FOR the third year in a row, Vauxhall has scooped no less than three awards in the annual and prestigious What Car? Car of the Year Awards, announced recently in London.

Significantly, two of the winners have won their categories for each of the three years, Vauxhall's uncompromising VX220 sports car voted as still best roadster and the Zafira MPV, whose flexible seating system is yet to be bettered four years after being launched.

The third Vauxhall winner in 2003 went to the new Vectra which topped the all important Family Car category.

What Car? have been big fans of the new Vectra since its launch last year, summing up the car's abilities, saying: "Toppling the Mondeo was never going to be an easy task. But the new Vectra has managed just that.”

The VX220 roadster has been exciting the road testers for over two years with "every chance to drive a VX still an event to savour,” according to What Car?

Vauxhall's mid-size Zafira MPV was recommended not only for the ingenious design of its seating and interior flexibility, it also "has a headstart in terms of driving pleasure.”

Kevin Wale, Vauxhall's chairman and managing director, said: "The great thing is these awards show we are strong in a wide range of different segments, from sports car to MPV. And there's no looking back - this year we launch the Meriva mini MPV, the VX220 Turbo and the Vectra based Signum."

The What Car? Car of the Year Awards are regarded as among the most influential by the industry and public alike with many of their annual surveys being used by third parties.