The list of contenders for the 2013 World Car of the Year Awards has been released ahead of the final announcement at the New York International Auto Show on March 28.
The entries will cover the following categories: 2013 World CAR of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year. The winner of each category will be determined by a panel of 66 judges from around the globe, the sole juror representing South Africa is none other than CAR magazine editor Hannes Oosthuizen.
The top ten candidates in each segment comprise the following:
2013 World Car of the Year:
- Audi A3
- Range Rover
- Mazda6
- Mazda CX5
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- Peugeot 208
- Porsche Boxster/Cayman
- Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT 86/Toyota86
- Volkswagen Golf 7
- Volvo V40
2013 World Performance Car:
- Aston Martin Vanquish
- Audi RS 5
- BMW M6 Coupe/Convertible
- BMW M 135i
- Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
- Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG
- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster
- Porsche Boxster/Cayman
- Renault Clio Sport
- Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ/Toyota GT 86/Toyota 86
2013 World Green Car:
- Renault Zoe
- smart Electric Drive
- Tesla Model S
- Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
- Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Diesel
2013 World Car Design of the Year:
- Aston Martin Vanquish
- Renault Clio
- Jaguar F-Type
- Range Rover
- Mazda 6
- Volkswagen Golf
The jurors’ will re-evaluate these contenders before a final round of voting in February. The each of the ten candidates in each category will be rated in terms of overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal, and significance. KPMG will again tabulate the vote results. The top three finalists in both categories will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 5.
Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Volkswagen Up! in 2012, the Nissan LEAF in 2011, the Volkswagen Polo in 2010, the Volkswagen Golf in 2009, the Mazda2/Mazda Demio in 2008, the Lexus LS460 in 2007, the BMW 3 Series in 2006, and the Audi A6 in 2005.
Previous World Performance Car winners were the Porsche 911 in 2012, the Ferrari 458 Italia in 2011, the Audi R8 V10 in 2010, the Nissan GT-R in 2009, the Audi R8 in 2008, the Audi RS4 in 2007 and the Porsche Cayman S in 2006.
