There are many awards out there for car manufacturers and the models they produce to win. European Car of the Year, World Car of the Year, International Engine of the Year yadda yadda but there is one award that manufacturers covet the most as the receiver of the prestigious accolade will instantly be propelled to the pantheon of greatness. Aston Martin today (28 September) announced that it has been awarded the prize of the UK's coolest brand for an unprecedented fifth time in six years.

The award, conferred upon the Gaydon company by the CoolBrands Council, came after an exhaustive search for the world's leading contemporary design-driven brands and saw Aston Martin beat off stiff competition from the likes of Apple and Bang & Olufsen.

Established in 2001, the CoolBrands Council initially identified 10,000 brands, which were whittled down to a 1,500-long shortlist before the final vote to determine the top 500 coolest brands based on criteria including style, innovation, authenticity, originality and desirability.
Speaking about the award, Stephen Cheliotis, Chief Executive of The Centre for Brand Analysis and Chairman of the CoolBrands Council said: "Smooth, sexy and sophisticated; British built, high quality and hand finished, let's be honest, young or old, male or female, opinion former or British public, who wouldn't aspire to own what is truly the coolest car on the road. Number one in five of the last six years, this British icon is truly the coolest of the cool."

Aston Martin did the double by also taking home the award for the top automotive brand surpassing a host of other luxury and specialist manufacturers.

Paul Healy - 28 Sep 2011