The answer: 180. Who’d have guessed it? One Welsh rugby fan did in a great piece of publicity for SEAT at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff during last weekend’s (17 March) RBS 6 Nations decider between Wales and France.

We parked our eye-catching Leon Supercopa outside gate 3 of the stadium and challenged fans to guess how many rugby balls we’d packed inside it. The prizes: three sets of four tickets for the upcoming Wales V Barbarians Rugby Union match and rugby balls signed by the all-conquering Welsh RU team.

As official car suppliers of the Welsh RU team, we also had extensive SEAT branding at the game, which was live on BBC and attended by more than 70,000 fans. The Supercopa ad was played on the giant screens at each end of the pitch.

Wales finished the game with a 16 – 9 Grand Slam championship-winning victory.

The multi award-winning Alhambra won again on Wednesday night as it was named ‘Best People Carrier’ at the 2012 Fleet News Awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House.

The judges, comprising key members of the Fleet News editorial team and a number of fleet industry experts, highlighted the all-conquering Alhambra’s practicality, versatility and affordable costs.

“The Alhambra is a full size people carrier that offers a good-size boot – even with all seven seats in use,” said the judges.

“The seats are easy to fold flat, adding to the car’s versatility, while good road performance, competitive costs and low CO2 emissions combine to make the perfect package.”

The largest member of the growing SEAT range went on sale in the UK in late 2010 and, since then, has secured near-universal acclaim from the nation’s motoring press.

The Fleet News accolade is no less than the ninth major national award to be taken by the Alhambra in the UK in a little over 12 months – with key titles as diverse as Auto Express and Fleet World agreeing that the seven-seater is, indeed, the best MPV on offer in Britain today.

SEAT UK Managing Director Peter Wyhinny was at the Grosvenor to celebrate the Alhambra’s latest success. He said: “To receive this trophy from Fleet News means a great deal to us at SEAT.

“We know the Alhambra is a very impressive MPV and the near-constant stream of important awards such as this reinforces that belief.

“I know the quality, value and versatility of our seven-seater is as compelling for business drivers as it is for private buyers which is why it is, increasingly, making a name for itself among savvy fleet customers all over the UK.”

Alhambra’s win sparks the celebrations from SEAT UK’s team

SEAT UK’s Head of Fleet Business and Sales, Steve Robertson, collects the award for Alhambra

The new Ibiza attracted a lot of interest at the awards

The next phase of SEAT’s product offensive is set to draw the crowd at the Geneva motor show – the Toledo Concept, a close-to-production study. Combining the proportions of a classic saloon car with a sporty, almost coupé-like design, the next-generation Toledo is an exceptional combination of emotion, outstanding design quality and rational usability.

The Toledo Concept reveals a further development of the now characteristic SEAT design – with a powerful and solid stance, clear and precisely-executed surfaces and lines, and with the new headlamp form that is a signature feature of SEAT’s new design DNA.

Beneath the striking saloon-like silhouette of the Toledo Concept, you’ll find the spaciousness and usability of a five-door hatchback within compact dimensions.

The exceptionally attractive new Toledo will be exceptionally good value for money too. The Geneva study delivers a very distinct view of the future – the series-production version on which it is based will begin to reach dealers in Spain later in 2012.

Measuring 4.48 metres in length, the new Toledo will offer a generously proportioned interior for five people, a luggage compartment of more than 500 litres and the convenience of a large rear hatch and folding rear bench. Thus, the future Toledo manages to reconcile perfectly the apparently incompatible – combining an almost coupé-like profile with the comparable functionality of an estate car.

Compact enough for city driving and well equipped for long journeys and family transport. The wheelbase of 2.60 metres delivers plenty of room for driver and up to four passengers.

The luggage compartment is exceptionally well-proportioned, with impressive volume and excellent usability. Although perhaps not apparent at first glance, the new Toledo possesses a large rear hatch for optimum loading. Finally, the folding rear seats facilitate a long load length and give the Toledo a functionality that is almost on par with that of an estate car. With the rear seat backs folded forward it boasts a maximum load capacity of more than some ‘regular’ estate cars.

The Design – a strong sporting character

Powerful dynamics and a mature composure characterise the front end of the Toledo Concept.

The SEAT grille with its honeycomb mesh retains its typical trapezoidal form, but with a very wide and low look. The same applies to the large air inlet beneath the bumper. The pentagonal form of the similarly broad front headlamps is one of the key characteristics of the new SEAT model generation.

Equally characteristic is the sophisticated design of the light units, with the chromed ‘wing’ between the main headlamp and daytime running light. The broad rear lights also underscore the mature styling of the new SEAT saloon, while the entire rear end conveys the impression of quality and solidity with its few, simply drawn lines.

The side profile of the Toledo has a taut and dynamic look. A clean edge runs from the headlamps across the shoulders to the rear lights and the area around the sills has a simple, sculptural feel. The most important element, however, is the roofline. It carves an elegant arc all the way to the powerful breadth of the C-pillar, which emerges seamlessly from the rear side panel. The very flat angle of the rear window underscores the coupé look. But, nevertheless, the designers and engineers paid close attention to achieving a high degree of functionality. The large door cut-outs in the rear, too, ease entry and exit.

The interior of the Toledo Concept reflects the modern, clear lines of the exterior. The light, roomy cabin boasts a cockpit conveying a feeling of ergonomic clarity, with the top of the dashboard seeming to float effortlessly above the air vents and trim elements.

The instrument dials are just as clean in their design as the centre console housing the audio and climate controls. The light colouring of the interior, the sophisticated stitching of the leather seats and the leather cladding on the cockpit and doors emphasise the fine, premium character of the Toledo Concept.

Our utterly brilliant MPV has confirmed its status as the best car in its class by a country mile by winning yet another UK award today: Alhambra is carbuyer.co.uk’s MPV of the Year – for the second year in a row!

The latest award for the seven-seat Alhambra does throw up a bit of dilemma: where do we sit its eighth trophy?!

Award, five-star rating and a glowing review too

“With enough space for fully-grown adults in each of its seven-seats, very few rivals can match the Alhambra for space. But its van-like proportions alone are not enough to help it scoop the title. Excellent build quality, generous standard equipment (even entry-level cars feature three-zone climate control and parking sensors) and attractive pricing all put it at the head of the MPV pack.

Crucially, the flexible seats are all easy to fold away if you need to carry bigger items of luggage, and with both rear rows folded, there’s an enormous amount of room thanks to the tall ceiling. There’s even a flat floor, so sliding items in is easy.

The icing on the cake is the way the Alhambra drives. With comfortable suspension, strong, efficient diesel engines and well-weighted controls, the big MPV is more capable than its looks suggest.”

Read the full review at carbuyer.co.uk.

Those eight Alhambra UK awards to date

• What Car? MPV of the Year 2011 and 2012
• Carbuyer.co.uk Best MPV 2011 and 2012
• Auto Express Best MPV 2011
• Fleet World MPV of the Year 2011
• Diesel Car MPV of the Year 2011
• ASMW Scottish Car of the Year Awards Best MPV 2011

SEAT UK’s Alhambra Product Manager, James Buckell, is naturally delighted to celebrate yet another victory for the brand’s largest vehicle and said: “The continued awards success of our new Alhambra is a great vote of confidence in the car.

“To have so many respected journalists and industry experts lining up to give the Alhambra an award – for the second year in succession in the case of both CarBuyer.co.uk and What Car? – is the clearest possible indication to potential buyers that they will be getting the very best car in its class.”

Click graphic to vote

On 24 February, Motor Codes will open its ‘Garage of the Year’ competition (formerly Golden Garages) to the public, giving you the opportunity to vote for your favourite Garage. As the Scottish winner of the 2011 competition, we at W Livingstone Ltd, have been working hard to ensure our already high standards are being both maintained and improved.

Since the last competition, we have received some fantastic feedback from customer both old and new about the level of service that we provide and there is no doubt that the campaign has generated more business for us as people recognise the importance of such an award.

The Industry regulator Motor Codes, who run the competition, have teamed up with a number of media partners to help raise the profile of the competition. The Sun will be backing the competition, calling on readers to vote for their favourite garage and urging motorists to use the Motor Codes garage finder, to identify the good guys. What Car? and CAR magazine have also reconfirmed their support for 2012 and will be working with Motor Codes to spread word of the competition and the commitment that Garage members have each made to delivering the highest standards of customer satisfaction.

Finally, you’ll notice that Motor Codes have changed the competition name to reflect the exact purpose of the initiative – to highlight excellence to customers. And new for 2012, Motor Codes are introducing separate awards for large garages (with over 10 employees) and small garages (with less than 10 employees), to recognise the variety of businesses in our industry. As we employ 23 staff. We’ll be competing in the large garage category.

We are keen to repeat last years terrific performance and bring home the award as Scotland’s ‘Garage of the Year’. To achieve this, we need customer votes and positive comments.

So please visit the Motor Codes web site and vote for W Livingstone Ltd as Garage of the Year!

Many thanks

Robin

Robin G Livingstone BA FIMI
Managing Director

Long standing W Livingstone Ltd customers, Husband and wife team, Ian Mirfin and Janice Eaglesham, from Cambuslang, have been named the UK winners of the BBC Sports Unsung Hero award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony for 2011.

Janice and Ian impressed the judges with their dedication to athletics coaching for people with disabilities, choosing them as the overall winner from the 15 regional winners across the UK and making them the first joint winners of the award.

The couple are the founders, organisers and coaches of The Red Star Athletics Club at Crownpoint in Dennistoun, Glasgow, which opened its doors in 1990.

The Red Star club began with just one athlete, Sam Howie, who has a visual impairment, while Eaglesham and Mirfin were nominated by Jamie Cuthbertson, who was blinded in an explosives accident while serving as a Captain with the Royal Engineers.

Jamie said: “The list of achievements gained by the Red Star athletes is too long to catalogue but it includes many, many medal winners and record holders at national, international, world, Para Olympic and Special Olympic level. Whether aspiring to the elite level or simply wanting to take part, many people have benefitted from the nurturing environment of the club and from Janice and Ian’s personal advice and coaching.”

The award, now in its ninth year, recognises the outstanding contribution and extraordinary commitment of volunteers to grass-roots sport in the community.

Janice says of the award: “We get as much out of running the club as the athletes do by taking part. It’s a pleasure – we have been very fortunate to have worked with so many exceptional people.”

Ian added: “We have gained far more in return than we have ever invested. It’s humbling to work with these athletes and to watch them progress and achieve their goals.”

Carl Doran, Editor, BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011, said: “Year on year I’m absolutely amazed at the dedication that our Unsung Heroes show all over the UK. The standard this year was the highest I’ve known in all my years involved with the programme which says it all about our winners Janice and Ian. Sitting on the panel, what struck me the most was their absolute modesty and selflessness which shone through in all the work they do for others.”

Janice and Ian were presented with their accolade at BBC Sports Personality of the Year held at MediaCityUK in Salford and broadcast live on BBC One.

To read more and see Janice and Ian receive the award, visit the BBC Sports Personality of the Year web site

If you would like to get involved with the Red Star AC – Athletics Club contact: Janice or Ian on 0141 641 1920 or by Email: ian.mirfin@btinternet.com, or janice.eaglesham@btinternet.com/p>

Everyone at W Livingstone Ltd wishes Janice and Ian our congratulations and continued success with the Red Start Athletics Club.

In a world of ‘tweets’, ‘posts’ and ‘likes’, it’s only right that young-spirited car brand SEAT is leading the way in social media with an innovative feature on Facebook.

Several lucky followers of SEAT UK’s presence in cyberspace have already been selected for a week behind the wheel of a new SEAT as part of our exciting new ‘Test Drive Diaries’ initiative.

The idea is simple: our ingenious marketing team gives ordinary drivers from around the UK who express an interest in taking part the chance to spend seven days driving a new model from our portfolio of exciting, award-winning new cars.

In return, the lucky drivers document their experiences via a video camera. The resulting footage is cut together into a short film which appears on SEAT UK’s increasingly busy Facebook wall.

Updates on the SEAT page alert followers to the latest ‘Test Drive Diaries’ recruitment phase, after which would-be drivers simply post comments on the wall telling the SEAT social media team what they would do with the vehicle during their week-long loan.

The most recent video features musician and SEAT aficionado Nick Duff, who spent a week at the wheel of a new SEAT Alhambra. Among the challenges he faced was loading the award-winning seven-seat MPV with kit for a gig by his pop and rock covers band The Antidote.

The videos generate comment and debate on SEAT’s Facebook wall, while in Nick’s case the experience led to him actually buying a new car – opting for a ‘61’ plate Ibiza Sportrider from Pentagon SEAT in Scunthorpe.

“The amazing success of this exciting initiative on Facebook has really taken us all by surprise,” said SEAT UK’s National Communications Manager Steve Bellew.

“In the few weeks it has been running we’ve already generated some great videos, and some great interaction with SEAT enthusiasts on Facebook. I’m really pleased with the feedback we’ve been getting as our Facebook presence gathers more followers by the day.”

Members of the public can find out more about SEAT Test Drive Diaries and put their names forward for the next week-long video drive via the SEAT UK Facebook account at www.facebook.com/seatuk.

What do you get if you challenge 100 undergraduates from 10 of Britain’s top universities to learn about your brand, test your products and turn what they learn into eye-catching digital content? SEAT UK finds out in an innovative new project.

“We wanted to try something completely different and get a fresh view on who we are and what we feel like as a brand,” said Head of Marketing, Chris Stevens.

“We’ve tasked some of the brightest young minds in the UK to give us their take on SEAT. How would they market the brand if they were in charge? If they deliver great ideas, we will use them to promote SEAT. Imagine having that on your CV when you are starting out in your career!”

On Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 February, two groups of 50 undergraduates arrived bright and early at Volkswagen Group’s head office in Blakelands, Milton Keynes.

“We thought it would be a series of dry Powerpoint presentations with a bit of driving thrown in,” said Charlie Borley from Kingston University. “But it’s been much more open, engaging and great fun.”

Armed with video cameras to film their day, the visitors were treated to a brief presentation from SEAT UK’s Director Peter Wyhinny before being taken on a lightning-fast tour of Volkswagen Group’s other brands at Blakelands. A 60-minute road trip followed, where the students got to drive all of the cars in the SEAT range.

The morning session ended with some madcap fun: the undergraduates were left to make their own footage of themselves enjoying the cars, from exploring every nook and cranny to squeezing as many people as possible into an Alhambra.

“It’s the perfect combination – Spanish flair and German reliability. In football terms think Bayern Munich meets Barcelona! We just need to get that message across.” Oxford University student

“I used to think SEATs were okay. But now I want one of these cars!” Loughborough University student

“The day has been fantastically planned. We didn’t know what was expected of us, but right from the first minute my expectations were met and exceeded.” Oxford University student

In the afternoon the action moved to Bedford Autodrome. There was a short presentation about the project and a visit from SEAT UK’s own Stig, aka Product Marketing Assistant David Foster. Then a group of fearless rally drivers treated everyone to edge-of-the-seat thrills round the track in a number of powerful Leon Cupra Rs.

Now it’s down to the serious stuff

The students will spend the next two weeks putting their ideas together before presenting them to a board of industry experts in London at the end of February. In March the students will create their digital content and submit it to SEAT UK. In April we’ll assess the results.

Exceptional driving fun, sporty design and outstanding functionality: meet the five-door Mii. Like its three-door sibling, it scores top marks for fuel consumption and emissions thanks to its lightweight design and efficient drivetrains.

At just 3.56 metres long, Mii is the perfect car for today’s urban environment. Its optimum use of space means that there is plenty of room for four adults and an impressive 251 litres of boot space, one of the largest luggage compartments in its class. Fold down the rear seat, and the boot expands to an impressive 951 litres.

Five doors make the Mii even more appealing

The compact dimensions and wide opening angle of the rear doors make for easy access, even in tight parking spaces.

The large rear side windows ensure great all-round visibility, and the pop-out window function enables ventilation with a high degree of safety for children travelling in the back.

Opt for the panoramic sunroof, which extends back most of the length of the Mii’s roof, to add an even more spacious feel to the interior. This comes with a sliding roof blind, which helps to keep the interior cool on sunny days.

The panoramic sunroof can be tilted or opened more fully by sliding it back over the roof of the car.

Head restraints for the rear seat passengers and child locks on the rear doors are standard.

In summary

• UK delivery end of August (three-door May/June)
• Full spec and prices to be published on Central in next few weeks
• Mii Ecomotive: 96 g/km CO2 and 67.3 mpg
• Innovative City Safety Assist and SEAT Portable System
• Width 1.61 metres
• Length 3.56 metres
• Boot space 251 litres

Design – strong character with sporty individuality

The five-door Mii measures 1.64 metres wide with a long wheelbase of 2.42 metres and exceptionally short overhangs front and rear. This combined with the steeply angled rear end gives the Mii generous interior space.

The rear doors fit discreetly into the clearly defined side view. The roof contour remains unchanged from that of the three-door version and the rear roof pillar retains its broad form.

The window line runs a little lower than on the three-door and is emphasised in the side aspect by the clear shadow line. The sturdy door handles indicate the Mii’s high level of quality and solidity.

In its five-door format, too, the Mii is immediately recognisable as a member of the SEAT family. Its new headlamp form marks a development in the SEAT design language and its side view is characterised by distinctive wheel arches and clean surfaces. The rear end also displays a new light design featuring triangular light elements.

“It is a unique combination of sporty chic and design quality with outstanding everyday usability,” said Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, Head of SEAT Design.

Mii Ecomotive gains top marks for fuel consumption

When it comes to technology and equipment, the five-door Mii matches its three-door sibling blow for blow. Beneath the bonnet is a new generation of engines. The frugal 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit is light, compact and smooth. In two outputs of 60 PS and 75 PS, it ensures fleet-footed agility – and not just in city traffic. With top speeds of 99 mph and 106 mph respectively, fuel consumption comes in at just 62.8 and 60.1 mpg. The Mii’s 35-litre fuel tank ensures both a long range and enduring driving fun.

The Mii Ecomotive is the pick of the bunch for green-powered economy. It consumes a frugal 67.3 mpg and emits just 96 g/km of CO2 thanks to its start/stop system, brake energy recovery and other measures.

Extra help to stay safer in town

City Safety Assist delivers important added protection in town. Simply put, when a risk arises in city traffic the Mii brakes automatically to prevent a possible impact.

At speeds lower than 19 mph, a laser sensor can identify another vehicle or obstacle in the direction of travel, regardless of whether the object is stationary or moving. If the system detects the risk of an impact and the driver doesn’t apply any braking force, the system applies the brakes fully or helps the driver to apply maximum braking force. In many cases City Safety Assist can help to avoid an accident altogether or, at the very least, mitigate its severity.

Unique technology aids efficient driving

The innovative SEAT Portable System is an exciting new development in the world of in-car infotainment. This compact unit boasts a five-inch touchscreen, which can be fully removed from the car for use on the go. It also perfectly integrates into the vehicle’s electronics. Its many functions include a satellite navigation system, hands-free phone capability with voice control and an on-board computer.

The SEAT Portable System automatically combines with the Mii’s integrated radio and speaker system.

Production and delivery

The first UK deliveries of the three-door Mii will be at the end of Q2 (May/June).

Production of the five-door model begins around ten weeks after the three-door, with the first cars due to arrive in the UK around August.

Full details of the UK range, specifications and pricing will be published on Central in the next few weeks.

The same derivatives will be available in three- and five-door versions. The price premium of the five-door over the three-door version will be competitive and consistent across the range.

The exotic SEAT Ibiza Cupra Bocanegra is proving to be as hot a property in the used car market as it is among eager new car buyers.

The most potent Ibiza to date is selling to enthusiast owners the length and breadth of the UK, with aficionados scrabbling to get their hands on its addictive mix of head-turning style and breakneck pace.

Since its UK market introduction in the autumn of 2009, design- and performance-hungry buyers have flocked to grab their very own version of the sought-after SEAT, replete with its 180 PS power and state-of-the-art DSG automatic/sequential manual gearbox.

Now the latest values from respected industry used car guide CAP show that used buyers are just as keen to seize a pre-owned Bocanegra. The new car retails for £18,655 RRP and current CAP data suggests a 12-month-old Ibiza Cupra Bocanegra with around 10,000 miles to its name is still retailing for more than 77 per cent of its showroom price.

This exceptional retained value puts the Ibiza well ahead of some even more glamorous, and pricy, models. The current edition of CAP Black Book suggests that a 12-month-old BMW Z4 2.3i sDrive, for instance, retains a shade over 71 per cent of its retail price while a Mercedes-Benz C250 CGI automatic with a year on the road under its belt is good for around 67 per cent of its original asking price.

Needless to say, this exceptional residual value is driven by a keen demand for the Bocanegra from used car buyers. The SEAT dealer network, which now numbers almost 130 outlets, rarely has more than a dozen or so of the sought-after Ibizas available nationwide.

SEAT UK Used Car Manager, David Ardern, explained: “Demand for the Ibiza Cupra Bocanegra is exceptionally strong from Dealers desperate to get their hands on the car.

“It’s no surprise, perhaps, that this very special Ibiza’s combination of hot hatch performance and stand-out styling has buyers queuing up.”

The production version of the Bocanegra stays remarkably true to the headline-grabbing Bocanegra concept car unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009.

Boasting several dramatic black styling elements at its nose – hence the Bocanegra name which translates as ‘black mouth’ in Spanish – the turbocharged, supercharged 1.4 TSI has quickly become one of the most hotly pursued superminis around.

Design features unique to the car include blackened double headlights, a central grille with honeycomb mesh and black surround including innovative air vents at the base.

Other elements that further add to the Bocanegra’s image are black door mirror housings, the option of a dark tinted glass sunroof and attractive 17-inch ‘Sira’ alloys.

At the back the Bocanegra features honeycomb mesh on the side grids, an impressive spoiler, chunky wheel arches and tinted rear windows. And if anyone were in any doubt that this really is a special SEAT, there’s a prominent ‘Bocanegra’ badge centred on the rear hatch of this most exclusive Ibiza.

The design delights continue inside with a bespoke interior that underlines the car’s sporting style. The sports seats are upholstered with special fabric made up of rhomboids stitched together in red, while the upper part of the seats sport the logo that identifies this version – a capital ‘B’ also stitched in red.

The Ibiza Cupra Bocanegra’s styling is also a tribute to the Spaniards’ original Bocanegra, the 1200 Sport, which debuted in its home country back in 1975.

The ’70s car, a milestone in the Brand’s history as the first model to be wholly developed at the SEAT Technical Centre in Martorell, quickly went on to become a firm favourite in its home market and notched up sales of more than 11,000 in just three years.