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.”

There was something of a tizzy at the Tokyo Motor Show last year when Volkswagen unveiled their Cross Coupé concept. It’s large, it’s rugged, it’s manly – but it’s powered by a plug-in petrol-electric hybrid system! How can this be?

It can, and it is. The days of SUV being a synonym for irresponsibly inefficient motoring might soon be at an end.

If, of course, it’s possible for an acronym to be a synonym.

But don’t let’s get bogged down in semantics.

The amazing thing, though, is that Volkswagen have managed to perfect an even more frugal plug-in hybrid drivetrain. This new Cross Coupé Concept is powered by an combination of a turbodiesel direct injection engine (TDI) and two electric motors.

Its combined fuel consumption in the New European Driving Cycle is an impressively low 1.8 litres per 100 km. That’s about 157 mpg, which translates into CO2 emissions of just 46 g/km.

And all this in a powerful SUV with a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph), 225 kW / 306 PS of power and a kerb weight of 1,858 kg.

The words “not to be sniffed at” spring to mind.

The Volkswagen Cross Coupé Concept is set to make its world premier at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday March 6. Expect more information when it’s available.

With all eyes on the new Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet GTI which makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has a fantastic offer on the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet 1.6 TDi SE BMT, in stock to lease from just £196.95 + VAT a month.

Oozing all the style and charisma of the popular VW Golf but with the added benefit of a fully electric open-top roof which can be raised or lowered in just 9.5 seconds, the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet stole the nations heart when it was launched in June 2011, wowing consumers and critics alike with its smooth style and impressive performance.

But don’t let its powerful 105bhp 1.6 TDi engine fool you, this chic convertible comes with VW’s famous BlueMotion technology boasting an impressive 64.2 MPG with CO2 emissions of just 117g/km, helping you save time and money at the fuel pumps without compromising on power or performance.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to announce reductions of up to £81 a month on the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet 1.6 TDi SE BMT, in stock to lease from just £196.95 + VAT a month.

This superb mid-spec model is jam packed with tons of features, representing exceptional value for money. Just take a look at what comes as standard on the SE model…

• Bluetooth Telephone preparation
• Front & Rear Parking Sensors
• DAB Digital Radio
• MP3 Compatible CD Player with Aux-In Connection
• Merlin Cloth Upholstery
• Cruise Control
• Daytime Running Lights
• Electronic Climate Control
• 17″ Porto Alloy Wheels

Stock is strictly limited so to take advantage of these amazing Volkswagen savings before it’s too late, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

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!

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…?

As the Volkswagen Up! arrives in UK showrooms this week, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has some fantastic offers available on the all-new city car with prices starting from just £100.95 + VAT a month.

Designed to take on the Citroen C1, Kia Picanto and Toyota IQ, the new Volkswagen Up! has already been causing a stir in the popular city car sector, thanks to its clever compact design and nippy engine range.

Boasting one of the longest wheelbases in its segment, the Up! is more than capable of negotiating busy urban streets, making it the ideal car for city driving.

The Volkswagen Up! is also pretty nippy when it comes power and performance with its powerful engine range offers outputs of 60PS and 75PS while still delivering impressive fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures.

Until 31st March, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has some fantastic car leasing deals available on the all-new Volkswagen Up! with savings of up to £55 a month on selected models.

Prices start from just £100.95 + VAT a month for the Volkswagen Up! 1.0 Take Up. Standard features on this model include:

• Radio/MP3 Compatible CD player

• Aux-In Socket

• Body Coloured Bumpers

• Dots Cloth Upholstery

• Speed Sensitive Power Steering

• Green Tinted Heat Insulating Glass

• Electronic Engine Immobiliser

To find out more about the Volkswagen Up! and to get an instant quotation on any model, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

Volkswagen are gearing up to display four new design studies of their new up! range at next week’s Geneva Motor Show.

Each is designed to demonstrate the potential of this new city car, which Volkswagen are describing as being “as versatile as a Swiss Army Knife”. “So what better tribute to the host country of the Geneva Motor Show”, they muse, “than the swiss up! concept?”

The Swiss up! reflects the colours of the Swiss flag both internally and externally: with Tornado Red paintwork, white mirror housings, a white dashboard facia and red bezels around the air vents. As an adorable little touch, a leather band across the back of each front seat is provided for storing the eponymous pocket knife.

Then there’s the winter up! Based on the cross up! concept first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011, it boasts roof-mounted snowboards and Pure White and Malibu Blue paint. Clearly one for the ski-slopes, the raised ride height and underbody protection create a rugged look, while the low weight of the along with front-wheel drive and ESP with electronic differential lock make it surprisingly agile in slippery conditions.

Then there’s the x up! This one’s time-equipped for night-time expeditions thanks to a roof box that comes with built-in searchlights. This one’s looking lethal in Burnt Orange colours.

Finally, there’s the cargo up! concept. With a sizeable 1,400 litre, 426kg payload, this one’s designed to demonstrate how this deceptively poky number can be loaded up for city deliveries. Underbody protection and a raised ride height allow the cargo up! to tackle pot-holed city streets, while the rear seats have been removed to create a flat load area.

The three-door up! goes on sale in the UK on Monday 5 March, with the five-door model set to join the line-up in the second half of the year.

Excited?

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has got some super hot car leasing deals to get your blood pumping and your heart racing.

First up is a hot offer on the stunning Mercedes C Class Coupe 250 2.2 CDi BluEF AMG Sport in stock to lease from just £269.95 + VAT a month on a 2 year deal – unbelievable value for a car of this specification! With its long, low profile, aggressive front end and striking AMG bodystyling, the new Mercedes C Class Coupe is automotive design at its best. The C250 AMG model also boasts an impressive equipment list with sport seats, Bluetooth, cruise control, cloth/artico leather upholstery and 18’’ alloy wheels.

The brand-new Mercedes SLK Roadster SLK250 2.1 CDi BluEf 7G-Trc+ Auto is now available to lease from just £229.95 + VAT a month on a 2 year contract! Arguably the most beautiful model in the Mercedes range, the new Mercedes SLK Roadster is in a class of its own with its sharp new style, innovative folding metal roof and powerful BlueEFFICIENCY engine. Features include Bluetooth, cruise control, sport seats, DAB radio, LED daytime running lights and 17” alloy wheels.

If the SLK doesn’t tickle your fancy, take a look at our amazing deal on the BMW Z4 Roadster 2.0 sDRIVE20i M Sport available to lease from just £274.95 + VAT – saving a whopping £179 a month! With its striking looks and luxurious cabin, the BMW Z4 offers an exhilarating drive that few of its rivals can match. Its 2.0 straight six-cylinder petrol engine also delivers 184 bhp of thrilling performance with high-level efficiency thanks to BMW’s latest technology.

Next up is a great deal on the Nissan 370Z 3.7 Coupe, available to lease from just £374.95 + VAT a month. Oozing a sharp sporty style, high quality cabin and super responsive handling, the Nissan 370Z continues Nissan’s long history of developing thrilling sports vehicles, combining power and style with an affordable price tag. The award-winning V6 3.7 litre engine also delivers a whopping 326bhp, accelerating from 0-62mph in just 5.3 seconds.

The Vauxhall Astra GTC is now available with automatic transmission with leasing rates starting from just £259.95 + VAT a month. Combining urban chic styling with a sporty interior and outstanding driving dynamics, the Vauxhall Astra GTC is one of this year’s hottest coupes on the market. Standard features on the 1.4 Turbo 140 Sport S/S Auto include cruise control, DAB digital radio, air conditioning and 18″ alloy wheels

Finally, the Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI BMT is now available to lease from just £236.95 + VAT a month. With its striking style, powerful engine range and well-equipped interior, the VW Scirocco is the most dynamic and technologically advanced coupe Volkswagen has ever made. It’s impressive performance figures and excellent attention to detail has won over the toughest of critics – even the boys at Top Gear voted it ‘Car of the Year’ in 2008.

To find out more about any of the above deals, call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts today on 0844 482 9595 or follow the above links.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Prices based on a 2 or 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 iconic Volkswagen Beetle has been reduced by up to £71 a month with leasing rates now starting from just £215.95 + VAT a month with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.

Featuring a brand new style with a longer front bonnet and lower profile, the new Volkswagen Beetle boasts a sleeker, more professional style without completely losing its classic retro looks.

Inside, the new VW Beetle has been completely redesigned, with features such as the ‘flowerpot’ being replaced by a classier, less oval style with new steering wheel and glove box.

You can now save up to £71 a month when you lease the Volkswagen Beetle with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.

One of our best deals is on the Volkswagen Beetle 1.2 TSI DSG, available to lease from just £215.95 + VAT a month. Standard features on this model include:

• Radio/CD Player

• Izzy Cloth Upholstery

• DAB Digital Radio

• ‘Climatic’ Semi Automatic Air Conditioning

• Body Coloured Bumpers

To find out more about the new Volkswagen Beetle and to get an instant quotation on any model, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

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 popular Volkswagen Touareg has been reduced by up to £112 a month with leasing rates now starting from just £421.95 + VAT a month.

Lighter, more efficient and jam packed with the latest VW intelligent technology, the new Volkswagen Touareg is hard to beat with its smart style and powerful engine range.

The latest generation model also boasts a striking new style with clean, simple lines, making the Volkswagen Touareg one of the best-looking 4x4’s around and an ideal alternative to the Land Rover Discovery or Lexus RX450h.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to announce massive savings across the Volkswagen Touareg range.

Reductions of up to £112 a month can now be made across selected models with prices now starting from just £421.95 + VAT a month for the 3.0 TDI 245PS SE TPTRC ST/SP. Standard features on this model include:

• Bluetooth Telephone Preparation

• Touch Screen Navigation System

• Front & Rear Audible Parking Sensors

• DAB Digital Radio with USB/iPod Connection

• Cricket Leather Upholstery

• Dual Zone Electronic Climate Control

• 19″ Salamanca Alloy Wheels

To find out more about the Volkswagen Touareg and to get an instant quotation on any model in the range, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

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!

Volkswagen’s hottest new city car – the Volkswagen Up! – has gone down in price with reductions of up to £55 a month when you lease with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.

Boasting one of the longest wheelbases in its segment, the Volkswagen Up! is the ideal city  car for negotiating busy urban streets, offering a stylish alternative to Citroen C1, Kia Picanto and Toyota IQ.

The cheeky Volkswagen Up! is also pretty nippy when it comes power and performance with its powerful engine range offers outputs of 60PS and 75PS while still delivering impressive fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has reduced the monthly leasing rates on the Volkswagen Up! with savings of up to £55 a month on selected models.

One of our cheapest deals is on the Volkswagen Up! 1.0 Take Up, available to lease from just £100.95 + VAT a month. Standard features on this model include:

• Radio/MP3 Compatible CD player

• Aux-In Socket

• Body Coloured Bumpers

• Speed Sensitive Power Steering

• Green Tinted Heat Insulating Glass

• Electronic Engine Immobiliser

To find out more about the Volkswagen Up! and to get an instant quotation on any model, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

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!