SUZUKI RECALL - Further update on Celerio brake issues.

Following a condition experienced when carrying out an emergency braking test from high speed by Autocar magazine on a private road test facility on 30^th January, Suzuki carried out an immediate investigation into the cause and is now in a position to provide further information to its customers and media. The Celerio model went on official sale in the UK on 1^st February.

Suzuki GB PLC issued a Safety Recall Campaign on Monday 2^nd February at 9.00am and suspended sales of the vehicle in the UK. All dealers were immediately notified to directly contact customers who had recently taken delivery of their new vehicle.

The Safety Recall relates to a possible fault in the brake pedal release mechanism. A rectification by Suzuki Motor Corporation is currently being implemented and delivery of modified brake components is expected in the coming weeks.

Safety is of the utmost importance to Suzuki and it expects to return vehicles to customers as soon as is possible. Suzuki would like to take this opportunity to apologise to its customers and also thank them for their understanding and patience regarding this issue.

Customers with any further questions regarding their Celerio model should contact Suzuki Customer services on 0500 011959 or contact their supplying Suzuki dealer.

WARNING ***ALL RIGHT HAND DRIVE SUZUKI CELERIOS RECALLED - DO NOT DRIVE***

IF YOU HAVE TAKEN ELIVERY OF ONE OF THESE CARS THEN PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE IT, AND CALL YOUR LOCAL SUZUKI DEALER WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, THIS RECALL MUST NOT BE IGNORED BY ANYONE

Following a condition experienced when carrying out an emergency braking test by a journalist from Autocar magazine on the 30^th January, Suzuki carried out an immediate investigation into the cause of this condition. 

As a direct result of this investigation and with immediate effect, Suzuki is recalling its UK Celerio models that went on official sale to the public on February 1^st. This safety recall relates to retraction of the brake pedal and affects Right Hand Drive vehicles for UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.  

It does not affect left hand drive vehicles or other right hand drive markets.

Suzuki is directly contacting its customers via its dealer network and will be providing a loan vehicle to them until full safety checks have been completed. As UK sales of the Celerio model have now been temporarily suspended, this of course applies to press vehicles.

The condition was experienced during an emergency brake test from very high speed and was conducted several times on a private road test facility. This test forms a part of the full test procedure carried out by What Car? and Autocar magazines. The Celerio model has been on sale in India and Thailand since 2014.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Double delight for Nissan with Qashqai and Pulsar winning awards.

• Nissan Qashqai retains crown as What Car?’s Best Small SUV
  • British-built Qashqai praised for blend of comfort, refinement and practicality
  • New n-tec+ trim is the judges’ pick with class-leading levels of refinement, generous standard equipment and overall practicality
• Newly launched Pulsar hatchback chosen as a Best Buy Family car under £16,000 for 1.2 DIG-T 115 Visia
  • Newcomer praised for “incredible value” offering customers the “complete package”
  • Entry-level model gets air-conditioning, electric windows, Bluetooth and six airbags

It was a successful night for Nissan at the annual What Car? Awards in London as the brand scooped an overall category win along with a Best Buy Family Car accolade.

For the second year running, Nissan’s pioneering Qashqai crossover won the title of Best Small SUV while the all-new Pulsar hatchback was chosen as a Best Buy Family car under £16,000 in the hugely competitive Family Car category.

Designed, engineered and built in Britain, the Qashqai continues to deliver an unrivalled package of technology, safety, practicality and efficiency

James Wright, Managing Director, Nissan Motor GB, said: “After winning Qashqai’s category and the outrightCar of the Year crown last year, we are extremely delighted with this year’s category win – especially considering the strong competition in this fast-growing segment.

“Like the Qashqai, the new Pulsar majors on technical innovations, safety and practicality – boasting the largest rear legroom of any C-segment hatchback available in the UK. It adds yet another dimension to Nissan’s diverse product line-up and ensures the brand offers a product to suit every customer’s needs.”

Jim Holder, Editor of What Car? said: “The Qashqai was chosen on the strength of its overall offering in terms of practicality, refinement and standard equipment. As impressive at the new Citroen and Range Rover are, neither really come close to dethroning the Qashqai as our top Small SUV.

“The Pulsar meanwhile delivers incredible value with the entry grade Visia. It’s hard to think of any other model in this price bracket that offers such a complete package.”

As standard, the Pulsar 1.2 DIG-T 115 Visia costs £15,995 OTR and benefits from air-conditioning, Bluetooth, electric windows, 16-inch alloys as well as safety equipment such as six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring and electronic stability control.

Testament to the Qashqai’s popularity, Nissan produced the two millionth Qashqai at its Sunderland factory in November last year – making it the fastest car model to reach this milestone in the history of the UK car industry.

What Car?’s favourite Qashqai is the recently introduced n-tec+ model, which replaced the Acenta Premium grade. With n-tec+, owners get and even greater level of value thanks to a multitude of safety and comfort features including Around View Monitor (AVM), Forward Emergency Brake (FEB), and additional equipment including roofrails and a Panoramic roof with prices starting at £22,250 OTR (or £21,700 OTR for n-tec).

WHAT CAR AWARDS - THREE Wins, TWO best buys ONE Company, that will be AUDI.

Triple triumph for Audi at the high-profile What Car? Awards ceremony 

• Audi TT named Coupé of the Year in the 2015 What Car? Awards
• Plug-in hybrid A3 Sportback e-tron wins Electric Car of the Year
• For the second consecutive year, the A3 Cabriolet secures the Convertible Car category
• Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI ultra SE Executive and the A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI SE also commended as 'best buys' in their respective categories

Reaffirming its status as an enduring What Car? favourite, the Audi TT in its recently launched, all-new form, has once again been crowned Coupé of the Year in the respected magazine’s annual awards. 

Equally importantly, two new variations on the theme of the A3, itself a winner of the overall Car of the Year Award in 2013, have also secured important category victories – the A3 Cabriolet dominates its class for a second successive year, and on its debut entry the new A3 Sportback e-tron plug-in hybrid proves its mettle by taking on and beating critically acclaimed EV contenders to the title of Electric Car of the Year.  

In its explanatory account covering the winning Audi models, the experienced judges on the What Car? editorial team dub the A3 Sportback e-tron a 'no-brainer for business users', refer to the A3 Cabriolet as 'one of the best open-tops for driving thrills' and describe the TT as a 'fabulous ownership proposition', featuring 'one of the finest cabins of any car'.

The 2015 Coupe of the Year – specifically the TT 2.0 TFSI Sport - is the latest in a long line of Audi TTs favoured as What Car? winners, dating back to the revolutionary first generation car, which wowed the judges back in 2001. The TT has been nominated in every one of the past eight years, and has won the category outright in all but one.

Explaining the decision to continue the TT’s amazing run of success for yet another year, What Car? Editor Jim Holder said: "The new TT follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, winning our Coupé of the Year Award at the first time of asking. It does so by a big margin, because while there are plenty of sleek and slinky-looking offerings in this market, they all demand some form of compromise from you – either in the way they drive, how easy they are to live with or how much they cost to buy and run. All except the TT. In fact, it’s so good, we wouldn’t bet against it winning this award for years to come."

UK deliveries of the new TT are already in progress, and in addition to the 230 PS 2.0 TFSI, the new ' ultra' model also makes its debut. Its 2.0 TDI engine produces 184 PS and 380Nm of torque, and a combined MPG figure of 67.3 is possible in line with CO2 emissions of just 110g/km. Prices for the TT range start from £29,770 OTR in Sport specification, rising to £40,270 OTR for the formidable 310PS TTS Coupé.

A3 range maintains its winning streak

Singling out the 150 PS 1.4 TFSI version of the A3 Cabriolet Sport with fuel-saving Cylinder-on Demand technology as its specific winner, the What Car? team praises its thriftiness and its "precise steering, performance and hushed refinement". 

An interior that "exudes class" with "cabin quality you’d expect on soft-tops twice the price" is also complimented, and in summary the A3 is lauded as "still the best open-top you can buy." Prices start at £26,085 OTR for SE models - comprehensive Sport and S line specifications complete the line-up.

Sharing the limelight with its premium compact counterpart, the A3 Sportback e-tron"mixes the many merits of the A3 with even more incentive for company car buyers to make electric driving more accessible" according to the judging panel. 

Both are available to order in the UK now, and first customer deliveries of the A3 Sportback e-tron are due this month. Priced from £29,950, the first series plug-in hybrid in the Audi range offers the potential for up to 176mpg on a full charge can travel for up to 31 miles using electric propulsion alone before the 1.4 TFSI petrol engine intervenes. Overall, a range of over 580 miles is attainable on a full charge and a tank of fuel.

Audi 'Best Buys'

In addition to the outright accolades, two more Audi models received price point plaudits – in the 'more than £35,000 category', the new A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI ultra SE Executive earned a commendation in the Executive Car class and in the Family Car sector the A3 Sportback 1.4 TFSI SE was rated as the pick of the bunch in the more than £20,000 bracket.

Commenting on the outstanding result for Audi UK, Director Andre Konsbruck said: “I am absolutely delighted not only with the quantity of wins Audi has secured in the eyes of What Car? this year, but also in the quality of those wins. 

The all-new TT and A3 Cabriolet are of course prime examples of state-of-the-art Vorsprung durch Technik, with all the emphasis on definitive design and build and advanced technology that this entails, but it’s the recognition for the new A3 e-tron in the face of such heralded competition which is the crowning achievement for me. It emphasises for me that wrapping the future in a familiar package that demands no compromises is the right way to travel at this stage."

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Suzuki makes four in a row with a best buy for the Suzuki Swift Supermini.

• Best buy hot hatch for less than £15,000 for the fourth consecutive year

Suzuki celebrated some great news at the 2015 What Car? Magazine awards as the Swift Sport has been awarded a ‘Best Buy’ accolade for the fourth year in a row. The performance flagship of the Swift range was comprehensively judged by the editorial team against some strong competition, and the final vote resulted in it yet again receiving the ‘Best Buy Hot hatch for less than £15,000’.

With a high standard specification that includes satellite navigation, DAB radio, USB connection and auto air conditioning, Swift Sport still remains considerably cheaper than £15,000 at £13,999 for three door and £14,499 for the five door model.

Swift Sport is available in a choice of four standard metallic paint finishes and is also  equipped with seven airbags, cruise control, High Intensity Discharge headlamps, rear privacy glass and 17-inch alloy wheels. In addition to satellite navigation and DAB radio, the Sport also has voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity and music streaming compatible with ipod/ iphone.

Jim Holder, What Car? Editor comments: “Even before you take into account the fact that you can get a Swift Sport for less than £14,000, it epitomises what a hot hatch should really be about.

"It has a 1.6-litre engine that absolutely loves to be revved to within an inch of its life as it produces its 134bhp and 118lb ft of torque. Those are fairly small numbers, but then the Swift is a fairly small car that doesn’t weigh much, so it can scamper along the road at a decent lick.

"It changes direction as quickly as a Scalextric car when you want it to and grips strongly when you need it to. Granted, there’s a firm edge to the ride, but it isn’t unbearable and rather suits the character of the car.”

The engine’s high output is combined with excellent fuel economy of 44.1mpg on the EC Combined Cycle; CO₂ emissions are 147g/km and a bespoke exhaust system yields a sporty note and the Sport is fitted with a six speed manual transmission as standard.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Porsche's Boxster makes it three in a row for Sports Car Of The Year.

Recognition by top-selling magazine underlines sports car credentials of iconic marque

The Porsche Boxster has once again been presented with the overall Sports Car of the Year accolade by What Car? This is the third time in a row that the mid-engined roadster from Stuttgart has triumphed at the ceremony, which was held last night in London.

The annual awards not only serve as the unofficial start to the new motoring year, but a category win has become regarded as one of the most sought-after in the industry. What Car? is the UK’s leading monthly consumer motoring title, and its editorial opinion is backed up by the vast knowledge and experience of its team of journalists.

Commenting on the victory of the Boxster in the Sports Car category, What Car? said; “It would be easy to dismiss the Boxster as a poor man’s 911. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Although its modest 265 hp is no better than the power of some hot hatches, the entry-level Boxster feels fast enough to thrill without being intimidating. This, matched with the fingertip-responsive handling, makes it perfect for UK roads. It’s a car that makes you want to get up early and seek out a quiet road, just as it is laid back and easy to drive on that wet, wintry commute.”

The value-for-money appeal of the Porsche also caught the attention of the editorial team. “The Boxster gets key niceties, such as a colour touch-screen and part-electric seat adjustment, so all you really need to add is satellite navigation and digital radio, and the rasping optional sports exhaust. Given the modest list price, even with these extras the Boxster is still great value. You don’t even need the automatic PDK gearbox; the slick-shifting manual is easy to use and adds a hands-on, physical element to the already great driving experience.”

Porsche Cars GB Managing Director, Chris Craft, collected the award for the Boxster from Jim Holder, Editor of What Car?

“The crux of the Boxster’s appeal is not just that it is reasonably priced, but that it can still thrill, and – even in the 2.7-litre model – feel every bit as prestigious as you’d want a Porsche to feel,” said Jim. “This sporting soft-top can be rambunctious fun, just as it can be a delight to live with, and that’s a winning combination in our books.”

The mid-engined, two-seater is priced from £38,810, and is available in three series: Boxster, Boxster S and Boxster GTS.

“For the Boxster to receive this recognition from What Car? for the third year in a row is a real credit to our engineers at Weissach,” commented Chris Craft, Porsche Cars GB Managing Director. “It also underlines what our customers tell us; that in true roadster spirit, the Boxster immerses you completely in the driving experience.”

First launched in 1963, the Porsche 911 coupé immediately set a new benchmark and quickly won the hearts of car and motor sport enthusiasts around the world. Today, the latest ‘Type 991’ model, the seventh 911 generation, continues to set standards, its evocative rear-mounted, flat-six engine offering scintillating driving dynamics as well as impressive performance and efficiency.

In recognising the 911 Carrera as the ‘Best Buy’ in the Sports Car category between £50,000 - £100,000, What Car? Editor, Jim Holder, commented; “If the subject of sports cars comes up, you’re almost certainly going to be talking about the 911.”

The road test team found real inspiration in the charismatic flat-six engine beating at the heart of the 911: “Revving the 3.4-litre motor through the gradually building mid-range and on to the wailing, raucous upper regions of 7,000 rpm is an addiction. Push hard and the 911 reveals a hitherto-hidden edge that’s further enhanced by the grippy chassis and meaty steering. 

You don’t need to go for a really brawny version – the basic Carrera, with optional seven speed PDK automatic gearbox, delivers the perfect blend of sweaty-palmed adrenaline rush when you want it, and easy-going daily driver the rest of the time. Add the adaptive suspension and sports exhaust, and you’ve got the best 911 going, at a reasonable price.”

The 911 Carrera is priced from £73,509, and the range encompasses Coupé, Cabriolet and Targa models. Last year, the 430 hp GTS models (priced from £91,908) joined the line-up, opening a new chapter in the continuing evolution of the 911 range, which is topped by the race-car inspired GT3 (£100,540) and legendary 911 Turbo S (£142,120).

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Mercedes S-Class takes Luxury Car Of The Year Award.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been named Luxury Car of the Year at the What Car? Awards.

Announced first as the winner of the ‘under £70,000’ category, the S-Class went on to win the outright Luxury Car of the Year Award against strong – and more expensive – competition. It marks the ninth time the S-Class has won the category. 

Jim Holder, Editor of What Car? Magazine, said: “Even in a class full of serious heavyweights, the Mercedes S-Class manages to stand out as a proper puncher. The S 350 offers an astounding level of quality, terrific refinement from its diesel engine and even appealing running costs; none of its rivals can match the comfort and technology available here. Even cars like these can appeal on value, and at less than £70,000, the S-Class looks astonishing against its peers. It’s more than worthy, again, of the Luxury Car of the Year title.”

Accepting the Award was Adam Chamberlain, Sales Director, Mercedes-Benz UK: “The current S-Class arrived a little over a year ago and has already had a terrific start – it’s now been What Car? Luxury Car of the Year twice and remains the UK’s Number One luxury car. It doesn’t stop there, as 2015 promises to be an exciting year for the S-Class with the most luxurious and the most efficient versions yet, set to debut.”

Since its launch, the S-Class has set new benchmarks in safety, comfort and refinement – and in its choice of powertrains. Four-, six-, eight- or 12-cylinder engines make up the line-up, three of which are Hybrids as well as two mighty AMG models that combine immense performance with the ability to cover huge distances in complete comfort.

The line-up is soon to expand further. This year the S 500 Plug-in Hybrid, emitting just 65 g/km of CO₂ on the combined cycle, and the luxurious and even more spacious Mercedes-Maybach S-Class will debut in the UK – promising to be the quietest production saloon car in the world.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Hyundai i10 wins best City Car for second year running.

• New Generation Hyundai i10 wins ‘Best City Car’ at What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2015
• Second consecutive win for the reigning City Car
• “i10 really is the complete city car package” and “a genuine threat to a lot of superminis” say What Car?
• i10 range starts at £8,595 OTR

New Generation Hyundai i10 has retained its position at the top of its class after being named What Car? ‘Best City Car’ for the second consecutive year. Praised for its high quality interior materials, refinement, ease of driving and big-car features, i10 beat stiff competition from the likes of VW Up, Smart Fortwo and Skoda Citigo.

Jim Holder, Editor at What Car? said: “Last year the Hyundai i10 stunned us by stealing the crown from the VW Up. It’s just as nimble to drive and comfortable in town as the VW, but offers even greater practicality, class-leading refinement and loads of kit. Our choice – the 1.2-litre petrol – is wonderfully smooth, and quick enough to keep up with larger traffic. In Premium trim it feels suitably expensive inside, yet still costs less than £11,000, which makes it stunning value. The Hyundai is a genuine threat to a lot of superminis.”

Tony Whitehorn, President & CEO, Hyundai Motor UK said: “2014 was a major year for the New Generation i10, which proved to be an instant hit with existing Hyundai customers and those new to the brand. As we approach 12 full months on sale, i10 is proving more popular than ever - a trend that we expect to continue in 2015. We are delighted that What Car? has recognised i10 as the best City Car for the second consecutive year in what is an extremely competitive segment. This award is a testament to the superb design and engineering which has gone into creating this cleverly packaged car. ”

Priced from £8,595 OTR, New Generation i10 features road noise levels which are among the best in its class while the suspension delivers a dynamic driving experience. Sophisticated, stylish and thoughtful design touches ensures broad appeal in the City Car segment, while quality materials and high end features, including air conditioning and Bluetooth®, deliver big car comfort for the driver and passengers 

WHATCAR AWARDS - Dacia wins best small car under £12k for third successive year.

• Dacia Sandero wins ‘Best Small Car under £12,000’
• Dacia supermini awarded for third consecutive year
• Sandero continues to grow in the UK with over 14,000 sold in 2014

Dacia has picked up the title of What Car? 2015 ‘Best Small Car for less than £12,000’ with its Sandero 1.2 Ambiance hatchback for the third successive year.

After initially picking up the accolade in 2013 following the brand’s entrance into the UK car market, and confidently retaining it last year, the stylish, practical and affordable supermini has taken the honours once more to truly reaffirm its popularity alongside the rest of Dacia’s ‘shockingly affordable’ range.

Commenting on the decision to give the award to the Sandero, Jim Holder, Editor, What Car? said: “There are cheap cars and then there’s the Dacia Sandero. What really helps the Sandero’s case, and boosts its value for money, is its huge interior space. There are few cars in this class that offer this much room for passengers and luggage.”

“It’s quick enough to feel comfortable in and out of town, and our True MPG tests have revealed it’s possible to get within a stone’s throw of its official fuel economy. Consider the fact that the Sandero comes with a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty and the deal looks even better.”

Commenting on the result, Andy Heiron, Dacia UK Brand Manager said: “We’re delighted that the judges at What Car? have recognised the Sandero’s qualities for the third year in a row – especially given that starting from a ‘shockingly affordable’ £5,995 you can get one from just half the amount of the category it competes in.”

The Dacia Sandero is a five-door hatchback, available in three trim levels with a choice of two petrol engines and one diesel engine. Pricing starts from £5,995, making it the lowest priced new car on sale in the UK today. The specific Ambience version chosen by What Car? comes with features such as Bluetooth connectivity, electric windows and an ECO driving mode, improving efficiency and fuel consumption figures.

Dacia continued its prodigious rise in the UK with another strong year of sales, with 23,862 new Dacia owners during 2014, up 39.2 per cent compared to 2013.