I CALLED it a game changer in my review and it seems all the motoring writers in Scotland agree – the all-new electric SUV, the Jaguar I-Pace. has been named the Scottish Car of the Year.
Jaguar last won the title in 2006, when the XK was crowned, and recently achieved the top title again at a gala dinner in the Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club, near Edinburgh. John Murdoch, president of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, said: "The standard and variety of new models launched this year made judging difficult in all categories. However, from the moment ASMW members got behind the wheel of the I-Pace for the first time they were in no doubt that it was a special vehicle. The most exciting Jaguar since the E-Type, the electric I-Pace fully deserves its Scottish Car of the Year Crown.
"It looks great, drives superbly and offers all the refinement and luxury you would expect from a Jaguar. At the same time it is a great leap forward for the company and for electric cars in general. If this is the future, bring it on!"
Rowdan Glover, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover UK, commented: "We are delighted to win this award in such an important market for Jaguar Land Rover. We are very proud that the I-Pace has been acknowledged as a game-changer, yet remains recognisable as a Jaguar, with luxury and capability at the heart of its design, along with one of the most advanced zero-emissions powertrains ever fitted to a production car. The I-Pace is an electric vehicle that's practical for everyday use and we look forward to seeing even more on the road."
But that was not the end of it at the glittering aswards ceremony. Jag also lifted the title of Best Premium Crossover for the E-Pace, its small but feisty little 4 x 4.
The SCOTY awards also produced doubles for Ford and Kia.
Ford's new Focus took the Family Car title 21 years after it lifted the overall title back in 1998 and the company's extremely popular far, vehicle, the Ranger, also took the Pick-Up title. The Kia Stinger was Executive Car winner, while its Sportage – an overall SCOTY winner in 2010 – was voted Best Used Car on a good night for the Korean company.
Hyundai's Kona defeated stiff competition to take the Small Car title, while the excellent Peugeot 5008 took the Family Crossover award and Vauxhall's Insignia Country Tourer came out tops in the Four-Wheel-Drive category.
The Estate Car title was awarded to the Volvo V60 – it's bigger brother the V7o is a former Car of the Year – while Suzuki's entertaining Swift Sport took the Hot Hatch title. The Sports Car title was won by the blistering BMW M5.
Finally, Mazda took the Innovation and Technology award for its continued development of the internal combustion engine resulting in a new spark controlled compression ignition (SPCCI) system which delivers more power, better economy and a cleaner burn for lower emissions.
Category winners at a glance:
Small: Hyundai Kona
Family: Ford Focus
Family Crossover: Peugeot 5008
Executive: Kia Stinger
Premium Crossover: Jaguar E-Pace
Four-Wheel-Drive: Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer
Estate: Volvo V60
Sports: BMW M5
Alternative Fuel: Jaguar I-PACE
Hot Hatch: Suzuki Swift Sport
Pick-Up: Ford Ranger
Used Car: Kia Sportage
Innovation and Technology: Mazda's spark controlled compression ignition system
The SCOTY Hall of Fame:
1998: Ford Focus
1999: Jaguar S-Type
2000: Audi A2
2001: Jaguar X-Type
2002: Mazda6
2003: Volvo XC90
2004: Peugeot 407
2005: BMW 3 Series
2006: Jaguar XK
2007: Ford Mondeo
2008: Ford Fiesta
2009: Land Rover Discovery 4
2010: Kia Sportage
2011: Range Rover Evoque
2012: Dacia Duster
2013: Volkswagen Golf
2014: Hyundai i10
2015: Vauxhall Astra
2016: Volvo V90
2017: Land Rover Discovery
2018: Jaguar I-Pace
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here