(August 4, 2011) LONDON — European magazine Auto Express has named the best new models of the past 12 months at its annual New Car Awards — and the big winner was the Range Rover Evoque, which was crowned Auto Express Car of the Year 2011.

The ceremony celebrated the top buys in 18 classes of the new car market, as chosen by Auto Express’s expert panel.

Key criteria included fuel efficiency, driver appeal, practicality and reliability. From the 18 class winners, one stood out overall. The judges felt that the British-built Evoque — chosen as the Best Compact SUV — was the most impressive new car of the past 12 months.

Other winners on the night included the Hyundai i10, which was named Best City Car, and the Skoda Superb, which won the Best Family Car and Best Estate Car awards. In addition to honoring the 18 class champions, Auto Express handed out seven special awards, including its first-ever Green Award, in recognition of a manufacturer’s environmentally friendly efforts. This went to Volkswagen’s BlueMotion model range.

Also, GM Europe President Nick Reilly joined the Auto Express Hall of Fame. Reilly is one of the most senior Brits in the motor industry, and the honor recognized the crucial role he has played in securing the future of Vauxhall.

But it was another homegrown hero that stole the limelight. Not only is the Evoque stunning to look at and great to drive, it’s the cleanest, most efficient Range Rover ever.

Graham Hope, Acting Editor of Auto Express, said: “The Range Rover Evoque truly looks set to define a desirable new sector of the market on its own. This talented machine brings a much loved premium brand within reach of a wider audience than ever before, and marks a brave departure from its maker’s traditional strengths. It’s great to see that this year’s winner was designed, engineered and built in Britain.”

Full list of winners:

    Best City Car – Hyundai i10
    Best Supermini – Ford Fiesta
    Best Premium Supermini – Audi A1
    Best Supermini-MPV – Hyundai ix20
    Best Compact Family Car – Volkswagen Golf
    Best Crossover – Skoda Yeti
    Best Family Car – Skoda Superb
    Best Compact Executive Car – BMW 3 Series
    Best Executive Car – Audi A6
    Best Luxury Car – Mercedes S-Class
    Best Compact SUV – Range Rover Evoque
    Best Large SUV – Land Rover Discovery 4
    Best Estate – Skoda Superb Estate
    Best MPV – SEAT Alhambra
    Best Hot Hatch – Volkswagen Golf GTI
    Best Coupe – Peugeot RCZ
    Best Convertible – BMW 3 Series Convertible
    Best Roadster – Mazda MX-5
    Green Award – Volkswagen BlueMotion
    Performance Car of the Year – Ferrari 458 Italia
    Design Award – Saab PhoeniX
    Driver Power Award – Skoda
    Special Award – Ford Focus, Driver Assistance Pack
    Auto Express Hall of Fame – Nick Reilly, President, GM Europe
    Car of the Year – Range Rover Evoque