Jaguar I-PACE voted European Car of the Year
Pure-electric SUV scores a direct hit with the judges as the Jaguar I-PACE tie-breaks with the Alpine A110The Jaguar I-PACE has been voted the 2019 European Car of the Year after narrowly scoring a victory over the Alpine A110 coupe.
Tying equal on points with the Alpine A110, the Jaguar I-PACE was deemed victor after a tie-break as 18 members of the jury had placed the British pure-electric SUV in first place compared to 16 for the A110.
In what turned out to be the most closely contested field in the 55-year history of the award, it was the first time the 60 European jury members scored equal points for the top two cars.
The win for the I-PACE was the first time a Jaguar had been judged the European Car of the Year.
Accepting the coveted award, Jaguar design boss Ian Callum said: "Why are people still surprised that electric cars win these awards? This is the future. We'd better all accept that.
"This was a wonderful car for the team to design and work on, because it's a unique new car on a unique platform. For me, after 40 years in the business, this is the most exciting car I've ever had the chance to work on."
Both receiving 250 votes, the Alpine A110 and winning Jaguar I-PACE was closely matched with the latest Euro-only Kia Ceed that scored 247 votes in third.
The new Ford Focus, meanwhile, took third spot on the podium with 235 votes.
The other finalists were the Citroen C5 Aircross, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and the Peugeot 508.
In a ceremony held overnight (our time) at the Geneva motor show the Car of the Year prize was given to Jag senior execs who had travelled especially to the awards following the decision of the car-maker to not participate in this year's Swiss show.
The win for Jaguar and the I-PACE will be a welcome ray of light as Jaguar Land Rover face uncertain times in the wake of slowing sales both in Europe and in China.
Last year the Volvo XC40 was the recipient of the Car of the Year prize, the second time an SUV had triumphed.
The I-PACE, meanwhile, isn't the first pure-electric vehicle to be voted top dog, back in 2011 Nissan's LEAF took victory in the awards.
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