HOW has the AUDI A3 won World car of the Year, its not exactly revolutionary.

The Audi A3 is voted ‘number one’ worldwide by industry-leading judges from across the globe

• Third generation of the premium compact Audi is a world beater
• Second overall victory for Audi at World Car of the Year Awards
• A3 now available as a three door, Sportback, Saloon and Cabriolet
• High performance ‘S’ models can now be selected in all body styles

The Audi A3, the premium compact bestseller from the brand with the four rings, is the 2014 World Car of the Year. This is the second overall title for Audi in the ten year history of the World Car of the Year Awards as the Audi A6 won the inaugural overall title in 2005.

The third generation of the Audi A3 is now officially confirmed as a world beater. It overcame the challenge from 23 other cars to win the prestigious World Car of the Year title in 2014. The A3 was voted as the winner by an international jury panel comprising 69 top‑level automotive journalists from 22 countries around the world.

Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, said: “The Audi A6 was the first ever winner of this award and we are delighted that the Audi A3 has repeated that achievement by being voted 2014 World Car of the Year. The Audi A3 showcases Audi’s technical competence in all aspects of car making, not least in the areas of lightweight technology, drivetrain, mobile infotainment and driver assistance systems. This major award win is an achievement that the whole company can celebrate.”

The new Audi A3 is available in the UK as a three door, Sportback, Cabriolet and Saloon. It is powered by a range of TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. Later this year, the A3 Sportback will also be available as an e‑tron, whose plug‑in hybrid drive enables journeys of up to 31 miles in all-electric mode.

Audi can look back on a 16‑year success story with the A3. In 1996, the first generation of the model series established an entirely new market segment – the premium compact class. With the second generation, which followed in 2003, the brand extended its lead with the addition of a Cabriolet to the familiar three door and Sportback body styles. The third A3 generation is available in four body styles following the further addition of the Saloon.  

With this win for the Audi A3, Audi has maintained its position as the manufacturer with the most World Car of the Year titles. The brand with the four rings has previously won three World Performance Car titles, two World Car Design of the Year titles and the inaugural World Car of the Year title.

In total Audi has won seven titles at the World Car of the Year Awards:

• 2005 Audi A6  World Car of the Year
• 2007 Audi RS 4 World Performance Car, Audi TT World Car Design of the Year
• 2008 Audi R8 World Performance Car, Audi R8 World Car Design of the Year
• 2010 Audi R8 V10 World Performance Car
• 2014 Audi A3 World Car of the Year