Jaguar Wins Another: British Give As Car of the Year

Jaguar’s XK Coupe has been named ‘Car of the Year’ and ‘Luxury Car of the Year’ at the UK TV People Awards 2006. Over 10,000 UK TV viewers voted from a choice of 16 vehicles and chose the new XK as their favourite car overall.

Throughout the week preceding the awards ceremony, viewers watched Formula 1’s Louise Goodman test drive the 16 vehicles on the UK TV channel where she highlighted the various attributes of each car. The vehicles were then divided into four categories for viewers to make their selection. The categories were Sport, Family, Luxury and 4×4.

Jaguar’s UK Managing Director Geoff Cousins, said of the award: “We are delighted that the XK came out top of the bunch in what was an extremely strong and competitive short list. This recognition is especially pleasing as it was voted for by the public. I am also delighted for everyone responsible for the car’s production here in the UK; they should all feel very proud that Jaguar came out top.”

Loris Vigiani, Production Manager for UK TV said: “The competition was tough but the performance, shape and sheer beauty of the Jaguar XK Coupe obviously won the hearts and minds of the viewing public, beating Volvo, Mercedes and Maserati to win the ‘Luxury’ category; as well as Lotus, BMW and Porsche amongst others to win overall.”
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mitchatlexusofmarin - 9/28/2006 12:17:47 PM

+1 Boost

A significant achievement from Coventry, although I think the English audience might be a little bit biased.

TauronLB - 9/28/2006 1:31:23 PM

+1 Boost

Have you driven the thing....its a darn nice car. They are biased but at the same time the vehicle is something special.
T

JUGNU - 9/28/2006 1:50:38 PM

+1 Boost

Other than the eye-catchy and unique design there is nothing special in this car compare to BMW,MB or Maserati.Like Driving experience,performance,interior,quality...etc
ANd yes English audience are a little biassed.

JUGNU

matt635 - 9/28/2006 4:47:21 PM

+1 Boost

I'm english... my company even makes interior and exterior components for jaguar, and I still think this car is ugly, as with most Jaguars actually.

S4cabriofox - 9/28/2006 8:31:12 PM

+1 Boost

Really, matt? That's not the case with most British presses and such.

I think this car is beautiful, and I'm American.

JUGNU-

Actually, and very surprisingly, the 650ci convertible is the WORST driving car in class. One magazine was bold enough to say it "drives like a Lexus" and in BMW's quest for a more luxurious interior, they lost their magic touch. Interior quality for this car is good, but design is average for this class. Performance is very good.

urbansouljah - 9/28/2006 9:37:55 PM

+1 Boost

Yep. The XK has beaten the 650i in handling in many comparison already.

S4cabriofox - 9/28/2006 10:47:12 PM

+1 Boost

When I said "Interior quality for this car is good, but design is average for this class. Performance is very good", I was referring to the XK, not the 650.

S4cabriofox - 9/28/2006 10:47:40 PM

+1 Boost

And I meant INTERIOR design. The exterior is stunning and is as great as the SL in my book.

2JZSoarer - 9/29/2006 12:06:23 AM

+1 Boost

So ford passed the Aston Martin design to Jaguar in hopes of bringing it back up from the dead !!

matt635 - 9/29/2006 7:02:23 AM

+1 Boost

I really don't like the look of this car, it is no way in the same league as anything from Aston Martin.

Most of the test I've seen/heard on this it seems to o better than the 650, but only because people get misty eyed over the name "Jaguar" and they think it looks better (I dont like jags and I don't like the way this looks, so I'd still take the BMW.

and yes I've been involed with supplying 1st tier automotive suppliers for 10 years now, and we regularly supply many of the companies talked about on this website. For obvious reasons I can't say much but I have to laugh sometimes when people talk about quality, materials, cost etc... when you really know what goes into these things it gives you a totally different perspective.

urbansouljah - 9/29/2006 7:28:41 AM

+1 Boost

matt, have you ever seen the car in person?

matt635 - 9/29/2006 7:41:15 AM

+1 Boost

Yeah these are not particularly rare - you see em all the time.

Don't get me wrong.... It looks better than the old one, and it's a nice shape. But I Hate the headlights, the silly grilles on the side, and the view from behind the car is an aweful mess..

JUGNU - 9/29/2006 8:24:26 AM

+1 Boost

Yes this car looks so much like chineese people from behind.

JUGNU

S4cabriofox - 9/30/2006 12:04:32 AM

+1 Boost

JUGNU,

That is the oddest comment I've heard in awhile.

Gave me a chuckle.

S4cabriofox - 9/30/2006 12:05:33 AM

+1 Boost

And would you care to be civil enough to realize that there are Asians who read and post regularly on this website?

I'm not one of them, but I know there are.

Just a heads-up.