Volkswagen Automotive Group’s staggering stranglehold over the World Car of the Year title continues in 2014 as well with the Audi A3 becoming the latest from the stable to win the coveted title. This is the second time an Audi is being crowned World Car of the Year after the A6 that won in 2005. For the year 2014, twenty-four models from across the world met the eligibility criteria to contest the World Car of the Year title. Jurors from around the world evaluated each of those models and arrived at a shortlist of twelve, which was then further filtered down to just three finalists. The Audi A4, BMW 4-Series and Mazda 3 were the cars that made the cut. In the final evaluation runs though, the Audi emerged on top, leaving the BMW and Mazda behind.
Conferring the title on the A3 in New York, the jurors of the World Car Awards observed, “It might borrow styling hints from its bigger brothers, but the A3 still offers classic, chiseled contours and even better interior trim levels. With a superb choice of engines and four body styles, the A3 range packs a hefty premium punch in the small luxury segment. Audi should be complimented for making this A3 ride like no other A3. All the old shimmer over rough surfaces has gone, replaced by a silky smooth ride that approaches limousine quality”.
It’s good for us then that the A3 will soon arrive on Indian roads to spearhead Audi’s challenge in the potentially-big entry luxury segment.
Conferring the title on the A3 in New York, the jurors of the World Car Awards observed, “It might borrow styling hints from its bigger brothers, but the A3 still offers classic, chiseled contours and even better interior trim levels. With a superb choice of engines and four body styles, the A3 range packs a hefty premium punch in the small luxury segment. Audi should be complimented for making this A3 ride like no other A3. All the old shimmer over rough surfaces has gone, replaced by a silky smooth ride that approaches limousine quality”.
It’s good for us then that the A3 will soon arrive on Indian roads to spearhead Audi’s challenge in the potentially-big entry luxury segment.
* 2014 World Car of the Year – Audi A3
Previous WCOTY Winners:
* 2013 – Volkswagen Golf
* 2012 – Volkswagen Up!
* 2011 – Nissan Leaf
* 2010 – Volkswagen Polo
* 2009 – Volkswagen Golf
As always, the announcement of the World Car of the Year award was accompanied by allied titles such as World Performance Car of the Year, World Green Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year aimed at honoring the expertise and brilliance exhibited in the respective aspects. For 2014, a new title World Luxury Car of the Year has been added to acknowledge higher-priced premium models selling in limited numbers worldwide.
From an initial list of ten luxury cars launched worldwide, three finalists in the form of Bentley Flying Spur, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Range Rover Sport were chosen. In the end, it was the Mercedes that beat the other two to become the 2014 World Luxury Car of the Year.
Previous WCOTY Winners:
* 2013 – Volkswagen Golf
* 2012 – Volkswagen Up!
* 2011 – Nissan Leaf
* 2010 – Volkswagen Polo
* 2009 – Volkswagen Golf
As always, the announcement of the World Car of the Year award was accompanied by allied titles such as World Performance Car of the Year, World Green Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year aimed at honoring the expertise and brilliance exhibited in the respective aspects. For 2014, a new title World Luxury Car of the Year has been added to acknowledge higher-priced premium models selling in limited numbers worldwide.
From an initial list of ten luxury cars launched worldwide, three finalists in the form of Bentley Flying Spur, Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Range Rover Sport were chosen. In the end, it was the Mercedes that beat the other two to become the 2014 World Luxury Car of the Year.
* 2014 World Luxury Car of the Year – Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The 2014 World Performance Car of the Year title went to familiar territory as Porsche took top honours for the third straight year. The 911 GT3 prevailed over the other two finalists for the award, the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and the Ferrari 458 Speciale.
* 2014 World Performance Car of the Year - Porsche 911 GT3
Previous Winners:
* 2013 – Porsche Boxster / Cayman
* 2012 – Porsche 911
* 2011 – Ferrari 458 Italia
* 2010 – Audi R8 V10
* 2009 – Nissan GT-R
BMW picked up the World Car Design of the Year award for its work on i3, the first model in the company’s all-electric ‘i’ sub-brand. Mazda 3 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class were the other two finalists that vied for the top spot.
* 2014 World Car Design of the Year – BMW i3
Previous Winners:
* 2013 – Jaguar F-Type
* 2012 – Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
* 2011 – Aston Martin Rapide
* 2010 – Chevrolet Camaro
* 2009 – Fiat 500
It’s eye-catching looks notwithstanding, the BMW i3 was also crowned the World Green Car of the Year for its revolutionary, grounds-up approach towards efficiency and sustainability. The finalists for this award included the Audi A3 Sportback g-tron and Volkswagen XL1.
* 2014 World Green Car of the Year - BMW i3
Previous Winners:
* 2013 – Tesla Model S
* 2012 – Mercedes-Benz S250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
* 2011 – Chevrolet Volt
* 2010 – Volkswagen BlueMotion Cars
* 2009 – Honda FCX Clarity
Currently in its tenth year, the annual World Car awards are, by far, the most respected and the most popular in the automotive industry. The awards intend to complement the various national and regional Car of the Year awards handed over annually. Judged by a panel of expert automotive journalists from North America, Europe and Asia, the World Car awards recognize the best in the automotive industry on an international scale.
i3 for best looking car? That car looks ugly!!
ReplyDeleteQuite frankly, we were surprised by that decision too! But, the i3 isn't ugly.
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