A field of 46 candidates for the Continental Irish Car of the Year 2012 awards has been announced by the Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA), writes Trish Whelan.
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 17th November.
The full field of candidates are:
Audi A6, Audi A7, BMW 1 Series, BMW 1 SEries M, BMW 6 Series, BMW X3, Chrysler Delta, Chrysler Voyager, Citroen C4, Citroen DS3 Racing, Citroen DS4, Ford C-MAX, Ford Focus, Ford Grand C-MAX, Honda CR-Z, Hyundai i40, Hyundai ix20, Jeep Compass, Jeep G Cherokee, Kia Picanto, Kia Rio, Lexus CT200h, Mazda5, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, Mercedes-Benz CLS, Mercedes-Benz SLK, Mini Coupe, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Leaf, Nissan Micra, Nissan Murano, Peugeot 508, Renault Megane Trophy, Renault Wind, Range Rover Evoque, SEAT Alhambra, SEAT Leon Cupra R, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Verso-S, Toyota Yaris, VW Golf R, VW Jetta, VW Passat, VW Sharan, VW Touareg, and VW Touran.
The 24 voting members of the IMWA 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.