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With the Chicago and Geneva auto shows not even out of the way yet, the automotive world's sights are set on the New York Auto Show for the naming of the 2013 World Car Awards, and the top 10 finalists for World Car of the Year and World Performance Car were recently announced and will be voted on by 66 journalists from around the world (including our own European Editor, Matt Davis).

Vying for the top award are the Audi A3, 2013 Range Rover, 2014 Mazda6, Mazda CX-5, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Peugeot 208, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, the trio of Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86, Volkswagen Golf and the Volvo V40. Since its inception, past winners of this award include Volkswagen Up! (2012), Nissan LEAF (2011), Volkswagen Polo (2010), Volkswagen Golf (2009), Mazda2/Mazda Demio (2008), Lexus LS 460 (2007), BMW 3 Series (2006) and the Audi A6 in the award's inaugural year.

The competition is no less fierce for the performance car of the year with the Aston Martin Vanquish, Audi RS5, BMW M6, BMW M 135i, Ferrari F12Berlinetta, Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG and SLS AMG, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Renault Clio Sport and the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT86. This award was first handed out in 2006 with previous recipients including Porsche 911 (2012), Ferrari 458 Italia (2011), Audi R8 V10 (2010), Nissan GT-R (2009), Audi R8 (2008), Audi RS4 (2007) and the Porsche Cayman S (2006).

The top three finalists for each award will be announced at the Geneva Motor Show on March 5, and the winners will be revealed on March 28.

Continue reading 2013 World Car of the Year finalists announced

2013 World Car of the Year finalists announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>new york 2013new york auto shownew york international auto showPerformance Car of the YearwcotyWorld Car Awardsworld car of the yearFri, 01 Feb 2013 18:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20446078/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/01/2013-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/20446078/article-detail.xml 20446078 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/world-car-of-the-year_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/world-car-of-the-year.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen Up! named 2012 World Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/volkswagen-up-named-2012-world-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/volkswagen-up-named-2012-world-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/05/volkswagen-up-named-2012-world-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,



As is tradition, Day Two of the 2012 New York Auto Show kicked off with the annual World Car of the Year awards. Global entries competed for honors in four different categories, and from the initial list of 34 contenders, the final four were selected this morning.

The big winner was the 2012 Volkswagen Up! subcompact, which takes home the honor of World Car of the Year, beating out its other finalists, the BMW 3 Series and Porsche 911. We've had a chance to drive VW's tiny runabout and, while it would be hard for the automaker to justify offering something this small in the United States (right now), we'd gladly welcome its tossable city dynamics and efficiency here on our shores. With a small bump in power, it could certainly show the Fiat 500 who's boss.

But the Up! wasn't the only car praised in New York this morning. The new 991-series Porsche 911 was named World Performance Car of the Year, besting other nominees like the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and McLaren MP4-12C. Stiff competition, for sure, but you just can't match the 911's razor-sharp precision, not to mention that this new 991 model is easily the best 911 yet.

Moving on to a different sort of performance, the Mercedes-Benz S250 CDI BlueEfficiency took top honors for its eco-performance, securing the World Green Car of the Year award. In this segment, the other two finalists were the Ford Focus Electric and Peugeot 3008 Hybrid greenlings.

Lastly, the WCOY jury selected the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque for the World Car Design of the Year - not really a surprise, seeing as how the baby Range Rover has been praised for its styling ever since the day it launched. Our condolences to the Citroën DS5 and Volkswagen Up! - you guys just aren't pretty enough.

Stay tuned for more details about this year's awards later today.

Full disclosure: Author is a juror and co-chair of the World Car of the Year Awards.

Volkswagen Up! named 2012 World Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 world car of the year911evoquefeaturedfocusfocus electricfordland rovernew yorknew york 2012new york auto showporscherange roverupvolkswagenwcotyworld car of the yearThu, 05 Apr 2012 09:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20209179/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/05/volkswagen-up-named-2012-world-car-of-the-year/20209179/article-detail.xml 20209179 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-2012-volkswagen-up_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-2012-volkswagen-up.jpg <![CDATA[Top 10 finalists announced for World Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/top-10-finalists-announced-for-world-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/top-10-finalists-announced-for-world-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/top-10-finalists-announced-for-world-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under:

It's that time of the year again, kiddies, to name the best car in the world. The selections for the World Car Awards awarded granted by an international panel of 66 automotive journalists, who have now announced their ten finalists.

Included on the shortlist are the Audi A1 and A8, the BMW 5 Series and X3, Jaguar XJ, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Nissan Leaf, Porsche Cayenne and Volvo S60/V70. The selections were made based on the jurists' experience with each car through the course of their professional work, and each will be tasked with reevaluating the ten finalists before casting their final ballots to be tabulated by KPMG.

Intriguingly, although the Leaf EV was short-listed, the Chevrolet Volt didn't make the cut. For an idea of the jurists' tastes, consider the winners from years past: the Volkswagen Polo (2010), Volkswagen Golf in (2009), Mazda2 (2008), Lexus LS460 (2007), BMW 3-Series (2006), and the Audi A6 in 2005, the first time the prize was awarded.

The shortlist will be whittled down to three finalists to be announced at the Geneva Motor Show next month, followed by the awards to be given out at the New York Auto Show in April. Follow the jump for the official announcement, and check out our image gallery of the ten finalists below.


Gallery: 2011 World Car finalists

Audi A1Audi A8BMW 5 SeriesBMW X3Jaguar XJ

[Source: World Car Awards]

Continue reading Top 10 finalists announced for World Car of the Year

Top 10 finalists announced for World Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 world car of the yearcar of the yearwcotyworld carworld car awardsworld car of the yearThu, 10 Feb 2011 16:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19838133/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/02/10/top-10-finalists-announced-for-world-car-of-the-year/19838133/article-detail.xml 19838133 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/world-car-awards-2010_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/world-car-awards-2010.jpg <![CDATA[2010 World Car of the Year finalists announced... is your favorite represented?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/04/2010-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced-is-your-favori/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/04/2010-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced-is-your-favori/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/04/2010-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced-is-your-favori/#commentsFiled under: ,

We couldn't blame you for thinking that all of the 'Of the Year" awards were finished for the 2010, but there's still at least a few key bits of shiny hardware that have yet to be handed out - the World Car of the Year and World Performance Car of the Year. And while we're not yet sure who will take home the big prizes, we do have a short(er)list of nominees for both accolades.

The field has been whittled down by 59 jurors to 10 possible winners in each category, and the top three finalists will be announced next month at the Geneva Motor Show ahead of the actual award ceremony at April's New York Auto Show. The nominees are...

2010 World Car of the Year
Given the company it's in, we're not altogether sure why the Panamera isn't in the World Performance Car running instead, but we digress. Speaking of which...

2010 World Performance Car of the Year
Lest we forget, there's also the 2010 World Green Car of the Year award to be handed out, and you can check out that verdant bunch of shortlisters over at Autobloggreen.

For 2009, the Volkswagen Golf and Nissan GT-R brought home the bacon in their respective categories. Which cars would make the best picks for both awards? Have your say in Comments.

[Source: World Car of the Year]

2010 World Car of the Year finalists announced... is your favorite represented? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Less than one month from now, the 2009 World Car of the Year Award winner will be announced at the New York Auto Show. The international jury panel (chosen by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of experience, expertise, credibility and influence) has whittled down the original list of eligible entries to just three in each category (in alphabetical order):

2009 World Car Finalists

2009 World Performance Car Finalists

2009 World Green Car Finalists
This year, the committee has appointed three "green experts" to assist in the selection of the World Green Car finalists. Our own Sam Abuelsamid (from Autoblog and AutoblogGreen) was the sole representative from North America! Check out the full press release after the jump.

[Source: World Car of the Year]

Continue reading 2009 World Car of the Year finalists announced

2009 World Car of the Year finalists announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The fireworks are cold, the confetti cartridges are spent, and the 2008 World Car of the Year Awards have come to an end. Based on standards of merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, significance, and emotional appeal, the three finalists were the Volvo Ford Mondeo, Mazda2/Demio and Mercedes C-Class. Don't read any further if, for some reason, you don't want to know what the 2008 World Car of the Year is and you haven't seen the photo above: the Mazda 2/Demio. What we earlier called the squat hatch with the aggressive wedge shape and swooping beltline showed its well-proportioned rump (also our term, and Mazda, feel free to quote us) to worthy competition.

In the other categories, the BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics took home the World Green Car of the Year Award. In what should have been a surprise to no one, the Audi R8 walked off with trophies from both categories in which it was entered: World Performance Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year. Having taken the awards in both categories last year as well (with the RS4 and TT), Audi knowS how to get the judges on its side. Now if it can get one million buyers on its side this year, that will really be a trophy it can brag about.

New York 2008: World Car of the Year Awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 10:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mazda demiomazda2MazdaDemionew yorknew york 2008new york auto showNewYorkNewYork2008NewYorkAutoShowwcotyworld car of the yearWorldCarOfTheYearThu, 20 Mar 2008 10:36:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1144946/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/03/20/new-york-2008-world-car-of-the-year-awards/1144946/article-detail.xml 1144946 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/mazda2_wcoty_winner_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/03/mazda2_wcoty_winner.jpg <![CDATA[New York '08 Preview: World Car of the Year finalists announced]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/new-york-08-preview-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/new-york-08-preview-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/new-york-08-preview-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,



With the New York Auto Show just around the corner in late March, the organization behind the "World Car of the Year" Awards has revealed its top three finalists. The top vehicles in each of four categories were chosen by an international panel of 47 automotive journalists reportedly committed to carrying out the process with the "...utmost objectivity, credibility, and integrity." Regardless of how spotless the chosen journalist's driving record is, it's still a subjective vote, so don't be dismayed if your favorite chunk of steel didn't make the list this year. Instead, be pleased that the majority of the vehicles are actually available in the States.

Last month, the list included ten vehicles in each category. This week, the distinguished panel whittled it down to three finalists in each category. Check out the finalists in Design, Performance Car and Green Car after the jump.
2008 World Car of the Year Finalists

Ford Mondeo
Mazda2 / Mazda Demio
Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Continue reading New York '08 Preview: World Car of the Year finalists announced

New York '08 Preview: World Car of the Year finalists announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FinalistsWCOTYWorld Car of the YearWorldCarOfTheYearTue, 26 Feb 2008 17:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1124637/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/02/26/new-york-08-preview-world-car-of-the-year-finalists-announced/1124637/article-detail.xml 1124637 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/mazda2_18_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/mazda2_18_opt.jpg <![CDATA[World Car and World Performance Car of the Year finalists announced]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/world-car-and-world-performance-car-of-the-year-finalists-announ/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/world-car-and-world-performance-car-of-the-year-finalists-announ/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/world-car-and-world-performance-car-of-the-year-finalists-announ/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The WCOTY awards are kind of like the Miss Universe Pageant. Sure, the universe is bigger than America, but we Yanks just love rooting for our local gals in the Miss America Pageant (Congrats, Miss Oklahoma!). In the same way, we're all a twitter to hear which models have won the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards, but the World Car of the Year awards presented at the New York International Auto Show in April often don't get the same attention (unless you count this). Well, let's change that by actually giving a hoot this year. The top ten finalists for the World Car and World Performance Car of the Year awards were announced today, and you can find both lists in full after the jump.

Audi managed to nab the most spots with the Q7 and TT being finalists for the WCOTY award and the RS4 and S6 on the list for the WPCOTY award. German automakers also dominated the list of finalists for the performance car award, with 6 out of 10 coming from either Audi, BMW or Porsche.

You may be wondering why very few domestics (U.S. domestics, that is) seem to be on either of these lists, and that's because to be eligible for either award a car has to be in production and sold in at least five countries on two continents. A panel of 45 jurors will pick the winners, which will be announced in April at the New York Auto Show.

Check out the full lists after the jump along with the WCOTY award press release.

[Source: WCOTY.com]

Continue reading World Car and World Performance Car of the Year finalists announced

World Car and World Performance Car of the Year finalists announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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