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BMW i3 takes inaugural UK Car of the Year title

By / 10 years ago / Latest News / No Comments

The awards are ‘designed to highlight and advise on the best new cars on the market specifically for UK customers’ and saw more than 100 new car assessed and voted on by 27 professional journalist judges from media including Top Gear Magazine, The Sunday Times, Auto Express and Fleet World.

 

The winners of the 2014 awards comprise:

UK Car of the Year 2014 – BMW i3

The first model to launch within the BMW i range, the BMW i3 – which forms part of the line-up for this year's Silverstone Fleet Show – took the overall UKCOTY title. Judges’ comments included: ‘i3 is a bold and brave take on electrification, and reveals a fresh design language that is purely BMW i.’

 

Supermini of the Year – BMW i3

Scooping the “Supermini of the Year” title, the i3 was was heralded as ‘a proper, forward-thinking car, which offers the best demonstration of hybrid and electric technology in the automotive world so far’.

 

Small Hatch of the Year – Audi A3

The Audi A3 – which now includes four separate variants – was marked out in the Best Small Hatch category at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2014.

Fleet World editor Steve Moody said of the A3: ‘The small hatch most buyers aspire to, and most manufacturers want to copy.’

 

Family Car of the Year – Skoda Octavia

A stalwart of the fleet sector, the Skoda Octavia was praised for its excellent driving dynamics and sharp looks as well as interior quality, comfort and space.

 

Executive Car of the Year – BMW 5 Series

Also available to drive at this year's Fleet World Fleet Show, the BMW 5 Series took the “Executive Car of the Year” title, with judges praising the model for its quality, driving enjoyment and executive style.

 

Luxury Car of the Year – Mercedes S-Class

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class was dubbed the “Best Luxury Car” by the judges of the UK Car of the Year as the model enjoys a strong start to its first full year on-sale in the UK, according to the brand.

Amongst the judges’ comments, the S-Class was dubbed ‘an extraordinary, joyous act of carmaking from the world’s oldest car maker’.

 

Estate Car of the Year – Skoda Octavia Estate

Praise for the Skoda Octavia Estate included: ‘Functional, spacious and affordable, the Octavia wagon ticks all of the expected boxes, but it goes so much further in the way it drives and the refinement it offers to be a cut above its rivals.’

 

MPV of the Year – Citroën Grand C4 Picasso

As well as its seven useable seats, the Grand C4 Picasso “MPV of the Year” was praised for its host of family friendly features along with the improvements in the quality of the interior – and the fit and finish.

 

4×4 of the Year – Range Rover Sport

With the Range Rover Sport taking the “4×4 of the Year” award, Fleet World contributor Kyle Fortune said: ‘Looks good, drives well, is economical and priced right.’

 

Coupe of the Year – Porsche Cayman

Comments for this iconic model included: ‘Nine-tenths of the 911 driving experience for three-fifths of the price – the latest version is the best Porsche in a decade.’

 

Open Top Car of the Year – Jaguar F-Type

Following honours from all corners of the globe, the F-TYPE scooped the “Best Open Top car” title and described as succeeding in capturing the best elements of a classic, in a modern day package.

 

Performance Car of the Year – Ford Fiesta ST

Dubbed the “Performance Car of the Year”, praise for the Fiesta ST included its value for money and fun-to-drive attributes.

 

As well as the UKCOTY-winning BMW i3, the Fleet World Fleet Show will give visitors the opportunity to test-drive many of this year's category winners. The BMW 520d M Sport, hybrid and conventionally-powered Range Rover Sports and the F-TYPE in Coupe and Convertible guises will all be available to test drive, while delegates will be chauffeured from the car park in the new Citroën C4 Picasso before getting behind the wheel themselves.

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.