Range Rover Evoque is Scottish Car of the Year 2011
This weekend Land Rover’s new Range Rover Evoque was named the overwhelming victor of the Scottish Car of the Year awards by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, as well as Best Compact SUV.
Announcing the Evoque's triumph, Jim Murdoch, president of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers, described the new Land Rover as a “wholly deserving” winner of the Scottish Car of the Year title.
“Built in Britain and with an iconic badge on its bonnet, our top car of 2011 has wowed everyone who’s driven it,” he added. “With more votes than any previous winner, this car is a runaway success. No surprise then that it already has a queue of buyers stretching round the block and beyond. We’re very proud to be among the first to acknowledge the brilliant work that has gone into building this car, especially as it’s so ideally suited to Scotland’s unique driving conditions.
“As two tough winters have shown, the need for capable 4x4s is still as strong as ever in Scotland. When the snow isn’t falling, we also demand a car that works just as well for family and business needs. And as if we’re not already asking for everything in one car, we also want excellent economy and affordable running costs. Our winner achieves all of this and also manages to be one of the most desirable cars money can buy.”
Land Rover is no stranger to success in the Scottish Car of the Year awards: the Discovery 4 was voted top of the Scots in 2009.
Murray Dietsch, Land Rover’s director of engineering programmes, received the Evoque’s award. “Scottish Car of the Year is undoubtedly one of the most important accolades in the industry,” he said. “On behalf of everyone at Land Rover, I would like to thank the association for the award and for recognising that the Evoque is the most exciting car to be driven on Scottish roads this year.”
His views were echoed by Phil Hodgkinson, product development director: “We are all very proud. The Evoque is the result of a real team effort, with all functions across the company working together to create a unique, exciting and altogether outstanding new vehicle.”
The prize comes hot on the heels of the Evoque’s success in the Auto Express New Car Awards, in which it was declared the magazine’s Car of the Year and Best Compact SUV.
Land Rover's sister brand Jaguar were also winners at this year's awards, picking up the prize for Best Sports car for their XKR-S model, Best Diesel for the XF and Jaguar's famous E-type was awarded Most Iconic Vehicle of the last 50 years.
With a choice of three engines, two body styles, three design themes and a wide range of options and accessories, the new Range Rover Evoque offers customers significant choice across a range of price points; the range starts at £27,955. Offered in both 5-door and Coupé forms, the Evoque made its UK showroom debut in September, backed by 20,000 worldwide advance orders, 6000 of those from British buyers.
