Pictured at the announcement of candidates for the Semperit Irish Car of the Year 2003 are (l-r) Tony Conlon, Chairman, Irish Motoring Writers Assciation, Model Natasha Byram and Geoff Mclwaine, Sales Manager, Semperit Ireland.

11 October 2002: The candidates for the ‘Semperit Irish Car of the Year 2003’ have been announced by the Irish Motoring Writers Association. The winning car will be revealed at a ceremony in the Berkeley Court Hotel on Thursday, 21 November 2002. This year there are 43 entries vying for the title:

Audi A4, BMW 7-Series. Citroen C3, Daewoo Kalos, Daewoo Rexton, Fiat Stilo, Ford Fiesta/Fusion, Honda CRV, Honda Jazz, Honda Stream, Hyundai Coupe, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Terracan, Jaguar S-Type, Jeep Cherokee, Land Rover Discovery, Lexus IS200 Sportcross, Lexus IS300 Saloon, Lexus IS300 Sportcross, Mazda6, Mazda Premacy, Mercedes Benz CLK, Mercedes Benz E-Class, Mercedes Benz SL, MG TF, Mini Cooper S, Mitsubishi Space Star, Nissan Primera, Nissan X-Trail, Opel Vectra, Peugeot 307 SkyWagon, Peugeot 206 SportsWagon, Porsche 911 C4S, Range Rover, Renault Vel Satis, Saab 9-3, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Superb, Subaru WRX, Suzuki Alto, Suzuki Liana Saloon, Toyota Corolla, and Volkswagen Polo.

"With only five points separating last year’s winner and runner up it was a very exciting competition" says Geoff McIlwaine of Semperit Ireland."With a record number of entrants, this year is likely to be no different."

Shortlisted vehicles will be announced in early November and voting journalists will have the chance to test each of the vehicles once more before making their final decisions.

The Semperit Irish Car of the Year and Van of the Year awards are adjudicated by the Irish Motoring Writers Association. Last year the Semperit Irish Car of the Year title went to the Renault Laguna while the van accolade was won by the Opel Vivaro/Renault Trafic.