Ladies and gents, this is 2014’s best and brightest car: Audi A3. Well, at least according to the World Car Awards ‘experts’ who choose the World Car of the Year based on qualities which they think are the most important in an automobile. And they all have a deep hatred of anything exciting.

This panel of 69 top?level automotive journalists from 22 countries around the world picked the Audi A3 from 23 contenders for the title of 2014 World Car of the Year, mainly because they were impressed by the wide variety of models this little car offers these days.

The A3 comes as a three door, Sportback, Saloon and Cabriolet, and it has a range of high performance ‘S’ models in all body styles. 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.

Being an Audi, the A3 is beautifully made and offers fantastic features. But it is about as exciting to drive and to live with as a potato. Practicality, efficiency, and build quality are not the only things that matter about a car. Looks, feel and performance are just as important. Not that COTY guys care, of course.

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.”