Top 10 finalists for World Car of the Year announced
The 2009 World Car of the Year competition is back for its fifth run, and the jurors have determined their ten, no, 11 finalists. The WCotY is determined by the votes of over 50 journalists from countries the world over (none of which works for Autoblog). Some of the finalists include the award-hoarding Nissan GT-R and Jaguar XF, plus strong entries like the Ford Fiesta, Fiat 500, and Audi A4. Due to a tie for 10th place, there are 11 finalists this year. Judges will next narrow their choice to the top three vehicles by March 9, and the winner will be announced at the New York Auto Show on April 9. Hit the jump to view the the WCotY finalists, along with a short press release.
[Source: World Car of the Year]
PRESS RELEASE
World Car of the Year Announces Top Ten Finalists
Celebrating its fifth annual awards program, the World Car of the Year, held in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show, is pleased to announce this year's top ten finalists.
The 2009 World Car finalists are:
Audi A4 / Avant
BMW 7 Series
Citroen C5 Sedan / C5 Tourer
Fiat 500
Ford Fiesta
Honda Fit / Jazz
Jaguar XF
Mazda Atenza / Mazda6
Nissan GT-R
Toyota iQ
Volkswagen Golf VI
Vehicles are selected and voted on by a volunteer jury of close to 50 distinguished automotive journalists representing many of the world's most renowned automotive outlets. All jurors hold significant stature with their own regions and countries, which include: Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Russia, Sweden, Turkey, and the United States.
The jurors' next step is narrowing the top ten field to the top three, which will be announced March 9. Today's top ten announcement includes 11 vehicles because two of the vehicles are tied for a spot.
The overall 2009 World Car of the Year as well as the winners of the World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year will be declared on April 9, 2009 during a press conference at the New York International Auto Show.
Visit www.wcoty.com for more information on the 2009 World Car of the Year Awards. For Auto Show updates, go to www.autoshowNY.com.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Malhaar 11:08AM (1/27/2009)
My money is on the Nissan GTR or Fiat 500
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JAL 11:10AM (1/27/2009)
Write in vote: ZR-1!!
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Torrent 12:20PM (1/27/2009)
You might definitely probably maybe kinda have a point. Of course, you probably didn't read the press release and perhaps maybe didn't see that they in fact have a World Performance Car of the Year award, so the ZR-1 might actually for sure definitely win that. Probably.
jg 11:17AM (1/27/2009)
GT-R, cuz it's new.
I saw one with a Skyline badge, I guess the owner added that himself right?
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TW6Speed 11:24AM (1/27/2009)
Where is the ZR-1? Well if I had to vote, it would go to the Nissan GT-R.
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BigMcLargeHuge 11:29AM (1/27/2009)
The Ford Fiesta displaced the Corvette, since it was determined that the Fiesta was faster through a shopping mall.
MATT 11:26AM (1/27/2009)
I am guessing something smaller, like the Fiesta of the 500 will take it.
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Brian 11:26AM (1/27/2009)
How in the world did the 7 series get a spot over the Corevette ZR-1??
I mean seriously?? What in the world is the 7 series BMW doing on this list.
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TW6Speed 11:58AM (1/27/2009)
Where is the Chevy Aveo? Its small!
Come on, a 7 series...
Rodrigo 1:13PM (1/27/2009)
@ Brian
Please, name the countries where you can get the ZR-1....
Now, name the countries where you can get all the other cars of the list, including the 7 series ....
You see, that's why this is the WORLD Car of the year
brian 1:22PM (1/27/2009)
Ok, that's fine that the ZR-1 isn't included. I understand the argument saying that it's not available yet, and it's just an iteration of the C6 vette, I hadn't thought of that, but the 7-series, is it brand new for this year?? No. Is it still top of the technology hill?? No. Is it even the best car in it's respective market?? No.
So why is it in the list of best cars of the year??
It just doesn't make sense. There are better choices available for the people to select, you would think that car writers would see that. Obviously I'm missing something.
carboy 11:30AM (1/27/2009)
whats the audi a4 doing up there too?
both 3 series and c class are a lot better cars
and 7 series?????
s class kills it
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nagmashot 11:36AM (1/27/2009)
looks like expert think other than typical brand thinking, the current 3series gets in every german track test, owned by similar or less powerfull A4.
BigMcLargeHuge 11:45AM (1/27/2009)
I'd nominate the G37 long before the 3-series.
And I've driven them both, and I totally agree with the journalists. G37S is a terrific value in its class.
BigMcLargeHuge 11:44AM (1/27/2009)
The ZR1 is just another iteration of the C6 Corvette.
Notice they don't put up 740i or Audi A4 3.2 Quattro. They put up 7-series and Audi A4.
They are listing entire platforms, and as such, the ZR1 does not fit in here. They would have to re-nominate the C6 Corvette, which is now 4 years old.
If they updated the Corvette platform to C7, its a legitamate platform upgrade, but new shocks and engine in the ZR1 does not qualify the C6 for a platform award.
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AMC 12:30PM (1/27/2009)
I was just about to make the same point...they are focusing on models, not specific trim levels.
Tang 11:39AM (1/27/2009)
One for the Mazda6/Atenza
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Kitko 12:40PM (1/27/2009)
Agreed. However, Mazda2 won last year and awarding Mazda again wouldn't go down very well with the big boys. Fiesta is based on Mazda2....
I3ziko 12:54PM (1/27/2009)
+1 for Mazda Atenza, too bad we not getting the same car in NA
Artemiy Pavlov 11:43AM (1/27/2009)
My vote is for the Jazz / Fit. This one is an amazing package, especially in Europe - think electric panoramic glass roof, USB+iPod, rain/light sensors, fridge in the glovebox, cruise control, antiglare mirrors, heated front seats and climate control, steering wheel controls, Blluetooth + voice commands, and the list goes on. And all this is just a small hatchback.
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