Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Volkswagen Polo named 2010 European Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/volkswagen-polo-named-2010-european-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/volkswagen-polo-named-2010-european-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/30/volkswagen-polo-named-2010-european-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2010 Volkswagen Polo - Click above for high-res image gallery

It can be a bit overwhelming when every magazine and their various editions pick their own Car of the Year each annum. Fortunately, the Europeans have it together. Literally.

Every year, seven of the continent's biggest car mags - each from a different country and in a different language - get together and jointly choose the European Car of the Year. The process is exhaustive, first identifying the candidates in the summer, then whittling it down to a shortlist of nominees in the fall before selecting their one winner for the year in the winter. And with temperatures dropping everywhere on this side of the equator and the new year fast approaching, the time has come once again.

For 2010, the jurists have selected the new Volkswagen Polo as their Car of the Year. The fifth-gen VW hatch beat out some stiff competition from the Citroen C3 Picaso, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Yeti and Toyota iQ. It was a close race, the Toyota coming in a narrow second with 337 points to the Polo's 347. The Astra took third place by a wide margin at 221 points.

It's the first time a Volkswagen has won the award in some 17 years and only the second time Wolfsburg's taken the prize home in the forty-five years since the jury first sat. Sister company Audi has also won the award twice (for the 1973 Audi 80 and 1983 Audi 100), and Porsche once (for the 1978 Porsche 928).


Gallery: 2010 Volkswagen Polo


[Source: CarOfTheYear.org]

Volkswagen Polo named 2010 European Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 european car of the year2010 european coty2010EuropeanCarOfTheYear2010EuropeanCotycar of the yearCarOfTheYearcotycoty 2010Coty2010ecotyeuro cotyEuroCotyeuropean car of the yeareuropean cotyEuropeanCarOfTheYearEuropeanCotyMon, 30 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 European Car of the Year nominees announced]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/2010-european-car-of-the-year-nominees-announced/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/2010-european-car-of-the-year-nominees-announced/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/05/2010-european-car-of-the-year-nominees-announced/#commentsFiled under:



You'd expect the European Car of the Year contest to be stacked mainly with European cars, of course, if not cars from around the world that are sold in Europe. But this year, the fight is being waged almost exclusively between European cars that we don't even get on this side of the Atlantic.

The candidates for the 2010 awards were announced back in June, but that's basically just a list of eligible vehicles. Now the panel of automotive journalists from across the old continent have picked their seven nominees among from which the final winner will be selected. Those up for the prize are the Citroen C3 Picasso, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 3008, Skoda Yeti, Toyota iQ and Volkswagen Polo. The iQ is the only non-European product on stage, and the Mercedes the only car among the finalists even currently available in the North American market. That's definitely a bummer, but even without us, we expect the winner to be announced by the end of the month.

[Source: CaroftheYear.org]

2010 European Car of the Year nominees announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 car of the year2010 coty2010 ecoty2010 european car of the year2010CarOfTheYear2010Coty2010Ecoty2010EuropeanCarOfTheYearcar of the yearCarOfTheYearcotyecotyeuropean car of the yeareuropean cotyEuropeanCarOfTheYearEuropeanCotyThu, 05 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[European jurists announce candidates for 2010 Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/european-jurists-announced-candidates-for-2010-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/european-jurists-announced-candidates-for-2010-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/european-jurists-announced-candidates-for-2010-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under:

It's getting to be that time of the year when jurists select their favorites for the various Car of the Year awards. And so, hot on the heels of the announced list of nominees for the 2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards comes the roster of candidates for the 2010 European Car of the Year awards.

For those unfamiliar, the European COTY award is a joint effort between several automotive publications across Europe that banded together way back in 1964 to select their one favorite. England's Autocar, Italy's Auto, Spain's Autopista, Holland's Autovisie, France's L'Automobile, Germany's Stern and Sweden's Vi Bilagare all contribute jurists who take several months to narrow down the list of eligible candidates to a seven-car shortlist before picking their choice for the year.

Although it doesn't have any nominees in the field this year, Fiat has won the award nine times (plus two for Alfa Romeo and another for Lancia). Recent winners have included the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Fiat 500, Ford S-Max and Renault Clio. Follow the jump to view the list of this year's candidates and stay tuned for the seven-car shortlist before the winner will be announced on November 30.

[Source: CarOfTheYear.org]

Continue reading European jurists announce candidates for 2010 Car of the Year

European jurists announce candidates for 2010 Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for high-res gallery of the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia

Looks like there won't be much of a fiesta for Ford this year, as the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia has captured the 2009 European Car of the Year award by just one point over the hot little hatch with the big blue oval on its snout. Scoring 321 points to the Fiesta's 320, the Insignia claimed the victory with the bronze going to the Volkswagen Golf (223 points). It's the first win for Opel in 22 years, although the European branch of GM has scored four runner-up spots in the past. You might even say this is payback for Ford, which snatched the top prize from Opel in 2007 when the Ford S-Max nipped the Corsa by two points in the balloting. According to the jurors, the Insignia won this year based on its "artistry with German precision" good looks, active and passive safety features, comfort and a wide array of efficient engines including that 280-hp turbo V6. Options such as the Opel Eye that reads road signals, FlexRide suspension and nine-mode Adaptive Forward Lighting were also cited. Hopefully this car will eventually show up Stateside as the next Saturn Aura. Thanks for the tip, everyone!

Gallery: Opel / Vauxhall Insignia


[Source: Car of the Year]

Opel/Vauxhall Insignia wins European Car of the Year by single point originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The panel of 59 automotive journalists which decide each year's European Car of the Year have narrowed down their selection from the initial list of 38 contenders to just seven finalists, which have now been announced. Along the way, some noteworthy new vehicles have been forsaken, among them the new Audi A4, BMW 7 Series, Honda Accord, Jaguar XF and Volkswagen Scirocco, but not everyone could make the short-list. Otherwise it wouldn't be a short list.

The finalists for the coveted prize includes the Alfa Romeo MiTo, Citroen C5, Ford Fiesta, Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Renault Megane, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Golf. It's worth noting that previous versions of the Megane took home the trophy in their hatchbacks twice since the contest was instituted thirteen years ago. Fiat and Alfa Romeo, meanwhile, have won it six times. We'll see who takes home the prize for 2009, with the winner scheduled for release in just over a week on November 19.

[Source: CarScoop]

Jury announces finalists for European Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardcar of the yearCarOfTheYearcotyecotyeuropean car of the yearEuropeanCarOfTheYearprizeWed, 12 Nov 2008 09:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Will the real European Car of the Year winner please stand up?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/30/will-the-real-european-car-of-the-year-winner-please-stand-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/30/will-the-real-european-car-of-the-year-winner-please-stand-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/30/will-the-real-european-car-of-the-year-winner-please-stand-up/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Alfa MiTo

It's that time of year, when various agencies far and wide begin handing out awards for the new crop of cars. The '09 model-year vehicles are all known by now and the press has had plenty of time to size up the competition. Recently, The Detroit Free Press appeared to have let the EuroCOTY cat out of the bag a bit early when it reported that Alfa Romeo had managed to snag the top honors with its new MiTo subcompact. Although we'd be hard-pressed to argue otherwise, it turns out that the rumor isn't true. The real European Car of the Year award will be announced on November 17.

The MiTo did win the Auto Europa award, though, which is granted by the Italian press. Second place went to Alfa's sister company Lancia for its homely-looking Delta and the Ford Fiesta grabbed the bronze. Thankfully, we'll be able to pick up a Fiesta in the U.S. for the 2010 model-year, and after driving one in Europe, we're looking forward to the sub-compact making the trek across the pond.

Gallery: First Drive: Alfa MiTo


[Source: The Detroit Free Press via Motor Authority]

Will the real European Car of the Year winner please stand up? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfa romeoalfa romeo mi.toalfa romeo mitoAlfaRomeoAlfaRomeoMi.toAlfaRomeoMitoeuropean car of the yearEuropeanCarOfTheYearford fiestaFordFiestalancia deltaLanciaDeltaThu, 30 Oct 2008 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Nominees announced for 2009 European COTY]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/nominees-announced-for-2009-european-coty/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/nominees-announced-for-2009-european-coty/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/nominees-announced-for-2009-european-coty/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Isn't it nice when everyone gets along? Every year, rather than naming their own selection, several of the largest automotive publications in Europe get together and pick their Car of the Year. A list is compiled of all eligible bachelors nominees, then the list is narrowed down to a handful (usually seven or eight) finalists before the single winner is announced.

The panel, which is composed of 59 judges from 23 different countries across Europe (including six representatives each from France, Great Britain, Italy and Spain), will announce the winner in Paris on November 17. Previous winners include the Fiat 500, Ford S-Max, Renault Clio and Toyota Prius. The organization has now releaved their list of 38 contenders; among those nominated are the Alfa MiTo, Audi Q5, Ford Fiesta, Honda Accord, Jaguar XF and Volkswagen Scirocco. Follow the jump for the full roster.

[Source: CarOfTheYear.org]

Continue reading Nominees announced for 2009 European COTY

Nominees announced for 2009 European COTY originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 car of the year2009CarOfTheYearcar of the yearCarOfTheYearcotyecotyeuropean car of the yearEuropeanCarOfTheYearTue, 24 Jun 2008 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[2007 European Car of the Year: Ford S-MAX]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/2007-european-car-of-the-year-ford-s-max/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/2007-european-car-of-the-year-ford-s-max/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/13/2007-european-car-of-the-year-ford-s-max/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ford Motor Company can use all of the good news it can garner these days. On the heels of the positive announcements regarding the Fusion and Milan quality, a panel of 58 automotive journalists from 22 European countries voted the Ford S-MAX the 2007 European Car of the Year.

The S-Max earned its crown by boxing out the Citroen C4 Picasso and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, which were also very close in the running. The rest of the short list included the Fiat Grande Punto, Honda Civic, Skoda Roomster and Volvo C30. Not bad company to keep; even better company to beat!

Thanks for the tip Alberto B.!

[Source: Autoblog Spanish, Reuters]

2007 European Car of the Year: Ford S-MAX originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2007European Car of the YearEuropeanCarOfTheYearFordFord Motor CompanyFordMotorCompanyS-MaxMon, 13 Nov 2006 09:31:00 EST