Audi’s new supermini, the A1, has been named car of the year by What Car? magazine.

The victory for the A1, which was also named best supermini, was announced at a ceremony in London last night.

What Car? editor-in-chief Steve Fowler said: “If ever there has been a car that has hit the nail squarely and firmly on the head, the Audi A1 is it.

“It’s the right car at the right time: a car that combines desirability and ability alongside frugal financials - the perfect combination.”

Audi UK director Jeremy Hicks said: “It’s a tremendous accolade for the Audi A1 to receive this award.”

This year’s reader award for the most exciting car to be launched this year went to the new Range Rover Evoque, six months ahead of the British-built car’s launch.

The Land Rover Discovery won the best 4x4 award for the seventh year running, while Jaguar won the best executive car award for the fourth year in a row with the XF. The British-built, all-electric Nissan Leaf won the new ultra-low carbon car award, and was described by Mr Fowler as “a slice of tomorrow’s motoring today”.

List of winners

Supermini Audi A1 1.4 TFSI Sport
Small family car Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 122 Match 5dr
Family car Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec
Estate car Ford Mondeo Estate 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec
MPV Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI 140 Ecomotive S
Hot hatch Renault Megane Renaultsport 250 Cup
Coupe Audi TT 2.0 TFSI 211 Sport
Open-top BMW Z4 sDrive23i
Performance car Ferrari 458 Italia
Crossover Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Sport
4x4 Land Rover Discovery 3.0 SDV6 XS
Compact executive BMW 3 Series 320d ES
Executive Jaguar XF 3.0D V6 Luxury
Luxury car Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 CDI Bluetec
Ultra-low carbon car Nissan Leaf
Security Volkswagen
Safety Volvo