Summer 2010
Let our special motoring feature inspire you with the latest vehicles that are available now.
The new Ford S-MAX - a flexible Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) with seven seats, is an exclusive combination of premium sports styling, enhanced dynamic ability and functional excellence.
This is the perfect family car with plenty of room for passengers and luggage. The Ford foldflatsystem allows the second and third row seats to fold, providing up to 32 possible seating and stowage configurations.
The latest Ford S-MAX was launched earlier this month and features a range of technologies to make driving easier and safer.
Ford’s Easy Fuel system is one. A feature which has won praise for its simplicity of design and effectiveness in preventing a driver from mistakenly filling a diesel-engined car with petrol.
Ford's Blind Spot Information System is another. It detects when a vehicle enters a blind spot zone that is defined on either side of the car. An LED warning light illuminates in the corresponding wing mirror to indicate the presence of a vehicle – from a motorbike to a truck.
Unlike some similar systems, Ford’s Blind Spot Information System has been specially designed to operate from speeds as low as 6mph, making it particularly effective in congested urban conditions and stop-start driving on busy motorways where many collisions occur.
The new S-MAX model with distinctively fresh looks and a revised and more luxurious interior is now available to test drive at Lindsay Ford.
Meanwhile, Hyundai’s i30 is the most satisfying car in Britain in a recent public vote. The vehicle won Auto Express’ customer satisfaction and reliability poll, that takes into account over 23,000 British drivers return detailed surveys, with Hyundai found to be the most improved brand overall.
Hyundai isn’t just turning sales charts on their heads – the company has now caused shockwaves by winning another satisfaction and reliability survey.
The i30 shot straight to the number one slot in the Driver Power Top 100 to be named the most satisfying car to own by the people who should really know – the drivers who run them.
Completed by over 23,000 drivers, the Driver Power survey is compiled by Auto Express, the UK’s best-selling weekly motoring magazine, and is considered to be Britain’s definitive poll on car reliability and satisfaction.
The i30 beat all other brands, including a raft of prestige marques and last year’s winner, the Jaguar XF. It’s the first time a Korean maker has won in the nine year history of the survey.
Hyundai as a brand made the biggest overall leap up the charts, jumping 12 places to finish sixth.
Auto Express editor-in-chief David Johns said: “Congratulations to Hyundai. This is a huge breakthrough for the brand. Over the years, owners have told us how reliable their cars are and what good value they are too. But this is the final proof that they can now match that with real all-round satisfaction.”
It’s not just Auto Express readers who think the i30 is satisfying to own – readers of Which? also voted it as the most reliable medium-sized car in a poll published late in 2009.
Hyundai UK’s managing director Tony Whitehorn said: “Thousands of new buyers have defected to Hyundai recently and they are genuinely surprised at the quality of the cars. Owners are recommending Hyundai to their friends and neighbours and it is through this word-of-mouth recommendation that the brand is becoming so popular so quickly.”
The Hyundai i30 range starts at £12,300 and includes a five-door hatchback and estate variants. Engines include an advanced turbodiesel offering economy of more than 60 mpg and emissions of just 119g/km.