Premium tyre brand Vredestein sponsored the 2017 Autocar Awards, held in Silverstone’s impressive Wing building last night. The prestigious event celebrated individual achievements and motor companies’ contributions to the automotive industry.

Under the watchful eye of Vredestein’s top executives, Director of Sales (Europe) Matthias Urban, Director of Marketing (Europe) Tanneke Reinders and UK Country Manager Karl Naylor, iconic brands were presented with a plethora of trophies and awards by Autocar experts.

Six ground-breaking cars were named Autocar “Game Changers”, a category also sponsored by Vredestein. The winning game changers were the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Aston Martin DB11, Tesla Model X, Renault Zoe, Toyota C-HR and Seat Ateca.

“Throughout Vredestein’s 100 year history, innovation has been a cornerstone of the Vredestein brand, enabling us to deliver award winning tyres to the market,” said Director of Marketing (Europe) Tanneke Reinders. “It was appropriate for us to support an event which acknowledges excellence in many fields of the European automotive industry.”

“Autocar Awards Dinner 2017 lined up leading automotive brands and influencers with a bright future ahead, and we felt that it was the perfect opportunity to remind the industry that Vredestein UK has equally ambitious plans in the UK as a premium tyre manufacturer with substantial heritage and history,” added UK Country Manager Karl Naylor.

Under Vredestein’s augural Autocar Awards sponsorship, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, Ralf Speth, was presented with the Issigonis Trophy, as 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.

Autocar Awards Winners 2017

AUTOCAR’S GAME CHANGERS, SPONSORED BY VREDESTEIN

Alfa Romeo Giulia
Aston Martin DB11
Tesla Model X
Renault Zoe
Toyota C-HR
Seat Ateca

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