USA - Honda cleans up at this years Kelley Blue Book Awards with Overall Winner and four other class wins.

• All-new, redesigned sporty and fun-to-drive 2016 Civic Wins Top Award
• Honda takes home bevy of 'Best Buy' honors for 2016 including CR-V, Pilot and Odyssey, showcasing strength in light-truck offerings
• Honda takes five of 11 non-luxury awards from Kelley Blue Book

Honda vehicles took home top accolades in multiple categories at the 2016 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards, with the all-new, sporty and aggressively styled 2016 Civic taking home the 'Overall Best Buy Award.' 

According to the expert team of editors and evaluators at KBB.com, 'the 2016 Honda Civic is the Overall Winner in our Best Buy Awards because it sets a new standard in a segment already known for delivering great value, providing an up-level experience to drivers and passengers in every facet of the driving and ownership experience.'

2016 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award Winners: Honda

Overall Winner: 2016 Honda Civic

Small Car: 2016 Honda Civic

Small SUV/Crossover: 2016 Honda CR-V

Mid-Size SUV/Crossover: 2016 Honda Pilot

Minivan: 2016 Honda Odyssey

In addition to the Overall Best Buy of the Year Award for Civic, Honda secured accolades from The Trusted Resource® for three vehicles in its light truck lineup including CR-V, Pilot and Odyssey in their respective categories.

The Honda CR-V is the best-selling SUV over the past two decades and continues to offer incredible value to customers. The sleek and sophisticated 2016 Pilot is all-new and fully redesigned from the ground up with more trim levels, features and options than ever before. 

The 2016 Odyssey continues to be the only minivan to offer an in-vehicle vacuum and class-leading fuel economy.

"We are incredibly confident in the value, quality and design of the all-new 2016 Civic," said Jeff Conrad, senior vice president and general manager of the Honda Division. 

"This prestigious award from KBB.com helps current and future buyers with their purchase decisions and further solidifies the notion that for customers who purchase a Honda, be it a car or a light truck, they are making an 'overall' smart choice."

"We believe the all-new Honda Civic is a game-changer in the compact vehicle class" said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. 

"While the previous-edition Civic was a market leader in a very important segment, the newest version ups the ante in every category – interior and exterior style, safety, feature set – the new Civic takes them all to a new level."

USA - A year ago Nissan brought us "colour Studio" for Juke, this year at the LA Auto Show, it's Versa Notes Turn.

• Unique customization program adds colour to Versa Note's youthful personality
• Versa Note program follows last year's successful JUKE Colour Studio launch
• 13 Genuine Nissan Accessory items are offered in range of six colours: Black, White, Red, Black-Purple, Orange and Carbon Fiber Look
• Each accessory can be installed at the dealership or by the customer once purchased

One year ago, Nissan used Los Angeles – arguably the hometown of the original custom car trend – to launch its unique factory-personalization program called the "Color Studio" on the popular Nissan JUKE sport cross. Next week, the company returns to the Los Angeles Auto Show to debut an expansion of the Nissan Color Studio to include the 2016 Versa Note.

As with the JUKE Color Studio, the Versa Note Color Studio allows owners to "make it yours" through an a la carte selection of 13 exterior and interior accent accessories, each available in a choice of six vibrant colors. 

For example, a Super Black Versa Note exterior can be trimmed in orange-accented 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and orange front lip finisher, mirror caps, door handles, rear hatch accent and rear roof spoiler. Inside, the owner might choose to apply orange kick plates, speaker rings and air vent rings.

The Color Studio accessories are offered for all 2016 Versa Note grade levels, including the sporty Versa Note SR, as well as available for retrofitting on 2014 and 2015 Versa Notes.

"The expansion of the Color Studio program to the active lifestyle Versa Note builds on the success of last year's JUKE Color Studio," said Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. 

"As we found with JUKE, a little color – or a lot – dramatically changes the look of a vehicle and there's no easier way to make a ride stand out than the convenient, affordable Color Studio process. We believe Versa Note owners are going to embrace the concept just as much as JUKE owners do."

As with JUKE Color Studio, the cost of the accessories can be added to the Versa Note purchase or lease costs and rolled into the payment of the vehicle. Dealer labor charges apply if installation is done at the dealership.

The Versa Note Color Studio palette of available accessory colors includes Black, White, Red, Black-Purple, Orange and Carbon Fiber Look. The full list of available accessories is:

• Exterior: Aluminum-alloy wheels (15-inch), wheel center caps, front lip finisher, door handle covers, side mirror caps (with and without turn signal), and rear roof spoiler
• Interior: Floor mats, kick plates, speaker rings, air vent rings, rearview mirror interior cover and interior trim appliques

Another feature of the Color Studio program, available for both Versa Note and JUKE, is a special website 

(NissanUSA.com/VersaNoteColorStudio) 

that offers a full 360-degree view of the vehicles with all colors and combinations of parts for configuration. The site is available for viewing on smartphones and sharing on social platforms such as Facebook, Pinterest and Google+, as well as in Nissan dealer showrooms. The Versa Note section of the Color Studio site goes live on November 17.

"We're excited to add the Color Studio program to Versa Note and to show it for the first time to visitors at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. Color does change everything," added Loing.

USA - Jeep announces a brace of special editions the Wrangler Backcountry and Grand Cherokee SRT Night.

• New 2016 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT Night boasts stealth-like premium black appearance, with black roof and lightweight performance wheels 
• New 2016 Wrangler Backcountry delivers enthusiasts a unique Jeep SUV loaded with off-road capability features to tackle the toughest winter months

The Los Angeles Auto Show will mark the debut of two new-for-2016, special-edition Jeep® models:  the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Night and the 2016 Jeep Wrangler Backcountry.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Night blends ultimate performance with a premium black appearance that includes a unique black roof and lightweight performance wheels. To celebrate the winter season, the Jeep Wrangler Backcountry delivers snow lovers a winter-themed Jeep that will get them wherever they want to go with a host of Wrangler’s most capable off-road features.

“Jeep enthusiasts anticipate and truly appreciate special-edition models that deliver a customized Jeep SUV right from the factory,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global. “The Grand Cherokee SRT Night and Wrangler Backcountry both offer a distinctive appearance, while delivering an array of prominent performance and capability features.”

The 2016 Jeep Wrangler Backcountry arrives in showrooms in late November. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Night will be available in the first quarter of 2016.

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Night

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Night features a stealth-like appearance with the roof, rear spoiler, front grille bezels, B and C pillars and side window surrounds all adorned in Gloss Black. The front applique is Satin Black, as is badging on the hood and rear liftgate.

New lightweight, split five-spoke “5Ten” 20-inch wheels are also finished in Satin Black and are designed to showcase the Grand Cherokee SRT8’s standard Brembo brakes. Interior appointments include Black Laguna leather with Silver accent stitching and Light Black Chrome bezels.

Available colors for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Night include Velvet Red, Billet Silver and Granite Crystal. 

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Night features a standard 6.4-liter V-8 engine with Fuel Saver Technology that delivers 475 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, an adaptive damping suspension and a Selec-Track Traction Control system.

Available features include a dual-pane sunroof, a 19-speaker 825-watt Harman Kardon stereo system, trailer tow package, three-season tires, a full-size spare tire and a dual-screen rear entertainment system.

Performance numbers for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Night include 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.8 seconds, 0-100-0 mph in 16.3 seconds, quarter mile in the mid 13-second range and a top speed of 160 mph.

2016 Jeep Wrangler Backcountry

The Jeep Wrangler Backcountry boasts a winter capability theme and is based on the Wrangler Sahara model. It features a Backcountry decal on the front fender and rear quarter panel, a unique off-road front and rear powder coated bumper, 17-inch Rubicon wheels painted in Mid-gloss Black and a black fuel fill door. Wrangler Rubicon rock rails are standard on the Wrangler Backcountry, but Sahara side steps are also available at no additional charge. A black hard top is standard, but an optional body color hard top is also available. 

Wrangler Backcountry is available in five colors: Hydro Blue, Black, Bright White, Granite Crystal and Xtreme Purple. Backcountry is the only model in Wrangler’s lineup available in Xtreme Purple. 

Inside, Wrangler Backcountry features Piano Black vent rings, door handles and grab handles. A vinyl-wrapped console lid and door armrests with Diesel Gray accent stitching, black McKinley leather seat bolsters with black sport mesh inserts, a nine-speaker premium Alpine sound system and all-weather slush mats are featured. The Bluetooth hands-free Connectivity Group is also standard in the Wrangler 

USA - Jaguar announces the 2017 Model Year F-Type range with price cuts and new technology to boost sales.

• 2017 Model Year F-TYPE lineup to include new $61,400¹ F-TYPE Coupe and new $65,400¹ F-TYPE Convertible entry models, reducing available cost of entry to the sports car family by $3,600 and $2,700 respectively
• Standard Best-in-Class Jaguar EliteCare Ownership Package² Featuring New Vehicle Limited Warranty, Roadside Assistance, Jaguar InControl® Protect & Remote™ and the Longest Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance Package of any Luxury Brand in the Market

Jaguar North America today announced it will expand the price range of the F-TYPE lineup in the U.S. for the 2017 model year to include new entry-level coupe and convertible models which lower the introductory price of the F-TYPE Coupe & Convertible to $61,400¹ and $65,400¹respectively.

The 2017 line-up of Jaguar sports cars will continue to consist of the F-TYPE, F-TYPE S and the range topping F-TYPE R. The addition of a new entry price level for 2017. 

Jaguar F-TYPE builds upon the pricing realignment strategy announced as part of The Next Generation of Jaguar for the 2016 model year in which an improved competitive value position was brought to market through a combination of new entry priced models, increased standard equipment and lower MSRPs that all help the brand target the heart of the luxury market.

The new entry model F-TYPE will feature a supercharged 340-hp 3.0L V6 mated to the 6-speed manual transmission. Entry models with rear-wheel drive and Quickshift automatic transmission configurations will also be available. 

The new derivatives come standard with a fixed metal roof in the coupe configuration and a new 6-way adjustable partially electric seat, as well as new standard features such as a valet mode and solar attenuating windshield glass. 

On an equipment adjusted basis, this new model represents an overall savings of about $1,700 over the previous model year F-TYPE and gives customers a new lower price point for getting into the vehicle.

The F-TYPE continues to come standard with important features such as the Meridian™ 770W surround sound audio system, navigation, SiriusXM^® Satellite Radio, leather and suedecloth finished sport seats and Jaguar InControl^® Apps™. Further options can be outfitted on F-TYPE models individually or with a new Premium trim/option package.

Building on the expanded product line-up and more competitive pricing, every 2017 model year F-TYPE and all 2017 Jaguar models will come standard with Jaguar EliteCare coverage for added peace of mind. 

First announced for the 2016 model year, Jaguar EliteCare is a best-in-class² ownership package offering a new vehicle limited warranty with complimentary scheduled maintenance, roadside assistance and Jaguar InControl^® Protect & Remote^TM for five-years or 60,000 miles – whichever comes first.

The 2017 Jaguar F-TYPE will be available in U.S. showrooms late Spring of 2016.

¹All prices shown are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. Excludes $995 destination/handling charge, tax, title, license, and retailer fees, all due at signing, and optional equipment. Retailer price, terms and vehicle availability may vary. See your local authorized Land Rover Retailer for details.

² Class is cars sold by luxury automobile brands and claim is based on total package of warranty, maintenance and other coverage programs. For complete details regarding Jaguar EliteCare coverage, please visit JAGUARUSA.COM, call 1.800.4.JAGUAR or visit your local Jaguar Retailer.

USA - Ford takes the Best Truck honours at the Kelley Blue Book awards with the F-150 Pick Up.

Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com, The Trusted Resource® for car buyers, has named the Ford F-150 pickup its Truck Best Buy for the second consecutive year.

The 2016 Ford F-150 – the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever – introduces segment-first Pro Trailer Backup Assist™. The technology makes it easier for drivers of all skill levels to back a trailer up instinctively by turning a knob left or right to indicate direction – the truck controls its steering and limits vehicle speed.

Also new for 2016 are Special Edition Appearance Packages available for XLT and Lariat featuring unique wheels, graphics and finishes. A segment-exclusive compressed natural gas/propane gaseous fuel prep package is available for 5.0-liter V8-equipped F-150 – helping reduce operating costs and tailpipe CO2 emissions.

Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards are designed to provide a significant service to new-car buyers by identifying the cream of the crop of all available 2016 model year vehicles. The awards are the culmination of a yearlong regimen of expert vehicle evaluation and testing of nearly every new vehicle available in America, along with analysis of a broad swath of vehicle-related data, including vehicle pricing/transaction prices; five-year, cost-to-own data, which includes depreciation, insurance, maintenance, financing, fuel, fees and taxes for new cars; consumer reviews and ratings; and vehicle sales/retail sales information.

USA - Mercedes-Benz C-Class takes the Luxury honours at the Kelley Blue Book Best buy Awards.

The 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class was chosen as one of Kelley Blue Book's Best Buys in the Luxury Car category for the second year running. Only 12 vehicles are recipients of the 2016 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards, honoring the top new model-year vehicle choices available in the U.S. market.

A pioneer of the entry-level luxury category, the 2016 C-Class raises the bar yet again with new levels of cutting edge technology, safety, expressive design and sophistication.

"We are excited about the continued success of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class as it consistently establishes new benchmarks in its class," said Stephen Cannon, president and CEO of MBUSA. "Recognition as a 'Best Buy' from Kelley Blue Book for the second year in a row reinforces the value our C-Class brings to the Mercedes-Benz brand."

"After carefully analyzing a wealth of data and conducting extensive vehicle testing and evaluation from the hundreds of models available for the 2016 model-year, we chose this year's elite group of 12 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award winners because they proved to be the top values in their class," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com.

Data analyzed by Kelly Blue Book's expert editors to determine the Best Buys included vehicle pricing and transaction prices, 5-Year Cost-to-Own data, consumer reviews and ratings, vehicle sales and retail sales information. Last year's redesign elevated the Mercedes-Benz C-Class to Luxury Car Best Buy status, where it remains in 2016. The distinctive design gets even more appealing with time, while the polished interior and dynamic driving experience feel equally timeless.

USA - 2016 Kia Optima earns Kelley Blue Book's KBB.Com best Buy Award.

Kia’s passionately designed and obsessively crafted midsize sedan garners top honors from The Trusted Resource®

• All-new 2016 Optima is part of an elite group of 12 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award Winners
• Kia’s head-turning design, driving dynamics, and value continue to garner praise

Kia Motors America’s (KMA) passionately designed and obsessively crafted all-new 2016 Optima is the Best Buy of the Year among midsize cars according to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com.  

With an extensive yearlong data collection process, vehicle testing and evaluation of 2016 model-year vehicles, Kelley Blue Book narrowed the list of 49 Best Buy Award Finalists down to an elite group of 12 winners.

“The all-new 2016 Optima has matured in all the right ways, from the European sport-sedan design to the premium interior materials to its vastly improved ride and handling,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning KMA.  “To be recognized by the experts at Kelley Blue Book as a Best Buy among some of the toughest competition in the industry is a true honor and strong indication that the all-new Optima is poised to continue its sales success and the ongoing elevation of the Kia brand.”

The Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards provide a significant service to consumers by identifying the top 2016 model-year vehicles.  More than 300 new-car models were tested and evaluated in order to determine the finalists and, ultimately, the winners.

“We at Kelley Blue Book named the 2016 Kia Optima the Best Buy in a very crowded and competitive field of midsize cars because its combination of design, features, driving dynamics and value topped the competition,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com.  “No single attribute set the Optima apart; instead it was the all-new Optima’s combination of high-value elements that prompted us to bestow on it our prestigious Best Buy Award.”

Volkswagen delivers a better equipped and priced Golf Match Edition, with an added Bluemotion edition.

Volkswagen is sharpening the appeal of the already generously equipped Golf with the announcement of the highly specified Golf Match BlueMotion Edition, and Golf Match Edition, priced from £19,840 (OTR RRP).

Building on the stylish looks and renowned reliability of the current Golf line-up – the seventh iteration of the brand’s iconic family hatchback – the new Golf Match Edition models add high-end equipment as standard including Discover Navigation with Car-Net Guide and Inform, and Winter Pack.

The new cars arrive with an even higher level of specification than the Golf Match they replace. The additions offer more than £1,100 in customer value if specified separately, but at a cost of just £100.

Buyers can, therefore, get behind the wheel of the new Golf Match BlueMotion Edition 1.0 115PS TSI six-speed manual three-door from £19,840 (OTR RRP). The Golf Match Edition, meanwhile, is available from £20,400 (OTR RRP) in 1.4-litre TSI 125 PS BlueMotion Technology five-speed manual three-door model form.

While the Golf Match was already one of the most comprehensively specified vehicles in its class with standard features including front and rear parking sensors, front fog lights and a mirror pack – which consists of automatically-folding door mirrors with puddle lights and reverse-activated dipping on the nearside – the new model builds on that solid foundation still further.

Smart 16-inch ‘Dover’ alloys continue to distinguish the new car, while the Discover Navigation system now fitted as standard includes a 6.5-inch colour touch-screen control system for navigation, CD and radio functions. This boasts preloaded European navigation data, two map view options, three calculated routes (Fast, Short, Eco), dynamic navigation based on TMC live traffic updates, branded points of interest and Traffic Sign display, and also features Car-Net Guide and Inform online services.

The Car-Net Guide and Inform system neatly combines engaging functions such as Online Traffic Information, Personal Point Of Interest, News and Weather updates, and Fuel Info and Parking Info.

This suite of hi-tech features comes in addition to the Golf Match Edition’s standard ACC Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist and City Emergency Braking, Driver Alert System, PreCrash preventive occupant protection, Driver Profile Selection, automatic wipers, an automatically dimming rear-view mirror and dusk sensor (automatic driving lights); and of course the aforementioned alloy wheels, parking sensors, front fog lights and mirror pack.

Meanwhile all Golf models come as standard with seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag; ABS with ESC, XDS electronic differential lock; an automatic post-collision braking system and Isofix preparation for two rear child seats. Bluetooth telephone preparation, audio streaming and an eight-speaker multimedia entertainment system are also standard on the new Golf Match Edition, along with air conditioning, a Stop/Start system with battery regeneration, and a host of other features.

Customers are able to add to that impressive roster of standard equipment with hi-tech options include High Beam Assist, Park Assist, DCC Dynamic Chassis Control, a rear-view camera, keyless entry and a panoramic sunroof.

The Golf Match BlueMotion Edition is offered with a 1.0-litre TSI 115 PS engine in six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG form, both returning 65.7 mpg combined.

The Golf Match Edition is available with a 1.4-litre TSI 125 PS engine with six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearboxes returning 54.3 to 56.5 mpg combined; a 1.6-litre TDI 110 PS BlueMotion Technology engine with five-speed manual or seven-speed DSG gearbox returning 72.4 to 74.3 mpg; or a 2.0-litre TDI 150 PS BlueMotion Technology unit with six-speed manual or six-speed DSG gearbox returning 62.8 to 68.9 mpg. All engines meet the latest EU6 emissions standards.

This high value addition to the Golf range is available to order now, with the first deliveries expected in January 2016.  For more information on the new model, and the rest of the award-winning Volkswagen range, visit www.volkswagen.co.uk.

Prices and availability are shown below: