Awards boost British car industry

The Jaguar XK won Car of the Year and Best Coupe awards

Britain's motor industry has been given a boost as a string of UK-designed or built cars picked up top awards in a ceremony hosted by Auto Express.

The Midlands-designed Jaguar won the Car of the Year title for its XK sports model and was described as a "truly special car".

Other British winners were Sunderland's Nissan Note and the Swindon-made Honda Civic, awarded best Compact Family Car.

Solihull's Land Rover Discovery was voted best 4x4 Off-Roader.

Connaught car company, of Daventry in Northants, took the Specialist Manufacturer award.

Despite all the well-documented problems, the British motor industry is still very much alive and kicking and producing some great cars David Johns, Auto Express

The Jaguar XK is assembled in Castle Bromwich near Birmingham, although it was designed in the marque's traditional home of Coventry.

Auto Express editor-in-chief David Johns said: "The name Jaguar has always meant something special in motoring history, but in the recent past its cars haven't been able to live with the best from the German prestige brands.

"Now Jaguar has produced a car which is truly special both to own and to drive.

He added: "Despite all the well-documented problems, the British motor industry is still very much alive and kicking and producing some great cars."

The awards were presented at a dinner at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham, West London.