VAUXHALL was today celebrating its Ampera electric vehicle sharing the Car of the Year 2012 title with the Volt from sister brand Chevrolet.

In handing victory to the revolutionary models, the 53-strong judging panel from 23 European countries named the pair as clear winners with 330 points ahead of the Volkswagen up! with 281 and the Ford Focus  on 256 points.

For the first time in the history of the prize, the final selection was made at the Geneva Motor Show and the Ampera and the Volt saw off the challenge of seven finalists from an initial entry of 35 recently launched vehicles.

The selection criteria was based on design, comfort, performance and especially innovative technologies as well as efficiency - areas where the Ampera and the Volt excel.

"It is a proud moment for us and an honour to receive this award from Europe's leading jury of automotive journalists," said Chevrolet's European president Susan Docherty. "Our car demonstrates that electric driving can be fun and reliable without ever compromising the owners' lifestyle."

The Ampera and Volt are the first electric vehicles in the market that can go anywhere anytime in that up to 50 miles can be covered in the purely battery-operated mode, while the range extender boosts that distance to more than 350 miles.

Meanwhile, Vauxhall has revealed a quartet of models at the show including the 280PS Astra VXR and the new Mokka SUV, both of which go on sale in the UK later this year.

The company also unveiled what it calls a forward-thinking e-concept vehicle, called the RAD e, which fits this year's Geneva show theme: Driving into the future.

Completing the foursome, the Insignia BiTurbo - Vauxhall's most powerful diesel ever - is also making its motor show debut, to coincide with first UK customer deliveries.