Jaguar I-Pace Norway’s Car of the Year

The all-electric Jaguar I-Pace SUV has been awarded Norwegian Car of the Year 2019.

Seven out of eight jurors put Jaguar’s first electric vehicle (EV) first among eight other finalists, including the Volvo V60, Nissan Leaf and Ford Focus.

The jury, which included a racing driver and industrial designer as well as automotive journalists, evaluated all aspects of each vehicle’s performance, and loved the I-Pace’s driving dynamics, range and premium feel.

“Jaguar deserves a lot of respect for its debut electric vehicle,” Norway Car of the Year lead juror Espen Stensrud says.

“The I-Pace sets the standard for premium feel and quality, while ride, handling, range and design are its greatest strengths.

“I’ve driven a lot of electric vehicles, and this is the one I’ve enjoyed the most.”

The British EV has had a profound impact in the Norwegian market, more than doubling Jaguar sales there in the past six months.

Norway, one of the world’s leading EV markets, has more than 178,500 EVs on the road.

EVs account for 29% of the vehicles sold in the country this year so far, and add in hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and that reaches 60%.

“The Jaguar I-Pace is our first all-electric vehicle, so winning Car of the Year in the world’s most competitive electric vehicle market is a brilliant achievement,” Jaguar Land Rover product engineering executive director Nick Rogers says.

The I-Pace has received more than 30 awards globally since its March 1 reveal, including German Car of the Year, BBC TopGear Magazine EV of the Year and China Green Car of the Year.

It recently launched in Australia with deliveries starting soon and will debut in New Zealand at the ASB Classic tennis tournament December 31-January 12 with deliveries expected from April 2019.