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Volkswagen Polo named Car of the Year

Written by Matt Smith
Monday, 30 November 2009 00:00

The fifth generation Volkswagen Polo has won the European Car of the Year title.

The new Polo beat off competition from six other finalists to take the much-coveted title. A total of 25 of the 59 judges voted for the VW supermini which secured a total of 347 points while its nearer competitor, the Toyota i-Q city car, secured 20 jury votes and a total of 337 points.

Hakan Matson, president of the jury, said: “It was the Polo’s comprehensive safety equipment and its advanced range of engines that impressed us the most. On the Polo BlueMotion Volkswagen was also able to add a very fuel-efficient yet affordable car to its car programme.”

To under line the significance of the Polo's achievement, a Volkswagen hasn't won the European Car of the Year title since the third generation Golf back in 1992 - so this was no mean feat for the VW supermini, especially as it was up against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, new Vauxhall Astra, and the Peugeot 3008.

According the VW press announcement, "the Polo’s selection as Car of the Year 2010 is the crowning achievement of an extraordinary year for the new Polo after already being named Best Car 2009 by “auto motor sport” magazine and winning the Grüne (“Green”) and the Goldene Lenkrad (“Golden Steering Wheel”) awards by publisher Springer Verlag − as well as the Auto Trophy by “Autozeitung” just a few days ago."

Click on 'Next >>' to see pictures of the fifth generation Volkswagen Polo