Seat’s ‘little and large’ show wins in Scotland
SEAT is celebrating a double success as versions of its smallest and largest models currently on sale in the UK have each triumphed in the 2011 Scottish Car of the Year awards.
The Spanish car maker’s ‘little and large’ duo scooped victories at last night’s awards in Glasgow, carrying off the Eco Award and MPV of the Year title north of the border.
The respected national awards, presented by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW), heaped praise on the SEAT duo both for their frugality and their functionality.
President of the ASMW, John Murdoch, said of Scotland’s Eco Award winner – the Ibiza E Ecomotive: ‘Saving fuel and saving the planet don’t mean saving on quality, comfort or driving pleasure.
‘All of our contenders for the Eco Award more than satisfy with their economy and tax-busting emissions, but one car – the SEAT Ibiza E Ecomotive – stands out for us as 2011’s best environmentally aware machine.
‘It’s a car that just keeps on cutting the cost of driving, which always appeals to our Scottish hearts and wallets!’
The ultra-frugal Ibiza – powered by a 75 PS, 1.2-litre, three cylinder, turbodiesel engine – is good for as much as 91.1 mpg on the extra urban cycle, generates just 92 g/km of CO2 making it Road Tax-exempt and has a theoretical range between fill-ups of more than 900 miles.
At the other end of the size scale SEAT’s multi-award winning seven-seat Alhambra picked up its SIXTH major UK ‘gong’ in Glasgow, taking the title of Scottish MPV of the Year.
John Murdoch said: ‘2011 has seen a profusion of brilliant MPVs, cars that can fulfil many and varied roles in the lives of their owners. More than most, Scottish buyers need a car that can cope with the rigours of life while delivering a great drive and fine fuel economy.
‘Our winner does all this and more, thanks to its classy and adaptable seating. A truly multi-talented MPV and deserved winner.’
The awards double coincides with a strong surge in SEAT sales in Scotland. The Spanish brand’s registrations are up 15.9% year-to-date (end of September) with Ibiza, Alhambra and Exeo models all showing significant growth. That in a Scottish market down more than six percent over the same period (source: SMMT Regional New Car Registration Figures).
Celebrating SEAT’s two important successes in the Scottish awards SEAT UK Managing Director, Peter Wyhinny, said: ‘Scottish drivers are, clearly, turning to SEAT’s mix of style, quality, dynamic ability and great value in rapidly increasing numbers.
‘That two of our most successful models have been honoured by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers only serves to underline how important Scotland is to the success of SEAT in the UK.’
