AUTO EXPRESS AWARDS - The SEAT Ateca takes best crossover title along with four other SEAT Models taking awards.

• SEAT’s first SUV nets Best Crossover honour on its first appearance in the Auto Express New Car Awards and two months before it even hits UK showrooms
• Ateca leads SEAT’s strength-in-depth showing, with four other models in its range receiving Commended titles
• Judges acclaim the Ateca for its styling, performance, practicality and value-for-money
• Auto Express also delivers a five-star verdict in its first Ateca UK road test

The new SEAT Ateca has opened its honours account in style, claiming the Best Crossover title on its first appearance in the Auto Express New Car Awards.

SEAT’s first SUV signalled its quality by seeing off competition that included some of the best sellers in what has become a pivotal part of the market, including the Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai and  Renault Kadjar. 

The result puts down a valuable marker for the Ateca’s all-round appeal, as the model progresses towards its hotly anticipated arrival in UK showrooms in September.

Its success was part of a formidable across-the-board performance by SEAT in this year’s awards, with four other models posting Commended results too: Leon (previously a three-time winner) in the Compact Family Car class, Leon ST in Estate, Leon CUPRA 290 (another returning title-holder) for Hot Hatch and the new Alhambra for MPV.

Commenting on the Ateca’s success, Auto Express Editor Graham Hope said: “The Ateca has made a dramatic entry into the crossover class and is a particularly impressive first effort from SEAT. It offers everything that is great about the Leon in a superb-looking new package, and blends excellent performance with decent practicality and strong value for money. It’s a compelling new crossover option for buyers.”

The judges’ opinions follow hot on the heels of a top five-star rating for the Ateca in the first UK road test in the latest issue of the same magazine. In its detailed scrutiny of the 2.0 TDI 150 XCELLENCE 4Drive model, the magazine declared it “follows in the footsteps of the Leon and goes straight to the top of the class.”

Richard Harrison, SEAT UK Director, said: “This is a fantastic result for Ateca and adds to the great momentum that it’s developing as it nears showroom launch, including the 13,000 members of the British public who have already stated their interest in buying one. The award is testament to what an enticing all-round package Ateca is, as a desirable, high-tech, stylish and well-built SUV it is, in this ever burgeoning part of the market.”

Honda launches next generation FCA Concept in Detroit.

As the next-generation Honda FCV Concept makes its North American debut at the 2015 Detroit Motor Show. The Honda FCV Concept showcases the exterior and interior styling evolution of Honda’s next zero emissions fuel-cell vehicle, which is due to be launched in Japan in March 2016, followed by the U.S. and Europe.

The new model will feature a spacious cabin with seating for five passengers, a driving range estimated to be in excess of 300 miles, and an anticipated refuelling time of approximately three minutes at a pressure of 70 MPa. Its fuel cell stack, which fits entirely under the bonnet, is 33 percent smaller with a 60 percent increase in power density compared to that in the outgoing Honda FCX Clarity.

As the next progression in Honda’s dynamic FCV styling, the Honda FCV Concept features a low, wide aerodynamic body with clean character lines. The interior strives to achieve harmony between man and machine by taking advantage of new powertrain packaging efficiencies delivering even greater passenger space than the four-seater FCX Clarity. 

The Honda FCV Concept made its world debut in Japan on November 17^th 2014, followed by an announcement at the Los Angeles Auto Show that Honda will provide FirstElement Fuel, in the U.S, with $13.8 million in financial assistance to build additional hydrogen refuelling stations throughout the state of California in an effort to support the wider introduction of fuel-cell vehicles.

The debut of this latest Concept continues more than a decade of Honda leadership in the development of fuel-cell vehicle technology. The original FCX became the first EPA- and CARB-certified fuel-cell vehicle in July 2002, going on to become the world’s first production fuel-cell vehicle when it was introduced to the U.S. and Japan in December 2002. 

In 2003 the FCX became the first fuel-cell vehicle to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures, and the first FCV to be leased to an individual customer, in 2005. Honda’s commitment to fuel-cell development was further underlined in 2008 when it became the first manufacturer to build and produce a dedicated fuel-cell vehicle on a production line specifically made for fuel-cell vehicles, and the first to create a fuel-cell vehicle dealer network.   .

Citroen to launch two new cars to the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (GFoS)

• New Citroën C4 Cactus & New Citroën C1 make their UK premieres at 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed
• Both models will be displayed on Citroën’s main exhibition stand throughout the Festival period
• Special C4 Cactus Airbump®-themed activity for guests to enjoy
• The 80^th anniversary of the Traction Avant is marked with a car on display in the Moving Motor Show area from Thursday to Sunday

The bold New Citroën C1 and sensational New C4 Cactus – the latest additions to Citroën’s revitalised range – will make their UK premieres at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed. During the show, visitors will be able to get up close with both models and even interact with Citroën’s unique Airbump® technology. There will also be an Airbump®-themed activity for guests to enjoy.

On sale in the UK from October, the New Citroën C4 Cactus signals the brand’s bold response to the changing needs of today’s car owners, offering a real alternative to the traditional compact hatchback with a fresh and distinctive approach.

Visually striking, the New Citroën C4 Cactus stands out from the crowd with its concept car looks, crossover styling cues and customisable options, including a range of colours for the all-new Airbump® panels. Simplicity and efficiency combine with practicality and low ownership costs in a unique blend of form and function, to offer more of what really counts.

Powered by the latest generation PureTech and BlueHDi engines, fuel economy is up to 91.1mpg with CO₂emissions from just 82g/km and overall running costs 20% lower than the benchmark in the compact hatchback segment.

Launching on 1 July, the New Citroën C1 is the latest generation of the popular city car that has sold more than 760,000 examples worldwide since launch in 2005. 

With a cheerful personality, attractive styling and useful technologies, the New Citroën C1 delivers an upbeat response to urban mobility requirements. The new version is available in both three and five-door versions, as a hatchback, or as a new open-top body style, named Airscape.

Amongst the best-in-class for fuel economy, with up to 74.3mpg on a combined cycle and just 88g/km CO₂, the New C1 will be priced from just £8,245 to £11,935.

In April 1934, Citroën unveiled a car that would go on to make motoring history with a series of innovations including front-wheel-drive or Traction Avant in French, which was a ground-breaking development in its time. Citroën is celebrating 80 years of the Traction Avant in 2014 with a show car on display in the Moving Motor Show pavilion from Thursday 26 to Sunday 29 June.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the biggest motoring event in the UK and a highlight on the global automotive calendar. Citroën has been part of the event since it began in 1993. With two UK premieres, 2014 is set to be a very special year for the brand.

The 3rd generation MINI from design, to clay to production

With its unmistakeable design and undiluted driving fun, the first example of the classic Mini sparked a revolution in the car market when it entered the fray in 1959. Then, in 2001, the new MINI emerged from the BMW Group stable to lead the premium compact class into the new millennium. And now MINI is poised to set new standards once again when it unveils the latest incarnation of this iconic car on 18 November 2013.

The new MINI is one thing above all else: a typical MINI – in its most concentrated and contemporary form. A car built for individualists, it whisks the legendary forms of the classic Mini from 1959 into the present day and takes to the stage with greater presence and maturity than ever. “The new MINI generation strikes the perfect balance between MINI heritage, future-defining forms and innovations,” says Anders Warming, Head of MINI Design.

Exterior design: distinctive proportions, striking lines, classily accentuated details.

At first glance, the new MINI cuts a familiar figure. Its snappy proportions, short overhangs andhallmark “stance on the wheels” reflect the agile driving characteristics of the MINI. Look again more closely, however, and the new MINI reveals its enhanced design qualities. The new generation brings even greater precision and class to the car’s classic iconic features, in particular. Keen to express the characteristic form of the hexagonal radiator grille more clearly, the designers have introduced a smooth, one-piece chrome frame for the first time.

The design of the lights has also been revised. With their new graphics and clearly structured inner workings, the headlights and rear lights accentuate the more grown-up appearance of the new MINI. The trapezoidal rear lights of the previous model are now larger and have greater presence, and they more closely resemble rounded-off rectangles from the outside. As before, they have chrome ring surrounds, and now they extend into the boot lid. Positioned far to the outer edges of the car, the rear lights also underline the prominently sporting stance of the new MINI. The new model is the first car in its segment to be available as an option with LED headlights.

The defining design elements are expressed with greater intensity than ever. Additional creases trace the outlines of the headlights, wheel arches, headlights and rear lights to the side, giving the design a more striking and contemporary edge. A selection of detailed stylistic embellishments reflects the more mature character of the new MINI. For example, an arrow-shaped dynamic line shapes the newly interpreted turn indicator units. Chrome elements on the radiator grille, lights and door handles draw the eye to typical MINI design cues, and the optional Chrome package brings an extra splash of exclusivity to the exterior of the new MINI.

The proportions of the latest-generation car remain unmistakeably MINI. Although it has grown by around 10 centimetres in its latest guise, the relationship between its dimensions remains unchanged. Short overhangs, plus the lights extending round into the car’s flanks at the front and rear create a short and agile impression despite the car’s longer exterior measurements and help give the MINI its familiar compact overall impression. The designers have added further bite to the car’s crisp, sporty appearance by moving the radiator grille back as far as possible towards the front wheels.

Among the features designed to enhance the car’s dynamic looks is the improved flow of its lines. This design cue is clearly visible in the newly designed flanks, which now exude even greater energy and verve. Plus, as the window graphic tapers towards the rear, it lends the sides of the car a dynamic wedge shape, which draws attention to the forward-surging presence of the new MINI.

The slightly downward-sloping roofline makes the car feel as if it is powering forward before it has even moved. The roofline is more substantial than its predecessors and continues the sweep of the windscreen, bringing the driver into the visual centre of the new MINI. At the same time, the roof appears to be floating over the car, emphasising the hallmark MINI three-way split of body, glasshouse and roof.

Among the drivers behind the new car’s powerful and planted stance on the road are its prominently flared wheel arches. In order to give the latest MINI an even sportier and muscular appearance, all design elements – such as the rear lights – are positioned as far as possible to the outside.

Interior design: innovative new features, authenticity in detail.

The new MINI remains true to its principles by using creativity and innovation to offer customers maximum versatility and interior space despite minimised exterior dimensions. But a MINI would not be a MINI if it didn’t constantly re-invent itself. Indeed, for the first time all driving-related displays, such as the speedometer and fuel gauge, are grouped together in a new instrument cluster positioned ahead of the driver on the steering column, directly in the line of vision. There is no Centre Speedo in the classical sense. The circular central instrument remains in place but it no longer contains an analogue speedometer. Instead it has morphed into a graphics-based element displaying various functions, notably the car’s entertainment and navigation systems and other infotainment features. A new interface and an interactive LED display ring create an emotionally invigorating overall experience. The electric window switches and handbrake are now within easier reach. The chrome window toggle switches are now integrated into the armrests, making them comfortable to use. The handbrake is located in a driver-focused position on the left-hand side of the re-designed centre console.

Likewise hot off the press is the optional Head Up Display. This system uses a combiner to project information such as the car’s speed and navigation instructions into the driver’s field of view. The image appears as if floating over the bonnet ridge. This has the advantage that the driver does not have to adjust his focus away from the road and refocus his eyes between areas close to the car and objects further away.

The extremely horizontal emphasis of modern dashboards creates a generous feeling of space; surfaces are tightened and have more precise edges. The dashboard’s upper cover provides a flowing surface over the instruments and provides them with an upper border. The central instrument and circular outer air vents project out from the dashboard in typically MINI three-dimensional style. At the same time, the vents create an elegant transition from the cockpit into the door trim, where their form extends into an ellipse. The vent grilles on the right and left of the central instrument are less “playful” now and feature horizontal and vertical slats.

Atmospheric “Ambient Light” brings an enhanced feeling of space to the interior and accentuates the distinctive door design.

The rear seats have also been completely re-designed for the new model generation. The new car has a clear four-seat configuration, and the individual-seat character of the rear compartment is immediately noticeable. Indeed, the rear seats continue the sporty and grown-up theme of the new MINI in the rear of the car. The lateral support provided by the seats is designed to promote sporty driving, bringing the go-kart feeling into play for rear passengers as well.

The colour and material design: maximising the scope for customisation.

All MINI drivers have their own style. That’s why the new MINI also majors on maximising the scope for customisation. A large number of unusual choices inject fresh intrigue into the familiar MINI range of colours and materials and enable customers to configure their MINI to reflect their personality. For example, 12 exterior colours cover a wide variety of bases – from striking via sporty to elegant. The five new colours shades Volcanic Orange, Moonwalk Grey, Blazing Red, Deep Blue and Electric Blue freshen up the familiar MINI colour pallet and add exciting new options.

The MINI also offers scope for further interior customisation with a choice of five Colour Lines. Customers looking to personalise their car to the maximum can choose from 10 seat cover designs and other optional trim surface variants.

The two new colour and material worlds – “Off-White” and “Dark Cottonwood” – available as part of the MINI Yours interior style packages offer customers exclusive equipment variants that underline the individual character of the MINI.