2019-04-01 BMW Car

APRIL 2019 9

NEWS

BMW AWARD-WINNERS

What Car? magazine has awarded BMW two sought-after honours at

the publication's annual New Car Awards. The new 3 Series saloon was

crowned ‘Executive Car of the Year', while the 5 Series saloon took home

the trophy for the publication's ‘Luxury Car of the Year' title – for a third,

consecutive year.

The judges were impressed with the new 3 Series, commenting on its

scintillating drive, improved ride and notable fuel economy, reaffi rming

its class-leading quality and performance. Judges also mentioned the

improved, spacious interior and a brilliant infotainment system, stating:

"The BMW 3 Series equals a car that encapsulates all of the attributes

required in the executive car market – and then some."

The 520d SE saloon was the particular model chosen by What Car?

as its ‘Luxury Car of the Year'. In its appraisal, the judges declared: "Our

2017 Car of the Year remains the best luxury saloon on sale, being every

bit as classy and relaxing as rivals that cost twice as much. In fact, we can't

fi nd any areas in which it drops the ball – it's the supreme luxury package

without the exclusive price tag."

Along with these wins, six other models were highlighted with 'Best Buy'

commendations, including the X3 M40i – Best sports SUV for £40,000-

£60,000; the 5 Series 530e SE – Best plug-in hybrid for £30,000-

£50,000; the 2 Series 218i Sport – Best coupé for less than £30,000; the

5 Series Touring 520d SE – Best estate car for £40,000 and the 6 Series

Gran Turismo 630d SE – Best luxury car for £40,000-£60,000.

MARKET UPS AND DOWNS

The European car market registered its fi fth consecutive month of

decline in January 2019, as registrations fell by 4.6%. However, it

was the lowest monthly decline since the introduction of WLTP in

September, and the second highest January volume of the past 10

years, with 1.22 million cars being registered.

This overall fall in registrations came despite Romania, Hungary,

Denmark, Portugal and Greece all recording growth. But these are all

small markets, and not big enough to off set the drops seen in the

big fi ve markets, or the double-digit falls in midsize markets like the

Netherlands, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

The demise of diesel looks set to continue in 2019, as volume fell by

18% in January, and accounted for just 33% of total registrations. This

came as a result of a big decline in Italy, where volume was down by

30%, meaning the country lost its title of being the biggest market for

diesels.

The Italian market was outsold by Germany – where demand grew

by 8% – the only country to post an increase other than Estonia.

Volkswagen, Volvo, Seat and DS were the only brands to post diesel

registration increases.

Alternatively

fuelled vehicle

registrations grew

by 22%

in January, making

up 7.1% of the

total market.

Battery electric

vehicles (BEV)

were responsible

for driving this

growth, with

registrations

almost doubling

from 10,

in January 2018

to 19,

this January.

registrations grew

in January, making

NEEDLESS MOT

FAILURES

As many as one third of the UK's MoT failures could
be avoided if drivers made the simplest and most
basic checks to their car, according to government
fi gures obtained by consumer champion,
HonestJohn.co.uk
Out of the 7.3 million MoT failures recorded in
2017, 2.5 million could have been avoided if drivers
had checked their lights, brakes, tyres, suspension
and windscreen, before the test.
The number one cause of MoT failure in the UK
is incorrect headlamp aim, with 976,569 failures. In
second place is poor brake performance (921,
failures), while broken registration plate lamps
account for 912,246 failures. Faulty side lights and
insuffi cient tyre tread complete the top fi ve, while
thousands more cars fail due to worn out windscreen
wipers and missing screen wash.
The news coincides with the publication of the
latest HonestJohn.co.uk MoT Files, which means
motorists are now able to spot cars' common failures
by make, model, year of registration and postcode,
based on empirical data.

SPEEDING

AWARENESS

Road safety and breakdown organisation, GEM

Motoring Assist is supporting road safety groups

across Europe by urging ministers to ensure

that Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) systems

become mandatory on all new vehicles from

2022. These devices will alert drivers when they
      are exceeding the speed limit.
      Speeding, according to a new European
      Transport Safety Report published on February
      18th, remains a signifi cant factor in overall road
      safety. Excessive and inappropriate speed is
      accountable for about one third of fatal collisions,
      and is an aggravating factor in most collisions.
      Estimates show that this single measure of
      adopting mandatory ISA in all new cars would
      eventually reduce road death by 20%.
      GEM road safety offi cer Neil Worth said: "We
      know that while reducing speeding will require
      a combination of measures, including higher
      levels of enforcement, improved infrastructure
      and credible speed limits, experts have singled
      out Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA), as the
      single most eff ective in-vehicle safety measure for
      tackling the problem."

It's thought that in-car Intelligent Speed Assistance

systems could signifi cantly cut speeding on our roads.