Norton Way Corporate Magazine - February 2023

HONDA WINS AT THE WHAT CAR? 2023 CAR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Both the Honda Civic and Honda Jazz continue to prove its credentials in one of the most sought-after accolades in the automotive industry, winning the title of ‘Small Car of the Year’ for Jazz and Family Car of the Year for Civic at the 2023 What Car? Awards. Honda was very close to securing a hat trick as the all-new Civic Type R was also shortlisted for ‘Hot Hatch of the Year’ Award.

To be eligible for a What Car? Award, a car has to have been tested back-to-back with its rivals, both on UK roads and at What Car?’s dedicated test track.

With features like anti-fatigue seats,'magic seats,' a high carrying capacity of up to 1205 litres, and an infotainment system with smooth smartphone connectivity via both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Honda Jazz defeats competition from some big brands.

Steve Huntingford, Editor at What Car?

Commented: "The Jazz’s mini-MPV shape gives it one of the most spacious interiors of any small car, while incredibly flexible rear seating only adds to its practicality. The driving position is another strength, thanks to an elevated seat and slim windscreen pillars. And the car's hybrid tech combines impressive real-world fuel economy with peppy performance."

The 11th generation Civic which Honda launched last year is a family favourite, with its full hybrid performance and dynamic drive. Steve Huntingford, Editor at What Car? added: "The Civic has the measure of all its family car rivals, not least due to its low running costs, effortless performance and smart interior. That interior is one of the most spacious in the class, too, and features some of the most user-friendly controls. And the Civic is great to drive, because its steering is precise, and the suspension manages to blend tight body control with a settled ride."

REFRESHED JAZZ E:HEV LINE-UP GAINS NEW ADVANCE

SPORT VARIANT

Honda is increasing the appeal of its Jazz line-up with revisions across all grades and the addition of a new Advance Sport grade; offered with exclusive styling details inside and out.

The refreshed Jazz range also features a revised e:HEV hybrid powertrain that improves driveability, adds power and a towing capacity, without impacting CO2 or fuel efficiency.

Evolved exterior and interior design

The grille design on the Elegance and Advance classes has changed and become more distinct, and the headlight inset is now darker. The front and rear bumpers are more contoured, and the bottom areas are textured to give the Jazz a more purposeful appearance. The Advance's alloy wheel design has had its colours revised, which completes the exterior Jazz alterations.

Along with various exterior updates, the Jazz Crosstar has a harder, more daring appearance.

Along with new, matching side skirts and reworked bumpers that have silver inserts that simulate underbody protection, the grille has a more defined honeycomb shape. A new alloy wheel finish and the addition of Fjord Mist blue as a new exterior colour complete the updates.

All-new Advance Sport grade

The new stand-out Advance Sport grade –available in a new exclusive paint finish, Urban Grey – incorporates a unique finish to the front bumper design, a sporty lattice grille as well as gloss black wing mirrors and unique 16” alloy wheels to broaden the appeal of the Jazz e:HEV.

Inside the Advance Sport, grade-specific improvements improve the sporty premium sensation of the most recent Jazz e:HEV. A redesigned three spoke wheel, central armrest, and door cards are decorated with a contrasting yellow stitch, and the seats are completed in a distinctive combination upholstery of black synthetic suede and grey synthetic leather.

MAZDA REVEALS MAZDA MX-30 E-SKYACTIV R-EV

The Mazda MX-30, the marque's flagship electrified car, debuted in 2020 as the automaker's first battery-electric vehicle for mass production. For some regions, a mild hybrid version was also made available. With “living true to yourself” as the product concept The MX-30 has offered a straightforward, enjoyable drive, an exterior with a recognisable, approachable look, and a cabin space that calms the mind and heart through the use of materials with a warmth to them—all elements that enable owners to be creative when they spend time with the car and engage in activities with it.

The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV is a series plug-in hybrid that offers owners new methods to use their car as a battery electric vehicle while maintaining the same level of customer value as the original MX-30. The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-battery EV's electric driving range of 85 km2 is adequate for a variety of daily driving needs, and it also has the option of using a generator to facilitate long distance trips. Additionally, the entire driving range is powered by a motor.

Mazda decided to power the generator system with a rotary engine. Mazda created a new rotary engine3 to function as a generator and mounted it on the same axel as a highoutput motor and a generator in the motor room, taking advantage of the distinctive way that rotary engines can deliver the necessary output with a tiny power unit. After that, Mazda combined this small electric motor with a 50 L petrol tank, a 17.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, and a series plug-in hybrid system.

Mazda confirms UK pricing and specification for plug-in hybrid MX-30

This summer, Mazda will introduce the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, an all-electric plug-in hybrid with a starting price of £31,250. The new MX-30

e-Skyactiv R-EV has an 830cc rotary engine generator and a 17.8kWh battery. The new plug-in hybrid has a WLTP CO2 output of 21g/km and a 53-mile pure EV range. The new model is offered in three grades, as well as the limited-edition Edition R model.

The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV is compatible with both AC charging and rapid DC charging, meaning three-phase AC charging takes around 50mins, while DC rapid charging can be completed in around 25 minutes. Available to order now, for UK arrival in the summer, the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV is offered in the same grades as the all-electric e-Skyactiv MX-30: Prime-Lime, Exclusive-Line and Makoto – while bespoke to the R-EV, the range is topped by the Edition R.

Makoto R-EV models demand a £450 price premium over the pure electric version and at the top of the MX-30 range is the R-EV only Edition R - priced at £37,950. The Edition R versions are limited to 400 examples in the UK.

Jeremy Thomson, Mazda Motors UK managing director, says: “The MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV is the perfect solution for customers who want an electric car for everyday usage but the flexibility to undertake longer journeys without the reliance on charging infrastructure.

“It’s the latest example of how Mazda’s Multi Solution Approach ensures we have cars to suit all our customer’s needs by improving environmental performance with a combination of electrification and clever internal combustion engine technologies.”

While the Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv EV is on sale and in UK dealerships now, the MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV is available to order now, with the first UK cars due to arrive this summer. Speak to your trusted sales advisor to learn more.

NISSAN QASHQAI IS THE UK’S MOST RELIABLE CAR, SAYS CONSUMER ORGANISATION WHICH?

The new Nissan Qashqai has been declared the UK’s most reliable car after a survey of 50,000 UK consumers.

Designed, engineered and built in Britain, the Qashqai emerged as the clear leader following an annual reliability survey conducted by respected consumer affairs organisation, Which?.

The car achieved a rare fivestar reliability rating with expert testers praising the car’s practicality, dependability and family appeal.

“Nissan’s efforts with the allnew version have seen it crowned our most reliable car for 2023 – a fantastic achievement for what is one of the more affordable cars in the sector,” said Which?.

“It’s easy to be dismissive given this is such a new car – after all, newer models tend to be more reliable. But looking at similar aged cars in our survey, not one was reliable enough to get five stars out of five in this category, let alone come anywhere near those at the top. Our data shows that 2023 is set to be the year of the Qashqai.”

David Moss, Senior Vice President of Research & Development at Nissan Technical Centre in Cranfield, where the new model was developed, said: “We’re delighted that both real-world customers and expert reviewers have recognised the quality and durability of our fantastic new Qashqai.

“Our engineering teams put the car through a series of gruelling tests during its development phase to ensure the very highest standards

of reliability, so it’s really rewarding to get this recognition from people driving them every day.”

Nissan’s Technical Centre in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, put new Nissan models through a host of challenging tests before the cars go on sale to ensure vehicles meet strict quality and reliability standards.

One of these, the Climatic Fourposter Vibration Rig, replicates three years of driving in just five weeks. Engineers can even walk inside to listen for interior trim squeaks and rattles. Dedicated rigs are put up to repeatedly slam doors shut, mimicking a lifetime of use, with testers monitoring for damage to hinges and door materials. Cars are also tested in extremely hot and cold temperatures. To evaluate the longevity of boot space liners and trims, the development team even keeps a variety of recreational and activity equipment (such as strollers, golf clubs, and suitcases).

A new year, and another prestigious award for Nissan’s inspirational ARIYA EV

The all-electric Nissan ARIYA has begun 2023 by picking up another prestigious industry accolade –winning particular praise for its excellent build quality and the attention to detail paid to its interior. The latest award comes from Company Car & Van who have named ARIYA their SUV Electric Car of the Year. Andrew Walker, editor of the title which publishes comprehensive company car and commercial vehicle reviews, said:

"Ariya blurs the lines between SUV and crossover, the two most popular car sectors in the UK.

"From the outside, it looks good, whilst inside, the attention to detail and build quality is excellent. Furthermore, its real-world range of 230 or 300 miles dependent on battery size means range anxiety for company car drivers will take a back seat.''

Launched in the UK last year, ARIYA is a stylish, fully electrified crossover, offering the practicality of a versatile SUV and the space, comfort and styling of a premium city car. With plenty of room for the whole family, and enough range to take you where you need to go, ARIYA is incredibly functional, but more than just a safe choice. ARIYA represents the future of electric mobility as Nissan continues to be a real pioneer in this crucial field. It benefits from premium style, as evidenced by its streamlined shape, plush, lounge-like interior, and ample trim levels.

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PEUGEOT NEW ELECTRIC LEADER IN THE B-SEGMENT IN EUROPE IN 2022

The PEUGEOT 208 was the best-selling car in Europe in the passenger car market in 2022, and the e-208, which is a 100% electric version of the 208, was the same. With the combined success of the e-208 and the e-2008, PEUGEOT as a brand achieves first place in the electric B-segment.

The PEUGEOT e-208 and e-2008 offer driving pleasure enhanced by a full range of driving aids thanks to their cutting-edge and effective electric engines. These improvements will satisfy more than 76,000 consumers in Europe by 2022.

PEUGEOT will make 2023 "the electric year" when all of its models will be offered with one or more electrified engines (hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or 100% electric) starting in the first part of the year.

On January 6, 2023, the PEUGEOT INCEPTION concept car will be unveiled at the Las Vegas Motor Show, reiterating the brand's commitment to leading the European market for all-electric vehicles.

PEUGEOT kicks off its electric year at the 2023 Brussels Motor Show

Linda JACKSON / PEUGEOT CEO: "The Brussels Motor Show is a must for PEUGEOT: for its 100th edition, it will be the first international event of the year and brings together almost all car manufacturers. After revealing the PEUGEOT INCEPTION CONCEPT, our vision of the Brand's future for 2025 - 2030, we are proudly presenting all our electrified models to the Brussels public. This show marks the kick-off of our technological offensive, underscoring our ambition to make PEUGEOT the leading brand for 100% electric models. " Where we have highlighted the 408 and e-208.

New PEUGEOT 408: Fastback and feline

By presenting a first-of-its-kind fastback silhouette in the C-segment and the contemporary auto market with the new 408, PEUGEOT is exhibiting the creativity of its designers and engineers.

The 408 has a distinctive appearance because to its design and feline attitude. Efficiency is a primary concern for its electric engines and

PEUGEOT

aerodynamics. Its intuitive innovations are focused on making driving enjoyable.

A key component of the cockpits of Lion models is the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®, which includes a small steering wheel, a digital instrument panel, and an intuitive touch screen. Every new generation for the past ten years has added to and updated it. The new 408 offers improved ergonomics, quality, and technology, including a brand-new infotainment system called i-Connect.

The engine lineup consists of two Plug-In hybrid models with 180 and 225 horsepower each, as well as a 130 horsepower 3-cylinder 1.2 PureTech petrol model. An 8-speed automatic transmission is mated to each of them. A subsequent launch of a vision that is all electric is planned.

In addition, the new Peugeot 408 is in the running for the Car of the Year 2023 award! To be among the 7 finalists, the new 408 won the jury over with the attractive design of its new, unusual silhouette, the driving pleasure felt at the wheel, its technologies and the efficiency of its engines.

PEUGEOT e-208 GT: more power and efficiency

By utilising the new e-308's engine, the PEUGEOT e-208 GT has experienced a significant technological transformation. While making significant efforts to boost efficiency, maximum power has increased by 15%, from 136 to 156 bhp, and energy consumption has decreased to just 14.6 kW/h (for the e-208 GT). The range has increased by 10.5% (+38km) to 398km as a result (for the e-208 GT).

The e-208 had advanced by the end of 2021, reaching 362 kilometres of range, an increase of 22 kilometres over the original model that debuted in 2019. Thanks to these two subsequent enhancements since its inception, the range has increased by 17.65% while consumption has decreased by 15%.

UK drivers losing more than three hours a year defrosting their windscreen while leaving their engine running, research from Škoda finds

More than half (51%) of UK motorists are unaware that they could face fines of up to £80 for leaving their engine idling when defrosting their windscreen in cold weather on a public road.**

Defrosting a car’s windscreen is a common chore in winter, with Škoda research finding that a third (35%) of motorists spend between five and seven minutes on average doing it, while a further tenth of drivers (13%) spend a total of eight to 10 minutes. A quarter (25%) of drivers spend at least two to four minutes clearing their screen when it is iced over.

When asked what methods they commonly use to combat the frost, the most popular answer was using the car’s heating system (63%), followed by an ice scraper (57%), de-icer (44%), windscreen wipers (27%), boiled water (15%), while more than one in ten (13%) admitted to using their bank card or plastic card. The same research found more than three quarters (76%) turn their engine on and keep it running while defrosting their car to ‘aid’ the process.

Nearly three quarters (74%) of UK drivers are also unaware that electric vehicles (EVs) can be ‘preconditioned’ via an app to defrost the screen before they even get into their car on a frosty morning.

The Skoda Enyaq iV may be preconditioned to defrost the windscreen, heat the cabin, and charge the battery in cold weather so that it is ready to drive for a predetermined time using the Skoda Connect app or by setting the parameters on the infotainment system.

Drivers who keep the charging cable connected when preconditioning the car, avoid drawing energy from the battery and ensure the maximum possible driving range when they set off.

Drivers could save up to 10 minutes a day by using the preconditioning feature of Škoda’s electric cars. More than two thirds (67%) of drivers would be likely to use preconditioning to save time, fuel, and standing in the cold by remotely defrosting their windscreen in advance if they had an EV.

To increase heating efficiency and comfort

during winter, the Enyaq iV also features a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, heated front washer nozzles, and tri-zone climate control.

Unbeatable: Superb Estate takes record-breaking eighth title in a row as Škoda drives off with five What Car? Awards

Škoda has added to its remarkable collection of What Car? titles by securing no fewer than five more accolades for 2023. The Czech brand enjoyed another busy night at the annual awards ceremony - widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the automotive industry – with the Superb named as an overall category winner and the Scala, Octavia and Karoq all recognised as Best Buys in their respective categories.

Leading Škoda’s 2023 silverware haul was the Superb Estate, which extended its remarkable winning streak by taking home the What Car? Best Estate award for a record-breaking eighth year in the row. The Czech estate has now been named as the best in class since 2015, with its combination of value, practicality and comfort proving to be an unbeatable combination.

The Škoda Scala also recorded a back-to-back victory, being named Best Family Car for Value for the second year in a row. The Octavia was another repeat winner, retaining its title of Best Family Car for Practicality. As in previous years, the Octavia wowed the judging panel with its broad range of talents. The Octavia was another repeat winner, retaining its title of Best Family Car for Practicality. As in previous years, the Octavia wowed the judging panel with its broad range of talents. "As a hatchback that dwarfs most cars for interior and boot space, the Skoda Octavia remains the family car to beat for practicality.” explained Steve Huntingford. “It offers six-footers loads of room for lounging in comfort, plus we managed to fit 10 carry-on suitcases in the boot – four more than most rivals cars can take."

Completing Škoda’s impressive trophy haul was the recently updated Karoq, which was named Best Family SUV for Value by the What Car? judging panel. In total, Škoda has won 18 What Car? titles in just three years, making it one of the most decorated brands in the industry. In total, Škoda cars won 43 industry awards across all sectors of the automotive media in 2022.

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WHAT CAR? AWARDS FOR KIA SPORTAGE AND EV9

Kia UK has won two awards at the 2023 What Car? Car of the Year Awards, including a major category win for the Kia Sportage.

Kia Sportage: Best Family SUV

The Kia Sportage was named ‘Best Family SUV’ by What Car? magazine’s judging panel, ahead of all other rivals in the most popular and hotly contested vehicle segment in the UK.

The judging panel for the awards, made up of the magazine’s team of expert road testers, commented: “We've group tested the Kia Sportage extensively in various guises over the last 12 months, and it's emerged victorious every time. But when you consider its competitive pricing, all of the equipment that you get as standard and how complete a car the Sportage is, it's easy to see why. It strikes a near-perfect balance between agility and comfort, which gets it off to a great start against any rival. Meanwhile the interior neatly blends practicality with style.”

Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK Limited, commented: “We’re proud to see the Sportage recognised by What Car? as the ideal family vehicle. As our best-selling model in the UK, it’s incredibly popular with buyers looking for a car that covers all the bases, at a range of different price points. Now offering hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the model perfectly represents our leadership in electrification and also gives customers greater choice.”

The most recent Kia Sportage model debuted at the beginning of 2022. It was the sixth best-selling new car in the UK last year, and UK shoppers will buy 29,655 of the well-liked family SUV until 2022. For the first time in the Sportage's five generations, hybrid and plug-in hybrid choices are available.

Kia EV9: Readers’ Choice Award

From a selection of 14 vehicles, we asked What Car? readers to choose the one that they are most anticipating. Each candidate received equal exposure on our website and on social media.

Nevertheless, the Kia EV9 won the competition after garnering more votes than twice as many as the secondplaced vehicle.

The EV6 had taken first place in 2021, making this Kia's second victory in three years. It will be genuinely exceptional if the EV9 turns out to be as good as the EV6.

The Kia EV9 is due to be revealed later in 2023, with UK deliveries set to commence towards the end of the year. The large electric SUV is the next EV due to be launched under the brand’s ‘Plan S’ long-term strategy for electrification leadership. It follows the Kia EV6 (named What Car? Car of the Year in 2022) and all-new Kia Niro EV as one of nine Kia EVs due to launch in the UK between 2021 and 2027.

MG4 EV named ‘Best Small Electric Car’ at What Car? Awards 2023

The MG4 EV has been named ‘Best Small Electric Car’ at the 2023 What Car? Car of the Year awards, a prestigious ceremony which celebrates the best cars currently on sale. Recognised as a trusted, independent and expert voice in car reviewing, What Car? praised the MG4 as offering excellent value for money without compromising on quality.

Commenting on the MG4’s win, the What Car? judging panel said: "Given the rising cost of living, and the fact that electric cars tend to be quite expensive to buy, the MG4 EV – with its very keen pricing – feels like the right car at the right time. And crucially, corners haven't been cut to achieve that pricing.”

“In addition to undercutting rivals by thousands, the MG4 offers fast charging, plenty of space and lots of standard equipment. What's more it's good to drive and comes with the reassurance of a seven-year warranty."

The ZS EV was named "Best for Value" of the Electric SUV shortlist, while the MG5 EV garnered high praise from the What Car? judges, who dubbed it "Best Electric" in the Estate car category.

With almost 51,000 vehicles sold in the UK, MG Motor expects 2022 to be another record year. This is a 66.7% increase over the same period last year. In just three months, the MG4 rose to become the second-most popular model, with about 3,000 units of the little EV being delivered between September and December.

As the first model based on the all-new Modular Scalable Platform (MSP), the MG4 has already been recognised as a class-leading EV –landing three overall UK Car of the Year titles in its first three months. The model has also secured the maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in December 2022.

MG’s new all-electric estate, the MG5, has also received significant interest since launch in November, with growing demand for both new models expected to continue in 2023.

Chiswick MG Fleet Dealer of the Year!

Jason Cranswick, Managing Director, and Elliott McDonald, Chiswick MG Sales Controller, collected the award earlier this week.

Jason would like to add: "We are delighted to be awarded the status of MG Fleet Dealer of the Year...Norton Way Group is proud to serve the fleet sector with amazing cars from the leading brands, with outstanding customer focus".

Richard Siney, Corporate director also added:

“We are very proud of our Team for being Awarded "MG Fleet Dealer of the Year" after only 9 months of trading.

Thank you so much to MG for your support and also to all of our wonderful customers for making this happen, you know who you are!”

A huge well done to the MG Fleet team!