“Quentin brought the joy of motoring, from combustion to electric, into our living rooms,” they said.
“The void he has left can never be filled. His knowledge was not just learned but lived; a library of experience now beyond our reach…
“Quentin will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him personally and professionally.”
The family statement also highlighted his championing of General Motors’ EV1 electric car in the 1990s, saying it proved he was “always ahead of the curve”.
They added: “More recently he had worked tirelessly to make EVs affordable for all.”
On Top Gear, Willson was known for his wry delivery and scathing reviews.
He also presented The Car’s the Star for the BBC, the Classic Car Show on Channel 5 and worked as a motoring journalist.
Willson appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, where his eight-point total for one routine still stands as the lowest score given by judges on the show.