Volkswagen car rental fans and luxury sports car hire enthusiasts may be pleased to know that German carmaker Volkswagen's new Scirocco model is not yet done when it comes to winning awards.

The model has just been named Car of the Year 2008 by motoring magazine Top Gear following a vote by a judging panel made up of members of the road test team and journalists from the widely read magazine.

Summing up the reasons for the selection of the Scirocco, the magazine said the model was "a car we can understand, appreciate and afford".

"Amongst the mega-machinery that makes up a lot of the Top Gear Awards, we're celebrating something truly unique: a common man's exotic," the magazine concluded.

Chris Craft, director of Volkswagen UK said the Scirocco has received "a fantastic reception" since its launch and the accolade was a "real honour" especially coming from "such a tough and well-respected group of judges".

The Scirocco was recently honoured with a Sporting Car of the Year accolade from the Scottish Car of the Year awards.

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