Scottish Motors Today

Only a motoring company with real ambition, a stubborn streak and a sense of mischief would dare to call a model Superb. Especially when that manufacturer is Skoda, once the butt of motoring jokes worldwide. And it's taken a few attempts to achieve that objective. But, astonishingly, Skoda have done it at the third time of trying. The Czech manufacturer has produced a mid-sized hatchback to compete with the very best in class – the latest model really is superb and at last fully lives up to its name. And that's why I have chosen the Superb as my Car of the Year 2008, even though it was a close-run thing against the magnificent new Vauxhall Insignia. The reason I've come down just on the side of Skoda is that the Superb is such an astonishing transformation and that the car excels in every single department. Take away the badging, sit in the front seat and it would be hard to tell the Superb apart from any of the top German marques that have dominated this sector so impressively. So it's fitting that the Superb comes under the Volkswagen umbrella and has achieved its objective under the German manufacturer's ownership. The all-new Superb is the third model to wear the famous badge. It is not only the most luxurious car Skoda has ever built, it is one that sets new standards for quality, practicality, design and value. It looks classy, it's beautifully built, comfortable and offers supreme driving pleasure at a keen price. What a car. But how close the Insignia came to sharing the spoils. My runner-up is a truly great car from Vauxhall, instantly light years away from the outgoing Vectra in terms of design, style and refinement. Arguably the best-looking Vauxhall ever, the Insignia (pictured) really sets a completely new agenda for the marque. Again, it's up there with the cream of German design and it's a fabulously engaging car to drive, with ultimate steering feel, a glorious ride and attention to detail right through. Unsurprisingly, there's no real rival to the MINI Cooper S Works for best sports hatch – it's expensive but the fun factor is unmatchable. But for everyday city motoring, I'd take the outgoing European Car of the Year every time. The sweet little Fiat 500 (pictured below) is retro-styling at its best and an awful lot of people have fallen in love with a small Fiat all over again. Volkswagen get two accolades from me this year with their incredibly stylish, reborn Scirocco as best coupe and the exotic Passat CC – the marque's best-ever design? I just had to give SsangYong some sort of award with the Rodius – no other 4x4 comes anywhere near it for value, as it's virtually half the price of some rivals. That leaves the Renault Laguna GT Sport Tourer to easily scoop the best estate title. It's elegant, rewarding to drive and does everything right. And even in these austere times, there'll always be a place for top luxury cars, so my vote goes to the Lexus GS450h. It's the car with everything – and as it's a hybrid, you can salve your conscience. Here's to a happy year of safe motoring in 2009, where the watchword in the car industry will be simple – survival. Watch this space for full road tests of the new Skoda Superb and Vauxhall Insignia in coming weeks. Roll of Honour 2008 Car of the Year: Skoda Superb Runner up: Vauxhall Insignia Best sports hatch: MINI Cooper S Works Best supermini: Fiat 500 Best coupe: Vokswagen Scirocco Best value 4x4: SsangYong Rodius Most exotic design: Volkswagen Passat CC Best estate: Renault Laguna GT Sport Tourer Best luxury car: Lexus GS450h