Autoblog

Tesla Model S wins Automobile car of the year [w/video]

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:29:00 EST

Automobile Magazine recently spent the better part of three days getting to know 28 of the latest and greatest cars on the market to pick its Automobile of the Year, and today it announced that the 2012 Tesla Model S was given this coveted award. As much as the all-electric Model S means to the automotive world, we'd be surprised if it doesn't snag a lot more hardware in the next few months.

The Model S beat out cars like the 2013 Cadillac ATS, 2013 Ford Fusion, 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S and 2013 BMW M5 with its sleek design, luxurious and tech-filled interior and, of course, its unique electric powertrain that offers both an incredible all-electric range and equally eye-popping performance.

To narrow down the top candidates for the award, Automobile took all the cars out for two days of road testing and then spent another day at Gingerman Raceway in Western Michigan, and the performance aspect of the Model S seemed to surprise and/or impress a lot of the magazine's staff more than anything else. To prove how fast the car is, they did a drag race to 100 miles per hour with the Tesla and the new M5, and the Model S won. The 265-mile driving range and 17-inch touch-screen display won points for the car, too.

Scroll down for a quick video from Automobile that goes into detail why its staff chose the Model S, and shows some great driving shots of the car as well. We've also put together a gallery with the Model S and the nine other cars that made the short list for the award, so be sure to check them out below.

Continue reading Tesla Model S wins Automobile car of the year [w/video]

Tesla Model S wins Automobile car of the year [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automobile names Audi A7 its car of the year

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Audi, Kia, Fisker, Design/Style, Luxury

It seems we at Autoblog are not the only group of enthusiasts who are ready to announce to the whole world their love for the Audi A7. The men and women from Automobile Magazine have named Audi's coupe-like five-door hatchback as their 2012 Automobile of the Year. There's a whole article worth of reasons why the A7 has won the coveted trophy, so if you're interested, we suggest clicking here to read all about it yourself.

In related news, Peter Schreyer, chief design officer for Kia, has garnered the magazine's 2012 Man of the Year award for the contributions he's made to the Korean company's overall design aesthetic. We wholeheartedly support that notion. 2012 Technology of the Year laurels go to the "Turbo Tech Trifecta," that being Automobile-speak for turbocharging, direct injection and variable valve timing. Finally, the 2012 Design of the Year has been awarded to the Fisker Karma. We're betting that last decision will be the most controversial.

Got an opinion? Feel free to voice your own choices for Automobile, Man, Technology and Design of the Year in Comments.

Automobile names Audi A7 its car of the year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Chevrolet Volt wins Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year award

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Electric

2011 Chevrolet Volt - Click above for high-res image gallery

As much as we'd like to say that we didn't see this one coming... well, we did. But, despite the fact that it would seem to be the obvious choice to take home the Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year award, the voting crew claims that it "wasn't a shoo-in."

In fact, claims Automobile, "the Chevrolet Volt endured more scrutiny and skepticism than any of the nine other semifinalists." We don't doubt it, either. There's no denying that the Volt has and will continue to receive more close scrutiny than just about any other vehicle that will be introduced this year or any other, and the voters are well aware of this fact. In other words, if the Volt wins a bunch of awards and turns into a major flop, the award-givers will have plenty of explaining to do....

Fortunately, it seems that the Chevy Volt is mostly worthy of the admiration it is receiving from the automotive press (the Volt was also named the 2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year). Automobile Magazine calls the Volt a "game changer," and, with its innovative powertrain that should allow a large number of owners to drive almost completely without the use of gasoline, it's hard to argue with that assessment.

Click past the break for a video of Automobile's Editor-in-Chief, Jean Jennings, explain why the Chevy Volt is a worthy recipient of its Automobile of the Year award. When you're finished, feel free to click here for a massive 10-page missive on the same topic.

Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

[Source: Automobile Magazine]

Continue reading 2011 Chevrolet Volt wins Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year award

2011 Chevrolet Volt wins Automobile Magazine Automobile of the Year award originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen GTI named Automobile Magazine car of the year

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:33:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Etc., Europe, Hatchback, Volkswagen

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

It's funny how publications have a personality. It shouldn't be funny, as obviously all publications have an editor and said editor has a collection of likes and dislikes, but we still find it amusing. Here's a for instance. This year, our pals over at Motor Trend went ahead and named the Subaru Outback their Sport Utility Vehicle of the Year. Besides the obvious issue (a jacked up station wagon counts as an SUV?), this selection makes perfect sense considering that in 2008, the Subaru Forester won the same award. Funny, huh?

Therefore, it should surprise no one that Automobile has named the 2010 Volkswagen GTI their Automobile of the Year. Why? Because they did the same thing back in 2007. Really? Yeah, man... really. Only this time, we're not sure how ha ha funny we find this selection. It's more funny odd. For one thing, the 2010 GTI really isn't all that different than the 2007 GTI. Same powerplant, same suspension, same hard points. All that's really new are some body panels and an electronic differential, the latter of which is suspect during sustained, high-speed back country driving.

All that said, the new GTI is a fine car - we said so ourselves a few months back. However, we just don't see it as COTY material. In fact, if we were to select a single car to shower praise down upon... we're not even sure where we'd start. Some of us (ahem) would no doubt push for the Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 because for the money it just can't be beat (or for that matter, for twice the money). Still others would pick... the Ford Fusion Hybrid. So what do we know? Oh wait, two of us are on the Internet Car of the Year jury...

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Volkswagen GTI

[Source: Automobile]

Volkswagen GTI named Automobile Magazine car of the year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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