Nissan Qashqai crowned APMP CAR OF THE YEAR as AUDI scoop LUXURY AND FAMILY GONG

The newly-formed Association of Professional Motoring Press (of which I'm a member) choose the mid-sized SUV over some very serious competition which included the Audi A3 Saloon, the Alfa Romeo 4C, BMW 2 Series, Mercedes C-Class and the MINI Hatch, to name but a few.

Journalists from the national press, radio, TV and internet voted on 17 car and van awards and the winners were announced at the Powerscourt Hotel last night.

German Car giant Audi scooped two gongs for the A3 Saloon (Family Car) and the A8 took the Luxury Car category.

Mitsubishi's clever hybrid 4X4 Outlander PHEV won best Large SUV of the year while also taking the Innovation award.

Large Family Car of the Year went to the newly-launched Mercedes C-Class while the Coupe/Cabriolet went to the BMW 2 Series.

City Car of the Year went to Hyundai i10 while the MINI Hatch took Small Car of the Year.The Performance Car category was one of the most hotly contested with some of the finest machines competiting for the award.

The line-up included the Audi S1, S3 Saloon, the Peugeot RCZR, the SEAT Leon Cupra, BMW M3, M4, M2 35i Coupe, Jaguar F-Type and the mega Alfa Romeo 4C which deservedly took the honours.

The quirky Citroen Cactus (with Airbump technology) won the Small SUV of the Year while their van division won Panel; Van and shared overall Van of the Year for the Relay with the FIAT Ducato and Peugeot Boxer.

Here's how I voted:

City Car: Toyota Aygo

Small Car: MINI Hatch

Family Car: Audi A3 Saloon

Coupe/Cabriolet: ND (Not Driven) Didn't drive any model in this section

Large Family Car: Ford Tourneo Connect

Small SUV: Citroen Cactus

Mid-Size SUV: BMW X4

Large SUV: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Luxury Car: Audi A8

Performance Car: Alfa Romeo 4C

INNOVATION AWARD: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV technology.