FIAT 500

The stunning new Fiat 500 - As well as the frugal 75 bhp 1.3-litre MultiJet turbodiesel version, the new 500 can also be ordered with 69 bhp 1.2-litre and 100 bhp 1.4-litre petrol engines. All three are ultra-low emission, Euro 5-ready units. The car comes in three different trim levels – Pop, Sport and Lounge.

With a starting price of just £7,900 OTR, the new Fiat 500 represents outstanding value for money. At the top end of the range, a highly specified version costs only £10,700 – an OTR price that includes air conditioning and alloy wheels as standard.

CITROËN SEES DOUBLE SUCCESS

Up against Ford’s S-Max and the Mazda5, Citroën’s Grand C4 Picasso clinched the Best MPV title, with the judges heaping praise on the car’s style, practicality, sophistication and build quality. After the Citroën C4 Picasso’s 2007 Car of the Year win, this year’s success further underlines Citroën’s expertise in manufacturing exceptional family vehicles.

In the brand new Best Green Manufacturer category, Citroën fought off tough competition, taking a clear victory with the judges admiring the marque’s extensive range of city, super-mini and family sized cars with emissions less than 120g/km of CO2. Alongside the accolade the Company’s biodiesel compatible HDi units, Stop & Start technology and advanced Electronic Gearbox systems were all mentioned.

FREELANDER 2

The Freelander 2's impressive 2.2-litre diesel engine impressed the judges and topped the category against tough competition from the Land Rover Discovery 3 and the Nissan X-Trail.

Available from £21,205 on the road, the Freelander 2 comes equipped with Land Rover's acclaimed Hill Descent Control (HDC), four-wheel electronic traction control, full-time intelligent four-wheel drive, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Roll Stability Control (RSC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), and in 2.2-litre diesel manual form, boasts an impressive 37.7 mpg and 194g/km of CO₂.

JAGUAR XF

The luxury sport saloon claimed the top prize after clinching the award for top performing diesel in the 'Best Executive Car' category.

This is the tenth international award the model has received since its Frankfurt debut and with 2000 cars sold during March in the UK, it is clear that the XF has captured the imagination of the motoring fraternity and public alike.

The 2.7-litre diesel, which is available for just £33,900 on the road, was selected from over one hundred new models.  Praised for its 'masterful blend of beautiful styling, quality, practicality, luxury and excellent ride and handling' the XF claimed victory.

Another significant factor which contributed to the XF's triumph was its class-leading residual values. Both CAP and EurotaxGlass’s have rated the diesel derivative above its BMW,

Mercedes, Lexus and Audi competitors with an RV after 36 months / 36,000 miles of 50% of the original value. Combine this with a CO₂, of 199 g/km and the XF really is a car that will appeal both to the heart and the pocket.

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