Peugeot 3008 crossover is car of the year
Sunday November 29 2009
THE Irish Motoring Writers Association (IMWA) last week voted the Peugeot 3008 crossover as the Irish Car of the Year 2010. The announcement was made at an awards ceremony last Thursday in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry.
My colleagues and I in the IMWA voted on a shortlist of 10 cars spread over five categories. Earlier this year, I predicted that the new Kia Soul would be in the final shake-up for the Irish Car of the Year; and sure enough it didn't let me down, coming third behind the Mercedes Benz E-Class, only losing out to the German marque by one point. I knew it would have its work cut out up against the Peugeot 3008, but third place against such strong competition was a very creditable performance indeed.
The results of the voting were: first, the Peugeot 3008 with 239 votes; second, Mercedes Benz E-Class (199 votes); third, Kia Soul (198); fourth, Honda Jazz (169); fifth, Volkswagen Golf (165); sixth, Opel Insignia (164), seventh, Honda Accord (132); eighth, Volkswagen Polo (120); ninth, Renault Grand Scenic (70); and tenth, Renault Kangoo (28).
I had also been impressed by the Honda Jazz and the VW Golf, which finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Presenting the award to the managing director of Gowan Distributors, Dave McConnell, Paddy Murphy of Continental Tyres, sponsors of the event, said: "As a crossover, the Peugeot 3008 is the first Irish Car of the Year to come from outside the traditional car segments. It's a huge testament to the car's qualities that it has emerged top of such an illustrious list of models." The audience at the ceremony included leading motor industry figures.
- Campbell Spray
Sunday Independent
