Autocar Awards 2018: the winners

Diess joined VW in 2015, just months before it was rocked by the Dieselgate scandal that he played no part in causing.

His job quickly changed to rebuilding the reputation of one of the world’s most trusted car brands, still while boosting profit margins, growing global sales, diversifying the model range with more SUVs and preparing for a future of electrified and autonomous cars.

Lifetime Achievement

Ian Robertson

Our first Lifetime Achievement award celebrates the 39-year career of Ian Robertson. Having started as an apprentice at Austin Morris, Robertson rose to the board of the BMW Group, making him the most high-profile Brit in the global automotive industry.

Robertson led Land Rover under early BMW ownership, rebuilt Rolls-Royce’s reputation and helped spearhead the expansion of the Mini range and the launch of BMW’s electrified i brand.

Life at BMW: marketing boss Ian Robertson on his long career

Game Changers

These awards recognise cars that bring new, higher standards to their classes or defy conventions to the benefit of buyers.

Volvo XC40

As a compact SUV, the Volvo Volvo XC40 certainly hasn't reinvented the wheel. But while others struggle to blend the lengthy list of requirements demanded by buyers of this most versatile of car types, Volvo has delivered completely and compellingly at its very first attempt.

Autocar’s full review of the Volvo XC40.

Hyundai i30 N

With its first go at a hot hatch, Hyundai has made a machine that's truly fun to drive, completely changing perceptions of the brand along with it — an exceptional achievement in an ultra-competitive class.

The i30 N is flawed, but it’s gutsy, likeable and engaging — and already ahead of rivals from established marques. It bodes well for the future of Hyundai’s N performance division.

Autocar’s full review of the Hyundai i30 N

Jaguar I-Pace

In its design and technology, the Jaguar I-Pace is truly groundbreaking and provides the blueprint for the future of the British car industry.

As an electric SUV, the I-Pace also challenges every convention associated with its maker — and yet, on first acquaintance, it’s also excellent to drive. 

Autocar’s first drive of the Jaguar I-Pace

Kia Stinger

By taking a bold leap into the unknown, the Kia Stinger signals the start of a whole new era for its maker.

At its first attempt, Kia has made a credible sports saloon that can challenge the best in the world. The Kia Stinger is a flagship model that’s intended to show the world Kia is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to creating engaging, dynamically focused, rear-driven driver’s cars worthy of comparison against Europe’s finest.

Autocar’s full review of the Kia Stinger

Audi A8

Autonomous cars are a source of constant debate and discussion, but one car maker has already developed ‘eyes off and hands off’ autonomous technology to production maturity and has it on sale. That car is the Audi A8.

It is the first production car capable of Level 3 self-driving and can cruise unsupervised in congested motorway traffic at speeds of up to 37mph. It’s a true pioneer in a pioneering class.

Autocar’s full review of the Audi A8

Nissan Leaf

While most car makers are only launching their first generation of electric cars now, the second-generation Nissan Leaf is already on sale.

The hugely successful original Leaf blended range, usability and affordability in a way that few rivals have come close to. And the way in which this new model improves on its predecessor represents a towering achievement for Nissan.

It’s better to drive, too, making the electric Leaf a true threat to conventionally powered rivals.

Autocar’s full review of the Nissan Leaf

Outstanding UK Leaders

These awards celebrate those who, through innovation and great leadership, have done an exceptional job of making their companies successful in challenging, changeable conditions.

Gary Savage, UK managing director, Mercedes-Benz

Gary Savage, who joined Mercedes-Benz UK in 2010, won this award in 2016. Since then, the firm has gone from strength to strength and is now established as the number one premium car brand in Britain, enjoying another record year of sales in 2017.

Richard Harrison, managing director, Seat UK

Richard Harrison took the helm at Seat in 2015, but had already spent a decade working at the company. In recent years, he has overseen a transformation of Seat’s fortunes, with unprofitable models cut, long-established models improved and a whole line of successful SUVs launched.

Last year, Seat’s sales rose by 20% — a figure that looks likely to be easily beaten this year.

Dale Wyatt, director of automobiles, Suzuki UK

As a former dealer principal at Ridgeway Garages, Dale Wyatt knows the importance of dealers to the success of a car company. That, combined with his efforts to transition Suzuki from a small-car specialist to one with three SUVs in its portfolio (including its best seller, the Suzuki Vitara), helped Suzuki increase sales by 5.7% last year.

Used Car Hero, in association with Warranty Direct

Vauxhall Insignia

Our used car expert, James Ruppert, asked readers to pick their favourite used cars that can be considered real-world heroes — the sort of dependable machines that keep the nation’s car buyers moving.

The winner was the Vauxhall Insignia, a great-looking saloon that is packed with kit, economical and can rack up colossal mileage without fuss.

See used Vauxhall Insignia for sale on PistonHeads

Best Affordable Driver’s Car

Honda Civic Type R

Competition is always fierce in our annual Junior Handling Day test, which determines the best affordable driver’s car costing around £100 per week on a PCP deal. But the Honda Civic Type R emerged a clear winner.

The newest version of the hot hatch signals a return to form, capable of lapping the Nürburgring at record speed and offering real dynamic dexterity, yet also providing a relaxed, refined drive on a motorway.

Autocar’s Best Affordable Driver’s Car competition

Autocar’s full review of the Honda Civic Type R

Best Driver’s Car

Porsche 911 GT3

The Porsche 911 GT3 took this award for triumphing in our annual Britain’s Best Driver’s Car competition — and yet its very appearance in that event was unusual.

Protocol dictated that we invite the previous year’s winner, the Porsche 911 R, to the event, but we decided to feature the 911 GT3, the car that has in effect superseded it. And the GT3 proved even more special than the 911 R and the nine rivals we gathered for the 2017 event at Castle Combe in Wiltshire.

Autocar’s Best British Driver’s Car competition

Autocar’s full review of the Porsche 911 GT3

Innovation Award

Westfield

Best known for its 1950s-style kit car, Westfield has quietly reinvented itself in recent years, diversifying to become a world leader in autonomous pods.

Having spotted the similiarities in building lightweight sports cars and pods, Westfield has found huge success building the latter, doubling the size of the company to meet demand.

Westfield hasn’t forgotten its roots, though, and is developing a new range of sports cars that will cost around £30,000 and be offered with electrified powertrain options.

Motorsport Hero

Jonathan Palmer

Jonathan Palmer rose to prominence as a Formula 1 racer and commentator, but this award recognises what he’s done since. Palmer founded a driving events firm, PalmerSport, and developed a bespoke venue, Bedford Autodrome.

He then launched a series of racing classes before establishing Motorsport Vision in 2004 to develop and run four of Britain’s most famous race circuits, including Brands Hatch. He’s now working on two more — an improved Donington Park and a massive new driving centre on a former air base in northern France.

Reader’s Champion Award

Honda Civic Type R

Earlier this year, we named the 31 best hot hatches of all time and asked readers to choose their favourite from that list.

The Honda Civic Type R took an astonishing 20% of the vote to claim the prize, with our readers sharing our love for the best hot hatch currently on sale.

While it was a current hot hatch that topped the list, it was followed by two classics: the Lancia Delta Integrale and Peugeot 205 GTi. The Alfa Romeo Alfasud and Ford Fiesta ST were right behind.

Autocar’s full review of the Honda Civic Type R

Mundy Award for Engineering

David Twohig

Named in honour of Harry Mundy, the former Autocar technical editor who developed the Lotus twin-cam engine, this award is given to a star engineer who has made an impact on the industry.

During his time at the Renault-Nissan Alliance, David Twohig helped develop the Renault Zoe and Nissan Qashqai. Most recently, he led the development of the Alpine A110, creating a truly brilliant sports car to help revive the storied brand.

Twohig has recently been recruited to lead development of the new Byton electric car brand, which is the start-up to watch for the future.

Design Hero

Marek Reichman

As Aston Martin’s chief creative officer, Marek Reichman is responsible for the styling of some of the world’s most recognisable cars, including the Aston Martin DB11 and Vantage.

Until recently, Aston Martin rolled out one stunning but similar look across its entire range, but Reichman and his team have transformed that with a series of show-stoppers, each new model showcasing distinctive character, clarity of purpose and beauty.

Five-star cars

Autocar invented the road test 80 years ago and ours remains the most thorough and exacting test in the industry.

That’s demonstrated by how rare it is for a car to be awarded a five-star verdict; just two have achieved this in the past 12 months.

Rolls-Royce Phantom

The eighth car to carry the Rolls-Royce Phantom nameplate displays staggering technical complexity yet functions with immaculate refinement, polish, comfort and grace.