New Jaguar XF scoops prestige diesel award

The luxury Jaguar XF 2.7-litre diesel sports saloon – costing British car buyers £33,900 OTR - beat off stiff competition from over 100 new diesel models to claim the overall title of What Diesel Car of the Year 2008.

Commenting on Jaguar's triumph, Editor of What Diesel said; “It gives me great pleasure to announce that the Jaguar XF has won the coveted title of What Diesel Car of the Year 2008. It is well deserved and 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.”

Equally encouraging from a home nations viewpoint was the fact that nearly a third of the victorious manufacturers were British-built, with the Land Rover Freelander 2 and Nissan Qashqai also picking up silverware. Even the Ford Mondeo got in on the Brit-popularity, with its UK-constructed engines.

The success of the Jaguar XF has occurred alongside news that almost half of cars leaving UK dealer forecourts are now said to be diesel-powered.

Fiat 500 scores diesel goal

Ever since Fiat decided to 'do a Mini' and go all retro, the resultant 500 revival has picked up as many industry gongs as admiring glances.

From its lofty position of being the reigning 2008 European Car of the Year winner, the Fiat 500 has now been acknowledged for its diesel attributes as much as its dynamic styling, hence adding the Best Small Car category accolade at the What Diesel Car of the Year 2008 awards.

Aside from the Jaguar XF and Fiat 500, other winners sashes were worn by a diverse collection of cars across many disciplines, so here's the list in full;

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 – Citroen C4 Grand Picasso

Best 4X4 – Land Rover Freelander 2

Best pick-up – Nissan Navara

Best coupe – Audi A5

Best convertible – Volkswagen Eos

Green Award – Citroen

Overall Winner – Jaguar XF