Jaguar's electric SUV wins 'Car of the Year' award

By Bayram Altug

GENEVA (AA) - Jaguar I-PACE, the first all-electric performance Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) of British luxury carmaker Jaguar, claimed the "Car of the Year" award in Geneva International Motor Show on Monday.

The I-PACE -- a pure battery electric vehicle -- beat Renault Alpine A110 by nose to be crowned Europe’s best in the 2019 show as jury of European car journalists picked the winner.

The other finalists were Citroen C5 Aircross SUV, Ford Focus, Kia Ceed, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Peugeot 508.

"This is a great honor, not only because it is an electric car," Ian Callum, Jaguar's design director, said over Monday's triumph.

“Why should people be surprised electric cars win awards? This is the future, you better all accept that.

In 2018, Swedish car producer Volvo's XC40 won it.

Regarded as a major international auto show, Geneva International Motor Show will be open to press on March 5-6 and open to public between March 7 and 17.

Roughly 700,000 persons are expected to visit the show.

The I-PACE -- having a 90kWh battery -- reaches 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds.

The SUV can go up to 292 miles with a full charge battery.

The U.K. price of the I-PACE 2019 starts from £64,495 ($84,949).