Volkswagen Golf is 2013 World Car of the Year

Introduced in 2003, the World Car of the Year award program is one of the automotive industry's most prestigious, credible and significant event that combines the attributes and functionality of various other regional, national and continental Car of the Year titles. But, Volkswagen seems to be making a mockery of this award. Don't get us wrong. With all due respect to the title and the esteemed jury, we do not really know how else to express the fact that Volkswagen has won this title 4 times in the last 5 years.

Yes, following in the footsteps of Golf VI in 2009, Polo in 2010 and Up! in 2012, the all-new seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf has been selected as the 2013 World Car of the Year.

Selected by an international jury panel comprising of 66 automotive journalists from around the world, the award winners were announced at the ongoing 2013 New York International Auto Show. From an initial list of more than 40 new models, the candidates were trimmed to a short list of 10, out of which 4 finalists were chosen. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Porsche Boxster / Cayman and the combined trio of Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota GT 86 were the other cars that fought hard for the title.

Heaping praise on the all-new Golf, the jurors of the World Car Awards commented, "Honed over seven generations since its original launch in 1974, the Volkswagen Golf is as close to the perfect hatchback design as any car company has come yet. Right sized, but spacious, practical and comfortable inside, the latest Golf has been brought up to date with a fresh if evolutionary design, a range of new engines, plus an impressive list of equipment and safety features. What's more, it's fun to drive. If ever there was a car for everyman, the Golf is it."

Obviously pleased with the title, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG, said, "We at Volkswagen are all delighted that the Golf has been named 'World Car of the Year'. To win this award again shows that the Golf is and remains in a class of its own all around the world. This car sets new benchmarks again and again, not least in terms of efficiency and environmental credentials. Soon, for instance, the Golf will also be launched as a plug-in hybrid and as a 100% electric car."

* 2013 World Car of the Year - Volkswagen Golf

Previous WCOTY Winners:

* 2012 Volkswagen Up!
* 2011 Nissan Leaf
* 2010 Volkswagen Polo
* 2009 Volkswagen Golf
* 2008 Mazda 2 / Demio

As is the tradition, the World Car of the Year award was accompanied by titles such as World Performance Car of the Year, World Green Car of the Year and World Design of the Year.

Porsche won the 2013 World Performance Car of the Year title for the second straight year with its Boxster and Cayman twins. In the process, Porsche trumped the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta and the Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota GT 86 trio. Having been one among the finalists for all but one year of the existence of this award, Porsche has added yet another jewel to Volkswagen's star-studded crown.

* 2013 World Performance Car of the Year - Porsche Boxster / Cayman

Previous Winners:

* 2012 Porsche 911
* 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia
* 2010 Audi R8 V10
* 2009 Nissan GT-R
* 2008 Audi R8

When the Jaguar F-Type was unveiled last year, we knew that it was one of the most beautiful cars of our time. And we were right, as the Jaguar deservedly won the 2013 World Design of the Year award, beating Aston-Martin Vanquish and Mazda 6, the other two finalists. By doing so, the F-Type has proved to be a perfect successor to the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, that won this award in 2012.

* 2013 World Design of the Year - Jaguar F-Type

Previous Winners:

* 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
* 2011 Aston Martin Rapide
* 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
* 2009 Fiat 500
* 2008 Audi R8

Finally, the Tesla Model S, an all-electric car that has been creating shock waves across North America, has been chosen as the 2013 Green Car of the Year. Ever since its launch, the Tesla Model S has been redefining the term 'electric car', proving to the masses that electric cars are not a compromise in any sort of way. The other two finalists that came close to winning the title were Renault Zoe and Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid.

* 2013 World Green Car of the Year - Tesla Model S

Previous Winners:

* 2012 Mercedes-Benz S250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
* 2011 Chevrolet Volt
* 2010 Volkswagen BlueMotion Cars
* 2009 Honda FCX Clarity
* 2008 BMW 118d Efficient Dynamics