The year 2023 was a momentous occasion for the automobile industry, as it shattered the four-million sales record for the very first time. This impressive feat is a testament to the industry's unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. We have also witnessed the positive acceptance of EVs and also seen technology development in another form of propulsion. From safety to sustainability, from practicality to performance, from technology to innovation, every aspect has been given enough attention. For the 4th edition of the BBC TopGear India Magazine award, 70 per cent weightage has been given to the public voting, whereas the remaining 30 per cent has been allocated by the TG editorial jury. TG jury had an airstrip all by themselves, wherein they set up a small technical gymkhana to evaluate the vehicles. This year, we have also brought back the iconic - STIG! Here are all the triumphant champions who pushed themselves to the top and emerged victorious amongst their peers.
CAR OF THE YEAR
The Indian automotive market witnessed a slew of compelling launches last year, most of which were better than the others, making the competition quite challenging. Choosing the outright winner in this category always becomes a tough call. The BBC TopGear Magazine's Car of the Year has to be one with a more pleasing value proposition and better overall development. The Honda Elevate, as a product, revived the Japanese automaker in the country for all the good reasons, which ticks all the right boxes and commands the position it deserves.
MOTORCYCLE OF THE YEAR
Well, the year 2023 has to be called a year of motorcycles, wherein numerous exciting motorcycles blessed the enthusiasts. From ADVs to Scramblers to Streetfighters to Commuters, every segment seen slew of launches. We at TopGear appreciate the performance, so our choice has to echo our beliefs. Hence, Aprilia RS 457 took the honour of BBC TopGear Magazine India's Motorcycle of the Year.
INDIAN GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE LEADER OF THE YEAR
BBC TopGear Magazine's India honoured Mr Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director and CEO, Auto & Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., with an Indian Global Automotive Leader of the Year. His unwavering commitment to the development of M&M and persistent efforts stirred the brand's growth.
MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR
The car manufacturer that has been leading the growth of the Indian automotive space, Maruti Suzuki, took the prestigious BBC TopGear Magazine's India Manufacturer of the Year. The brand has brought in its legacy-mover, THE Jimny, made other compelling launches, and also registered positive export growth, thus grabbing the honour it deserves.
CONCEPT OF THE YEAR
Every big product development starts with a vision, and it's a concept that sets the direction for the vision. Indian EV startup Ultraviolette Automotive showcased its F99 at EICMA 2023, which grabbed enough attention and packed a lot of potential to be honoured Concept of the Year.
EDITOR'S CHOICE LIFESTYLE VEHICLE OF THE YEAR
Mahindra Thar has been a blockbuster success ever since it was launched. However, there was still a place in the market that craved a less complex powertrain but still possessed Thars' commanding presence. Mahindra Thar RWD fits those purposes and is thus crowned Ed Choice Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year.
ADV UP TO 1200CC
This segment is for pros who have mastered the art of motorcycling. Ducati DesertX has been honoured with BBC TopGear Magazine's India ADV (up to 1200cc ) for its versatile performance and distinctive character.
FACELIFT OF THE YEAR
Every year, manufacturers give minor to major updates to their existing vehicles to make them relevant in the demanding market. Even though many significant facelift launches happened last year, the one that took the honour was the Kia Seltos for its refreshing design changes along with the addition of relevant safety technology.
TWO-WHEELER OF THE YEAR (UP TO 130CC)
This segment is for the mass movers, which scores brownie points for efficiency, ease of maintenance, and robust build quality for day-to-day use. Honda Shine 100 has been crowned with BBC TopGear Magazine India's two-wheeler of the year (up to 130cc) category for its all-rounded capabilities.
TWO-WHEELER OF THE YEAR UP TO 400CC
The 400cc is the new 250cc in the Indian market, as the demand for this segment has risen significantly in recent times. The year 2023 saw a slew of competitive launches in this segment. Triumph Scrambler 400X took the honours with maximum votes and jury points for its entire value proposition.
SEDAN OF THE YEAR
India is flooded with SUV body shapes, and in the midst of those boxy SUVs, sedans ring the heart of car admirers. Hyundai Verna ticked all the right boxes with its looks, features, and performance to be crowned as BBC TopGear Magazine's India Sedan of the Year.
ROADSTER OF THE YEAR UP TO 500CC
Retro themes are making a comeback, and many people esteem this particular style. Harley-Davidson revived itself in the Indian market with an X400 that has been developed in-house in collaboration with Hero MotoCorp.
TWO-WHEELER OF THE YEAR UP TO 250CC
Hero Karizma XMR took the crown of BBC TopGear Magazine's India Two-wheeler of the Year up to 250cc for its outstanding design, sporty commuting capabilities and value proposition that is so hard to resist. What further adds to its charisma is its handling and suspension capabilities.
SUV OF THE YEAR (SUB 30-LAKH)
Tata updated its SUV lineup last year, out of which Tata Safari caught everyone's fancy with its futuristic looks, refreshed interiors, safety features and a lot more, thus making it BBC TopGear Magazine India's SUV of the Year (sub-30-lakh)
ADV UP TO 500CC
This is one of the hottest growing segments in India, where manufacturers are trying to grab a piece of the pie with their rugged offerings. Royal Enfield had played a masterstroke with the new Himalayan that outshines in every department, thus making it achieve the prestigious BBC TopGear Magazine India's ADV up to 500cc.
CNG CAR OF THE YEAR
Albeit the wave of electric vehicles shadowing the market, CNG cars are still the workhorse for the masses. Tata Motors' enterprising move to dominate this segment with practicality and space management deserves the honour. Altroz iCNG is the dominant step in that direction, which packs enough potential to be BBC TopGear Magazine India's CNG car of the year.
EDITOR'S CHOICE GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR
Volvo C40 Recharge bagged the Ed Choice Green Car of the Year award for the use of vegan-friendly materials and fabrics. The brand has shown unwavering commitment to using sustainable materials to meet its environmental goals, and the C40 Recharge is one step toward that direction.
BEST INNOVATION IN 3-WHEELER SEGMENT
This is a new addition to our categories, as the mass-mobility segment is also seeing potential development in terms of technology. Piaggio Apé NXT+ has been chosen for this award as it offers best fuel efficiency of up to 50 km/KG for the CNG version.
EDITOR'S CHOICE LUXURY SEDAN OF THE YEAR
BMW 7-Series has bagged BBC TopGear Magazine India's Ed Choice Luxury Sedan of the Year for its unique road presence and the futuristic technology on offer. The comfort and convenience, coupled with the enthusiastic powertrain, make it the favourite pick.
COMPACT SUV OF THE YEAR
This is the ever-growing segment in the Indian market. Maruti Suzuki knows how to tap into the demand, and thus launched the all-new Fronx, which packs enough potential with its distinctive looks, efficient powertrain, robust capabilities and price, which is so hard to ignore.
ELECTRIC SCOOTER OF THE YEAR
At the onset of the new form of mobility, startups have emerged to grab the EV opportunity. One such startup, River from Banglore, has launched its first product, Indie, which has unique capabilities and looks to be crowned as BBC TopGear Magazine India's Electric Scooter of the Year.
PREMIUM CRUISER OF THE YEAR
The niche category in the world of motorcycling, wherein one aspires to rule the road with command and comfort. Ducati Diavel V4 took the honour of Premium Cruiser of the Year.
LUXURY SUV OF THE YEAR
The Indian market is seeing tremendous growth in the luxury vehicle space. Mercedes-Benz GLC had enough positives in its stride to be honoured as BBC TopGear Magazine India's Luxury SUV of the Year.
LIFESTYLE SUV OF THE YEAR
Well, Maruti Suzuki has revived its legacy with the Jimny, which then soon went on to become the masses' favourite for its cute lifestyle quotient that also boosts off-road capabilities. Maruti Suzuki Jimny adds more flavours than just commuting, thus making it the Lifestyle SUV of the Year.
TWO-WHEELER OF THE YEAR UP TO 160CC
Hero Xtreme 160R 4V bagged the BBC TopGear Magazine India's Two-wheeler of the year (up to 160cc) because of its sporty credentials, sharp looks and wholesome equipment on offer.
PERFORMANCE CAR OF THE YEAR
Ahha, this is the segment that enthusiasts crave, and the last year that caught everyone's attention was the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance for its F1-derived technology. It also gets a thrilling sustainable hybrid performance package, sharp aerodynamic looks and a tempting price tag, that makes it Performance Car of the Year.
PERFORMANCE SUV OF THE YEAR
Lamborghini Urus S was honoured with BBC TopGear Magazine India's Performance SUV of the Year. The confusion and debate in this category were majorly settled with the public voting, who went on to go crazy for Lambos.
ELECTRIC CAR OF THE YEAR
The influx of electric cars in the Indian market is an ever-growing sphere. With the slew of compelling launches last year, MG Comet took a rather different approach to city commuting, thus making it a BBC TopGear Magazine India's Electric Car of the Year.
LUXURY ELECTRIC CAR OF THE YEAR
The rising popularity of electric vehicles is not limited to the masses only, as the luxury car market is also witnessing significant growth. Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback gets honoured with Luxury Electric Car of the Year because it triumphs in competition with its rivals.
PREMIUM MOTORCYCLE OF THE YEAR
BMW M 1000 R bags the prestigious BBC TopGear Magazine India's Premium Motorcycle of the Year for its mind-boggling performance, sharp aerodynamic looks and track-focused capabilities.
LIFESTYLE CAR OF THE YEAR
This year, BBC TopGear Magazine India's Lifestyle Car of the Year is rather unique. Aston Martin DB12 not only delights with its looks but also dominates with its performance. The cumulative appreciation from the TG jury and public votes made the Aston Martin DB12 the clear winner.
