The all-new Jaguar XF took top honours at the 31st annual motoring "Oscars", the What Car? Car Of The Year Awards 2008, sponsored this year by the RAC.

The Jaguar beat 14 category winners during a glittering ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel on London's Park Lane.

What Car? editor Steve Fowler said: It's a crucial time for Jaguar as the sale of the company draws closer. Judging by the XF, its future looks very good indeed.

"The XF has it all - it looks fantastic and has a classy, futuristic interior that gives it a real sense of occasion. On top of that it's great to drive, whatever mood you're in, and is a sound ownership proposition, too. Considering the quality of opposition it beat to win our Best Executive Car Award, it was an obvious choice for the overall Award.' Speaking at the event, Mike O'Driscoll, managing director of Jaguar Cars, said: "All of us at Jaguar are delighted that we've taken the top spot at these awards.

"Jaguar is creating a new generation of cars that started with the XK, and now continues with the all-new XF - a car that has the heart of a sports car and the looks of a grand tourer. It's visually striking and thrilling to drive.

"We're very pleased with the reaction that the car has received, and our customer order bank is growing fast."

BMW and MINI were green, not from envy for missing out on the top prize, but for winning What Car?'s Green Award for the first time. The award recognises the company's achievements in using clever technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions across the whole range of BMW and MINI cars.

British car makers also did well at the awards. Land Rover again dominated the 4x4 categories - the new Freelander 2 was named Best Compact 4x4 for the second year and the Discovery won the Best Large 4x4 award for the fourth year running - while the Oxford-built MINI Cooper S won the Best Hot Hatch award for the second year.

Audi came away with the most trophies, including Best Performance Car for the R8 and Best Coupé for the TT. Ford's new Mondeo was named Best Family Car and Best Estate, while last year's Car Of The Year, the Vauxhall Corsa, was again named Best Supermini.