Just putting this one out there direct from Volkswagen themselves as we do love a bit of good news up here on the top floor of MotorMartin Towers and in MotorMartin’s opinion, the ID.3 is shaping up to be Volkswagen’s most important new model since the Golf. No pressure then.
Volkswagen’s success in industry awards shows no sign of slowing down, with the brand receiving another hearty haul of trophies and accolades during 2020 so far, and nominations for further prizes, trophies and titles continuing into the remainder of the year.
The latest achievement in the brand’s successful year is the Passat Estate’s place on the Sunday Times shortlist for Best Dog-Friendly Car of the Year at its annual Motor Awards. Attributes under the spotlight for success in this category include boot size, shape and aperture height, manoeuvrability down tight muddy lanes to access favourite dog walk spots, and the range of options and accessories available for customising the consummate canine carriage. A public vote will decide the winner of this trophy.
The year’s trophy haul kicked off with the What Car? Awards ceremony in January, where the Polo took a prominent prize, successfully defending its ‘Best Small Car’ title to win the category for the second year running. On the same night, the T-Roc R received its first award, being named ‘Best Sports SUV Under £40,000’, while the Touran claimed the ‘Best MPV £22,000 – £30,000’ category.
Just days later came the Diesel Car & Eco Car Magazine Used Car Top 50, in which the Golf won another award for its hybrid talents – the GTE won the title’s ‘Best Used Plug-in Hybrid’ accolade. In the top 50, the third-generation Scirocco was placed at number 44, the second-generation Tiguan at 32, the eighth-generation Passat at 24 and the seventh-generation Golf at 21.
In February came the GQ Car Awards, where the trailblazing Volkswagen ID.3 took another trophy by being named ‘Best Family Car’, with the publication recognising the ID.3 as the “future of sustainable motoring”. February also brought the AM Awards, at which the Golf was named overall ‘Used Car of the Year’, while both the Golf and T-Cross were named finalists in the World Car Awards selection process.
The Covid-19 outbreak caused a hiatus in industry events of all types, but June saw the ceremonies continue in online form. At the Auto Express Used Car Awards, for example, ‘Best Used Electric Car’ was given to the e-Golf. Not long after this, Auto Trader readers voted in their thousands for the brand’s annual New Car Awards and, based on their responses, the Golf was awarded ‘Best Car for Long Distances’, with its power, safety, accessories and looks especially highlighted. Volkswagen’s success with Auto Trader didn’t end there, however – the Golf was on the shortlist for the ‘Best Car for City Drivers’, and the ‘Best Hybrid Car’ awards. The Polo was also shortlisted in the ‘Best Car for New Drivers’ category.
Sarah Cox, Head of Marketing at Volkswagen UK, said: “The continuing recognition of our model line-up’s many stars and talents is encouraging, and not only speaks of the strengths of the products themselves, but also the work we do together as a brand, and our customers’ response to their Volkswagen experience.
“And we’re not stopping there! Exciting and innovative cars such as the ID.3, Golf GTI, GTD and GTE, and the significantly refreshed Arteon and Tiguan, show that Volkswagen has a wave of new, progressive models ready to help get everyone moving again.”
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