Jaguar I-PACE wins coveted 2020 AutoTrader South African Car of the Year title
This year's AutoTrader South African Car of the Year competition marks a number of firsts: the first South African Car of the Year win for Jaguar, the first time a fully electrical vehicle takes the crown, and a South African first for any car awards finale to be presented in a 100% virtual format.
With all South Africans still under lockdown, SA's most illustrious car contest, organised by the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists and sponsored by AutoTrader, took place in the digital realm. The awards ceremony could be viewed on multiple social media platforms in real time with the help of AVA, our "personalised advanced vehicle automation system". As a result, not one single person had to leave their living room to attend this event, or to make this virtual presentation happen...
This year's contestants, vying for the most sought-after title in the South African automotive industry, were:
- The Citroën C3 Aircross 1.2T Shine
- The Ford Ranger Raptor
- The Hyundai Atos 1.1 Motion
- The Jaguar I-PACE EV400 AWD SE
- The Mazda3 1.5 Active
- The Mercedes-Benz GLE 400D 4MATIC
- The Peugeot 5008 1.6T GT Line
- The Toyota Corolla Hatch 1.2T XR CVT
- The Toyota GR Supra 3.0T
- The Toyota RAV4 2.0VX CVT 2WD, and
- The Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI Comfortline
The Jaguar I-PACE is already well-awarded internationally...
This year's winner, the electric Jaguar SUV, is no stranger to the awards podium, having won the 2019 World Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year, and World Green Car awards. The I-PACE was the first model to win three World Car titles in the 15-year history of the awards, and also went on to claim the European Car of Year title last year.
Jaguar's South African win was anticipated by many jurors and was well-deserved in the AutoTrader SA COTY competition, which has the ultimate purpose of celebrating and rewarding automotive excellence.
Richard Gouverneur, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover South Africa, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled to add the 2020 AutoTrader South African Car of the Year title to the long list of awards the I-PACE is gathering globally. It’s also an honour to have an all-electric vehicle listed among a long line of high-profile previous winners since this competition’s inception in 1986. This is literally history in the making.
“We are well aware of the tough competition we faced in the running, and the entire Jaguar Land Rover South Africa team is extremely proud to be recognised in a contest celebrating automotive excellence. A hearty congratulation is due to all other nominees, runners-up and individual category winners, and I’d like to personally thank the Guild and AutoTrader teams for their hard work in running the competition.”
The all-wheel drive I-PACE, with a 90kWh lithium-ion battery, and 294kW / 696 Nm coming from its twin electric motors, offers an average fuel range of around 360 - 470 km per one charge (under real-life driving conditions), and an ultra-swift acceleration figure of only 4.8 seconds to reach 100 km per hour, from standstill.
In 2018, Jaguar South Africa introduced a R30-million public charging infrastructure investment in partnership with GridCars. The network includes nearly 100 charging stations nationwide, positioned along the N1, N2, and N3, as well as various shopping centres in SA's major city hubs, making plug-in hybrid- as well as EV-ownership more convenient and accessible.
The second and third place winners are...
The ultra-luxurious Mercedes-Benz GLE400d 4MATIC SUV took second place, while the Toyota GR Supra 3.0T, Toyota's iconic high-performance sports coupé, came third.
Related: The new and re-conceived Mercedes-Benz GLE
The seven category winners
Both the category and overall winners are considered to be benchmarks within their categories. The category winners are as follows:
1. Urban car category - Hyundai Atos 1.1 Motion
The urban category covers city-friendly, easily manoeuvrable budget cars. Buyers of this segment are usually more concerned with practicality and value for money than luxury or performance. The new Hyundai Atos fits the bill of a well-rounded, entry-level buy.
Related: Hyundai Atos first drive - it's back!
2. Family car category - Toyota Corolla hatch 1.2 XR CVT
This category is especially tough. Consumers who shop in this segment expect comfort, solid build quality, decent performance, and good fuel economy. The Toyota Corolla hatch perfectly blends all of these elements together with its excellent driving dynamics, sprightly engine, and smooth 10-speed CVT gearbox.
Related: We drive Toyota's sassy new Corolla hatch!
3. Leisure category - Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSI Comfortline
The terrific T-Cross takes the win in this cutthroat-category, which covers SUVs and multi-purpose vehicles that offer flexible cargo space, and the freedom to go anywhere. The T-Cross, with its compact dimensions yet spacious interior and stylish looks, scores top marks.
Related: The new VW T-Cross will knock off your socks!
4. Lifestyle category - Ford Ranger Raptor
These vehicles typically offer supreme off-road prowess and can be either an SUV or a single / double-cab bakkie. The Ranger Raptor wins this section of the competition hands-down, offering buyers a bakkie that can literally be taken straight to the Dakar rally the moment it leaves the factory.
Related: Ford Ranger Raptor - the perfect car for the apocalypse!
5. Premium Car - Jaguar i-Pace EV400 AWD SE
The big cat wins this category as well as the competition overall. With its movie-star looks, faultless driving dynamics, generous range (for an EV) and pioneering driveline, it personifies what buyers in this segment are after.
Related: Living with EVs - The Jaguar I-PACE EV400 HSE (review)
6. Premium SUV category - Mercedes-Benz GLE 400D 4MATIC
The ultra high-tech, super refined Mercedes-Benz GLE 400D 4MATIC boasts interior opulence as well as a powerful engine, with excellent fuel economy. This category caters for vehicles that offer all of the above, as well as off-road ability, versatility and driving comfort.
Related: Merc GLE vs. Range Rover Sport vs. BMW X5
7. Sports/Performance category - Toyota GR Supra 3.0T
The cutting-edge Toyota GR Supra personifies Toyota's extreme racing heritage with its dynamic styling, fiery six-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive configuration. A worthy winner, indeed.
Related: Toyota GR Supra first drive - What's in a name?
Missed it? Not to worry...
If you missed the online awards ceremony, don't despair - click on the #AutoTraderCOTY2020 link to be taken to our YouTube channel, where you can re-live the entire event as it unfolded. Enjoy!
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