Qashqai wins title
The Qashqai scored 160 points in the voting, five ahead of the second-placed Mercedes C-Class, on 155, and ten ahead of the Peugeot 308, which scored 150.
The Irish Motoring Writers’ Association jury awarded points on the basis of innovation and safety, space, comfort, build- quality, drive-quality and value-for-money.
Presenting the award to James McCarthy, CEO of Nissan Ireland, Tom Dennigan, of sponsor, Continental Tyres Ireland, said: “From a great crop of entrants for this year’s award, the Irish motoring writers have selected an exciting model to carry the 2015 title and, no doubt, the Continental Irish ‘car of the year’ accolade will provide a great badge of honour for the Nissan Qashqai to help it in the competitive Irish market next year.”
Austin Shinnors, chairman of the IMWA, said: “In this, the 38th year of our awards, the Nissan Qashqai is a great car to join the previous 37 models that have had the privilege to carry the title of Irish ‘car of the year’.”
Awards were made in six categories, reflecting the diversified nature of today’s car market in Ireland. The Hyundai i10 won the ‘small car of the year’, the Peugeot 308 won the ‘compact’ prize, the Nissan Qashqai won the ‘medium’ segment as well as the ‘overall’, while the Nissan X-Trail won the ‘large-car’ prize, the Mercedes C-Class was voted the ‘executive’ car of the year and the Alfa Romeo 4C won the ‘sports/performance’ category.
Ahead of its arrival in dealer showrooms in April, 2015, the new Jaguar XE was in Dublin for an exclusive preview at the Business & Finance Awards, at the Convention Centre this week.
From there, the XE visited Jaguar dealership, Spirit Motor Group, in Sandyford, for public viewings yesterday and today. This was the only opportunity to see the XE before its launch in Ireland, in 2015.
Commenting on the XE’s imminent arrival, Gerard O’Farrell, managing director, Jaguar Land Rover Ireland, said: “The XE is the most hotly anticipated Jaguar to date, offering potential customers a dynamic driver’s car and a very fresh alternative to the current German rivals.”
Those who couldn’t attend the XE Preview at Spirit Motor Group can visit jaguar.ie to register for more information on the all-new XE.
The new Renault Twingo has been named ‘city car of the year’ in the 2014 TopGear magazine Awards.
The magazine described the winner as “a bold innovation in the city-car category with its clever, rear-engined layout. We were always confident that our latest Twingo would prove to be a hit, so I am delighted to know that the experts at TopGear magazine agree. ‘City car of the year’ is a fantastic accolade and one that everyone at Renault is very proud of.”
The Twingo went on sale in Ireland in October, winning critical praise for its charm, looks, clever packaging and innovative rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout.
It’s available with a choice of two, efficient petrol engines, and three trim levels, including many personalisation options and is priced from €13,990.
