The new F-Type luxury roadster by Jaguar may not be what most petrolheads wanted it to be – an affordable sports car aimed at a younger audience that Jag’s typical customer base – but nevertheless, it is an exquisite bit of kit. A point recognized and appreciated by the World Car of the Year jury, who awarded the F-Type with the 2013 World Car Design of the Year title.

Presented to Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar, at the New York Auto Show, the award applauds the efforts of head designer Ian Callum and his team in creating a flawlessly beautiful mass produced car. That is quite an achievement, given today’s safety regulations and production methods that limit the possibilities for the designer to do whatever they want.

The F-Type was chose by 66 World Car of the Year jury members from 43 cars. The jury was impressed mostly by the car’s long wheelbase, short overhangs and flared fenders.

Commenting from the show, Hallmark said: “The F-TYPE is the first full-blooded Jaguar sports car to be launched for more than 50 years.  Its architecture and technology are world class, wrapped in an evocative and progressive design that could only be a Jaguar – ‘Callum unfiltered’, as we call it in-house. It is as dynamic yet refined as any Jaguar sports car should be, and is a unique proposition from a performance and price perspective. This combination of factors has clearly inspired this year’s jurors, and we are delighted and honoured to collect this award.”