AWARDS | 11
Six manufacturers honoured at the Fleet Car Awards 2018
M
odels from Honda, Opel, Skoda, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen were among the winners of the Fleet Car Awards 2018, announced at Citywest Hotel in Dublin on 28 September 2018. Now in their seventh year, the prestigious annual awards honour the best cars currently on sale in Ireland for the corporate and fleet markets. For 2018, the winners of the awards were announced prior to the Fleet Transport Awards and Gala Banquet event - Ireland’s largest transport related gathering. With more than one thousand guests in attendance, this presented an ideal opportunity to showcase the successful candidates, with the winning cars proudly displayed in front of the Citywest Hotel.
Supported by the Health & Safety Authority as well as Elves and AIB Finance & Leasing, competition in all six categories was intense, with the winners in two of the segments separated by a single point from the runners-up, reflecting the high quality of product available to company car buyers. The announcement of the winners was the conclusion of an extensive process that saw over 150 cars originally assessed before being whitt led down to a shortlist of 35. From there further testing and analysis was conducted before the fi nal votes were cast by a judging panel comprising experienced motoring journalists, road safety experts and fleet buyers. Factors of particularly relevance to fleet managers, for example, what safety features are offered as standard, were incorporated into the process. As well as assessing the
vehicles themselves, each of the brands’ commitment to corporate business, and their capability to accommodate fleet customers was taken into consideration before the fi nal scores were added up. “The fleet car market is changing rapidly, as can be witnessed by the phenomenal growth in popularity of the crossover SUV segment” said Cathal Doyle, Deputy Editor of Fleet Car magazine at the presentation of the awards. “However we’re confident that these six winners represent the very best that’s on offer to corporate and fleet car buyers in Ireland today”.
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12 | AWARDS
C-Segment
D-Segment
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Honda Civic - 410 points Volkswagen Golf - 409 points Ford Focus - 385 points
Marking its fi rst success in winning this category, an all-new Honda Civic shot to the top of the charts in the family hatchback sized C-Segment, narrowly fending off the Volkswagen Golf. It was praised on a number of fronts including ride and drive, and practicality, but what stood out for the judges was its array of safety features, which are offered as standard on all models via its Honda Sensing package. “Manufacturers are quick to boast about the collision avoidance and safety systems on their cars, but too often these are expensive optional extras. Honda should be lauded for offering such a broad array of technologies as standard,” noted one of the judging panel. “Every fleet manager should be aware of their responsibilities towards employees driving for work, and the Honda Civic will go some way towards addressing those requirements,” commented another. Just a single point separated the Civic from the Volkswagen Golf. The perennial favourite received a facelift this year which keeps it very much to the forefront of fleet as well as private buyers. “The Golf remains the ultimate all-round car,” was one comment, while another added; “Great image, a genuinely premium level cabin, a broad selection of engines, and good to drive - the Golf comes up trumps again”.
Opel Insignia - 414 points = 2. Mazda 6 - 404 points = 2. Skoda Superb - 404 points
The Opel Insignia has long been one of Ireland’s most popular cars for fleet customers, but this was the first time the German offering has won the D-Segment category at the Fleet Car Awards. The allnew model launched earlier this year was recognised for its high levels of equipment, low running costs, and for much improved interior space. “The new Insignia shoots to the top of the class,” said one of the judging panel. “It’s a car that will munch up the kilometres leaving you feeling fresh at your journey’s end.” Nice clear instrumentation and easy to use controls,” said another. “The Insignia is now up with the best in class for cabin space, and it’s a refined companion for long journeys,” was the feedback of a third judge. Separating the runners-up in the D-Segment proved impossible, with the Mazda 6 and Skoda Superb tying for the position. The Japanese car was considered by judges to have one of the nicest cabins in the class, as well as strong engines and a quiet refined drive. “The 6 feels and drives like a car in the Executive category,” was one of the comments. The Skoda Superb’s legendary spaciousness was again noted by judges. “A great for comfortable long distance motoring, and so practical,” was a typical comment.
Last year’s winner, the Ford Focus, may be relatively long in the tooth compared to the new models that fi nished ahead of it, but it is still rated by judges as a strong fleet contender. “Hard to fault the Focus, it’s great to drive and a practical all-rounder,” was a typical comment.
Worth noting too was the Kia Optima which scored strongly to finish only a handful of points behind the top three. “The Optima is refined, drives well and ergonomics are excellent,” noted one of the judges.
Cathal Doyle, Fleet Car; Marty Whelan, M.C.; Deirdre Sinnott , HSA; Adrian Cole, M.D. Universal Honda and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Car
Cathal Doyle, Fleet Car; Marty Whelan, M.C.; Deirdre Sinnott , HSA; Fergal Marron, National Fleet Sales Manager, Opel Ireland and Jarlath Sweeney - Fleet Car
FLEETCAR | Winter 2017
AWARDS | 13
Crossover
Premium
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Skoda Kodiaq - 421 points Peugeot 3008 - 411 points Volkswagen Tiguan - 390 points
A host of new models meant unprecedented levels of competition in the Crossover category this year, with cars launched or facelifted in the last year fi lling the top five places. Taking the award was Skoda’s new large SUV, the Kodiaq. “The Kodiaq is refined, has a good driving position, is as spacious as you would expect from a Skoda, and offers excellent value for money,” was the opinion of one judge. “This is a car that is a very appealing alternative to a regular D-Segment offering,” opined a second. The Peugeot 3008 put in a very strong challenge for the award. Judges loved its styling inside and out, and also praised its driving dynamics. “This car for me was a revelation,” said one of the panel, adding, “The cockpit style cabin and ultra-modern layout make it stand out from the crowd, and it rides and handles very well”. “The 3008 is right up there with the very best crossovers,” was another comment. “A spacious and solidly built cabin and smart styling make the Tiguan an appealing choice for the fleet customer,” was the opinion of one judge on the new generation mid-sized crossover from Volkswagen. “This is a very comfortable car, and although not cheap, residuals should remain strong,” said another. Also scoring well in this category were the latest version of the Mazda CX-5, and the new Seat Ateca. “The CX-5 remains great to drive and new styling keeps it looking fresh,” was one comment on the Mazda, while another judge reckoned that the Ateca “is a complete package for sensible money”.
Cathal Doyle, Fleet Car; Marty Whelan, M.C.; Deirdre Sinnott , HSA; Mark Mulvaney, PR & Sponsorship Manager, Škoda Ireland and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Car
Mercedes-Benz C-Class - 437 points BMW 3-Series - 425 points Volkswagen Arteon - 416 points
Remarkably, of the six category winners this year, the MercedesBenz C-Class was the only car that wasn’t either refreshed or a new model in the last twelve months. Proof perhaps of the rapid development within the industry, however the C-Class impressed with high levels of refi nement, and a quiet unobtrusive drive. “The C-Class looks, feels and drives like a more compact S-Class or E-Class,” commented one of the judges, adding, “The cabin is well laid out and feels suitably high quality”. Another judge highlighted the driving experience. “There’s a pleasing balance between comfort and handling prowess so whether you want to cruise gently, or push on, you know the C-Class will be up to the job”. It’s long been lauded as a driver’s car so unsurprisingly judges highlighted the BMW 3 Series' handling capabilities. “Still the complete driver’s car - this is the one you would choose if you had to travel on twisty roads every day,” was one typical observation. “Surprisingly compact inside, but well engineered and laid out,” said another. The new Volkswagen Arteon was praised for its stylish good looks. “A real head-turner,” said one. “Possibly Vokswagen’s best looking model from the outside, though the interior doesn’t have the same wow factor”.
Cathal Doyle, Fleet Car; Marty Whelan, M.C.; Deirdre Sinnott , HSA; Patrick Howlett, National Fleet Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz Ireland and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Car www.fleetcar.ie
14 | AWARDS
Executive
Irish Green Fleet Car
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BMW 5-Series - 450 points Mercedes-Benz E-Class - 449 points Volvo S90 / V90 - 445 points
Volkswagen e-Golf - 438 points Hyundai IONIQ - 396 points Toyota Prius - 389 points
The Executive category proved to be a predictably competitive affair with the new BMW 5-Series edging out the the highly lauded Mercedes-Benz E-Class - last year’s winner of this award and reigning Irish Car of the Year, by a single point. Hot on their heels was Volvo’s new S90 / V90.
As technology improves, the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles by fleets will continue to grow apace, with many companies, aware of their environmental responsibilities, already utilising such vehicles where operating conditions are suitable.
“Th e new 5-Series is worthy refi nement of the outgoing car,” commented one of the judges. “It offers exceptional refinement and performance, yet is more efficient than ever”. “This is a big car yet doesn’t feel as such to drive,” noted another. “A very pleasant place in which to pass a journey”.
The clear winner of the Irish Green Fleet Car Award for 2018 was the Volkswagen e-Golf. Now upgraded with a range capacity of up to 300km, it was the combination of that improved range complete with all the renowned features of the regular Golf that made it a fi rm favourite with judges. “A pleasure to drive, and yet as comfortable and practical as a petrol or diesel Golf,” enthused one judge. “When you drive a car like this you can see why electric motoring is the way forward,” said another.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class continues to impress. “This is almost the complete car,” was one comment. “The cabin is top quality, noise levels are impressively muted, and it boasts an impressive array of technology”. Another judge noted that the E-Class offers low running costs while a third also commented on the efficiency and refi nement of the latest generation of diesel engines. The Volvo S90 may have come third, but the fact it ran its rivals so close is proof that the Chinese owned Swedish company is making serious waves with its new generation of products. “Finally the German brands have a genuine challenger in the shape of Volvo,” said one of the assessing panel. “The S90 is a very complete car, good to drive, and boasting lots of standard equipment”. “The cabin is up with the very best for quality and comfort, while you just know that Volvo won’t be scrimping on any safety equipment,” said another.
A new contender from Hyundai took the runners-up position. The IONIQ is available in hybrid or all-electric versions with a plug-in hybrid on the way. Tested was the hybrid model which found favour with the judges for its affordability, strong fuel consumption performance and lots of equipment fitted. “The hybrid powertrain is refined and seamless to use, making this a very practical car particularly for urban use,” noted one judge. Toyota’s Prius was also a popular choice. Now available in a plug-in version as well as the familiar series hybrid, judges commented that the latest version has moved forward significantly, both in the driving experience and in the efficiency of the petrol electric power unit. “Toyota’s years of experience with hybrid technology is really showing, with the Prius now a very refined and economical performer,” was just one of the comments.
Paddy Comyn, Head of Group Communications, Volkswagen Group Ireland and Fiacra Quinn, Chief Executive Office, ELVES Cathal Doyle, Fleet Car; Marty Whelan, M.C.; Deirdre Sinnott , HSA; Anthony Casey, National Corporate & Diplomatic Manager, BMW Ireland and Jarlath Sweeney, Fleet Car FLEETCAR | Winter 2017
Text: Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie Photos: Paul Sherwood