KEEN motorists can soon find out what will be their ideal next vehicle thanks to the Scottish Car Of The Year Awards.
Regarded as a highlight of the automotive calendar across the UK and beyond, the hotly contested event will take place next Thursday.
A host manufacturers will be vying for the overall win as well as various category top spots in the prestigious ceremony held at the Dalmahoy Hotel near Edinburgh.
The judging panel is made up of Scotland’s leading motoring journalists and experts – representing a variety of major print, online and radio outlets.
Awards up for grabs include small car, family hatchback, small SUV/crossover, family SUV, large SUV, estate and executive vehicle.
Moving with the times, there are gongs for electric cars priced at less than £35,000 and another category for those costing more than that.
Meanwhile, honours for plug-in hybrid and hybrid machines, luxury SUV, 4X4 and hot-hatch nominations will be fiercely fought over.
SCOTY judges, all members of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW), also go the extra mile by awarding best used car and design/innovation prizes.
A huge variety of brands are in the mix and include Aston Martin, BMW, Dacia, Ford, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Ineos, Isuzu, Kia, Land Rover, Mazda, MG, Nissan, Polestar, SEAT, Skoda, SsangYong and Suzuki.
After last year’s event had to be held virtually – with the Ford Puma being crowned SCOTY winner – it’s a wonderful return for a “real” event.
ASMW president Jack McKeown said: “We look forward to welcoming our friends from across the motoring industry for what will be a great celebration of this vital sector to the nation’s economy.”
