Double boost for Volkswagen as Polo is named European Car of the Year
and Golf wins Irish Family Car of the Year
Volkswagen is enjoying an award winning end to 2009 by adding two prestigious accolades to their repertoire. Recently launched to the Irish market, the new Polo has just been announced as the European Car of the Year for 2010. The new Polo’s extremely efficient drive technologies, best possible active and passive safety systems, a level of quality never before attained in this car. Nothing has been compromised and no other car in its class has such a mature and high-end image as the new Polo. Comfort, quality and safety have all taken a considerable leap forward with the Polo, which has been awarded the recently established, stricter and more comprehensive, 5-star EuroNCAP rating. And with a starting price of only €14,590 the new Polo is an affordable option.
The award follows last weeks win for the Volkswagen Golf which was honoured as the Family Car of the Year for 2010 at the Irish Car of the Year awards in Dublin.
Earlier this year Volkswagen received a huge global endorsement by being honoured with a number of worldwide accolades. The Volkswagen Golf was declared World Car of the Year for 2009 at the New York International Motor Show in May. Then in June the Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI engine was announced as the International Engine of the Year along with being voted the Green Engine of the Year. The string of high profile awards marks a tremendous year for the company.
Commenting on the awards, Adam Chamberlain, Head of Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive such prestigious awards. Now, more than ever, we want to remind people of the high level of quality and value received when purchasing a Volkswagen and the range of global and national accolades for our engines and cars are a huge boost to the brand in Ireland.” Chamberlain added “prices across the Volkswagen range are being lowered while extra standard equipment is being added to the majority of the model range as we gear up for 2010.”
Selection of Car of the Year is one of the oldest and most esteemed awards in Europe. The best of all new car introductions have been awarded annually since 1964. The last time a Volkswagen won the European award was in 1992 with the Golf taking the honour. The recent announcement saw 59 jurors from 23 European countries cast their votes. The new Polo won with 347 points, outpacing the Toyota IQ.
The Polo’s selection as European Car of the Year 2010 is the crowning achievement of an extraordinary year. Since its market launch in May of this year, Volkswagen has received over 130,000 orders for the new benchmark car of the compact class. The Polo is available as a dynamic 3-door and comfortable 5-door in Ireland. Also the Polo BlueMotion, with just a 3.3 litre fuel consumption, is the most fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly five-seater in the world.