What Diesel Car of the Year 2008

With diesel registrations close to smashing the 50 per cent barrier of the new car market, the annual What Diesel Car of the Year award winners are announced by Ian Robertson, Editor of What Diesel magazine.

Voted on by a panel of ten esteemed judges, including Sue Baker, Russell Bray and Simon Hacker amongst others, the ten What Diesel Car Of The Year category winners epitomise what is the very best of modern diesel engined motoring.

In announcing the winners, Editor, Ian Robertson, said “This year has seen some tough opposition join the new car market, with the Fiat 500 and Jaguar XF leading the pack.” He went on to say, “There are also some familiar names lining up to collect awards, with the Citroën C4 Grand Picasso, Ford Mondeo, Land Rover Freelander 2 and Nissan Qashqai joining the honours list for the second year running.”

“I am delighted to announce that the Jaguar XF has won the coveted title of What Diesel Car of the Year 2008. It is well deserved and is testament to all the fine people that are proud to say that they work for Jaguar. The car drives exceptionally, and looks absolutely stunning and catapults Jaguar right up the road to success.”

Almost a third of all the award winners are British built (Jaguar XF, Land Rover Freelander 2 and Nissan Qashqai), and that sends out an important message that Britain is at the forefront of the very best of car manufacturing and engineering. In addition, the best large family car, the Ford Mondeo, features engines that are built in the UK, at Ford’s Diesel Centre at Dagenham in Essex.

The Awards issue of What Diesel goes on sale today, Wednesday 16th April 2008.

What Diesel Car of the 2008 Winners:

Best small car Fiat 500
Best medium family car Nissan Qashqai
Best large family car Ford Mondeo
Best executive car Jaguar XF
Best estate car Kia cee’d SW
Best MPV Citroën C4 Grand Picasso
Best 4x4 Land Rover Freelander 2
Best pick-up Nissan Navara
Best coupé Audi A5
Best convertible Volkswagen Eos

Green award Citroën

Overall winner Jaguar XF

What Diesel Used Car of the Year 2008

The awards issue isn’t just concerned with new cars, the What Diesel Used Car of the Year award winners are announced at the same time.

The Volkswagen Golf scooped the best used family hatchback award, as well as being awarded the winner of the What Diesel Used Car of the Year 2008.

There was strong performance from Mitsubishi, with the Shogun and L200 both winning their respective categories.

Best used small car MINI One D (2003-2006)
Best used family hatchback Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI (1998-2004)
Best used family saloon Volkswagen Passat 1.9 TDI (2000-2004)
Best used SUV BMW X5 3.0d (2001-2007)
Best used estate Volvo V70 D5 (2000-2007)
Best used sports car BMW 320Cd Coupé (2003-2006)
Best used executive car Jaguar XJ 2.7D V6 (2005-2007)
Best used MPV Vauxhall Zafira 2.0DTi (2000-2005)
Best used 4x4 Mitsubishi Shogun (2000-2007)
Best used pick-up Mitsubishi L200 Double Cab 2.5TD (2000-2006)

Overall winner Volkswagen Golf 1.9 TDI (1998-2004)