Land Rover and Pininfarina Scoop Design Awards in Geneva

Designers round the world have chosen cars from Pininfarina and Land Rover to receive the Car Design of the Year 2010 award in Geneva. The result, which were revealed yesterday evening, comes after careful deliberation made by a poll of readers of Car Design News.For the fifth year running, the design community was asked to select the designs which impressed them the most among the shortlists in two categories – concept and production.

The top three in the concept category were the Pininfarina Duettottanta, Jaguar C-X75 and Renault DeZir. However, an overwhelming 40 percent of readers voted the two-seat roadster, a concept that possibly previews a future Alfa Romeo sportscar, as the best of the bunch.

“Winning the Car Design of the Year award makes us particularly proud because it represents the viewpoint of car design experts, who include the chief designers of the most important international companies. Our design team has earned this prize with the great passion it has put into a particularly ambitious project,” chairman Paolo Pininfarina said during the award ceremony, which was part of the Car Design Night in Geneva.

For the production vehicle category, the first three were the Range Rover Evoque, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Audi A7, but once again a winner head and shoulders above over its competitors. Officially unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the Evoque, now in its final production form, follows faithfully the lines of the Land Rover LRX concept created under the direction of Julian Thomson.

"I am delighted to accept this prestigious award on behalf of the Land Rover Design team," said Gerry McGovern, Design Director and Chief Creative Officer. "This is a particularly special accolade as it is represents recognition from peers in the industry."