Lister cars has been named as the biggest growth company in the United Kingdom, growing by 140%

• All-British specialist sports car maker Lister is named the fastest-growing company within the UK’s competitive motor industry business sector by independent financial analysis specialists Plimsoll
• Lister sales having increased by 140 per cent over the previous 12 month period
• Lister is also identified by Plimsoll as the UK’s 28th largest company in the UK market
• Within the last 12 months, Lister has launched three significant new models, including the first – and only – fully road-legal continuation car
• Lister’s industry leading growth status follows hot in the tyre tracks of the Company announcing the first ever original specification fully road compliant version of its landmark Knobbly model
• Other new Lister sports car models launched within the last 12 months include the magnesium-bodied Knobbly Stirling Moss Edition, plus the recently-announced Costin continuation model, with each of these being built at George Lister Engineering in Cambridge, using the Company’s original chassis jigs
• More exciting new Lister model developments in pipeline for the future 

British specialist sports car maker The Lister Motor Company is currently the fastest growing company within the competitive British motor industry business sector, and the 28th largest in the UK market, according to independent analysis results just revealed by leading business finance specialists Plimsoll Publishing Limited. This research supports the fact that Lister’s sales have increased by 140 per cent over the previous 12 month period. 

This news follows Lister’s recent announcement that to date it is unique in being the only automotive company making original specification continuation cars that are eligible for fully-legal registration and road use. Unlike other continuation specials which are strictly limited to track use only, the new road legal Lister Knobbly is fully eligible for IVA type approval. 

In addition, within the last 12 months, Lister has also revealed two other significant new models; the highly-desirable magnesium-bodied Knobbly Stirling Moss Edition, plus the aerodynamic Costin continuation model announced late last year, with each of these cars being built at George Lister Engineering in Cambridge, using the Company’s original chassis jigs and some of the original Lister engineering craftsman from the 1950s.

Plimsoll are independent experts in the field of company and industry financial analysis, selling over 1,600 industry specific reports that analyses individual company performance alongside key industry trends and developments which help to assess the attractiveness of potential acquisitions, gain better understanding of a market sector and identify sound companies with whom to trade. They provide busy managers with a set of tools to monitor the financial welfare of their company, their rivals, or those that they may wish to acquire. 

The latest Plimsoll analysis provides expert insight into the performance, financial health and value of the UK's 52 leading car manufacturers, with the latest analysis revealing that: 

• 23UK car companies are currently in danger
• 34UK car companies are ripe for takeover
• 21 UK car companies are making a loss
• 2UK car companies lose over a quarter of their value
• 1 UK fastest growing car company – The Lister Motor Company 

Commenting on the findings of Plimsoll’s analysis, Lawrence Whitaker CEO The Lister Motor Company says, “I am truly delighted to see that the Lister Motor Company is now the UK’s fastest growing company in the substantial motor industry sector, with Plimsoll’s independent analysis recognising the tremendous progress and innovations we are continuing to make at Lister. He adds “These rewarding findings come ahead of a particularly exciting time in Lister’s 63-year history of making competitive and desirable sports cars, with some interesting developments for the marque ahead.” 

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon has been named Car of the Year at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2017

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon has been named Car of the Year at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2017, voted for by a panel of 27 of the country’s most influential motoring journalists.

Krishan Bodhani, Head of smart and Product Management, Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, commented: “The E-Class is one of our core models; it’s at the very heart of our brand. 

When we unveiled the all-new car last year it showcased a host of innovative technology which makes it one of the most advanced cars in its segment. 

Together with its modern, comfortable cabin the E-Class presents a very desirable package – it’s great to see it getting the recognition it deserves.”

John Challen, director of the UK Car of the Year Awards, added: “Mercedes-Benz has a long history of creating impressive saloon cars and the new E-Class continues this trend, raising the bar in the executive vehicle sector. 

Stunning inside and out, it takes driver and passengers into the realms of luxury. The level of technology – and the attention to detail – at your fingertips is astounding."

The new E-Class is one of the safest and most advanced cars in its segment. Alongside the high standard of specification, options include the Driving Assistance Plus package, an advanced radar cruise control, with new functionality that allows the car to follow the vehicle in front. 

In combination with Comand Online navigation, the system also has Speed Limit Pilot, which can adjust the vehicle’s speed to camera-detected limits or those logged in the navigation. 

If specified with Remote Parking Pilot, the vehicle can be parked remotely via a smartphone app.

In 2016, Mercedes-Benz sold over 12,000 new E-Class Saloons. The E-Class Estate was launched in September 2016, while the E-Class Coupé is available to order now with first cars arriving from May 2017. 

For the first time, the E 220 d Saloon and Estate are available with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive.

The new Mercedes-AMG E 63 and E 63 S Saloon – which has 612 hp – comes with AMG’s 4MATIC+ system as standard. This newly engineered, intelligent system brings together the advantages of various drive configurations, including a Drift mode (only on E 63 S) that makes the car rear-wheel drive.

To complete the new range, the E-Class Cabriolet and Mercedes-AMG E 63 Estate will have their world premieres at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Citroën Grand C4 Picasso wins the ‘Best 7-Seater’ prize in the Carbuyer Best Car Awards

Citroën Grand C4 Picasso scoops the ‘Best Seven-Seater’ prize in the prestigious Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2017. 

New Grand C4 Picasso was chosen by the Carbuyer road-test team because of its running costs, comfort, practicality, reliability and safety, as well as its new technologies, value-for-money and optional extras.  

New Citroën Grand C4 Picasso has taken the ‘Best Seven-Seater’ prize in the Carbuyer Best Car Awards 2017. 

The ultra-practical family car was recognised for its superior comfort and innovative technologies, alongside a supremely spacious and versatile interior.

Carbuyer announced its Best Cars for 2017 at London’s Curzon Bloomsbury Cinema on Wednesday. The Carbuyer awards celebrate and recognise the very best cars available in the UK. 

The awards are driven by the popular Carbuyer.co.uk Best Cars section, which includes in-depth analysis on every new car on sale today.

Stuart Milne, Editor at Carbuyer, said; “Citroën’s Grand C4 Picasso looks great - but that beauty is more than skin deep. It's such a well thought-out car, with plenty of glass giving a light and airy feel inside. 

There's plenty of space for seven, and with touches such as three ISOFIX mounting points, it's perfectly designed for family life. 

It's just as good out on the road, with a wide range of engines as well as a comprehensive range of safety equipment meaning your family will stay safe should the worst happen.”

Chris Cheetham, Citroën UK’s Marketing Director, commented; “The awards just keep coming for this great family car and that’s because it really is the best vehicle in its class. 

Following the ‘Best MPV’ award from Auto Express earlier this year, we are honoured to be able to add the accolade of ‘Carbuyer Best Seven-Seater 2017’ to the list. 

This award is testament to our design and engineering teams, and is evidence that style doesn’t need to lose out to practicality.”

Hugely popular UK buying guide hails drop-top Audi A3 a ‘best Convertible’ for 2017

Hugely popular UK buying guide hails drop-top Audi A3 a ‘best buy’ for 2017 

• A3 range recently overhauled with latest technology updates and sharp new styling
• A3 Cabriolet available in SE, Sport and S line specification
• Five petrol and diesel engines, manual and S tronic and the option of quattro all-wheel drive
• New S3 Cabriolet power boosted to 310PS and torque to 400Nm  
• Pricing ranges from £26,875 OTR for the 1.4 TFSI 150PS to £40,670 OTR for the S3 Cabriolet

Critical acclaim has frequently been heaped on the Audi A3 range since the first generation was introduced in 1996, and the latest recognition for the premium compact star has come in the form of a Best Cars trophy from trusted review website Carbuyer.co.uk, which has singled out the A3 Cabriolet as the Best Convertible for 2017.

Citing the reasons behind the win, Editor of Carbuyer Stuart Milne commented: "Convertibles are all about feeling the wind in your hair first and image second. 

No car fulfils these requirements better than the Audi A3 Cabriolet. It’s endlessly classy and desirable, plus it offers space for you and up to three passengers.

"The fabric roof can be raised or lowered at speeds of up to 31mph, and once it’s stowed the boot is still useable. There’s lots of scope for personalisation, and like every other A3, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. If you want technology to give your A3 Cabriolet a real edge, then the optional Virtual Cockpit replaces the standard dials with a TFT screen. Very smart indeed."

As the beneficiary of a comprehensive update programme applied to the full model range earlier this year, an enhanced specification list is chief among the improvements and now includes Audi smartphone interface, cruise control, light and rain sensors and xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights as standard on the entry-level SE. Sport models gain Audi drive select and MMI Navigation with a three-month free trial of the Audi connect suite, while the already richly appointed  S line is fitted with LED headlights front and rear and dynamic ‘scrolling’ indicators for the rear lights. An LED interior lighting pack rounds off the new additions.

The pin-sharp Audi virtual cockpit can also be chosen along with a host of other technology from the larger Audi models, from the MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, Audi Phone Box, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and the even more illuminating Matrix LED headlights.

A multitude of key driver aids can also dramatically improve the overall comfort and safety of each journey. Particular highlights from the assistance system portfolio include Traffic Jam Assist, which actively works with the adaptive cruise control system and can accelerate, brake and even steer the A3 Cabriolet at speeds of up to 37mph, active lane assist which can gently steer the car to keep it in lane above 40mph and emergency assist, which is capable of intervening and bringing the car to a gradual standstill if no response is detected from the driver.

Vauxhall’s all-new Astra has been recognised as the Best Family Car at the Carbuyer Best Cars 2017 Awards.

Vauxhall’s all-new Astra has been recognised as the Best Family Car at the Carbuyer Best Cars 2017 Awards. This latest win adds to what has been an outstanding year of awards for the all-new Astra, securing its position as one of the top new models on the market.

The multi award-winning Astra picked up the accolade in the Best Family Car category, and was commended for its design, value for money and build quality. 

The Carbuyer Best Cars Awards are focused on what matters to buyers, honouring the winners with the title of best in their respective classes.

Winning models are recognised as meeting, or surpassing, the standards that Carbuyer has identified across key buying factors such as style, space and running costs.

This latest win follows on from a trio of Carbuyer Car Tech Awards for Vauxhall, who picked up the titles of Tech Car of the Year and Best Self-Parking System for the new Astra, as well as Best Safety Innovation for Vauxhall OnStar. 

“The latest Vauxhall Astra has been on sale since late 2015, and it’s fair to say it’s the best family hatchback the company has ever made. The Astra is better built, more aesthetically pleasing and more economical than any of its predecessors,” commented Stuart Milne, Editor of Carbuyer. “We rate it as the best family car you can buy today, thanks to its blend of modern technology, excellent value for money and superb overall ownership experience.”

Stuart Harris, Vauxhall’s Head of Carline Brand, said: “This award adds to what has been an extremely successful year for the new Astra. It has proven itself in many categories and now has been singled out as one of the best family cars available on the market.”

“The Astra is a strong contender in every aspect. The latest technology, thanks to OnStar, offers excellent levels of connectivity and safety, while the latest design offers a great look without compromising on space for the family.”

The all-new Astra has built up an impressive list of accolades throughout 2016, including being named a Game-Changer by Autocar and picking up European Car of Year. It has also secured category wins in the Auto Express, WhatCar? and Fleet News Awards.

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia has been named ‘Safest New Car’ in the Carbuyer ‘Best Cars’ Awards

The new Alfa Romeo Giulia has been named ‘Safest New Car’ in the Carbuyer ‘Best Cars’ Awards, adding to the large collection of international prizes already won by the new sports car.

Presented by Carbuyer editor Stuart Milne at an awards event today (30 November) in London, the ‘Safest New Car’ title came following deliberation from Carbuyer’s team of motoring experts, after safety was found to be one of the website’s readers’ most popular searches.

“The Alfa Romeo Giulia is the long-awaited replacement for the 159 saloon, and with good looks, impressive engines and plenty of interior space, it’s certainly been worth the wait,” says Stuart Milne. 

“It also scored top marks this year in the Euro NCAP crash tests. It achieved a remarkable 98 per cent score for adult occupant protection, beating cars like the Mercedes E-Class and Volkswagen Tiguan.

“Testers praised the Giulia’s structural integrity and the ability of the Autonomous Emergency Braking system to work at higher speeds. With that hugely impressive adult occupant protection score, we've named it our Safest New Car.”

Created by the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, the exciting Giulia is a new expression of the best Italian tradition that combines harmonic proportions, linearity of style, high quality materials and sophisticated aluminium, wood and leather accents. All these are embellished with iconic elements originating in the brand's over 100-year history, the most significant of which is the trefoil, arguably the most famous emblem of Alfa Romeo design.

“Safety is of paramount importance to us at Alfa Romeo, just as it is to our customers, so I am particularly delighted that the experts at Carbuyer have voted the Giulia as their safest car,” says Damien Dally, head of brand, Alfa Romeo UK.

“It’s just one more excellent feature of a car that people already love for its looks, style and awesome performance.”

The Alfa Romeo Giulia range starts at £29,180 (OTR) for the 2.0 Turbo Petrol 200hp.