Volkswagen's new Golf, the Mk7, has been crowned 2013 European Car of the Year. On the eve of the first media day of the Geneva Motor Show the final results were counted, placing the Golf hatchback in first with 414 votes, considerably ahead of the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ in second place with 202 votes.
The Volvo V40 took third spot ahead of the Ford B-Max, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Renault Clio, Peugeot 208 and Hyundai i30.
This is the second time in the award's history that the Volkswagen Golf has won. The Mk3 Golf took the honours in 1992.
Simon Elliott, CEO of Volkswagen Group Ireland commenting on the award said: "We are delighted that the Golf has once again claimed the top prize in motoring. This is as prestigious an award as any car can get and it is a credit to the quality and innovation of the car that it has received such high praise."
The full voting results are as follows:
1 - Volkswagen Golf: 414 votes
2 - Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ: 202 votes
3 - Volvo V40: 189 votes
4 - Ford B-Max: 148 votes
5 - Mercedes-Benz A-Class: 138 votes
6 - Renault Clio: 128 votes
7 - Peugeot 208: 120 votes
8 - Hyundai i30: 111 votes