In a thrilling finish worthy of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Range Rover Sport has won the race to be crowned 7DAYS Car of the Year 2013 by overtaking its closest rival on the final lap.

Going into the last day of the public vote, the Chevrolet Impala had looked like being a wire-to-wire winner after it led from the start. However, a surge of support for the Range Rover Sport in the final hours of voting saw the SUV overtake and win by just 21 votes.

The cars were among 10 models launched in the UAE last year that made it to the shortlist of 7DAYS’ annual car competition.

The finalists were revealed earlier this month and readers of 7DAYS and 7DAYSinDubai.com and 7DAYSinAbuDhabi.com were asked to vote for their favourite. It proved an exciting race, but it was the Range Rover Sport – which famously conquered the Empty Quarter at the end of last year – that won.

7DAYS CEO Mark Rix presented the trophy this week to Salman Sultan, PR, social media and events manager at Jaguar Land Rover MENA.

Rix said: “7DAYS readers are never shy when it comes to having their say and this is the reason why we leave it up to them to decide who wins 7DAYS Car of the Year. It is not about which one is fastest or most expensive or has the biggest engine, it is about cars that inspire our readers. We would like to congratulate Jaguar Land Rover on their win and look forward to the coming months to see whomight be competing for the title next year.”

Meanwhile, Sultan said: “On behalf of Jaguar Land Rover MENA I am extremely proud that the all-new Range Rover Sport has been awarded the prestigious Car of the Year by 7DAYS readers.

“The accolade is a testament to the popularity of the fastest, most agile and most responsive Land Rover we have ever built, and it is an honour to be at the receiving end of such positive feedback from 7DAYS readers.”

The contenders for Car of the Year were drawn from nominations by representa­tives of the car industry and 7DAYS readers. Our Finalists-judges chose 10 finalists based on performance, design, value for money, innovation and practicality. These were put to a public vote, with one lucky reader winning a two-night escape for two at Fairmont The Palm.