AUTOCAR GAME CHANGER - The Golf GTi is a true game changer, the readers award it such !

• Iconic Volkswagen hot hatch voted Autocar readers’ favourite
• Golfalso_celebrates honestjohn.co.uk and DieselCar awards
• Updated Golf continues model’s 40-year success story

Volkswagen’s iconic Golf GTI has been named the Readers’ Champion in a huge online poll by influential automotive title Autocar. 

Autocar Editor Mark Tisshaw said: ”Earlier this year we came up with a list of 39 very special cars we believe have changed motoring for the better. Then we asked our readers to choose their favourite.

“The Volkswagen Golf GTI began life many years ago as a bit of a curiosity, but it soon created an entire car market movement – and has led it ever since because its creators remained focused on what mattered.

“Now, as ever, the Golf GTI is one of the true greats of our industry.”

Receiving the award on behalf of Volkswagen at the Autocar Awards this week was the brand’s Head of Chassis Tuning, Karsten Schebstat, who travelled from the company’s HQ in Wolfsburg, Germany, for the event.

The Golf’s success in the magazine readers’ poll comes hot on the heels of a brace of other award wins for Volkswagen’s most popular model.

Online title HonestJohn.co.uk also uses its readers as the basis for its awards and, just a few days ago, the Golf was named top of its Small Family Car class for 2017.

Managing Editor Dan Powell said: “HonestJohn.co.uk readers love the style and refinement of the latest Golf, with it coming out top in the small family car category.

“Upmarket and robust, the Golf remains true to Volkswagen’s family car values, with affordable running costs and lots of everyday comfort and practicality.

“With this in mind, it’s unsurprising to see it come out on top in the Honest John Awards 2017.”

But that’s not the end of the Golf’s recent run of award-winning form. In the latest DieselCar Top 50, celebrating the very best 50 new cars on sale in the UK today – the updated Golf was named ‘Best Medium Car’ and ‘Best Plug-in Hybrid’.

DieselCar editor Ian Robertson said: “A household name for good reason, it’s easy to underestimate the Golf until you spend time in one. One of the best all-rounders on sale, almost every detail has been perfected over its seven generations, and the facelifted 2017 model brings even more improvements to the winning formula.

“The interior is as classy as ever, but now has one of the best infotainment systems in the business. New technology such as pedestrian detection boosts safety, while Traffic Jam Assist can drive the car semi-autonomously.”

In 2016 a total of 72,762 new Golfs were sold in the UK confirming the model’s top spot among the five key pillars of the brand here alongside new Tiguan, Polo, Passat and new up!.

WHAT CAR AWARDS - Honda’s hot hatch triumphs with award for most eagerly anticipated car launch of 2017

• Honda’s hot hatch triumphs with award for most eagerly anticipated car launch of 2017
• Reader award nomination good indicator of successful launch
• Made in Swindon, the new Civic Type R is British built and exported world wide

The British built next-generation Honda Civic Type R has won the coveted What Car? reader award and has been named as the most eagerly anticipated car launch of 2017.

Demonstrating its huge popularity, the Civic Type R took almost half of the votes and clinched the top spot in the poll compiled by What Car? experts and voted for by the readers.

First unveiled as a surprise entry prototype at the Paris Motor Show at the end of September last year, the mass production version of the next generation Civic Type R is expected to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Made in Swindon, the next generation Civic Type R is set to go on sale in the latter half of this year and comes hot on the heels of the current car, which is expected to fast become a modern classic with only 2,500 on UK roads.

Held in association with Warranty Direct and widely acknowledged as the ‘Oscars’ of the car industry, the annual What Car? Car of the Year Awards are only given to the cars that set the highest standards in their class each year.  These awards are highly important for both car makers and customers because of the authority and integrity of the What Car? brand.

Dave Hodgetts, managing director of Honda UK, commented: “Kicking off the year with a win at the most prestigious automotive awards ceremony is a fantastic achievement; something which is even more rewarding as it was voted for by the readers.

“That in itself has a deeper significance as it clearly demonstrates the connection, belief and trust we have with our customers. 2017 is going to be another big year for Honda in the UK as we not only launch the new Civic Type R but also the 10th generation Civic and celebrate 25 years of Type R.”

Steve Huntingford, editor at What Car? added: “The Type R’s low-slung shape, large rear spoiler and triple exhausts have clearly captured the minds of What Car? readers, because this is the model they have voted as the most anticipated new car of 2017.”

“The Civic Type R will shake things up in the hot hatch market as Honda is sticking with front-wheel drive and aiming to set the new benchmark for this type of car."

Honda looks to win readers award with the new HR-V at 2015 What Car? awards ceremony.

• Honda HR-V shortlisted for What Car? Reader award
• Small SUV among the most eagerly anticipated new cars of 2015
• Voting open now until Monday 1^st December

Honda’s forthcoming small SUV, the HR-V, has been shortlisted for the 2015 What Car? Reader Award. Compiled by What Car? experts and voted for by readers, the shortlist features the most eagerly anticipated new models coming to the UK market in the next twelve months.

Arriving in the UK and across Europe next summer, the HR-V is Honda’s new entry into the fast-growing small SUV segment. Unveiled recently at the Paris Motor Show, the prototype of the new built-for-Europe model echoes that of a coupé, with sharp, dynamic lines that link the sleek upper body with the stable and planted lower body.

This coupé-esque elegance is achieved without compromising the interior practicality of the HR-V. It features a centre fuel tank location to create one of the most spacious and adaptable small SUV cabins, while Honda’s Magic Seats^® make use of this versatility by enabling a wide range of seating configurations, with the ability to fold the second row seats completely flat for additional cargo space.

The Reader Award is part of the 38^th annual What Car? Car of the Year Awards, in association with Warranty Direct. A valuable indication of sentiment towards cars being brought to market in the next year, last year more than 10,000 readers cast their vote.

Jim Holder, Editor of What Car? comments: “Once again, next year will see Britain’s motoring public spoiled for choice when it comes to new and exciting cars hitting the market. The Reader Award has a special prestige for manufacturers purely because it is voted for by their paying public. To get this particular prize is a very good indication that the car you’re toiling over is getting the right reaction from consumers.”

Leon Brannan, Head of Car at Honda (UK) comments: “The HR-V is a very welcome addition to our line-up, in what is a very popular and fast growing market segment. While being shortlisted for any award is fantastic, I’m particularly pleased with this one as it’s voted for by the general public and based on the opinions of the trusted experts at What Car?.”

Voting is open until 00.01 on Monday 1^st December 2014, with the HPI-sponsored Reader Award winner announced at the What Car? awards ceremony on Wednesday 7^th January 2015. To view the shortlist and to vote please visit: www.wcreaderaward.com.

New VIVA from Vauxhall, already honoured with a nomination for readers award.

Vauxhall’s all-new Viva has been nominated for its first honour, the What Car? Reader Award 2015, before it’s even been revealed.

Launching next year, Vauxhall’s all-new five-door entry-level model faces a What Car? reader vote for the most eagerly-anticipated car of 2015.

Readers can vote at http://www.whatcar.com/readeraward with the winner announced on Wednesday 7^thJanuary 2015 at the 38^th annual What Car? Car of the Year Awards.

“We’re delighted Viva has picked up its first award nomination ahead of its launch next summer,” said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “Offering an extremely attractive price point, Viva will be well specified and come in a range of trims and equipment levels, which will hold great appeal in this rapidly growing sector.”

“Once again, next year will see Britain’s motoring public spoiled for choice when it comes to new and exciting cars hitting the market,” said Jim Holder, What Car? Editor. “The Reader Award has a special prestige for manufacturers purely because it is voted for by their paying public. To get this particular prize is a very good indication that the car you’re toiling over is getting the right reaction from consumers.”

The Viva will be the latest edition to Vauxhall’s small car range joining the fashionable A-sector ADAM and the popular Corsa supermini.