Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Why Toyota Camry's Korea Car of the Year win is a big-time upset]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/why-toyota-camrys-korea-car-of-the-year-win-is-a-big-time-upset/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/why-toyota-camrys-korea-car-of-the-year-win-is-a-big-time-upset/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/26/why-toyota-camrys-korea-car-of-the-year-win-is-a-big-time-upset/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 Toyota Camry

The 2013 Toyota Camry is officially the car of the year in Korea. The country's motoring press graced the Japanese sedan with the honor for the first time, officially marking a shift in prevailing Korean attitudes toward Japan and its products. According to industry analysts, buyers in the country are no longer simply choosing their purchases based on whether or not they're made in South Korea, but rather based on quality and personal choice. That's a big jump from a few years ago, when buyers viewed their purchases through a patriotic lens.

The Camry managed to edge out a total of 44 other cars, including hardware from both Hyundai and Kia, to become the first foreign vehicle to take home the Korea Automobile Journalist Association's Car of the Year award. As The Detroit News points out, just 10 years ago, domestic manufacturers held some 99 percent of the Korean car market. But a change in trade regulations has opened up the country considerably, and buyers now have access to a wide range of products from around the globe. As a result, Hyundai and Kia have countered by cutting prices in an attempt to keep their grip on the market.

Why Toyota Camry's Korea Car of the Year win is a big-time upset originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 camry2013 toyota camrycamrycar of the yearkoreakorea car of the yearsouth koreatoyotaTue, 26 Feb 2013 07:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20476246/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/26/why-toyota-camrys-korea-car-of-the-year-win-is-a-big-time-upset/20476246/article-detail.xml 20476246 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2013-toyota-camry-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/2013-toyota-camry-628.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Robb Report</i> chooses Porsche 911 as its Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/21/robb-report-chooses-porsche-911-as-its-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/21/robb-report-chooses-porsche-911-as-its-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/21/robb-report-chooses-porsche-911-as-its-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Porsche 911 - yellow - front three-quarter view

Robb Report has picked the seventh-generation Porsche 911 Carrera S as its 2013 Car of the Year, saying the two-door captivated its judges with "agility, driving dynamics and balance." The German coupe bested 12 others who were also in the running - the impressive list of nominees included the BMW M5, Audi S8, Ferrari FF, Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse.

Judging involved more than just throwing darts at pictures on the wall, as the publication enlisted a panel of automotive experts to test drive each vehicle for close evaluation. The panelists included 100 members of the Robb Report Club (comprised of top corporate executives and influential readers), Editor-in-Chief Brett Anderson and automotive consultant Robert Ross. Full results of the competition will be revealed in the luxury magazine's March issue, hitting newsstands in about a week. For more information, visit Robb Report online or check out the full press release from Porsche below.

Continue reading Robb Report chooses Porsche 911 as its Car of the Year

Robb Report chooses Porsche 911 as its Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 porsche 911911911 carreracar of the yearcar of the year 2013porscherobb reportrobb report car of the yearThu, 21 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20466255/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/21/robb-report-chooses-porsche-911-as-its-car-of-the-year/20466255/article-detail.xml 20466255 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-2012-porsche-911-fd-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/01-2012-porsche-911-fd-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda CX-5 named Japan's Car of The Year, Subaru BR-Z wins "Special Award"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/03/mazda-cx-5-named-japans-car-of-the-year-subaru-br-z-wins-spec/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/03/mazda-cx-5-named-japans-car-of-the-year-subaru-br-z-wins-spec/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/12/03/mazda-cx-5-named-japans-car-of-the-year-subaru-br-z-wins-spec/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,



The Mazda CX-5 stamped its Kodo design and SkyActiv technology authority all over the Japan Car of the Year awards, taking the top prize ahead of the Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT 86. It is Mazda's second victory in the last ten years, the 2005 MX-5 claiming the same trophy, and the fourth time the Hiroshima company has won.

The award is decided by 60 local "automotive experts and journalists," and open to any passenger car released in Japan from November 1, 2011 to October 31, 2012 that has sold more than 500 units. Each judge gets 25 votes, his or her top vote getting 10 points, the rest of the points being spread among the judge's choice for the next best four cars.

The second-place getters were the Toyobaru twins with 318 votes, the surprise being they didn't beat or get any closer to the crossover. The Subaru BRZ did claw some mojo back, earning the Special Award given to cars that have made "an exceptional impact." The BMW 3 Series was third overall and won the Import Car of the Year award with plenty of room between it and the second place Range Rover Evoque.

The full list of winners is below, along with press releases from the organization and the manufacturers. Congratulations to Mazda on the win.

Continue reading Mazda CX-5 named Japan's Car of The Year, Subaru BR-Z wins "Special Award"

Mazda CX-5 named Japan's Car of The Year, Subaru BR-Z wins "Special Award" originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Dec 2012 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3 seriesawardsbmwcar of the yearcx-5evoquefr-sgt 86gt86japanjapan car of the yearland rovermazdascionsubarutoyotaMon, 03 Dec 2012 10:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20392368/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/12/03/mazda-cx-5-named-japans-car-of-the-year-subaru-br-z-wins-spec/20392368/article-detail.xml 20392368 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/japancotycx-5_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/japancotycx-5.jpg <![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #308]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/autoblog-podcast-308/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/autoblog-podcast-308/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/autoblog-podcast-308/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Motor Trend Car of the Year, 2013 Honda Civic, 2014 Ford Mustang, Global Ford Ranger wins award

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Episode #308 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Jeff Ross talk about the Tesla Model S being named Motor Trend Car of the Year, the 2013 Honda Civic and the new hybrid systems and Micro Commuter concept also coming out of Honda, the 2014 Ford Mustang and the departure of the Boss 302, and the global Ford Ranger winning an International Truck award. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #308:



Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Volvo S80 T6 AWD Inscription
2013 BMW 640i Gran Coupe
2013 Infiniti FX37

Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, Jeff Ross
Runtime: 01:17:54

Get the podcast
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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #308

Autoblog Podcast #308 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 bmw 6 series gran coupe2013 honda civic2013 infiniti fx2013 volvo s802014 ford mustang6 series gran coupeautoblog podcastautoblog podcast 308bmwcar of the yearcivicfeaturedfordford rangerfxhondahonda civichonda micro commuterinfinitimicro commutermodel smotor trend car of the yearmustangpodcastpodcast 308s80teslatesla model stesla motorsvolvoTue, 13 Nov 2012 17:29:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #308Autoblog01:17:54 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20378598/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/13/autoblog-podcast-308/20378598/article-detail.xml 20378598 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp.jpg <![CDATA[Ford Escape named first-ever <i>Popular Mechanics</i> Car Of The Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/ford-escape-named-first-ever-popular-mechanics-car-of-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/ford-escape-named-first-ever-popular-mechanics-car-of-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/13/ford-escape-named-first-ever-popular-mechanics-car-of-the/#commentsFiled under: ,

2013 Ford Escape - front three-quarter view, static

It's that time of year again. Time for just about publication out there to come up with their Car of the Year winner, and Popular Mechanics is getting into the game for the first time with its Auto Excellence Awards. For its inaugural champion, the crew over at PM have named the 2013 Ford Escape as the Car of the Year.

The Ford snagged the top spot for its attributes like being roomy, fun and practical, and PM says that all of its editors had given it high marks in various categories. There is no indication as to what other contenders vied for the top spot, but the new Escape is definitely a strong new model that's showing handsome sales figures right out of the gate. That being said, the automotive landscape for 2013 is chock full of great vehicles, and we recently put the Escape up against the all-new Mazda CX-5 which squeaked out a win in our head-to-head crossover comparison.

In addition to Car of the Year, PM also had nine other categories for its Auto Excellence Awards which are listed below:

Fun to Drive - Subaru BRZ / Scion FR-S
Performance - Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Hauling - Ram 1500
Luxury - Cadillac ATS
Design - SRT Viper
Versatility - Nissan Pathfinder
Technical Innovation - Tesla Model S
Value - Hyundai Elantra GT
Fuel Efficiency - Toyota Prius c

Ford Escape named first-ever Popular Mechanics Car Of The Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford escapecar of the yearescapefordpopular mechanicsTue, 13 Nov 2012 11:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20378335/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/13/ford-escape-named-first-ever-popular-mechanics-car-of-the/20378335/article-detail.xml 20378335 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2013-ford-escape-fd_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2013-ford-escape-fd.jpg <![CDATA[Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #308 LIVE!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/12/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-308-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/12/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-308-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/12/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-308-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Autoblog Podcast graphic

We record Autoblog Podcast #308 tonight, and you can drop us your questions and comments regarding the rest of the week's news via our Q&A module below. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #308

[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #308 LIVE! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 honda civic2014 ford mustangautoblog podcastautoblog podcast topicscar of the yearcivicfordhondahonda micro commutermotor trendmotor trend car of the yearmustangpodcastpodcast topicsMon, 12 Nov 2012 17:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20377787/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/12/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-308-live/20377787/article-detail.xml 20377787 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Motor Trend</i> debates 2013 Car of The Year, winner coming Monday]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/10/motor-trend-debates-2013-car-of-the-year-winner-coming-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/10/motor-trend-debates-2013-car-of-the-year-winner-coming-m/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/10/motor-trend-debates-2013-car-of-the-year-winner-coming-m/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 MT COTY

So just how do the automobile magazines select their Car of the Year awards? Pointing at the cars blindfolded? Divining rod? Tossing lawn darts? No, it's a little more complicated than that.
To shed light on how Motor Trend selects its COTY, Jessi Lang gives us a glimpse into the process, describing it as "carefully organized madness."

It begins with the Motor Trend staff hammering it out over minutiae, like a windshield wiper. Next, they get down to the fun part; wringing the candidates out on the track, followed by open-road testing. Motor Trend created six criteria upon which judges are able to compare cars that span different vehicle segments, price points, and purposes.

These include value, safety, efficiency, advancement in design, engineering excellence and performance of intended function. There are eleven judges, including our friend Jonny Lieberman, who doesn't disappoint with his commentary, calling the Chevrolet Malibu "less of a car, and more of a collection of everything I don't like." Oh, Jonny.

There was much deliberating, and passionate debate, the result of which was the selection of a single car that rose above all others. And the winner is....? Well, they kind of leave you hanging, but the video is worth watching to see how the champion is crowned. The winner will be announced this Monday, November 12 and stand alongside the magazine's already announced 2013 SUV of the Year, the Mercedes-Benz GL. What car do you think will claim the golden calipers? Have your say in Comments.

Continue reading Motor Trend debates 2013 Car of The Year, winner coming Monday

Motor Trend debates 2013 Car of The Year, winner coming Monday originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Nov 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car of the yearcotyjessi langmotor trendmotor trend car of the yearvideoSat, 10 Nov 2012 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20376442/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/10/motor-trend-debates-2013-car-of-the-year-winner-coming-m/20376442/article-detail.xml 20376442 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/mt-testing_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/mt-testing.jpg <![CDATA[Ladies Love It: Evoque wins Women's World Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/08/ladies-love-it-evoque-wins-womens-world-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/08/ladies-love-it-evoque-wins-womens-world-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/08/ladies-love-it-evoque-wins-womens-world-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Coupe- white - front three-quarter view

The 2012 Women's World Car of the Year Award winners are in, and the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque has taken top honors. A jury of female auto writers from a total of 12 countries all voted on this year's winners over four categories, including Family Car, Luxury Car, Sports Car and Economy Car, though the panel also awards a trophy for "supreme winner." This year, the Evoque took first place in both Luxury Car and supreme winner segments.

Interestingly enough, the BMW 3 Series drove off with first place in the Family Car category, while the Porsche 911 took the top Sports Car nod and the Honda Civic won Economy Car honors. WWCOTY says that while each category saw a clear winner, the spots for second and third place in each category switched multiple times as more votes came in. You can check out the full list of winners in the press release below.

Continue reading Ladies Love It: Evoque wins Women's World Car of the Year

Ladies Love It: Evoque wins Women's World Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardcar of the yearevoqueland rover evoqueland rover range rover evoquerange rover evoquewomens carwomens world car of the yearMon, 08 Oct 2012 18:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20343838/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/08/ladies-love-it-evoque-wins-womens-world-car-of-the-year/20343838/article-detail.xml 20343838 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-range-rover-evoque_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-range-rover-evoque.jpg <![CDATA[2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year short list released]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-short-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-short-list/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/02/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-short-list/#commentsFiled under:

NACTOY crystal award

It's that time of the automotive year again, where the changing of the seasons yields a fresh crop of cars and trucks at dealers and a new bounty of awards. North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year jurors(*) have been flogging all manner of new sheetmetal, and they've culled their long list down to a shorter, more manageable roster, which has just been released.

The list of eleven cars and nine truck/utility vehicles arguably offers few surprises. On the car side, domestic brands have five nominees, as do the Japanese, leaving one slot for a European. On the Truck/Utility side - the award has been renamed to reflect the inclusion of crossover and sport-utility vehicles in addition to traditional body-on-frame trucks - there are three domestic models, four Japanese offerings, a pair of Germans and a Korean.

If there's any conspicuous absence on the list, it's likely the Tesla Model S, which has drawn widespread praise for its electric driving experience, expressive design and impressive performance. As it ramps up production, Tesla has been particularly parsimonious with test vehicles, however, and despite multiple attempts by NACTOY to confirm seat time, few jurors have been able to drive and assess the car.

The jurors will now focus their attention on assessing the vehicles below before another round of voting culls each category down to three finalists. Another round of evaluation and voting will follow, and the winners will be announced at a press conference at the start of Detroit Auto Show media days in January.

The self-funded, completely independent and non-profit NACTOY jury made up of 50 U.S. and Canadian journalists chose the Hyundai Elantra and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque as the winners last year.

Look over the short lists below, then leave your best guess about the winners (or who you think should win) in Comments.

*Full Disclosure: Author is a NACTOY jury member.

2013 North American Car of the Year Short List:
Truck/Utility of the Year Short List:

2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year short list released originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Oct 2012 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car of the yearnactoynorth american car of the yearnorth american truck of the yearnorth american truck utility of the yeartruck of the yearutility of the yearTue, 02 Oct 2012 10:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20339190/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/10/02/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-short-list/20339190/article-detail.xml 20339190 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/nactoy-award-crystal_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/nactoy-award-crystal.jpg <![CDATA[2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year Award long list announced]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-award-long/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-award-long/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/11/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-award-long/#commentsFiled under:

NACTOY crystal award

The 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year award "long list" is out, and 45 vehicles of all descriptions are set to scrap for the hardware. In 2012, the Hyundai Elantra and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque took home the coveted crystal.

This year's crop of 2013 model-year entries is a diverse bunch in every sense of the word, from styling to powertrain to price point and intended audience size. Car offerings range from mainstreamers like the Dodge Dart, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima to small-volume players including alt-fuel darlings like the Fit EV and Tesla Model S and high-performance supercars like the SRT Viper. In the Truck/Utility category, mainstream offerings include the Escape, Ram 1500 and Mazda CX-5 along with niche models like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Toyota RAV4 EV.

The long list is so named because it functions as an all-encompassing roundup of new or substantially changed vehicles that will debut in time to be considered for the annual awards. Some of the vehicles may not have even been driven by the 50-member jury yet - it is in essence an eligibility list. Later this autumn, when jurors have driven the vehicles and have a clearer picture of which models deserve further consideration, an initial round of voting will be held. The resulting "short list" of around a dozen vehicles will then be culled further into a list of three finalists in each category after further testing and a subsequent second vote. Voting on the finalists will ensue and the winners will be announced at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

As further evidence that the long list is merely a fluid roster of eligible vehicles, the Lexus LS has been added and the Mazda6 and Kia Cadenza have been removed from consideration (the latter vehicles appeared on earlier published lists but won't be available in time for judging).

Quick studies will notice that there's been a slight but important change to one of the award's names. Reflecting the market's shift away from body-on-frame trucks to more amorphous sport and crossover utility vehicles, the award formerly known as Truck of the Year will be henceforth known as North American Truck/Utility of the Year. Both traditional body-on-frame vehicles and more car-like crossovers will be considered for this diverse category.

See the complete 2013 long list for both categories by scrolling below, then hop into Comments to talk about who you think will win this year's awards.

*Full Disclosure: Author is a NACTOY jury member.

Continue reading 2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year Award long list announced

2013 North American Car and Truck/Utility of the Year Award long list announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car of the yearnactoynorth american car and truck of the yeartruck of the yeartruck utility of the yearWed, 11 Jul 2012 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20275124/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/11/2013-north-american-car-and-truck-utility-of-the-year-award-long/20275124/article-detail.xml 20275124 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/nactoy-award-crystal_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/nactoy-award-crystal.jpg <![CDATA[Chevy Volt and Opel Ampera named 2012 European Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/05/chevy-volt-and-opel-ampera-named-2012-european-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/05/chevy-volt-and-opel-ampera-named-2012-european-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/05/chevy-volt-and-opel-ampera-named-2012-european-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

2012 Opel Ampera

The Chevrolet Volt may not be selling well, but it's one of the most lauded cars in history. Today the plug-in hybrid was named the 2012 European Car of the Year, an award it will share with its European fraternal twin, the Opel Ampera.

The Volt won North American Car of the Year in 2011, while also picking up car of the year accolades from Motor Trend, Automobile, and nabbing Green Car of the Year from Green Car Journal. Britain's What Car? awarded the Vauxhall Ampera - as the Opel model is called in the U.K. - its Green Car of the Year award, as well.

But the Volt has been at the center of one controversy after another, since even before it was launched. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into a battery fire showed the car was not defective, but it led to the Ampera being delayed. Recent negative publicity among right-leaning political pundits has contributed to making the Volt something of an enigma for General Motors, which just announced it was suspending production of the slow-selling car.

While Europe was never envisioned as the prime market for the Volt/Ampera, GM says it already has 7,000 orders for the Ampera and that the company expects to hit its target of 10,000 sales this year. Certainly, winning this award, presented at the Geneva Motor Show for the first time this year, should help.

The Volt/Ampera finished significantly ahead of the Volkswagen Up! and Ford Focus in the European Car of the Year voting, which included a field of 35 vehicles.

To read the full press release, click past the jump.

Continue reading Chevy Volt and Opel Ampera named 2012 European Car of the Year

Chevy Volt and Opel Ampera named 2012 European Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amperacar of the yearchevroleteuropean car of the yeareuropean car of the year 2012general motorsgenevageneva 2012gmopelvauxhallvoltMon, 05 Mar 2012 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20186013/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/05/chevy-volt-and-opel-ampera-named-2012-european-car-of-the-year/20186013/article-detail.xml 20186013 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/01-opel-ampera-geneva-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/01-opel-ampera-geneva-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Lamborghini Aventador named <em>Robb Report</em> Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/17/lamborghini-aventador-named-robb-report-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/17/lamborghini-aventador-named-robb-report-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/17/lamborghini-aventador-named-robb-report-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Robb Report 2012 Car of the Year

The luxury vehicle aficionados at Robb Report have chosen the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 as their 2012 Car of the Year. This is the 19th time the magazine has announced a COTY award, and any vehicle introduced in the previous year (in this case, that'd be 2011) is eligible.

The Lamborghini was one of a dozen vehicles singled out by Robb Report for consideration, and it managed to edge out such competitors as the Maserati GranTurismo MC, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster and Audi A7 (listed in the order they finished).

Robb Report praised the Lamborghini Aventador for the ease with which it allows drivers to access its prodigious performance and for its technically sophisticated seven-speed gearbox. Two-thirds of the 100 voters chose the Aventador as their first-place pick, making it the runaway victor. Feel free to read the press release after the break.

Continue reading Lamborghini Aventador named Robb Report Car of the Year

Lamborghini Aventador named Robb Report Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 lamborghini aventador lp700-4aventadorAventador LP700-4car of the yearlamborghinirobb reportRobb Report 2012 Car of the Yearrobb report car of the yearFri, 17 Feb 2012 18:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20174239/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/17/lamborghini-aventador-named-robb-report-car-of-the-year/20174239/article-detail.xml 20174239 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/robb-report-lamborghini_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/robb-report-lamborghini.jpg <![CDATA[NACTOY changes truck award to "Truck/Utility of the Year"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/nactoy-changes-truck-award-to-truck-utility-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/nactoy-changes-truck-award-to-truck-utility-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/31/nactoy-changes-truck-award-to-truck-utility-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque wins 2012 North American Truck of the Year award

This year's selection for North American Truck of the Year was something of a sign of the times as the pool of nominees didn't really fit the traditional definition of "truck" - beasts of burden with features like a low range, open bed and/or body-on-frame construction. Not only were all three finalists crossovers (including the winning 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque), but so were the other four on the short list of nominees.

The jury has been monitoring the market's shift from body-on-frame SUVs to unibody-based crossovers for years now, and detailed discussions about whether to alter the name of its Truck of The Year award have been a staple conversation among members of the voting pool for perhaps half a decade. Those debates have finally bore fruit. Beginning with next year's award, instead of North American Truck of the Year, the hardware will be awarded as the North American Truck/Utility of the Year.

The name change should not only be a bit cleaner when it comes to including the market's ever-diversifying pool of crossovers, it will also afford room on the other end of the spectrum for the inclusion of heavy-duty full-size trucks, a segment of vehicles that previously weren't eligible. The change reflects another shift in the market, where vehicles like the Ford F-Series Super Duty and Ram 2500 HD are no longer being considered solely for purchase as work trucks - more and more everyday consumers are looking to them as capable daily drivers. The jury had previously considered only light-duty trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Toyota Tacoma for the award.

With the crossover segment mushrooming in popularity and diversifying rapidly, it's become difficult to readily classify what constitutes a crossover vehicle as opposed to a car. Branches of the U.S. government classify the exact same vehicle as a car and a truck, automakers invent new terminology to trumpet, journalists call them one thing and consumers end up labeling them another. The NACTOY jury will thus look to indicators like overall height and capability to help funnel eligible vehicles into the Car of the Year or Truck/Utility of the Year category.

NACTOY changes truck award to "Truck/Utility of the Year" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car of the yearnactoynorth american car and truck of the yearnorth american car and truck utility of the yearnorth american car of the yearnorth american truck of the yearnorth american truck utility of the yeartruck of the yeartruck utility of the yearutility of the yearTue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20160921/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/31/nactoy-changes-truck-award-to-truck-utility-of-the-year/20160921/article-detail.xml 20160921 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/evoque-nactoy-win_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/evoque-nactoy-win.jpg <![CDATA[Hyundai Elantra, Range Rover Evoque named 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year [UPDATE]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/hyundai-elantra-range-rover-evoque-named-2012-north-american-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/hyundai-elantra-range-rover-evoque-named-2012-north-american-ca/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/09/hyundai-elantra-range-rover-evoque-named-2012-north-american-ca/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Hyundai Elantra

Land Rover Range Rover EvoqueAnd now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for... the Car of the Year awards to rule all Car of the Year awards... the definitive selection of the very best the industry has to offer has been decided. Well, we don't know about all that, but the votes have been tabulated and the assembled jurists (including our own Chris Paukert) have selected the 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year.

The finalists were whittled down from a list of 30 candidates to include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat (on the car side of the equation) and the BMW X3, Honda CR-V and Range Rover Evoque (on the truck side, despite them all being car-based crossovers). And after (what we hope was) careful consideration, the panelists have selected the Elantra and the Evoque as the overall winners.

The awards will undoubtedly sit proudly atop the mantles at both Hyundai and Jaguar/Land Rover's headquarters, but will surely be received with particular jubilation by Land Rover, which has won the award for the first time in this, its largest market.

UPDATE: Official press release with voting tally added after the jump.

Continue reading Hyundai Elantra, Range Rover Evoque named 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year [UPDATE]

Hyundai Elantra, Range Rover Evoque named 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 detroit auto show2012 north american car and truck of the yearawardawardscar of the yeardetroitdetroit 2012detroit auto showelantrahyundaihyundai elantraland roverland rover evoqueland rover range rover evoquenorth american car and truck of the yearnorth american car of the yearnorth american truck of the yearrange roverrange rover evoquetruck of the yearMon, 09 Jan 2012 07:46:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20143646/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/09/hyundai-elantra-range-rover-evoque-named-2012-north-american-ca/20143646/article-detail.xml 20143646 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/elantra08_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/elantra08.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Autoweek</i> awards Audi A7 and Land Rover Evoque 'Best of the Best' titles]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/03/autoweek-awards-audi-a7-and-land-rover-evoque-best-of-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/03/autoweek-awards-audi-a7-and-land-rover-evoque-best-of-th/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/03/autoweek-awards-audi-a7-and-land-rover-evoque-best-of-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 Audi A7

2012 Land Rover EvoqueThe editors from Autoweek have lined up their notes and named their 2011 Best of the Best. The 2012 Audi A7 and Land Rover Range Rover Evoque took the top honors, with editor Wes Raynal saying that the Audi is a vehicle with "few peers" thanks its integration of sedan styling and hatchback functionality. The Evoque, meanwhile, won over the hearts and minds of those at Autoweek thanks to its Land Rover roots and excellent ride refinement. The publication says the Evoque redefines the brand.

Autoweek isn't alone in its picks. As you may recall, the editors at our sister site, AOL Autos, chose both the A7 and the Evoque for the website's first-ever car of the year awards, Motor Trend named the Evoque its SUV of the Year, and we're rather fond of them both, as well.

In order to qualify for the Autoweek Best of the Best list, a vehicle had to be completely or substantially new for 2011. Click past the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Autoweek awards Audi A7 and Land Rover Evoque 'Best of the Best' titles

Autoweek awards Audi A7 and Land Rover Evoque 'Best of the Best' titles originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 audi a72012 land rover evoque2012 land rover range rover evoquea7audiaudi a7autoweekbest of the bestcar of the yearevoqueland roverland rover evoquerange rover evoqueTue, 03 Jan 2012 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20139214/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/03/autoweek-awards-audi-a7-and-land-rover-evoque-best-of-th/20139214/article-detail.xml 20139214 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/01-audi-a7-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/01-audi-a7-628.jpg <![CDATA[Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #262 LIVE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-262-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-262-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-262-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Autoblog Podcast

We record Episode #262 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #262
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #262 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aol autos car of the yearaol autos truck of the yearautoblog podcast topicscar of the yearchevrolet pickupdodge calibergeneral motors pickupgmc pickuptruck of the yearWed, 28 Dec 2011 17:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20136753/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/28/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-262-live/20136753/article-detail.xml 20136753 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp.jpg <![CDATA[AOL Autos chooses first-ever Car and Truck/SUV of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/aol-autos-chooses-first-ever-car-and-truck-suv-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/aol-autos-chooses-first-ever-car-and-truck-suv-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/23/aol-autos-chooses-first-ever-car-and-truck-suv-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,

AOL Autos 2012 Car of the Year

AOL Autos 2012 Truck of the YearAOL Autos, sibling channel to Autoblog, has chosen a Car of the Year and Truck of the Year for the first time.

Editor-in-Chief David Kiley dubbed the awards, "Editors' Choice Awards", reflecting the fact that the selections were made by polling AOL Editors for their nominations. Their choices were discussed and consolidated with winners and three runners up per category.

Autoblog editors and staff did not participate in voting.

"Since we test just about every vehicle on the market, and certainly all the newly designed vehicles that come out, I felt like we should assert our collective opinion into the mix," said Kiley.

"This was a very good year for cars, which made it tough, but not a great year for eligible SUVs and trucks. But I feel really strongly about the choices we made; that both vehicles could win in any year," said Kiley.

To see the winners and runner-ups, click here. And please, argue the selections in the comment areas.

AOL Autos chooses first-ever Car and Truck/SUV of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 aol autos car of the year2012 aol autos suv of the year2012 aol autos truck of the yearaol autoscar of the yearsuv of the yeartruck of the yearFri, 23 Dec 2011 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20134736/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/23/aol-autos-chooses-first-ever-car-and-truck-suv-of-the-year/20134736/article-detail.xml 20134736 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/aol-autos-coty_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/aol-autos-coty.jpg <![CDATA[Range Rover Evoque named <i>Top Gear</i> magazine's Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/range-rover-evoque-named-top-gear-magazines-car-of-the-y/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/range-rover-evoque-named-top-gear-magazines-car-of-the-y/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/02/range-rover-evoque-named-top-gear-magazines-car-of-the-y/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2012 Land Rover Evoque

Top Gear magazine has officially named the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque its Car Of The Year for 2011 after snagging top honors in the SUV category. Perhaps even more impressively, Jeremy Clarkson also named the Evoque his favorite vehicle of 2011. The compact luxury SUV faced off against the likes of the BMW 1 Series M Coupe, McLaren MP4-12C and Ferrari FF among more common offerings. Top Gear celebrated in classic style by taking the Evoque on an African adventure through the deserts and mountains of Morocco. Sure beats handing an anonymous executive some cheesy trophy on stage.

Readers can find the full tale in any of the magazine's 29 international editions. Clarkson was joined by Richard Hammond, James May, Top Gear magazine editor-in-chief Charlie Turner and the publication's full editorial and road testing staff in picking the 2011 car of the year. The crew isn't the only batch of writers to honor the Evoque. The model has soaked up 34 international awards since it debuted. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Range Rover Evoque named Top Gear magazine's Car of the Year

Range Rover Evoque named Top Gear magazine's Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 top gear car of the yearcar of the yearevoquejames mayjeremy clarksonland roverland rover evoquerichard hammondtop geartop gear car of the yeartop gear magazineFri, 02 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20118879/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/02/range-rover-evoque-named-top-gear-magazines-car-of-the-y/20118879/article-detail.xml 20118879 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-land-rover-evoque-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2012-land-rover-evoque-628.jpg <![CDATA[What's Jeremy Clarkson's favorite car of the year?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/whats-jeremy-clarksons-favorite-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/whats-jeremy-clarksons-favorite-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/21/whats-jeremy-clarksons-favorite-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Jeremy Clarkson's favorite car of 2011

Whether he's hosting an episode of Top Gear, writing a column for a magazine or newspaper, or putting together his own DVD special, there's little doubt that Jeremy Clarkson has an enviable level of access to pretty much any car he wants. That ranges from the latest supercars to everyday commuters to oddball one-off classics like the Brutus. So which, of all the cars at his disposal, is his favorite this year?

The answer might surprise you. While the BMW 535d M-Sport Touring is Clarkson's choice for the best car of the year, it's not his favorite. No, that accolade belongs to the one that can put the biggest grin on his mug. So which gets the top prize from the UK's top automotive personality? Follow the jump to watch a clip from his new Powered Up DVD to find out.

Continue reading What's Jeremy Clarkson's favorite car of the year?

What's Jeremy Clarkson's favorite car of the year? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car of the yearclarksondvdjeremy clarksonpowered uptop gearvideoMon, 21 Nov 2011 12:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20110739/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/21/whats-jeremy-clarksons-favorite-car-of-the-year/20110739/article-detail.xml 20110739 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/clarksons-fave_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/clarksons-fave.jpg <![CDATA[2012 Volkswagen Passat named <i>Motor Trend</i> 2012 Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/2012-volkswagen-passat-named-motor-trend-2012-car-of-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/2012-volkswagen-passat-named-motor-trend-2012-car-of-the/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/16/2012-volkswagen-passat-named-motor-trend-2012-car-of-the/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2012 Volkswagen Passat

Motor Trend has named the 2012 Volkswagen Passat its 2012 Car of the Year at the 2011 LA Auto Show today. The publication has been handing out the honor for 62 years now, and says that all of the eligible vehicles were submitted to a battery of tests that include on-track and real-world driving evaluations. In the end, the 2012 Passat came out on top because it fulfills six specific criteria: advancement in design, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, value and performance of intended function. Motor Trend specifically cited the vehicle's roomy interior and wide range of powertrain options as reasons that it won the top nod.

Amazingly enough, this is only the second time in the history of the award that Volkswagen has taken home the Motor Trend Car of the Year trophy. The last time was in 1985 for the GTI.

This is a big nod for a vehicle that many feared would lose its German quality in its Americanization. Built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the 2012 Passat is a suitable rival for long-reigning models like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Passat named Motor Trend 2012 Car of the Year

2012 Volkswagen Passat named Motor Trend 2012 Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 la auto show2012 car of the year2012 volkswagen passatcar of the yearlala 2011la auto showmotor trendmotor trend car of the yearpassatvolkswagenWed, 16 Nov 2011 15:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20108005/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/16/2012-volkswagen-passat-named-motor-trend-2012-car-of-the/20108005/article-detail.xml 20108005 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/2012-volkswagen-passat-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/2012-volkswagen-passat-628.jpg -1 2