Autocar Awards 2019: UK’s best cars revealed

The 2019 Autocar Awards were held at an event at the Silverstone race circuit on Tuesday night.

The Autocar Awards are car awards like no other: there’s no best hybrid crossover SUV with the nicest wheels for less than £30,000 here. Instead, at the 2019 Autocar Awards, it was simply great people and the great cars they have made that were all celebrated, in diverse categories that best represent the kinds of cars, people and stories you are most interested in.

In these most challenging and disruptive times for the industry, it is these great minds working within it that have produced some truly outstanding cars across all areas of the market, using and mastering technologies old and new. Read on to find out highest achievers of the past 12 months – both the cars and the people. At the end of the feature we have a selection of pictures from the evening.

First of all, the new cars awarded full marks over the past 12 months:

FIVE STAR CAR: McLaren Senna

Astounding circuit performance made superbly accessible, the 789bhp, £750,000 ‘Ultimate Series’ circuit special, is a road tester’s dream. The Senna’s mission statement was joyfully simple. McLaren set out to use its best technology and know-how to create not only the fastest and most exciting track car that it could at any price, but also one which would be drivable on the road by people without an international motorsport licence.

FIVE STAR CAR: Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Effortlessly fast, intoxicating to drive, this is the perfect modern tribute to the classic Aston GT. Using the twin-turbo V12 from the DB11 uncorked to its true potential, the DBS becomes only the third series-production Aston Martin to bust through the 700bhp barrier. The DBS really weighs in with super-accessible and effortless rollon in-gear performance.

FIVE STAR CAR: BMW 320d

BMW’s one-time default-choice exec hits even greater heights. Despite a sub-7 seconds 0-60mph time, it delivered 63.3mpg in our real-world economy test. Improved cabin ambience and a competitive value proposition complete a picture that represents what ‘outstanding’ looks like in 2019’s market for smaller executive four-doors.

Now let’s look at the category winners:

BEST DRIVER’S CAR: McLaren 600LT

The 600LT saw off strong competition from the Ferrari 488 Pista, Alpine A110 and Porsche 911 GT3 RS to take first place in our handling test. It’s a superb track car and a quite sublime fast road car, with a capacity to be more rewarding more of the time than its rivals.

BEST AFFORDABLE DRIVER’S CAR: Ford Fiesta ST

Ford Performance has delivered another brilliantly entertaining hot hatchback with the Fiesta ST. It beat all comers at our junior handling day with an infectious, bubbling enthusiasm for getting around corners in agile fashion.

READER’S CHAMPION: Lotus Elise

Autocar readers voted for the Lotus in their thousands, agreeing with us that Colin Chapman’s mantra of "Simplify, and add lightness" is as true today as when the Elise made its debut 23 years ago. That its basic recipe has remained unchanged proves it deserves a place among the world’s best driver’s cars at any price.

USED CAR HERO: Volkswagen Golf

We asked Autocar readers to pick their favourite nearly-new used car, and the perennially popular Golf topped the shortlist. VW’s hatchback is supremely versatile, with performance never put ahead of practicality.

Now let’s look at the new cars that are changing the rules:

GAMECHANGER: Ferrari 488 Pista

It’s difficult to comprehend the progress Ferrari has made with the 488 in just a single generation. None of the Pista’s rivals can deliver such phenomenal performance on the race track while still being quite so usable away from it.

GAMECHANGER: Hyundai Nexo

While rivals are still finding their feet with alternative fuelled vehicles, Hyundai has quickly established itself as a true leader in the field. The Nexo is the latest example of that - a hydrogen fuel cell-powered SUV you can actually buy today.

GAMECHANGER: Mercedes-AMG CLS53

By embracing electrification now, Mercedes-AMG is preparing itself for the future while preserving its performance ethos. The CLS 53’s mild hybrid system is a real achievement, producing 400bhp while still managing a true 40mpg.

GAMECHANGER: Suzuki Jimny

A hugely competent off-roader that’s capable of going places where more expensive SUVs would have a tough time following, the reborn Jimny is an icon in the making. This fun and funky small 4x4 is one of the most likeable cars we’ve tested this year.

GAMECHANGER: Toyota Corolla

The reborn Corolla offers its driver far more than the Auris ever did, with an efficient hybrid engine and styling that puts it among the best-looking in the class. It also reverses a trend of slow investment in UK car manufacturing, with Toyota choosing to build it in Derbyshire.

GAMECHANGER: Kia E-Niro

Few other electric cars have found the unrivalled combination of price, performance and range Kia has delivered with the e-Niro. It is an EV with mainstream appeal, one that proves to more than just city commuters they can be a viable alternative to combustion-powered cars.

Now let’s look at the award-winning people behind today’s great cars:

STURMEY AWARD: Laurens van den Acker - Renault

Responsible for overhauling the entire Renault range in a single generation, van den Acker has made design one of the most important aspects of any new Renault model. His series of concept cars also proves the company is ready for the future.

EDITOR’S AWARD: Andy Palmer – Aston Martin

Since joining Aston Martin in 2014, Palmer has revitalised the brand with a clear plan for the future. He has overseen the replacement of core models, invested in UK manufacturing and is leading the company into new markets with hypercars and SUVs.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Mike Cross – Jaguar Land Rover

As chief engineer at JLR, Cross is responsible for ensuring that every new Jaguar and Land Rover model delivers class-leading vehicle dynamics, Cross has helped both brands continue to give customers the levels of engagement and refinement they expect from each badge.

OUTSTANDING UK LEADERS: Graeme Grieve – BMW UK

Having overseen BMW’s launch into new markets, the introduction of more electrified models and continued sales success, Grieve has helped his company outperform the industry trend while maintaining its exclusive brand image.

OUTSTANDING UK LEADERS: David Richards – Prodrive

Richards has been involved in motorsport for decades, transitioning from World Rally Championship-winning co-driver to leader of lightweight engineering specialist Prodrive. He is now helping champion home-grown competition as head of Motorsport UK.

OUTSTANDING UK LEADERS: Paul Van der Burgh – Toyota

Having seen a model line-up transformed with increasingly bold styling and a stronger push towards hybrid power than any other brand, Van der Burgh has helped secure Toyota’s place among the UK industry’s most successful car makers.

DESIGN HERO: Gilles Vidal – Peugeot

The man behind Peugeot’s recent run of fantastic-looking models, Vidal was responsible for both the overhauled 508 executive saloon and the upcoming 208 supermini. The future-facing E-Legend concept also proved one of 2018’s most popular show cars.

MUNDY AWARD FOR ENGINEERING: Andreas Preuninger – Porsche

 “Precision, emotion and raw speed” are the qualities that Preuninger says turn Porsche’s GT-series cars into truly great driver’s machines. He has been responsible for, among others, the 911 R, Cayman GT4 and every 911 GT3 RS - none of which could be considered ordinary.

INNOVATION AWARD: Land Rover Clearsight Ground View

A unique offering that promotes safety and comes into its own when driving off-road, ClearSight Ground View helps you ‘see through’ your bonnet. It’s a simple idea, but one that embodies Land Rover’s “go anywhere” attitude.

MOTORPORT HERO: George Russell – Williams F1

Graduating from Formula 2 with seven wins and the 2018 title, Russell enters the 2019 Formula One season with Williams entirely on his racing ability. He is already consistently beating his teammate and is being closely watched as a future F1 star.

ISSIGONIS TROPHY: Dieter Zetsche – Mercedes-Benz

And the biggest award of them all goes to the outgoing chairman of Daimler, Dieter Zetsche. Since becoming chairman, he’s led the world’s oldest car maker with a forward-thinking attitude. It has entered new markets, embraced alternative fuels and become one of the industry’s biggest investors in R&D.

McLaren 600LT

A shot of the McLaren 600LT on the track

McLaren Senna

The McLaren Senna photographed indoors.

McLaren Senna

The McLaren Senna photographed on the track

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera on the track

Suzuki Jimny

The Suzuki Jimny on the track

EDITOR’S AWARD: Andy Palmer

Andy Palmer of Aston Martin collects the Editor's Award for his transformation of the company since he became its CEO in 2014.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Five-star car award win for the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera super GT car.

BMW 320d

Five-star car award win for the BMW 320d executive saloon.

Award winners

All the night's award winning cars were on display outside the event's venue.

Dieter Zetsche

Daimler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche won the most prestigious award of the night, the Issigonis Trophy, for his extraordinary achievements in motoring. He received the award via video at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, probably still the company's most famous car.

He retires as CEO shortly. He became famous in America as 'Dr Zee' for fronting commercials for Chrysler models when head of that company when it was part of Daimler. Today aged 66, Dr Zetsche will become chairman of Daimler's supervisory board in 2021.

Matt Prior

Autocar's editor-at-large Matt Prior conducted interviews with certain key attendees during the dinner before the awards.

McLaren 600LT

Best driver's car award win for the McLaren 600LT supercar.

McLaren 600LT

The McLaren 600LT on display outside the event venue.

McLaren Senna

Five-star car award win for the McLaren Senna, a track-tuned road-going supercar.

Mike Cross

Jaguar Land Rover's chief engineer Mike Cross collects the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on the company's cars.

Steve and Mark

The awards were hosted by Autocar's editor-in-chief Steve Cropley (left) and editor Mark Tisshaw.