ŠKODA scoops 1st place in Vehicle Dependability Survey for 2nd year running

ŠKODA has recorded back-to-back victories in the J.D. Power UK Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) – with Fabia and Yeti topping their sectors for quality and reliability.

The study, now in its second year, measured problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of vehicles in the UK after 12-36 months of ownership. The findings were based on responses from more than 13,000 owners of 2013-2015 models.

J.D. Power examined 177 problem symptoms across eight categories: engine and transmission; vehicle exterior, driving experience, features/controls/displays (FCD), audio/communication/entertainment/navigation (ACEN), heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC), seats and vehicle interior. Overall dependability was determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

ŠKODA ranked the highest for vehicle dependability with a score of 66 PP100 – an even better result than the brand recorded in 2015, and 13 points clear of the next manufacturer. The overall industry average was 113 PP100.

The 2016 survey also studied vehicle dependability in key sectors and, once again, ŠKODA models were at the top of two categories. The Fabia was ranked at the most dependable car in the Small Car category, while the Yeti finished top of the Compact SUV sector. The Octavia also performed well, finishing second in the Compact Car category.

To see the latest SKODA offers visit www.pulmanskoda.co.uk 

Source: SKODA UK 

The ŠKODA Superb awarded the Best Family Car 2016 by the Telegraph and Auto Express

The ŠKODA Superb has increased its remarkable tally of industry accolades by adding The Telegraph’s ‘Best Family Car 2016’ title to its collection. The Superb was named as a clear winner in the 2016 Telegraph Car Awards – seeing off some of the stiffest competition in the sector.

The Awards were judged by The Telegraph’s panel of road test experts with the findings based on a wide variety of factors including road tests, first drives and extended ownership assessments. The Superb was praised for its driving dynamics and high levels of equipment, with the panel highlighting its generous levels of interior space.

Commenting on the award, The Telegraph’s judges said: “You don’t even need to upgrade to the estate model to get huge practicality from ŠKODA’s Superb. Throw in a smooth ride, great safety credentials and low running costs and you’ve got a fantastic family car.”

This latest title comes in the same week that Auto Express named the Superb Best Family Car and Best Estate car as part of its 2016 New Car Awards. Since its launch last September, the third-generation Superb has won 11 industry awards in the UK – making it one of the most decorated cars in ŠKODA’s history.


To view the latest offers at Pulman ŠKODA, visit www.pulmanskoda.co.uk

Source: SKODA UK

More awards for the SEAT Ateca at the Auto Express Car of the Year Awards 2016

The SEAT Ateca has been crowned the best Crossover of the Year at the Auto Express Car of the Year Awards.

Crossovers are a big hit with new car buyers, and with a range of manufacturers battling it out for class honours, this is arguably one of the most fiercely fought New Car Awards categories. So that makes it even more impressive that SEAT has scooped victory first time out with its all-new Ateca.

The Ateca came above crossovers such as the Renault Kadjar and Citroen C4 cactus which are already established in the UK market.

The first SUV for SEAT shares much of its personality with SEAT Leon, which was The Auto Express Car of the Year in 2013, but with the extra height and larger dimensions mean it’s even more versatile than the Leon.

The Ateca is due to arrive in the UK this September with demand already proving to be high across Europe.

For more information and to view the range of trims and engines visit http://pulmanseat.co.uk/meet-the-new-ateca

Euro NCAP five-star rating for the SEAT Ateca

The SEAT Ateca has received the highest score in the Euro NCAP test programme. The first SUV in the history of the Spanish brand fully demonstrated the high level of safety it offers and was given five stars. The Ateca received an excellent classification in each of the categories included in the Euro NCAP tests, with particular emphasis on adult passenger and child safety, as well as in pedestrian protection and driver assistance systems.

This recognition comes shortly before the Ateca is scheduled to reach the sales network. The Ateca is the first model in the product offensive that SEAT will roll out in the next 18 months, which includes a total of four models, featuring an SUV crossover in 2017. In addition, the classification has been obtained in a year when the Euro NCAP has increased the number of tests that vehicles must perform and has also set higher standards when making its assessment. In this sense, to verify the level of passenger protection, several new sizes and types of crash test dummies were used, and the number and severity of the testing methods have also increased.

The SEAT Ateca’s success in the test programme is owing to its advanced safety systems fitted as standard, which have proved to be highly effective. The new model, which has been wholly designed and developed in Barcelona, features the emergency city or motorway braking system Front Assist with pedestrian recognition, which Euro NCAP has been testing since 2016. In addition, this safety programme also evaluates the lane keeping system, which is available on the SEAT Ateca range.

SEAT’s new SUV, which is set to become the brand’s third pillar next to the Ibiza and the Leon, is equipped with seven airbags as standard, including the driver knee airbag, as well as seatbelts with pretensioner and load limiter in the front and rear seats. This latter feature is a great benefit for restraining occupants of all sizes, as the pretensioner keeps the belt snug against the passenger’s torso and pelvis at the moment of an impact, guaranteeing better restraint for both adults and children. 

The Ateca, the model that represents SEAT’s debut in one of the fastest growing segments of the market, also features other outstanding safety systems, including the Isofix and Top Tether anchoring points on the outboard rear seats, the high/dipped beam assistant, blind spot detector + rear cross traffic alert, 360° camera with rear vision, drowsiness detector, speed limiter and the visual rear seat fasten seatbelt reminder.

For more information on the Ateca, visit www.pulmanseat.co.uk
Source: SEAT UK