Archive for the ‘Volkswagen’ Category

The 2011 Fleet News Awards have once again handed the top accolades in two of the most popular vehicle categories to Volkswagen. The ‘Best Small Car’ award was once again handed to the Volkswagen Polo and the ‘Best Lower Medium Car’ was given to the Volkswagen Golf. The Awards were held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London earlier this month, where the fleet industry recognised the best vehicles that fleet drivers could buy over the last twelve months.

A panel of fleet industry experts and members of the editorial team at Fleet News were embroiled in a lengthy judging process that was based on a set of strict criteria, including (depreciation, fuel, servicing, maintenance and repair, lease rates, tax liability), suitability for their use as business cars and the level of support from the manufacturers and their corporate sales teams.

Commenting on the winning cars, the judges said: “A broad range of engines with low-CO2 choices and a choice of three door and five door models make the Polo appealing to fleet companies and drivers.”

They added: “The Golf offers unrivalled depth to its range from BlueMotion right up to GTI and R models. It is a strong proposition on running costs and attractive to drivers thanks to its image.”

Collecting the award for Volkswagen was Head of Fleet Services Vincent Kinner. He said: “I’m delighted to claim these awards for two of our key fleet models. It’s a shame the new Passat saloon and Estate models, which are proving so popular with company car managers and drivers, were not eligible in the Upper Medium Car category this year. But watch this space!”

“We look forward to maintaining a strong performance in the fleet market in 2011 and working with our customers and their drivers to provide the highest levels of support and customer care through new products and initiatives.”

Popular weekly car magazine Autocar has recently reviewed the new Volkswagen Touareg. In its first full UK roadtest, the new Touareg received a four star rating and was hailed as the best value premium SUV on the market.

Journalists from Autocar gave the new Touareg a thorough examination which resulted in praise for its agile handling, fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions – ultimately describing the new SUV as “the best-value car in the class”.

The model that Autocar tested was the 3.0 V6 TDI SE which Autocar had plenty of positive comments about, including: “Combine this prodigious chunk of pulling power with an eight-speed gearbox whose shifts are as smooth as they are rapid and you begin to understand why the Touareg TDI is as brisk as it is.

“The TDI feels nimble and agile in a way you simply wouldn’t expect from a vehicle as big and cumbersome looking as this.

“As for the steering, it’s almost spooky how well resolved it feels. Here more than anywhere, Volkswagen’s engineers have surpassed themselves, somehow managing to provide the Touareg with light, crisp, accurate steering that allows you to place it on the road with much the same precision as you would a Golf. As an on-road off-roader, it’s hard to think of any rival, at any price, that is more convincing.”
The new Volkswagen Touareg is available from Bath Volkswagen and Capitol Volkswagen (Merthyr Tydfil) now from just £38,255 OTR.

Awards for The ‘Best Compact Family Car’ award went to Golf and the ‘Best Hot Hatch’ award went to Golf GTI at the recent Auto Express New Car Awards. Both accolades clearly demonstrating that the Golf is recognised as the best car it its class, in what are two very competitive categories.

The awards are judged by the immensely experienced editorial team at Auto Express and recognise the best cars on sale today in the UK. Both new and existing models are eligible, with the top performers in each category being selected for an award.

The Auto Express editor in chief, David Johns commented that: “With its classy looks, high-quality cabin and executive car refinement, the Volkswagen still sets the standard,” and added: “Better still, it’s great to drive, excellent value and has a brilliant range of engines – including innovative turbocharged TSI petrol units.” This is the second year in row that the Golf claimed the ‘Best Compact Family Car’ title.

It has been 33 years since Volkswagen launched the first Golf GTI and despite the fierce competition in the marketplace, these latest accolades highlight that the Golf remains the benchmark in its class. Johns said: “There are rivals that are faster and more eye-catching, but few can match the Golf’s all-round ability and appeal,” and added: “Its smooth 2.0-litre engine delivers perfectly judged performance, while its composed chassis mixes comfort and composure in equal measure. Plus, it comes in three- and five-door bodystyles, and with manual and twin-clutch DSG transmissions.”

Director of Volkswagen UK, Chris Craft was delighted with the awards saying: “A huge amount of work both in Germany and here in the UK goes into ensuring we offer the best possible mix of affordability, quality, safety and comfort. Since last year’s Auto Express awards we’ve added the Match model to the Golf range. Match brings new levels of standard equipment and technology to the line-up to ensure that Golf continues to represent incredible value for money in what is a hugely competitive marketplace.”

Last week saw Volkswagen win a raft of category awards and the overall top prize at the Best Car Manufacturer at the British Insurance Vehicle Security Awards (BIVSA) 2010.

Category wins came for the Polo SEL which secured the City Car/Supermini category, the Crossover class was taken by the Tiguan with Phaeton once again securing the top accolade in the Best Luxury Car category. The night was crowned off by Volkswagen winning the car Manufacturer of the Year at the awards ceremony.

The awards were hosted by Thatcham, at their research centre in Berkshire. All vehicles were judged on a number of different criteria and then only cars with the maximum five stars for ‘theft from’, with double locking, and an ‘E’ insurance suffix were shortlisted.

“It’s great to see Volkswagen as the new winner of the overall manufacturer award,” said Mike Briggs, Thatcham’s Vehicle Security Manager. ”This success clearly demonstrates how vehicle manufacturers are continuing to raise their game to reduce the risk of vehicle crime to insurers and the motoring public.”

Volkswagen’s Head of Marketing, Rod McLeod said that: “It’s a tremendous achievement for the Volkswagen range to be ranked as the best,” He then went on to say that: “To win the overall award is proof that security and safety features should not be the reserve of an elite few. We aim to extend the technology on flagship cars like the Phaeton right down to volume models such as the new Polo.”

This month sees the launch of several new key models from Volkswagen at the Geneva Motor Show. These new models are seen as key components in Volkswagen’s mission to become the most innovative volume manufacturer.

Arguably, the most anticipated new model to appear at the motor show was the new Volkswagen Sharan. This model was born over ten years ago and its facelift has been seen in some quarters as long overdue. This new model is wider, lower, longer and more technologically advanced than its predecessor. This was illustrated perfectly by Volkswagens Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing (Christian Klingler) who appeared, holding a pair of sun visors in his hand and proclaiming “only these are carried over from the old model”. Some of the design highlights from the new Sharan include its sliding rear doors, fold flat rear seats and advanced new Park Assist system.

The new Sharan was joined on stage at Geneva by the new Touareg. The new model is crammed with a host of new technology, which includes a hybrid model. Remarkably, the new model is also over 200kg lighter than its predecessor, which in no small part aids the fact that the new model is about 20% more efficient than the last Touareg. Mr Klingler described the new Touareg as “the most innovative of all Volkswagens”.

The new Polo GTI was another exciting model to be profiled at Geneva. Unsurprisingly, the new Polo GTI looks to be everything you could need from a seriously hot hatchback, from its honeycomb grill, all the way back to its twin chromed tailpipes. The new Polo GTI is also said to be around 25% more efficient than its predecessor.

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