Škoda Win Big at 2023 Auto Express Driver Used Car Awards

Škoda has gathered ten class and category wins in the 2023 Auto Express Driver Used Car Awards, with the Karoq and Superb taking the largest share of wins. The Karoq, which was named Auto Express Used Car of the Year in 2022, took Gold in the Best Used Mid to Large SUV in this year’s awards with owners praising its practicality and comfort. Adding to its haul, the SUV also took four category wins for Value, Practicality and Boot Space and Interior. It was also named the Best Used Car for Infotainment, scooping the highest Gold rating from owners.

The Superb took the Gold award as Best Used Family Car and won three further category titles. The brand’s acclaimed hatch and estate topped the voting tables for Practicality and Boot Space, Safety and Value - seeing off more than 250 other models in the process.

In other Škoda news, Lancashire Police is expanding its fleet with the delivery of more than 120 new Škoda models that will take on a variety of roles, from day-to-day policing duties to road policing and driver training.

First Photos of Volkswagen Passat Released

Volkswagen has released the first photos and facts of the completely newly developed Passat. The full reveal will be coming this week, but what we know so far is that the focus for the car is on aerodynamics, efficiency and the integration of new technology. Launch is expected in the first quarter of 2024 and the expectations are high, as the Passat is the second highest selling VW of all time, with more than 34 million units sold worldwide, only behind the Golf.

Arc Vector Motorbike Delivered to Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds has taken delivery of an Arc Vector in the US. The Deadpool actor posted on Instagram showing off the latest addition to his collection. Reynolds has been building his collection of cars and motorcycles for over a decade and rather than leaving them in storage, he’s often seen riding his various motorcycles around LA.

Arc marked its entry into the North American market by launching a Founder’s Signature Edition of the Arc Vector. Designed by Arc founder and CEO Mark Truman, the Signature Edition will be limited to just two bikes and only available to North American customers.

Radford Type 62-2 Commission at Monterey Car Week

Radford Motors has proudly announced the successful delivery of the company’s first Type 62-2 personal commission model at the recent Monterey Car Week in California. Each detail is completely bespoke and Shashi Reddy, the car’s owner, collaborated closely with Radford’s designers to create a car which was uniquely his. 

The exterior features a deep blue upper finish - a nod to motorsport heritage, as the colour appeared on the D-type XKD 606 that won the 1957 Le Mans 24 Hours race. For the lower, silver was chosen, echoing the car’s distinctive silver-painted wheel centre and rim, as well as the elegant satin chrome mirror caps and tailpipes. The perfect contrast to the personal commission’s black brake calipers. Radford, the brainchild of Jenson Button and Ant Anstead (plus many others) has enjoyed a fruitful year, with many successes including a first in class at the recent Pikes Peak Hill Climb in Colorado.

ULEZ Compliant Cars

The recent launch of the expanded ULEZ zone in London seems to have everyone talking and not just within the automotive world. Is your car compliant? You can check here. Many people’s vehicles may not be and Auto Trader have looked into the issue with a few helpful solutions.

Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Auto Trader, said: “Utilising the newly expanded scrappage scheme might be a good option if your car is worth around the £2,000 mark, but if it’s worth more, then selling it privately or to a dealer might be more fruitful. The greater your budget, the more choices of vehicle you’ll have, but there’s no shortage of affordable petrol, diesel or electric compliant vehicles with the cheapest compliant models on Auto Trader starting from under £1,500.” 

Auto Trader has crunched the numbers and the facts make for interesting reading. Also provided are the five current cheap compliant cars on the market.

In London, there are currently:
1,520 compliant cars within a 50-mile radius of central London under £2,000
10,553 compliant cars within a 50-mile radius of central London under £5,000
65,577 compliant cars within a 50-mile radius of central London

Nationally, there are currently:
4,303 compliant petrol cars under £2,000
27,003 compliant petrol cars under £5,000
88.9% of national stock is compliant.

Nationally, 20% of compliant cars are under £10,000
Nationally, 28% of petrol compliant cars are under £10,000
Nationally, 10% of diesel compliant cars are under £10,000

Current cheapest compliant car being advertised on AT: 2008 Ford Ka (petrol): £1,386

5 cheapest compliant cars on Auto Trader:

ULEZ compliant - Petrol - Ford Ka - 2008 - Hatchback - £1,386
ULEZ compliant - Petrol - Ford Fiesta - 2004 - Hatchback - £1,481
ULEZ compliant - Petrol - Fiat Grande Punto - 2007 -Hatchback - £1,829
ULEZ compliant - Petrol - Peugeot 207 - 2006 - Hatchback - £1,948
ULEZ compliant - Petrol - Peugeot 207 - 2008 - Hatchback - £1,953

Such is the interest in this issue, expert advice was sought from motoring journalists and our own John Marcar was recently invited onto GB News to discuss the topic of ULEZ.

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: Skoda, Volkswagen, Radford & Arc Motorcyles
Video: GB News