For the Vindis Group manufacturers, the awards in the first three months of the year have been flooding in so here are the highlights:
A8-‘ Chauffeur Car of the Year’- thechauffeur. com
A familiar sight at the 2013 BAFTAs( British Academy Film Awards) as the official car of the stars, the Audi A8 took to the centre stage itself to accept a‘ Chauffeur Car of the Year’ award from leading industry portal thechauffeur. com
The long wheelbase A8 L was winner of the £ 50,000 to £ 75,000 category, a second consecutive win and its third since the awards began.
Not only was the car itself commended for its magnificent quality, comfort and drive but also for the Audi UK chauffeur programme too.
ŠKODA Yeti- Voted most satisfying car to own by UK drivers
In the annual Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, the result marks a spectacular hat-trick for the brand, having recorded first place finishes in 2011 and 2012.
The Yeti topped the annual Driver Power chart of 100 cars for the second year in a row with an overall satisfaction rating of 92.65 % – the highest recorded in this year’ s survey. The influential report is compiled by Auto Express using feedback supplied by car owners across the country. This year, more than 46,000 motorists were asked to rate their car in 10 key categories.
Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of Auto Express, said:“ We’ ve always liked the Yeti – it’ s a former Auto Express Car of the Year – so it’ s great to see so many owners agreeing with us. They like its practicality, the tech on board and how easy and enjoyable it is to drive.”
Build quality was another area where Auto Express readers felt the Yeti couldn’ t be bettered. With an approval rating of 96.25 %, the Czech-built car outscored rivals costing twice as much.
Launched in 2009, the Yeti has won more than 20 industry, media and customer satisfaction awards to date, and shows no signs of stopping.
What Car? Awards
In January, it was a proud night for Audi at the annual What Car? Awards as the TT Coupe retained‘ Best Coupe’( its seventh consecutive trophy at these awards) whilst the new A3 Sportback triumphed, taking‘ Best Small Family Car’ and overall‘ Car of the Year’ for 2013.
What Car? Chief Editor, Chas Hallett, put it simply when he praised the A3 Sportback’ s“ new levels of brilliance in a host of areas.”
European Car of the Year 2013
The New Golf has also won the highly coveted Car of the Year award for 2013, for more on the award and the seventh generation Golf itself, see page 24.
With the beginning of 2013 bringing great achievements and success, we are sure this will not be the last time these cars are seen gracing the winners list.
Audi have redesigned and refitted the Sportback from the ground up and were justifiably proud that judges referred to it as“ the new benchmark” in family hatchbacks, particular mentioning the“ smooth and punchy” engine, and an interior with“ easily the finest cabin quality ever seen in a small family hatchback.”
This year the Volkswagen up!( previous winner of the Car of the Year Award in 2012) left winner of the Best City Car award category for its combination of enjoyable, comfortable driving with practicality.
World Car of the Year 2013- Volkswagen Golf
ŠKODA‘ COTY’ 2013 CarBuyer Awards
ŠKODA has also received honours in 2013 from respected consumer motoring website CarBuyer. The ŠKODA Citigo was voted‘ Best City Car’ while the new ŠKODA Octavia, which only recently arrived in showrooms, earned the title‘ Best Family Car’.
Steve Fowler, Editor-in-Chief of CarBuyer, commented:“ The ŠKODA Citigo ticks all the right boxes for city car buyers … and then some. Great things come in small packages and this is a truly great car.”
Commenting on ŠKODA’ s offering of‘ more for less’“ The new Octavia is a prime example. It offers more quality, more space and more value than its rivals, yet still manages to be cheaper – it’ s a brilliant family car.”
Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft, explained:“ To win this award again shows that the Golf is and remains in a class of its own all around the world.”
This latest trophy adds to an already sterling achievement for the new model racking up an impressive 17 awards. The jury for World Car of the Year is made up of motoring journalists from 23 countries around the world and on their decision commented;“ The Golf is just the right size – it’ s spacious, practical and comfortable. It has a fresh, progressive design, a new range of engines, plus an impressive list of equipment and safety systems. If there is a car for everyone, the Golf is it.”
The judges rate new cars that are available on the world market not only for the award, but also in their daily reporting work for millions of drivers and car enthusiasts.
In previous years other Volkswagen models have been crowned winner including the up!, Polo and Passat took the title‘ World Green Car of the Year’ in 2010.
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