Audi A3 named World Car of the Year

The Audi A3 is available in a range of body types, including the saloon

The Audi A3 has been crowned the 2014 World Car of the Year.

The premium compact model beat off competition from 23 other cars to win the votes of the 69-strong international jury of motoring journalists from 22 countries.

Audi chairman Rupert Stadler said: ‘The Audi A3 showcases Audi’s technical competence in all aspects of car making, not least in the areas of lightweight technology, drivetrain, mobile infotainment and driver assistance systems.

‘This major award win is an achievement that the whole company can celebrate.’

The Audi A3 is available as a three-door, Sportback, Cabriolet and Saloon , in a range of TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines.

A plug-in hybrid e-tron model will be added to the line up later this year.

Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class was named the 2014 Luxury World Car of the Year; the BMW i3 took both the World Car Design of the Year and the World Green Car awards. The Porsche 911 GT3 was named the World Performance Car.

Visit the Audi Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.