Motoring news: Range Rover Evoque is Scottish Car of the Year 2011

Published on Friday 21 October 2011 10:23

THE ALARMINGLY sexy Range Rover Evoque took the top accolade at the 2011 Scottish Car of the Year Awards run by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers in Glasgow at the weekend, writes Stuart Farquhar.

Having won the Best Compact SUV category, the 4x4 saw off stiff competition from the Jaguar XF, Audi A7 and Ford Focus to win the overall award.

Jim Murdoch, president of the association, said: “Built in Britain and with an iconic badge on its bonnet, our top car of 2011 has wowed everyone who’s driven it.”

Those wowees include me, as I delivered one to Wallhouse Farm Steadings near Torphichen for a Scotland on Sunday fashion shoot, above, in September. It’s a tough gig.

Other winners chosen by the association were: Kia Picanto (Small Car of the Year), Ford Focus (Family), Hyundai i40 Tourer (Estate), Audi A7 (Executive), Seat Alhambra (MPV), VW Golf (Convertible), Jaguar XF 2.2d (Diesel), Jaguar XKR-S (Sports), Peugeot iON (Electric), Seat Ibiza Ecomotive (Eco).

VETTEL SPARK

NISSAN is putting the Infinity FX customised for recently-crowned F1 champion and Infiniti brand VIP Sebastian Vettel into production.

More details are awaited but the little German’s FX has a 5.0-litre V8 tuned to provide 414bhp, with high downforce aerodynamics developed by Infiniti in collaboration with Red Bull Racing.

The one-off 187mph crossover was billed by Infinity as the most focused and exclusive sports crossover ever built. Public demand has grown since it was shown at Frankfurt last month.

PEUGEOT 508

Peugeot’s limited edition 508 RXH estate has hybrid power, with diesel for the front wheels and electric for the back pair.

Total power is 200bhp with 332lb/ft of torque. It also has a zero emission mode for silent and clean running, and its official rating is 109g/km of CO2 and 67mpg.

GINETTA G60

Ginetta is once again making high-performance road cars.

Following the G40R in August is the carbon-fibre bodied G60. It has a rear-mounted 3.7-litre 310bhp V6 Ford Cyclone engine which delivers 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds and a potential top speed beyond 165mph.

DACIA DUSTER

Britain will have to wait until 2013 for official imports of Renault’s budget brand, Dacia. The Romanian car uses Renault technology and is popular in mainland Europe, selling on utility and price. The first import will be the Duster, with either 4x4 or 4x2 transmission, described as “genial, uncomplicated and reliable.”

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