Since its 2009 launch, more than 8,800 ŠKODA Yeti compact SUVs have been registered in the UK. The car’s won 12 independent product awards and has charmed the hearts of press and public alike.

It’s understandable, then, that ŠKODA should revisit this success story with a new limited edition version of the Yeti.

It’s called the Yeti Urban, and whilst it’s based on the popular SE trim, it features up to £2,450 worth of extra equipment – all at no extra cost!

Interested parties are going to have to be quick, though, as only 750 models of the Yeti Urban are to be produced.

The ŠKODA Yeti Urban is the first model to be sold in the UK with DAB digital radio as standard. It features Amundsen+ satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity and a multi-function steering wheel to control the audio system and telephone.

In the days before we were stunned by technological abundance on what seems like a daily basis, we might have commented that the Yeti Urban is so tooled up as to resemble a James Bond car.

Except without the missile launchers and ejector seat; we might have quipped.

Instead, you can expect manual transmission two wheel drive with a choice of two engines. The petrol option is the 1.2-litre TSI 105PS, which offers fuel economy of 44.1mpg (combined) and CO2 emissions of 149g/km. For diesel fans there’s the popular 2.0-litre TDI CR 110PS DPF, which offers figures of 52.3mpg (combined) and CO2 emissions of 140g/km.

As if the clue wasn’t in the name, judging by the extras available, ŠKODA  really do seem to be targeting an “urban” audience.

You can choose from such accessories as stainless steel pedals (£80), sports exhaust trim (£50), and Nextbase Click 9 Lite Duo portable DVD player with twin 9-inch screens (£315).

Word?

The ŠKODA Yeti Urban is on sale from the beginning of April 2012 priced at £16,900 OTR for the petrol model and £18,330 OTR for the diesel.

And remember, it is limited edition. Beat your feet!

Confusion reigns in the press over who has the best company car, and it’s not helped by two completely different magazines having awards coming out at the same time. But the only winners can be the drivers, because they get two different opinions from two reliable sources – and the only arguments are between the award winners. Maybe hey sort it out after school behind the bike sheds?

FLEET NEWS awards are voted by a panel made up of fleet industry experts as well as senior members of the Fleet News editorial team, chaired by former SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan and audited by Deloitte with the New Company Car of the Year and Fleet Manufacturer of the Year voted on by fleet operator readers of Fleet News.

BUSINESS CAR MANAGER (the online car magazine for company cars) had its winners chosen by an editorial panel headed by editor Ralph Morton and road test editor Sam Hardy, with the Awards identifying winners in 9 different categories ranging from the environmentally and financially responsible – Best Sub-100g/km Business Car – to the more frivolous – It’s My Business and I’ll Buy What I Want To.

So, who won?

In Fleet News, they voted the Volkswagen Passat as the best new company car of 2011 using criteria based on operating costs (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.

But Business Car Manager had the new BMW 3 Series in 320d form as its overall winner; with the judges commenting that is was a car “offering an unbeatable combination of competitive running costs, strong performance, low driver taxation, impressive environmental credentials – and good, old fashioned driving fun.”

Admittedly BMW was crowned as the Fleet Manufacturer of the Year voted for by readers of the Fleet News so at least there is some sort of synergy there and other awards between the two publications went to Ford, Kia, Skoda, SEAT, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Range-Rover, Mini, Audi, Hyundai, Toyota and BMW in the car categories.

But of course it all depends what you are looking for and the wording of the awards. Some of the wording is decidedly “we want to give an award to someone but can’t think of a name so let’s make one up!”

FLEET NEWS AWARDS:

Ford Fiesta won Best Small Car, with its very close relative, the Ford, Focus, picking up the award for Lower-Medium car.

Best Upper-medium Car went to The VW Passat (which, as you know, also won best in breed!) and Best People Carrier went to the SEAT Alhambra.

Best Estate Car was awarded to the Skoda Superb estate and best all-round 4×4 to the Toyota Land Cruiser. (How do you to get to be all-round?)

In the big boys classes, Best Premium Car went to the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and, up there at the pinnacle of the “look at me; I’ve made it” tree, sits the BMW 5 series with its Best Boardroom Car award.

Oooh! Even more awards with indescribable titles. Best Crossover (what does that mean?) went to the Nissan Qashqai, Most Improved Fleet Manufacturer of the Year and went to Skoda, and Green Fleet Manufacturer of the Year went to Toyota/Lexus; who were described as “environmental beacons not just for the motor industry, but for every industry” by the judges

BUSINESS CAR MANAGER aims to help small businesses and SME firms to run their cars efficiently and cost- effectively. And their WINNERS were.

Best Sub-100g/km Business Car was the Kia Rio 1.1 EcoDynamics and Best Business Car for First Year Allowances (sub 110g/km), the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics.

Obviously by Company Cars here, they mean business cars, especially as the winner of the Best Company Car is the Ford Focus 1.0T EcoBoost 125PS.

Best Estate Car was the Hyundai i40 Estate (with Fleet News’ winner the Skodia Superb nowhere!) and the Best Executive Car, the New BMW 3 Series.

Other award winners were the Audi A6 Avant, MINI Countryman Cooper D (Best Micro Business Owner’s Car – how appropriate!), and the BMW 520d EfficientDynamics as best SME Director’s Car.

They even had an award called the “It’s My Business and I’ll Buy What I Want To” award, won by the Range Rover Evoque SD4 with commendations for the Audi Q5 3.0TDI,  BMW 640d and the Porsche Panamera Diesel. I presume they mean the “Car I WOULD get if they let me” award.

And comments from the winners backstage as seen on ITV2 hosted by some 5th rate celebrity who used to be a reality star before the scandal with their ex-partner’s dog?

SEAT UK Managing Director Peter Wyhinny was at the Fleet News Awards dinner at the Grosvenor Hotel to celebrate the Alhambra’s latest success. He said: “To receive this trophy from Fleet News means a great deal to us at SEAT. We know the Alhambra is a very impressive MPV and the near-constant stream of important awards such as this reinforces that belief.”

And Martin Burke, ŠKODA UK’s Head of Fleet Sales, was also delighted. “To be receiving [an award] for our work in the corporate sector, so crucial to our future plans, makes these awards all the more satisfying.”

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to announce a special pre-reg deal on the award-winning Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI CR SE, in stock to lease from just £194.95 + VAT a month with FREE rear parking sensors and FREE metallic paint.

Building on an already impressive reputation, the class leading Skoda Octavia has been updated for 2012 boasting an elegant new design and more features than ever before.

Under the bonnet, the new Octavia features cleaner and more efficient petrol and diesel engines, offering low CO2 emissions and improved fuel economy, helping to reduce the impact on the environment.

The new Skoda Octavia hatch is also one of the best equipped cars around, featuring an impressive standard specification, along with an wide array of options allowing you to specify the car you want.

For a strictly limited time, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has a special pre-registered 61 plate deal on the Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI CR SE, in stock to lease from just £194.95 + VAT a month. This superb model comes with FREE rear parking sensors (worth up to £305) and FREE metallic paint (worth up £460)in Anthracite Grey, Brilliant Silver or Lava Blue.

Standard features on the Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI CR SE include:

• Radio/6 CD Changer + MP3 Facility

• Multi-Information Display with Trip Computer

• Body Coloured Bumpers

• Cloth Upholstery

• Manual Air Conditioning

• 15″ Pyxis Alloy Wheels

This deal is only available whilst stocks last so to find out more, call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595 or follow the above links.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

Like this deal? Join our mailing list to receive weekly emails with our latest car leasing offers straight to your inbox  or why not follow us on Facebook and Twitter?

This week sees the Geneva Motor Show open up on Thursday (8th March) and go on until Sunday 18th (Mother’s Day – so don’t forget!) With 260 cars on show, some of the finest will be mixing with concepts that may not even have a chance of making it past this show, but which will be the stars that will shine brightest to the 700,000 visitors that are due there?

FERRARI

The Italian car maker will be showing off the fastest ever road car, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, which was officially launched in February, but why let a little fact like that get in the way of a good rummage around its chassis and luxury?

A snip at £250,000 each

BUGATTI

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then the Bugati Grand Sport Vitesse is No 1 in the FHM charts. More Italian craftsmanship, it looks fantastic and is “the most powerful roadster of all time”, with 1,200 horsepower emanating from the 16-cylinder engine boosted by four turbochargers and intercoolers.

An upgrade from the imperious £1.2million 16.4 Grand Sport, no news yet on how much this will set any buyer back, but whatever it is, it’s worth it..

JAGUAR

The new XF Sportbrake will be making its debut. It’s based on the XF platform  and powering it will be a range of efficient yet powerful diesel engines in 2.2-litre four cylinder and 3.0-litre six-cylinder form.

More of a practical whistle than an open-mouthed WOW!

VOLKSWAGEN

They’ll be unveiling he most powerful production Golf Cabriolet ever at the Show, with the expected classic GTI design and an electrically powered fabric roof which can be folded away in just 9.5 seconds, even while travelling at speeds of up to 18 mph.

Personally, I can never resist a Cabriolet, so this is pretty damn exciting for me!

And then there are the versions of the new VW city car – the up! There’s the swiss up!, the winter up!, the x up! And the cargo up! Each have different uses, and colours, although VW is always there in design.

CITREON

They’ve been busy. Not only will the New Citroën C4 Aircross make its world debut alongside the newly restyled C1 and Berlingo Multispace, but there will also be a concept version of C3 Red Block

They’ll also be showing off the complete DS line, along with a new DS4 Racing concept and new special editions – DS4 and DS5 Paris Rendez-Vous and DS3 Racing S. Loeb.

VOLVO

I know; not the most exciting reputation. But they’ll be revealing the all-new Volvo V40, a Premium Hatchback with Volvo features that is apparently “ready to overtake the opposition.”

Look out for the world’s first pedestrian airbag on this one too!

BENTLEY

A new version of Bentley’s flagship, the Mulsanne Mulliner is to be displayed in Geneva, with 21-inch wheels and various other refinements making it a ‘sporting’ version.

To quote Bentley: “It is a luxury car that makes the joy of driving its central focus. In an era of mass production, it stands at the pinnacle of British luxury motoring.

LAND ROVER

Last year the Range Rover Evoque: this year the Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept.

Building on the success of ‘the world’s first premium convertible SUV’, a fully retractable premium roof system with a Roll Over Protection System [ROPS] has been added purely to gauge reaction and assess potential

FORD

Ford are looking at introducing a new range of people movers, starting with the dynamic new Ford Tourneo Custom Concept, with an 8-seat concept, low-CO2 ECOnetic Technology and SYNC voice-activated, in-car connectivity system. Commercial vehicles to follow!

RINSPEED DOCK+GO

Basically a trailer that attached to the sides of small cars such as a SmartCar, it’s designed to be what the makers call a ‘backpack on wheels.’ Aimed towards compact electric cars that give very little boot space, among a number of designs in it is a dock that includes a heated box for pizza delivery boys and another for workmen that has an integrated toolbox.

Look at it as an add-on!

Obviously these are just some of the cars and concepts there, but it’s already looking like the aftershow parties from the Oscars!

Now, anyone got a spare ticket, and flight, and spending money…?

Don’t miss out on our latest stock offer on the Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI CR SE available to lease from just £154.95 + VAT a month on a 2 year contract!

With its rugged 4×4 styling, family orientated practicality and impressive on road performance, the new Skoda Yeti is the perfect vehicle for combining family life with city living.

Inside, the Yeti’s flexible Varioflex rear seating system, spacious boot and high ride height make it one of the most practical and versatile vehicles in its class, whilst under the bonnet, the Yeti’s choice of two or four-wheel drive and wide range of diesel and petrol engines turn it into a high capable on and off-road vehicle.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to offer a fantastic deal on the Skoda Yeti 2.0 TDI CR SE with reductions of up to £60 a month.

Prices now start from just £154.95 + VAT  a month on a 2 year contract with cars in stock for quick delivery. Standard features on this model include:

• Radio / MP3 Compatible 6CD Changer

• Black Roof Rails

• Front Fog Lamps

• Acoustic Rear Parking Sensors

• Cruise Control

• Auxiliary Input Socket

• Dual Zone Air Conditioning

• 17″ Dolomite Alloy Wheels

To take advantage of this fantastic Skoda car leasing deal before stock runs out, call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595 or follow the above links.

Prices based on a 2 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

Like this deal? Join our mailing list to receive weekly emails with our latest car leasing offers straight to your inbox!

In the market for a new family car? You can now save up to a whopping £100 a month when you lease the Skoda Superb and Skoda Superb Estate with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.

Winner of the Auto Express New Car Awards 2010 for Best Estate Car and Best Family Car, the Skoda Superb and Skoda Superb Estate sets a new standard for luxury, quality and load carrying ability thanks to its world class engines, smooth transmission and a high specification.

From the outside, the Skoda Superb boasts a distinctive, elegant style and is the first car ever to have a boot which can be opened as a hatch or a saloon.

Inside, the Superb offers a high build quality with supreme levels of standard specification including manual air-conditioning, 7-airbags, comfortable cloth seats and chrome dashboard detailing offered as standard on all models.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to offer a fantastic car leasing deal on the Skoda Superb and Skoda Superb Estate with prices starting from just £234.95 + VAT a month.

First up is a great deal on the Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI CR 170ps SE, available to lease from just £234.95 + VAT a month. Standard features on this model include rear parking sensors, 6 CD changer with MP3 and aux-in socket, alcantara/leather upholstery and 17’’ alloy wheels.

For those after a little more space, the Skoda Superb Estate 2.0 TDI CR 170ps SE is now available to lease from £249.95 + VAT a month. Standard features on this model include rear parking sensors, cruise control, dual zone air conditioning, alcantara/leather upholstery and 17’’ alloy wheels.

To take advantage of these fantastic Skoda savings call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595 or follow the above links.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available. Terms & Conditions Apply.

Like this deal? Join our mailing list to receive weekly emails with our latest car leasing offers straight to your inbox!

The world and its budgy’s harking on about winter driving these days. It’s almost as if a particularly harsh winter’s been predicted in the wake of two further successive particularly harsh winters.

Hmn.

Well, now it’s ŠKODA’s turn to do their bit and have their say in regards to winter driving.

Their drivers can get a set of winter tyres from just £248 at participating ŠKODA retailers.

Winter tyres allow for shorter breaking distances, resistance to aquaplaning and increased grip. Also, contrary to a common misconception, they can be used in all conditions – be they wet or dry. ŠKODA would have you note that last year alone saw almost five months of the year – 146 days – when winter tyres would have been the safer choice for UK motorists.

Beyond the tyres, though, ŠKODA  are also offering their customers a complete Winter Check at £19.99 which is to ensure that their car is ready for the onslaught of winter.

It involves:

1. Lights– Are they aligned correctly? Perfectly aligned lights enable drivers to have the best possible visibility, critically important during winter’s dark days and nights.

2. Wiper blades – Severe weather puts increased demands on wiper blades, so it’s crucial to make sure they’re in good condition before winter begins.

3. Windscreen washer fluid – ŠKODA technicians will check it is topped up with the correct antifreeze screen wash fluid.

4. Brakes – Fast, responsive brakes are essential in winter, so the pads, discs and brake fluid are checked allowing drivers to brake more effectively.

5. Tyres– The condition of the tyres is checked, plus customers will be given additional advice about choosing winter tyres.

6. Battery– Winter puts extra strain on batteries, so technicians will check they’re in good working order before cold weather hits.

7. Air-con– By ensuring the air-con is in good shape, drivers need not worry about a winter of condensation.

So if you’re a ŠKODA driver, get yerself down to yer nearest dealer and get yerself all kitted up smart for the winter.

And if you’re not a ŠKODA driver – well, do it anyway. But not at a ŠKODA Retailer. I’ll wager they’ll turn you away should you not be driving one of their own.

“If you really want to know about cars, ask the experts.”

So says Which? Car editor Richard Headland. But who are these experts? Manufacturers? (Bit biased.) Dealers? (Bit too profit making.) Garage owners? Mechanics?

None of the above. According to Richard, the experts are “… the people who drive every day.”

With (allegedly) no brand loyalty – although that is a touch difficult to swallow – it’s the everyday driver who can tell you what is good, and bad, about the cars that they drive.  Personally cars are like salad cream – it has to be Heinz – but in these economically frugal days, to paraphrase Joseph with his dreamcoat “Any car will do.”

So what did Which? Car find out in a Summer 2011 survey for new and used cars?

Makers of the most reliable cars

Hyundai; according to the survey, has a great range of cars, is value for money, reliable and offer transferable, five-year warranties at a time when everybody is looking to cut back and make their money go further. In fact, a Hyundai has, on average, a 20% chance of a fault in 12 months from new. That’s not the best – but more about that later.

Car that makes its owners happy

In first place, a car that was actually phased out 6 years ago, but still holds a place in its owners’ hearts – the Toyota Yaris Verso.

Second, the VW Passat CC

Third, Land Rover Discovery – but, as you’ll see later, that was the only good news for the Land Rover in this survey.

Most Loved cars

In the Top 10 of this list, there’s 4 Skodas – the Yeti, (Never seen one of them, although the apparantly exist ), Superb Estate, old Superb and new Superb.

But down there at the bottom…

Most ‘un-loved’ cars

Strictly not a true title but I didn’t really want to put ‘Most loved cars – well, not really’ as a title so, at the bottom of the most loved cars, with a satisfaction percentage of 49.4% (No; I’ve no idea how they were calculated but I’m guessing at a “How much do you love this car?” question) is the Renault Laguna Sport Tourer.

It’s in good company, as 7 out of the bottom 10 are built by French manufacturers (did they ask Al Murray to put this survey together?) with poor handling, performance, build quality and poor non-engine electrics cited as reasons for this particular poor performance.

So, it seems that Which? Car readers and members seem to like practical good-value cars (like Skoda, so it seems), aren’t keen on the “unreliable and fault-prone” Gallic cars like Renault and Peugeot and really can’t be bothered with the ‘satisfaction factor’ of so-called luxury brands like Mercedes, BMW and VW – giving them an average score, the same as Alfa Romeo and Citreon.

Says a lot more about them than any other statistic.

—————————————————————

The survey looked at over 67,000 cars – new and used – to get the results, and other ‘winners’ included:

Best Buy (Medium Sector aka ‘most popular car bought’ sector) – Kia Cee’d estate
Best value cars based on dependability and running costs (Medium Sector) – Honda Jazz and Skoda Fabia diesel
Best Medium Cars (Used) – Mazda 3, VW Golf, VW Jetta, Ford Focus
Best MPV (Used) – Honda FRV, Skoda Roomster, Toyota Previa

But the biggest winner of all, an undisputed winner in the Large Section (Used) – and every other Large Section sector – was the Toyota Avensis. Often called “dull” in description by the questioned drivers, the petrol version scored way ahead of many of its rivals in the majority of cases.

———————————————————

And, if you want further proof of reliability. What Car? in conjunction with Warranty Direct released a report suggesting that, for reliability, Japanese and Korean makes are the best.

Honda vehicles, for the 6th year in a row, are top of the pile (That’s the power of dreams, eh?) with a mere 9% chance of developing a fault from new in the first 12 months. Toyota, Suzuki, Lexus and Mitsubishi fill the next four places.

And down at the bottom? Close your ears Land Rover – it’s you – with a 55% chance of a fault. And you won’t have to travel too far to have a chat with your fellow relegation favourites because they are all European. Alfa Romeo, Renault and Saab are all in the mid forties when it comes to chance of a developing fault from new.

Sorry Europe! Time to get those metaphorical socks pulled up!

The Tour De France is perhaps the most hypnotic sporting event that ever was, is and and shall be. There’s just something so lulling and satisfying of those marvellous machines gliding along in perfect whirring serenity – legs pummelling the pedals in something approaching unison – that I understand completely ŠKODA’s pride in playing the sponsor to this illustrious event.

2011 marks the 98th annual event, but it’s only the eighth time that ŠKODA  have backed the Tour. It commenced on Saturday 2 July in the western region of Vendée on the Atlantic coast, and has since seen legions of competitors battle through twenty-one gruelling stages and some 2,100 miles in order to reach the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs-Élysées by July 24. It’s safe to say, then, that it’s pretty hardcore.

So, what role do ŠKODA play in all of this? Well, as the official vehicle supplier, they have provided the organisers with almost 300 vehicles from across their vehicular repertoire. These range from the fleet of white ŠKODA Superb Estates which are being used for VIP guests; the “advertising caravan” which passes through each stage some two hours before the riders and the red ŠKODA Superb for Tour Director Christian Prudhomme. A replica of this car is currently being displayed in the daily “Departure Village” before the start of each race.

Says ŠKODA brand Director Robert Hazelwood: “The Tour de France is one of the world’s great sporting events. The riders put in top-class performances and we are proud to be supporting this fantastic event for the eighth time. It provides us with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the engineering excellence of our vehicles in front of billions of people worldwide.”

Thanks, Robert.

12 May was a good day for both Skoda and green motoring in general. On this day, Austrian driving specialist Gerhard Plattner achieved an impressive 1,246 miles (2,006 km) on a single 45 litre tank of fuel. His weapon of choice? The Škoda Fabia GreenLine.

Gerhard’s incredible journey started in Reutte, Austria, and saw him driving to Bov, Denmark, and back again. It demonstrates a record-low level of fuel consumption at 127.8 mpg. However, it is to be noted that the model’s official consumption figure stands at 83.1 mpg (combined). How do you explain that,  Škoda? Oh. They don’t. In this respect they’re like those infomercial guys who, in response to the question of “how does it work?” respond with an incredulous “I don’t know! But it does!”

Says Dr. Eckhard Scholz,  Škoda’s head of technical development: “We work hard to reduce the fuel consumption in our vehicles. The primary goal of these efforts is to offer efficient technology in all of our models at affordable prices, and our second-generation GreenLine models meet this requirement perfectly. The Fabia GreenLine is going to show what can be achieved by combining refined technology with economy driving.”

On his part, Gerhard has this to say: “The Škoda GreenLine models are perfect for fuel-efficient driving. In light of the current fuel prices, not only is that important for one’s own wallet, but also for lowering environmental pollution. With a fuel consumption well below the specified norm, I want to show that besides the car manufacturers, every driver can contribute to further reduce this environmental pollution. It already starts with small details such as the proper tyre pressure.”

The excursion was supervised by the International Police Motor Corporation (IPMC), who sealed the fuel tank before Plattner set out from Reutte. There was seemingly no way, then, that he could have cheated with a sneaky refill en-route.

Impressive, no?