The Korean Automobile Journalist Association has selected the Renault Korea XM3 E-TECH Hybrid as the Car of the Month for November 2022.
The monthly selection is announced by the selection committee of the association, which evaluates new car and minor change models launched from the 1st to the end of the previous month.
The assessment criteria consist of five categories: ▲ Interior/Exterior Design and Emotional Quality ▲ Safety and Convenience Features ▲ Power Performance ▲ Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Emissions ▲ Marketability and Purchase Intent.
Among the new vehicles introduced last month, the Renault Korea XM3 E-TECH Hybrid and the New Audi A8 L 55 TFSI (listed in alphabetical order) were nominated as candidates for Car of the Month in November. After a fierce competition, the XM3 E-TECH Hybrid was ultimately selected with a score of 36 points out of 50.
The XM3 E-TECH Hybrid received an impressive score of 8.0 points out of 10 for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions and scored 7.7 points for marketability and purchase intent.
Lee Seung-yong, President of the Korean Automobile Journalist Association, commented, “The XM3 E-TECH Hybrid can operate in electric vehicle mode for up to 75% in urban areas at speeds of 50 km/h and can also be selected for 100% electric driving mode. It features regenerative braking that charges the battery when the accelerator pedal is released, similar to electric vehicles.” He added, “With an official combined fuel efficiency of 17.4 km/l, the hybrid vehicle is rated as excellent, and key safety and convenience features such as adaptive cruise control are included as standard, enhancing safety and user convenience.”
Since May 2019, the association has been selecting and announcing the Car of the Month. This year, the winners have included: ▲ January: Audi e-tron GT ▲ February: Volkswagen new 8th generation Golf ▲ March: Volvo C40 Recharge ▲ April: BMW i4 ▲ May: The New Mercedes-Benz C-Class ▲ June: Toyota GR86 ▲ July: Lexus New Generation NX ▲ August: SsangYong Torres ▲ September: Land Rover All-New Range Rover ▲ October: Volkswagen ID.4.
The association announces the results of the Car of the Month selection on its official website. Vehicles recognized as Car of the Month will receive a special privilege of advancing directly to the first round of the final review in the first quarter of next year, without going through the preliminary reviews for the 2023 Car of the Year.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr