The BMW 730Ld Saloon has been crowned Car of the Year at the UK’s Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards 2011, while also taking the title of Chauffeur Car of the Year.
Not to be outdone, the BMW 530d Gran Turismo retained its title of Executive Car of the Year for the second year in a row. The BMW 7 Series was commended for its unrivalled mix of passenger luxury, low running cost and driver satisfaction making it the ideal chauffeur car both for the driver and the driven.
Its exceptional quality and improved fuel consumption, along with an excellent manufacturer-backed chauffeur program clinched the title. The 5 Series Gran Turismo was praised for its abundance of rear legroom, command driving position, its sheer versatility and high quality.
Its unique interior packaging matched with the choice of powerful yet economic drivetrains and an outstanding satellite navigation system, earned the 5 Series Gran Turismo its title as the judges applauded it as a car made for chauffeuring.
Mark Bursa, editor of Professional Driver magazine and chair of the judging panel, said: “The BMW 730Ld offers an exceptional mix of comfort, rear-seat luxury and driveability. Since 2009, the 7 Series has been improved, with better fuel economy now above 40mpg combined. And crucially, it's part of a beefed-up manufacturer-backed chauffeur program that makes it much more affordable for chauffeurs on a lease basis than either the Jaguar XJL or the Mercedes S-class."
Michael Sheridan
