2011 New York Auto Show: The World Car Awards
The New York Auto Show is not just about product launches and concept cars, it’s also where a whole host of prizes and honorary titles are awarded to the industry’s top manufacturers. Some of these awards include:
World Car of the Year
World Green Car of the Year
World Performance Car of the Year
World Car Design of the Year
Sixty-six journalists from 25 countries sat on this year’s jury, which had the impossible mission of selecting the 2011 World Car Award winners.
Here are the results:
World Car of the Year
Last year, this prize went out to the fifth-generation Volkswagen Polo, while the sixth generation of its older sister, the Golf, had earned the same title the year before. This year, the winner is the Nissan LEAF, which stole the gold from the Audi A8 sedan and the BMW 5 Series.
World Green Car of the Year
For 2011, three vehicles were in the running to be named the most environmentally friendly car on the planet. The BMW 320d EfficientDynamics, the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan LEAF were all contenders. In the end, the Chevrolet Volt captured the spotlight. Last year, this title was presented to the Volkswagen BlueMotion.
World Performance Car
The award-winner in this category is the powerful Ferrari 458 Italia. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the Porsche 911 Turbo gave it a run for its money in this competition. Last year, the Audi R8 V10 received this honour.
World Car Design of the Year
This prize was presented to the magnificent Aston Martin Rapide, which had to fight hard to outdo the superb Alfa Romeo Giulietta and ultra-exotic Ferrari 458 Italia. In 2010, the big winner in this category was the Chevrolet Camaro.
