World Car of the Year finalists

The countdown for the 2010 World Car and World Performance Car of the Year has begun. Results of the prestigious award will be out on April 1, 2010, at a press conference held at the New York International Auto Show.

A jury of 59 international automotive journalists have already selected the top ten cars in both the categories and the top 3 finalist in all award categories will be announced at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2, 2010.

The judges have discreetly voted their candidate via secret ballot on the basis of their individual experience with each vehicle. Following meticulous tabulation, the top 10 finalists from both the categories were selected. All the jury members - hold significant stature - constitute a balance of representation from Asia, Europe, North America, South America, as well as other parts of the world.

The jurors will now re-evaluate the top ten cars in both classes, and re-vote in February. They will specifically rate each vehicle in terms of overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal, and significance. These votes will be tabulated again and the top three finalists in both the categories will be announced.

Finalists in the remaining two categories – World Car Design and World Green Car - are handled differently. A separate panel of five highly respected world design experts will assist the judges and will develop a short list of recommendations constituting the finalists from the 2010 World Car of the Year list. The judges will then choose the winner of the 2010 World Car Design of the Year from the recommended list. Same procedures are followed for the World Green Car* award as well.

Intended to complement the existing national and regional Car of the Year awards, the World Car Awards have become the world’s most prestigious and credible programme. Inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, the motive behind this award is to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale.

The 2010 World Car of the Year will be selected from the following top cars:
Audi Q5
BMW X1 
Chevrolet Cruze
Kia Soul       
Mazda3 
Mercedes-Benz E-Class  
Opel/Vauxhall Insignia / Buick Regal   
Porsche Panamera       
Toyota Prius   
Volkswagen Polo
 
The 2010 World Performance Car will be chosen from the following top ten finalists:
Aston Martin V12 Vantage       
Audi R8 V10    
Audi TT RS Coupé / Roadster    
BMW Z4 
Ferrari California     
Jaguar XFR     
Lotus Evora    
Mercedes-Be nz E 63 AMG 
Nissan 370 Z   
Porsche 911 GT3
Porsche Boxster / Cayman