|
|
 |
The 2009 World Car(s) of
the Year
On April 9 at the New
York International Car Show in New York City, the
winners of the acclaimed title, “World Car of the
Year” were announced. The winners were chosen by 59
jurors (jurors are also journalists) from 25
different countries.
While only one car can be named Overall Victor, one
vehicle was also named for each of the other three
categories: Best Design, Best Performance, and Best
Green Car. Keep reading for details on each.
Overall Victor
Volkswagen MK VI Golf took the title from the
Toyota iQ and the Ford Fiesta with its six-engine
variety and turbo or supercharger option. There were
51 other cars competing for 2009 Overall Victor.
Previous winners include Mazda2 / Mazda Demio, Lexus
LS460, BMW 3-Series, and Audi A6. In order to be
eligible for nomination in this category, the car
needs to have been available for sale on at least
two continents the year prior (2008).
Best Design
The winner,
Fiat 500, competed with the Citroen C5
and the Jaguar XF. The Fiat is an Italian car
produced in Poland and is backed by a 100-year
automotive history. The design is based on its
original 1957 model, but now with smoother contours
and modern dials and buttons, of course.
Best Performance
While the Corvette ZR1 and Porsche 911 were close to
the top, the
Nissan GT-R took this win. The GT-R is
claimed to be one of the fastest production cars and
can reach a top speed of 192 mph.
Best Green Car
The
Honda FCX Clarity took this relatively new title
from the twenty-two other vehicles that were in the
running. In order to qualify, the vehicle had to be
available for at least one 2008 market. Prototypes
were accepted as long as at least 10 of the vehicles
were evaluated in 2008 by the press or other
individuals. Jurors looked at power plant
technology, fuel consumption, and tailpipe emissions
in making their decision. The FCX is a luxury sedan
with a 72-mile-per-gallon average, and the car has
no tailpipe emissions.
This is the sixth year for the New York
International Car Show, a widely recognized
authority in the auto industry.
|
|
