The Fiat 124 Spider has been named Best Convertible in yet another Car of the year awards ceremony.

The Fiat 124 Spider has been named Best Convertible by contracthireandleasing.com in their annual Car of the Year Awards.

A panel of judges, comprising of road testers and writers, honoured the roadster for its combination of good looks, engaging driving dynamics and comfort.

Announcing the award, Mike Best, head of sales at contracthireandleasing.com, said: “The Fiat 124 Spider is easy on the eye, effortless to drive and perfect for cruising in comfort – bringing classic looks and the laid-back sensibilities of the Mediterranean to UK shores.

“The Fiat 124 Spider has a unique character of its own and is a worthy winner.”

Sebastiano Fedrigo, country manager at Fiat and Abarth, said: “The new Fiat 124 Spider brings iconic Italian design, heritage and performance to a new generation. This award is testament that its combination of driving dynamics, technology and safety delivers the ultimate Italian roadster experience.”

The Fiat 124 Spider is available from £20,995 OTR, for a CLASSICA 1.4 MultiAir Turbo 140hp.

The Mercedes E-Class and S-Class Cabriolet have been named best Executive and best cabriolet titles.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been named ‘Best Executive Car’ by the UK Car of the Year jury, while the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet has won the ‘Best Cabriolet Car’ title.

The E-Class was recognised thanks to its ‘class, comfort and quality’ by the jury, which consists of 27 of the country’s most influential motoring journalists, while the S-Class Cabriolet was praised for its good looks, comfort and driving dynamics.

The judges agreed the E-Class “sets new standards for tech and comfort” and has “the best executive class interior in the industry and an exterior that’s rediscovered its former elegance.”

On the S-Class Cabriolet, it was noted that “this drop-top wins on looks alone, but it’s also comfortable, capable and great to drive.”

Both the E-Class and S-Class Cabriolet are on sale now.

Volvo Cars has launched a new Polestar performance package to go on the new S90 and V90 luxury cars.

Polestar has launched the new generation of its performance package for the new Volvo S90 and V90. Known as Polestar Performance Optimisation, the package upgrades the entire drivetrain and further improves driving dynamics.

The S90 and V90 are the latest models launched on SPA, Volvo Cars’ new modular vehicle architecture that will underpin all new cars in Volvo’s 90 and 60 series. After bringing its new performance package to the XC90 last year, Polestar now launches the same upgrades for the other two models in Volvo’s top-of-the-line 90 range.

Rather than simply increasing engine performance, Polestar Performance Optimisation upgrades the entire drivetrain. By improving throttle and off-throttle response, gearshift speed and precision, as well as overall engine performance, the S90 and V90 become even more dynamic and fun to drive.

"We continue to enhance the performance of Volvo’s new, class-leading SPA vehicle architecture and Drive-E powertrains. The S90 and V90 already offer excellent driving dynamics, and we are delighted to raise the performance level even further with Polestar Performance Optimisation," said Niels Möller, COO of Polestar, the Volvo Cars performance brand.

The performance package has been developed in close cooperation with the engineers and racing drivers of Polestar Cyan Racing.

"It is exciting to take the technology we use in our race cars and apply that to Volvo’s road cars. We have created a balanced package that provides performance in all conditions, whether you are winning a race or driving actively on your favourite roads," said Thed Björk, who drives a Volvo S60 Polestar TC1 with Drive-E technology in the FIA World Touring Car Championship.

The first S90/V90 variant available for optimisation is the D5 PowerPulse diesel. The upgrade increases the engine's output from 235 hp and 480 Nm to 240 hp and 500 Nm. The upgrade costs £835.

USA - The Chevy Malibu Hybrid, offers the best EPA estimated mileage of 46mpg, and drips luxury and comfort.

Offering a segment-best EPA-estimated 46-mpg combined fuel economy rating, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is an efficient midsize sedan driving Chevrolet into the future with uncompromising comfort, connectivity and driving dynamics.

It leverages drive system components and software from the plug-in Chevrolet Volt to provide all-electric propulsion in some driving scenarios, along with power to assist the gas engine. Additional technologies contribute to EPA-estimated mileage ratings of 47 mpg city and 46 mpg highway. No other 2016 midsize sedan hybrid offers higher EPA-estimated city mileage.

“The Malibu Hybrid offers outstanding fuel efficiency and integrates the latest technology to give customers a world-class hybrid,” said Steve Majoros, marketing director of Chevrolet Cars and Crossovers. “Combined with a number of available, leading safety and connectivity features, it’s a great choice for those who want exceptional efficiency with Chevrolet’s signature value.” 

The 2016 Malibu Hybrid starts at $28,645 (including destination charge) and is based on the LT trim. It shares many of its attributes with the entire Malibu lineup, which was redesigned for 2016 and features a longer wheelbase for greater comfort. It is also nearly 300 pounds lighter than its predecessor for improved driving feel and greater fuel economy.

Standard features include Chevrolet MyLink with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, for high-level connectivity, and access to select phone apps such as music, maps and others right from MyLink’s 7-inch-diagonal color touch screen. (Data plan rates and privacy statements apply and require a compatible smartphone.)

Malibu Hybrid offers 10 standard airbags, a rear-vision camera, cruise control and push-button start with passive entry. Additional active safety features offered include Lane Keep Assist, Front Pedestrian Braking, Rear Vision Camera and Low Speed Automatic Braking.

Teen Driver is available and allows parents to automatically activate safety features and view their teenager’s driving habits, while managing certain settings including speed warnings, radio volume limits and more, to help reinforce safe driving. It is the first system in the industry to allow parents to view how their teen drove the vehicle via the in-vehicle report card.

Hybrid details

The 2016 Malibu Hybrid is driven by a new, direct-injected 1.8L engine mated to a two-motor drive unit. The drive unit is based on the one used in the 2016 Chevrolet Volt and provides additional power to assist the engine during acceleration, for 182 horsepower (136 kW) of total system power.

The engine also features Chevrolet’s first application of Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery, or EGHR, technology, which uses exhaust heat to warm the engine and cabin.  EGHR improves engine warm-up and helps offer consistent fuel economy performance in cold weather. Additional fuel economy benefits come from Exhaust Gas Recirculation, or EGR.

An 80-cell, 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides electric power to the hybrid system. It can power the Malibu Hybrid up to 53 miles per hour (85 km/h) on electricity alone. The gasoline-powered engine automatically comes on at higher speeds and high loads to provide additional power.

In addition to the drive unit, the Malibu Hybrid also shares the 2016 Volt’s blended regenerative braking system, which provides maximum kinetic energy recovery during braking to be stored in the battery system to help maintain charge.

2016 Midsize Sedan Hybrid Mileage Compared

	EPA-est. City	EPA-est. Highway	EPA-est. Combined
Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid	47 mpg	46 mpg	46 mpg
Ford Fusion Hybrid	44 mpg	41 mpg	42 mpg
Kia Optima Hybrid	36 mpg	40 mpg	38 mpg
Toyota Camry Hybrid LE	43 mpg	39 mpg	41 mpg
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid	42 mpg	48 mpg	44 mpg

FAST FACT

The Malibu Hybrid is built with globally sourced parts at the GM Fairfax Assembly facility in Kansas City, Kan., where GM invested $174 million for new tooling and technology to support production of the redesigned 2016 Malibu.

Jaguar XF rated top executive car at 2016 Fleet News Awards and the XE was highly recommended.

• Jaguar XF rated top executive car at 2016 Fleet News Awards
• Jaguar XE also Highly Recommended in Premium Car category
• Judges praise XF’s driving dynamics, practicality and low running costs
• XF and XE propelled Jaguar to a 30% increase in UK sales last year

The Jaguar XF was named Best Executive Car in the Fleet News Awards last night, while the XE was Highly Recommended in the Premium Car category. It caps a remarkable first quarter of fleet award wins for Jaguar’s saloon models with victories at the UK Car Of The Year Awards, SME Company Car Of The Year Awards and BusinessCar Awards.*

The all-new Jaguar XF and the Jaguar XE both launched last year to critical acclaim, contributing to a 30% increase in Jaguar sales and a 52% growth in Jaguar Land Rover Fleet and Business sales year-on-year in 2015.

New XF is 190kg lighter than its predecessor thanks to an aluminium-intensive body and chassis construction, and offers new powertrain options which optimise performance and efficiency. XF was the best-selling nameplate for Jaguar in 2015 with 10,973 registered vehicles.

The Jaguar XE is the driver’s car in its class and offers the strongest residual values of any of its premium rivals over three years and 20,000 miles thanks to its efficient engines; low servicing, maintenance and repair costs; and class-leading design.** 9,561 were registered in 2015 between its Spring launch and the end of the year.

The Fleet News Awards, now in its 28^th year, is recognised as one of the most influential and important awards in the fleet industry. The judging panel for the manufacturer award categories include a mix of senior fleet motoring journalists, fleet managers and residual value rate setters.

The judges commented: “The XF takes Jaguar’s product offering to a whole new level. Well equipped, great to drive, outstanding interior quality and spacious for front and rear passengers – it has high appeal for drivers while the low running costs make it the perfect executive car to have on the fleet.”

The New Mercedes-AMG GT - THE Sporting Sensation.

A new AMG high-performance automobile is all set for its world premiere in the autumn of 2014. The Mercedes-AMG GT will thrill sports car fans throughout the world with breath-taking design and supreme agility. Fascinating, dynamic - and versatile into the bargain: the GT is destined for a new segment - turning the dream of the authentic Mercedes-AMG sports car into reality.

"The new Mercedes-AMG GT shows that we will be positioning AMG more vehemently and aggressively than to date as a dynamic sports car brand," notes Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. "The technological substance of the Mercedes-AMG GT underscores our high aspirations with regard to driving dynamics, agility and sportiness. Following the global success of the SLS AMG, the new GT is the second sports car developed fully independently by Mercedes-AMG. An initial exclusive look at the design of the interior shows what is in store for our customers: a GT sports car in its purest form."

The sensual purity of a superlative driving machine

A sneak preview of the interior provides an alluring foretaste of the new Mercedes-AMG GT: the interior design embodies emotion and sensuality like no other sports car. The uncompromising lines of the interior components and their authentic materials exude a clarity that uses contrasting effects to help define the concept of "modern luxury".

A dominant aspect in the cockpit of the GT is the further stylistic development of the central "aviation design" theme which is typical of Mercedes-Benz sports cars. The dashboard places an extreme emphasis on width, creating an impression of a powerful wing. This effect is supported by the four central spotlight-style vents and the individual vents at the left and right ends of the dashboard. The dominant centre console presents a correspondingly dynamic character: its shaping reminiscent of a NACA air intake and the employed materials suggest that it has been adopted directly from motor racing. Another clever design feature comes in the form of the controls on the AMG DRIVE UNIT, which are arranged like eight cylinders in a V layout, further bolstering the powerful and high-tech impression made by the centre console.

Enough to set pulses racing even when stationary

The interior of the Mercedes-AMG GT also boasts a fascinatingly exclusive look and feel, with the finest materials and outstanding workmanship combining to conjure up a setting that simply exudes class. As such, the exclusive interior of the Mercedes-AMG GT is enough to get one truly hooked on this vehicle even while it is still at a standstill. Designed to set the driver's and front passenger's pulses racing even before the car moves off, it provides an enticing intimation of the superlative dynamic performance that can be expected of the new GT when its AMG V8 is brought to life.

USA - Abarth now gives all new owners a free Track Experience,

• The Abarth Track Experience offers professional driving instruction sessions to Fiat 500 Abarth owners
• Drivers will learn to maximize their driving skills on the street, strip and track
• 2014 schedule includes events in California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey and Illinois

The 2014 Abarth Track Experience kicks off this month, giving Fiat 500 Abarth owners the opportunity to develop their driving skills in a one-day performance adventure.

 

Drivers will pilot cars from a fleet of Abarths provided and put their skills to the test through four driving modules: autocross, head-to-head challenge, driving dynamics and performance drive. Drivers will end their day by riding shotgun as professional drivers push the track-tuned Abarth vehicles to the limit.

“Abarth owners already know what a thrill it is to drive the Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio on a daily basis,” said Jason Stoicevich, Head of FIAT Brand North America. “And the Abarth Track Experience revs the fun to the red line, allowing owners to experience the limits of the car in a safe track environment. At the end of this experience, owners become true drivers by better understanding the dynamics of the ‘small but wicked’ Fiat 500 Abarth.”

The 2014 Abarth Track Experience begins February 18 at Laguna Seca in Salinas, Calif., with stops throughout the year in Ft. Worth, Texas; Fontana, Calif.; Angleton, Texas; Daytona Beach, Fla.; Millville, N.J.; Joliet, Ill.; and Englishtown, N.J.

The Track Experience registration fee is included in the cost of each Fiat 500 Abarth or Abarth Cabrio.