Autoblog UK

In the compact car category, the Vauxhall Astra was awarded a Golden Steering Wheel and thus succeeds the VW Golf VI. The Astra has overhauled its rival from Wolfsburg primarily in the areas of comfort and quality. The Astra won through this year against the following cars: the Renault Megane, Citroen C3 Picasso, Chevrolet Cruze, Skoda Yeti, Mazda 3, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Kia Soul and Nissan Cube.

The most important prize award for cars in Europe was instituted by the publisher Axel Springer in 1976, and has been awarded annually since then. On the 4th November, top managers from the car industry accepted awards for the model year 2009 at the Axel Springer Building in Berlin. Eight new models in total received a Golden Steering Wheel award. For the third time, a Green Steering Wheel prize was presented for the best eco car. Fiat and Ferrari president, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, received an honorary award.

The winners in the individual categories:

Small car class: VW Polo
Compact class: Vauxhall Astra
Medium class and above: Audi A5 Sportback
Luxury class: Porsche Panamera
Supercar: Mercedes SLS
MPV: Renault Scenic
Eco award: Toyota Prius and VW Blue Motion
Honorary prize: Luca Cordero di Montezemolo

Volvo is launching several new models at the IAA in Frankfurt. The C30 will play a special role with a new range of colours to meet customers' wishes. There are now a total of five different colours available for the entry-model. In addition, a new orange metallic paint as well as two sets of wheels not available before will be on offer. White rims can be specified for the first time. In the cockpit, there are likewise new colour combinations in dark brown and grey-beige. Other fabrics in bright colours such as orange, green or blue and red-blue leather trim can be had. Outside, the front of the car in particular has been given a total make-over. The contours of the bumpers have been revamped, there are bigger air vents and newly- designed headlamps plus a larger company badge. The C30 is the first vehicle in the Swedish line-up to have a honey-comb grille.

For us in Europe, a Lincoln is of as much interest as a dried-up cheeseburger, being an American relic from the long-gone golden age of legendary limos. Dinosaurs like Lincoln therefore have to take action in order to avoid being made extinct by their troubled parent company Ford in these times of increasing environmental consciousness and global automotive crisis.

At their home game in Detroit, the Americans did indeed provide a first indication that they had observed the wind of change, by presenting the C-Concept. To be in line with Lincoln's proud heritage, the compact American combines the luxury of heavy gangster limos with the more human dimensions of a modern (and above all environmentally-aware) compact car.

The design is innovative throughout, yet somehow still reflects Lincoln (as long as you know what a Lincoln reflects). The basic proportions with a lower shoulder line and large, high areas of glass promise a lot of light and room inside. This may not be in line with current fashion but indeed that's no problem.

For everyone who believes that the Kia Soul was getting to the end of its development stage to go into series production, Kia now let the Soulster take its bow in Detroit.

As a derivative of the Soul, this convertible SUV roadster is a bit reminiscent of the Suzuki Jimny convertible and thus not quite as new as its trendy name would lead you to think.

Still recognisable as a Soul from the front, the driving compartment roof opens back from the centre post, letting the rear passengers bask in the sun. In order to still provide safety and stability, there are two rollover bars that also serve as tracks for the retractable roof behind the driver's cabin.

Whoever takes to the Kia Soul will be able to find a playful version of the Korean SUV in the shape of the Soulster and should be equally enthusiastic. Either way, the Soulster can certainly be seen as a likely complement to the Soul in Europe.

The engines could be taken from the vehicle's big series brother and chassis mods would be feasible, even in small numbers. All that is required is that the roof be made waterproof (unlike that of the Suzuki Jimny) and the Soul would be a more fashionable alternative to the dusty Japanese car. But please, could we have slightly more civilised colours? After all, summer does not last all year round.

The eternal class struggle continues: the compact class as the bread-and-butter format of the mainstream automotive manufacturers is probably the toughest arena of all.

Joining top dog Golf and main challenger Renault Megane in the ring is a revamped Mazda 3. Essentially, however, Mazda are aiming to take on the Megane. In other words, they are wooing that section of the market that doesn't see itself as inextricably wed to the VW badge. So the competition for the Mazda 3 is rather to be found in France, Italy and, of course, in Mazda's own backyard.

What Renault have shown with their Sand'Up is nothing other than the matching concept version of the already premiered Sandero Stepway, i.e. an affordable leisure off-roader which, in keeping with the Zeitgeist, is replete with plastic and aluminium components.

But this prototype has a few more tricks up its sleeve. The doors of the Sand'Up are see-through, which makes for a light-infused interior. As the designers are only kidding, we won't pontificate about the side-impact safety spec. After all, we can dream, can't we? The rear tailgate can be opened up like on a Suzuki Jimny to give you that free-and-easy beach buggy feeling.

The subdued shading of the headlights would also look good on the series Sandero but might push up the price too much. The financial pros at Dacia have a reputation for wielding their red pens: interesting to see which features they consider viable for incorporation into the Sandero Stepway.

Chevrolet are flogging an (almost) dead horse with the Gpix.

Putting in a first appearance at the LA Motorshow, this compact SUV concept car is riding the bandwagon of the ever more diminutive SUVs that are being hawked around Europe. Admittedly, it doesn't look at all bad. Typically harmonious Chevrolet front, compact dimensions and a few new design tricks such as the seemingly free-floating C-pillar. Hats off to Chevrolet for the way their design has blossomed.

The interior also looks quite futuristic without losing a grip on reality. Of course, they've incorporated the odd concept car gimmick. Technicolor dashboards are no longer considered de trop.

But who needs a two-door compact SUV? As regards market positioning, it seems to be very much in the 2-door Toyota Rav 4 bracket. But that isn't built any more. I wonder why?

Chevrolet are going to have to get their skates on if they really want to launch the Gpix into series production. SUVs are a dying breed, even if the corpse is still twitching. These wannabe roughriders do not represent the future, no matter what size they come packaged in.

Until recently, the car market was unaffected by the credit crunch. We all have to save wherever we can and tighten our belts. But with cars? No Way, José! Our car is holy and penny pinching is not on the agenda there. After all, it's a status symbol.

But you can still look around for alternatives to used cars. The first alternative that could almost be taken seriously was when Dacia launched the Logan. Proven and safe Renault technology at a dumping price. Could have been very promising, had it not been for the Logan's appearance. A notchback with rustic proportions and a suggestion of the Third World does not go down well in Europe.

So Dacia entered the Sandero into the race. Fully Europeanised and with a pleasing wedge-shaped rear, it now takes its place as the lone wolf beside its brother the Logan within the cheapo price range. At the same time as the launch of the Sandero, the Logan was given a facelift – still not to be taken fully seriously - and now corresponds to the appearance of the Sandero, which has improved immeasurably.

The age of the massive and ponderous high-end SUV is past.

Ultimately, you just can't ignore the environmental debate going on around you. First it was the customers; now the manufacturers have started to take notice. So what are they doing about it? Simply shifting the disaster area one level down and calling it the new 'Small Premium Utility' class. A linguistic ploy of self-justification in a marketing world that pays lip service to 'green' principles.

The reality looks different. These wannabe compact SUVs have little in common with the target compact range. At least as regards dimensions. Who needs that?

The latest example of this class is the Volvo XC60, derived from the Kuga.
This compact high-seater from Sweden presents itself in a completely new brand design and yet still retains the characteristics of a Volvo.

At Volvo, they don't mind challenges. It is far less likely to be up against the Tiguan, Kuga or Koleos than the brand new Audi Q5, Mercedes GLK and BMW X3. In other words, the high-end compact SUVs.

The Audi Q5 looks just as you would expect - a monster grille on the front and two headlamps with LEDs but little more besides. (The novelty is beginning to wear off.) The Mercedes will inspire with its sharp lines; at least they've got bold ideas in Stuttgart. The X3 is already starting to look its age and awaiting replacement.

In view of the predominantly German competition, the XC60 could certainly prove to be a success, not least because it represents a credible alternative.