BMW 730Ld
Reclaiming the title it received in 2009, the BMW 730Ld has been named Professional Driver Car of the Year 2011 and Chauffeur Car of the year, beating competition from the Audi A8L and the jaguar XJL - Professional Driver car of the Year 2010.
The BMW 730Ld was awarded due to the combination of passenger luxury, driveability, low running costs and the manufacturer-backed chauffeur programme.
Professional Driver editor Mark Bursa, who chaired the judging for the awards, 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 programme that makes it much more affordable for chauffeurs on a lease basis than either the Jaguar XJL or the Mercedes S-class."
Mark Bursa added: "It was a very close contest, with the new Audi A8L winning praise for its comfort and good looks, and Audi's chauffeur programme probably edges BMW's. Audi is the only manufacturer to offer a like-for-like licensed replacement car anywhere in the UK, not just in London. But this wasn't enough to take the top prize from the 7-series, which was simply the best car on the day."
The BMW 730Ld received the highest total score, finishing ahead of the other three category winners to win Professional Driver Car of the Year 2011.
The BMW 530d Gran Turismo won the Executive Car of the Year category for the second year in a row, ahead of the Jaguar XF and new Audi A6.
The Professional Driver Car of the Year Awards winners are selected by a panel of chauffeurs, private hire operators and motoring journalists.
