Search Car Reviews



See all makes



Review of the year - August 09

Super Ford takes the plaudits at glittering new cars ceremony, and we pull out the stops for special issue

auto express

December 2009

August saw us tackle the huge task of our annual New Car Awards (Issue 1,075). As well as putting together a special issue, we announced our winners to the industry’s big names at a VIP dinner.

Star of the show was the Ford Fiesta, which was crowned Car of the Year – a worthy champ, as it had dominated every test we put it through. In addition, the inaugural Auto Express Person of the Year award went to Jaguar design chief Ian Callum, who was honoured for his work in transforming the big cat brand with the XK, XF and new XJ.

Art director Darren Wilson came up with something really special for our awards issue.

He commissioned a series of stunning photos as backdrops to the studio shots of this year’s winners. Sorry for spoiling the surprise, but how else did you expect us to place a Jaguar XF beside London’s Tower Bridge, or squeeze a Ford S-MAX on a narrow footbridge?


Click any of the links below to catch up with all the rest of the year's most exciting stories.

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December



What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

0 Comment

Be the first to comment on this article

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

Social Bookmarks

Full Car Reviews

auto express

People carrier picks

Renault Scenic, Peugeot 3008 vs Citroen C4 Picasso, SEAT Altea (Issue 1,077)
auto express

Value hatches

Mazda3 vs Chevy Cruze, Hyundai i30 (Issue 1,076)
auto express

Supercar showdown

Aston Martin V12 Vantage, Corvette ZR1, Audi R8 V10 (Issue 1,075)
auto express

Scrappage Scheme stars

Fiat Panda, Hyundai i10, Alfa Romeo MiTo, Ford Fiesta, Hyundai i30, Ford S-MAX, MINI Cooper D, Skoda Superb (Issue 1,074)
- Advertisement -

Sponsored Results

Facts and Figures

Verdict

Tester's notes
The Auto Express New Car Awards ceremony is one of the best-loved events in the motoring industry because of its informal atmosphere and the interesting venues we’ve had over the years.

And 2009 was no different, as we took over the estate of the magazine’s owner, Felix Dennis. All of the car companies were invited to send a vehicle to line the red carpet up to our marquee, and we had everything from an Audi R8 to a battered Maestro delivered by Hyundai – it had been traded in on the Scrappage Scheme!

A classic Ford Capri and a Renault F1 car were also on show, and the Aston Martin One-77 took pride of place in the marquee.

We even beat the weather, which was wet, wet, wet! I needed my wellies to park the cars on the sodden grass before changing into my gladrags – still wearing my fetching footwear. Well, if Kate Moss can do it...

Lesley Harris
Road tester

 
- Advertisement -