Irish Car of the Year longlist revealed

The Volkswagen up! is one of the contenders for the Continental Irish Car of the Year 2013

Some 36 car models have made the longlist for the Continental Irish Car of the Year 2013 awards.

The candidates have been chosen by the 28 voting members of the Irish Motoring Writers’ Association, based on criteria including innovation and safety, comfort, space, driving quality, build quality, and value for money.

Chairman of the IMWA, Gerry Murphy said: ‘In spite of the general economic slowdown, we are still seeing the arrival in Ireland of a lot of innovative new car models brim full of new automotive technologies and the field of runners for the 2013 title certainly doesn’t disappoint.’

Paddy Murphy of Continental Tyres Ireland, which sponsors the Irish Car of the Year, added: ‘The list of candidates for this year’s award is an eclectic one with a lot of quality in it – it won’t be an easy choice for the jurors.’

A shortlist of vehicles will be announced ahead of the November 22 awards ceremony.

The Kia Rio won last year’s Continental Irish Car of the Year, with the van award going to the Volkswagen Crafter.

Continental Irish Car of the Year 2013 nominees:

Audi A3
Audi Q3
BMW 3 Series
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé
BMW M5
Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet Orlando
Chevrolet Spark
Chrysler 300C
Citroen DS5
Fiat Panda
Ford B-Max
Honda Civic
Honda CR-V
Hyundai i30
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Veloster
Kia cee’d
Kia Optima
Lexus GS
Mazda CX-5
Mercedes-Benz B-Class
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Mercedes-Benz SL
Opel Zafira Tourer
Peugeot 208
Porsche 911
Porsche Boxster
Renault Clio
SEAT Mii
Skoda Citigo
Subaru XV
Toyota GT86
Volkswagen Beetle
Volkswagen up!
Volvo V40