CO2 emissions of this van and the package represents excellent value for money. 

Crew seats

The van also comes with Trafficmaster Smartnav and Trackstar stolen vehicle tracking system which is unique in the LCV sector. Robert Handyside, commercial vehicle operations manager for Citroen said,”We are delighted that the Institute of Transport Management has recognised Citroen’s considerable environmental strengths and the merits of the brilliantly versatile Citroen Berlingo Crew Van with this prestigious award”.

Ford Focus

Ford has done it again by winning the What Car? Used Car of the Year Award 2009. The Ford Focus has been a the UK’s top seller every since since 1998 and was credited with good “fuel economy” and “a fine reputation for reliability”.

What Car? judge James Gibson of British Car Auctions said,”The Ford Focus still drives better than anything in the class and has good accomodation for family and their luggage. It’s good all round value with sensible running costs”. The fact that this car has a good resale value and excellent running costs, also makes it an affordable car, if you are thinking about leasing your next Ford car.

Golf SE

Volkswagen has won the top prize at The Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards 2010, claiming the £16,000 to £20,000 category as well as overall Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2010.

The winning model was the Golf SE 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS which impressed the 10 judges with its strong performance when towing in a variety of different situations. Barry Williams, one of the judges said,”Absolutely faultless stability made the Golf steadfast on the test track and when the punchy engine had whisked its way to 60mph it was still ready to accelerate, even in sixth gear. Agile handling enables the car to tackle the most demanding route. The Volkswagen Golf SE 2.0-litre TDI 140 PS is a truly capable towing vehicles and a worthy winner”.

Mazda6 Estate

The second generation Mazda6 has won another award at the Caravan Club 2010 Towcar of the Year Awards in the £20,000 to £25,000 Class. The Judges said,”Towing 1,347kg, the good looking estate car romped up the long 14% hill in third gear and tackled a 17% stop-and -restart quite easily. A super car at a super price”.

The exact specification of the car that was tested is the Mazda6 2.2-litre Diesel Estate TS2 163ps Manual. Twenty-eight cars were put through their paces at the Millbrook Proving Ground and whether you are looking to tow a caravan, a horse box or a jet-ski trailer, the Mazda6 offers a great vehicle specification and could be for you, with 26 models in their line-up.

Kia Soul

The Kia Soul has won a class victory in the under £16,000, 2010 Caravan Club Towcar of the Year Awards. The entrants are tested at the Millbrook Proving Ground and the evaluations cover hill starts, acceleration, braking capability and towing ability. In addition, a team of caravan specialists then evaluate the cars in some suitability tests, in everday caravanning situations. 

The judges said, “The Kia Soul Shaker gives a spirited performance, has a usable bodyshape and promises low running costs. As a towcar for small caravans or trailer tents, Kia’s hatchback is a worthy winner”.The Kia Soul has a braked and unbraked towing capacities of 1,300 kg and 550 kg respectively, with a ball weight of 52kg.