The World Car of the Year (WCOTY) awards were given away on Wednesday in New York. And while there were a few surprises, the big winner of the awards had a desi connection, coming as it did from Tata-owned Jaguar.
The jury giving away the awards had been picked from all across the globe, including from India.
Here are the top 5 awards given at the event.
Car of the Year: Jaguar F-Pace
The F-Pace delivers the SUV experience well when it comes to the seating. You sit nice and high, and Jaguar has borrowed some nuances from the Land Rover too.
The 3.0-litre diesel V6 hardly ever stutters. In fact, it doesn't even trot over 2,000rpm unless the speedometer is showing speeds in excess of 140 kmph. The engine feels responsive and ready, and there's a boatload of torque rearing to go as you flex your right foot.
The SUV is pretty big, with ample space to seat five, and there’s several thoughtful storage spaces too. There's a healthy blend of practicality, performance, everyday usability and, of course, snob value and a sense of exclusivity.
Green Car of The Year: Toyota Prius Prime
The Toyota Prius Prime is a plug-in hybrid version of the Toyota Prius. Prius Prime gets a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder hybrid electric motor, along with a lithium ion battery that gets charged.
The criteria on which the Prius Prime won the award are tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption and use of a major advanced power plant technology aimed specifically at increasing the vehicle’s environmental responsibility.
Best Design Car of the Year: Jaguar F-Pace
Jaguar's F-Pace has also scored in the design department this year. The strong resemblance to the XF would have surely helped its cause. And yes, can't overlook the all-LED headlamps with the iconic J-Blade daytime running lights (DRLs).
Best Performance Car of the Year: Porsche Boxster Cayman
The 718 series coupe and roadster variants are pegged as two-seater, mid-range sports cars.
Also Read: In Pics: Porsche 718 Cayman and 718 Boxster Sports Cars Launched
The 718 series is powered by a turbo-charged 2-litre engine that Porsche claims can zoom from 0-100 kmph in 4.7 seconds. These sports cars offer 300 hp and maximum torque of 380 Nm with a top speed of 275 kmph.
Best Luxury Car of the Year: Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The new Mercedes E-Class has won this category by beating off Volvo's very capable S90 and BMW's new generation 5-Series.
The E-Class is absolutely attention-grabbing and a lot of that is because of its size, This Mercedes is 18 cm longer than the previous E-class. Mercedes claims a 0-100 kmph time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 250 kmph.
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