Jaguar’s new XF has taken a top home market consumer magazine award.
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The redesigned model, which replaced the S-type, took top honours at the 31st annual What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2008.
The Jaguar beat 14 category winners.
What Car? editor, Steve Fowler, said: “It’s a crucial time for Jaguar as the sale of the company draws closer. Judging by the XF, its future looks very good indeed.
“The XF has it all – it looks fantastic and has a classy, futuristic interior that gives it a real sense of occasion. On top of that it’s great to drive, whatever mood you’re in, and is a sound ownership proposition, too.
“Considering the quality of opposition it beat to win our best executive car award, it was an obvious choice for the overall award.”
Jaguar managing director Mike O’Driscoll said: “We’re very pleased with the reaction that the car has received, and our customer order bank is growing fast.”
Jaguar, up for sale by owner Ford and likely to be bought by Indian conglomerate Tata, said earlier this week it had already received over 7,000 orders for the new sports sedan. Deliveries to dealers began last week.
What Car?’s Green Award went to BMW and Mini for the first time, recognising the automaker’s achievements in using technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions across its whole model range.
British-based car makers did well at the awards which were presented in London on Thursday night.
Land Rover again dominated the 4×4 categories – the new Freelander 2 was named Best Compact 4×4 for the second year and the Discovery won the Best Large 4×4 award for the fourth year running – while the Oxford-built Mini Cooper S won the Best Hot Hatch award for the second year.
Audi came away with the most trophies, including Best Performance Car for the new R8 and Best Coupé for the TT. Ford’s new Mondeo was named Best Family Car and Best Estate [wagon], while last year’s Car of the Year, the Vauxhall Corsa, was again named Best Supermini.
