Peugeot 3008 What Car? Car of the Year 2010
The Peugeot 3008, a new kind of car competing in a new category, sensationally walked off with the Car of the Year title at the 33rd annual motoring ‘Oscars’ – the What Car? Awards.
The 3008 is a crossover which blends the looks and high driving position of a 4x4 with elements of a family hatchback and an MPV.
It also claimed victory in the new Crossover class introduced by What Car? this year, while the Peugeot 5008 was named best MPV at the glittering event, held at London's Grosvenor House hotel on Park Lane.
What Car? editor Steve Fowler said: ‘Crossover cars will be big news in the next few years with people who want the look and feel of a 4x4, but without the financial and environmental costs.
‘The 3008 fills that brief perfectly – it’s got the looks people want, the space they need, it’s great to drive, and it’s well priced and cheap to run.’
Peugeot UK managing director Jon Goodman said: ‘This is a fantastic result for all the Peugeot UK team and its dealer network, coming as it does in the year that the Peugeot brand celebrates its 200th anniversary. Both the 3008 and the 5008 will broaden the appeal of the Peugeot brand to customers old and new, and the ultimate endorsement of three What Car? awards will help both new cars to even greater success.’
Eleven brand new or heavily revised cars unseated 2009 award winners this year.
British honour was upheld by the refreshed Jaguar XF and Land Rover Discovery, which won the Executive and 4x4 categories respectively.
Audi joined Peugeot in picking up three titles, for best Coupé (TT), best Performance Car (R8 V10) and the Security Award.
There were double wins for Volkswagen (Polo and Golf in the Supermini and Small Family Car classes); Mazda, which collected the Family Car and Estate Car prizes with different versions of the Mazda 6; BMW, triumphant in the Open-top class with the Z4 and the Compact Executive category with the 3 Series; and Mercedes-Benz, who won the Safety Award to go with the Luxury Car prize for the updated S-Class.
Finally, Renault dominated the Hot Hatch award with three contenders, and the thrilling Renault Mégane Renaultsport Cup taking the category win.
The Audi A1 won the Reader Award for the most exciting new car of 2010 after an online poll on the What Car? website, whatcar.com.
