The Continental Irish Car of the Year for 2012 will be announced later on today – here’s a round up of who’s vying for the title.
This year, a total of 46 cars are in with a chance of top honours at the awards ceremony at the Convention Centre in Dublin this afternoon.
In total, 22 different manufactures are vying for the top prize as they pit different models that cross multiple classes against each other. Featured in the line-up are some of the sleekest cars on Irish roads at the moment, which include luxury cars, sports cars, people carriers, hatchbacks and 4X4’s.
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. Like the Top Gear checklist, without the prancing around of course.
“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 Nissan Juke won the title of Car of the Year, so who will it be this year? Here are the cars up for nomination:
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 L Cruiser
39. Toyota Verso-S
40. Toyota Yaris
41. VW Golf R
42. VW Jetta
43. VW Passat
44. VW Sharan
45. VW Touareg
46. VW Touran
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