A field of 46 candidates for the Continental Irish Car of the Year 2010 awards was originally in contention for the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA ) last week. After the first round of voting ten models (two in each class ) go forward to the second round.
The shortlisted models are: Small Car: Kia Picanto and Kia Rio; Compact Family: Ford C-Max and Ford Focus; Family Car: Hyundai i40 and Peugeot 508; Executive/Luxury Car: Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe and Range Rover Evoque; and Performance Car: Honda CR-Z and Mercedes-Benz SLK.
The 24 voting members of the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association assess each vehicle, attributing points on the basis of criteria ranging from innovation and safety, to space, comfort, build quality, driving quality, and value for money.
The original full field of candidates for the Continental Irish Car of the Year 2012 are as follows:
1. Audi A6; 2. Audi A7; 3. BMW 1 Series; 4. BMW 1 Series M; 5. BMW 6 Series; 6. BMW X3; 7. Chrysler Delta; 8. Chrysler Voyager; 9. Citroen C4; 10. Citroen DS3 Racing; 11. Citroen DS4; 12. Ford C-MAX; 13. Ford Focus; 14. Ford Grand C-MAX; 15. Honda CR-Z; 16. Hyundai i40; 17. Hyundai ix20; 18. Jeep Compass; 19. Jeep G Cherokee; 20. Kia Picanto; 21. Kia Rio; 22. Lexus CT200h; 23. Mazda5; 24. Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe; 25. Mercedes-Benz CLS; 26. Mercedes-Benz SLK; 27. Mini Coupe; 28. Mitsubishi Outlander; 29. Nissan Leaf; 30. Nissan Micra; 31. Nissan Murano; 32. Peugeot 508; 33. Renault Megane Trophy; 34. Renault Wind; 35. Range Rover Evoque; 36. Seat Alhambra; 37. Seat Leon Cupra R; 38. Toyota Land Cruiser; 39. Toyota Verso-S; 40. Toyota Yaris; 41. Volkswagen Golf R; 42. Volkswagen Jetta; 43. Volkswagen Passat; 44. Volkswagen Sharan; 45. Volkswagen Touareg, and 46. Volkswagen Touran.
Gerry Murphy, chairman of the IMWA, commented: “There has been a very small rise in car sales this year in relation to 2010, and reflecting that slight increase, we also have an increased number of entries for the Continental Irish Car of the Year title - up from 39 last year to 46 this year. Certainly the general economic slowdown has impacted on the number of new models coming onto the market but this year’s field of runners shows that the quality of the eligible cars is being maintained - from really exciting superminis right up to luxury / sport models, they are all there in this year’s crop”.
“For the average motorist, it might seem that we have a bewildering range of cars vying for the title this year,” commented Paddy Murphy of Continental Tyres Ireland, Irish Car of the Year sponsor. “But the real value of the awards is that each year, the expert IMWA jurors can help Irish motorists navigate through the bewildering range of choices, by identifying the key models that fit with the likes and requirements of the average Irish driver.”
Last year the Continental Irish Car of the Year title went to the Nissan Juke while the van accolade was won by the Mercedes-Benz Vito. The Continental Irish Car of the Year and Continental Irish Van of the Year will be revealed at a gala event in the Convention Centre, Dublin, on Thursday November 17.
