AUTOCAR GAME CHANGER - Ralph Speth takes the top prize for his work at JLR.

The CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, Ralf Speth, has been awarded the top prize at the 2017 Autocar Awards, held in Silverstone’s iconic Wing building and headline-sponsored by premium tyre brand Vredestein.

Speth was presented with the Issigonis Trophy, named after the creator of the legendary Mini, in recognition of his contribution to Jaguar Land Rover’s remarkable transformation following the sale of the brands to Tata Motors in 2008.

The Issigonis Trophy is presented to the individual who has contributed the most to the health, excellence and competitiveness of the European motor industry. Together, the British luxury marques now constitute Britain's largest automotive manufacturer, with the company’s three UK manufacturing plants producing more than 544,000 cars in 2016.

Design supremo Peter Schreyer received the Sturmey Award for his work across the Hyundai-Kia Motor Group, which has included the continual evolution of both the Hyundai and Kia product ranges, in his role as president and chief design officer. Named after Autocar’s founding editor, Henry Sturmey, the award was created to salute innovation and achievement in the motor industry.

Joining Schreyer’s success was Kia UK’s CEO and president, Paul Philpott, who took an Outstanding UK Leader award as the brand continues to achieve record sales following its 25th year in the UK. 

Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren Automotive, picked up the inaugural Editor’s Award, for his impact on the company’s success over the past year. Thomas Ingenlath, head of design at Volvo Cars, picked up the Design Hero award – and to celebrate, he showed off a unique Volvo V90, specified to his own brief. 

Tobias Moers of Mercedes-AMG took the Engineering Hero gong, while Alan Gow was named Motorsport Hero for his work both as British Touring Car Championship director and for the Motor Sport Association.

Other industry professionals honoured included Mazda UK managing director Jeremy Thomson and Malcolm Wilson, whose M-Sport business is one of the world's leading private motorsport teams. They joined Paul Philpott in receiving Outstanding UK Leader awards.

Accompanying their respective teams at the Silverstone ceremony, the very best new and used cars were out in force. Nominated by Autocar readers, the Volkswagen Golf GTI was named the most influential car in motoring history.

Not to be outshone, many other ground-breaking cars of today also joined the GTI in the spotlight, as six were named Autocar Game Changers, a category sponsored by Vredestein Tyres – one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers with a history spanning 100 years.

The winning game changers have been named as the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Aston Martin DB11, Tesla Model X, Renault Zoe, Toyota C-HR and Seat Ateca.

Accolades were handed out for the Porsche Panamera, Bentley Bentayga and McLaren 720S for achieving five-star reviews. The Innovation Award went to the Lamborghini Huracán Performante for its aero-vectoring rear wing, while the Britain’s Best Driver’s Car award went to two cars at the opposite end of the spectrum: the Porsche 911 R and Ford Fiesta ST200. Finally, the Mini Roadster picked up Used Car Hero, awarded in association with Warranty Direct, as named by Autocar’s used car expert, James Ruppert. 

Autocar editor Mark Tisshaw said: “The Autocar Awards unite the industry through a passion for building, selling and driving the very best vehicles on the planet, and the winners named here are a testament to the talent that drives Britain’s flourishing automotive industry.

“Congratulations must go to the winner of the Issigonis Trophy, Ralf Speth, the dedication of whom has played a special part in the evolution of two of the most iconic and cherished brands into the largest automotive force in the UK. What’s most impressive is that this staggering progress that has taken place in less than a decade.”

Prof. Dr. Ralf Speth KBE FREng, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be given this very prestigious award, and I would like to thank the editors of Autocar magazine deeply. Autocar’s standing remains the same as it has ever done: it is a hugely influential title with a long history in this great industry.

“This award is something that I cannot accept just on my own. It is an honour I accept on behalf of all the incredible people who work at Jaguar Land Rover. Together, we have been on quite a journey over the last few years, rapidly expanding our workforce, recruiting and nurturing the best engineers and focusing on innovation, design and customer satisfaction.

“We are the UK’s biggest R&D investor and are always striving to be better than the best. It is a privilege to be leading such an organisation. I expected to do this job for two years, but now it’s seven and I’m still enjoying it. I still find it amazing, contributing to this thing and helping shape it. Thank you, Autocar, for recognising Jaguar Land Rover’s achievements. Here’s to the next few years.”

Autocar Awards Winners 2017

ISSIGONIS TROPHY

Ralf Speth, CEO, Jaguar Land Rover

Awarded to the individual who has contributed the most to the health, excellence and competitiveness of the European motor industry.

STURMEY AWARD

Peter Schreyer, president and chief design officer, Hyundai-Kia Motor Group

Named after Autocar’s founding editor, Henry Sturmey, this award salutes innovation and achievement in the motor industry.

EDITOR’S AWARD

Mike Flewitt, CEO, McLaren Automotive

A new accolade for 2017, the Editor’s Award goes to the person Autocar believes has made the biggest impact on their company's success over the past year.

FIVE-STAR CARS

Porsche Panamera

Bentley Bentayga Diesel

McLaren 720S

READER’S CHAMPION

VW Golf GTI - most influential car in motoring history

DESIGN HERO

Thomas Ingenlath, design vice-president, Volvo Cars

ENGINEERING HERO

Tobias Moers, CEO, AMG-Mercedes

MOTORSPORT HERO

Alan Gow, series director and administrator, BTCC

INNOVATION AWARD

Lamborghini Huracán Performante and its aero-vectoring rear wing

BRITAIN’S BEST DRIVER’S CARS

Porsche 911 R

Ford Fiesta ST200

AUTOCAR’S USED CAR HERO SPONSORED BY WARRANTY DIRECT

Mini Roadster

AUTOCAR’S OUTSTANDING UK LEADERS

Jeremy Thomson, managing director, Mazda UK

Paul Philpott, CEO and president, Kia UK

Malcolm Wilson, managing director, M-Sport

AUTOCAR’S GAME CHANGERS, SPONSORED BY VREDESTEIN

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Aston Martin DB11

Tesla Model X

Renault Zoe

Toyota C-HR

Seat Ateca