2010 World Car of the Year Finalists Revealed

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Feb 5, 2010
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AROUND THIS TIME each year, World Car of the Year (WCOTY) - judged by a panel of journalists drawn from around the world - reveals its list of ten finalists in three categories.

Accordingly, WCOTY has this week announced the top ten finalists for World Car of the Year, World Performance Car of the Year and World Green Car of the Year.

world-car-of-the-year The WCOTY programme has been running since 2005 and has since become one of the most prized awards in the global automotive industry.

The criteria for eligibility is long and varied. Crucial among them is that the cars must be available in at least five countries on at least two continents, before January 1 of the year of the award.

From all of the cars that fill that bucket - and there are many - the WCOTY panel has drawn the following three lists.

2010 World Car of the Year

2010 World Performance Car of the Year

2010 World Green Car of the Year

From the above groups, the top three finalists for each award will be announced at next month's Geneva Motor Show. The following month, the final winners of the 2010 World Car of the Year Awards will be announced at the New York Motor Show.

On the performance of years past, WCOTY has a little more credibility than the Eurovision Song Contest, but not a lot more.

Looking at the listed finalists, which do you think will take out the awards? Let us know in the comments below.


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Comments

  • Martin [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    How is that fair that the Prius is up for two nominations!?
  • Nightshader [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    Where is the Fiesta Econetic?? Surely it's in 5 countries?
  • Wheelnut [reply]
    6 months ago 1 points
    Given the amount of publicity its had over recent months [not to mention all the reviews etc].I find it hard to believe that Skodas didn't make the list.... yet the Daewoo/Holden/Chevrolet Cruze did

    I guess they're not as SUPERB as we are led to believe.... ;)
  • Wheelnut [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    I believe that the Opel Insignia could go close to winning - because its an all new design with a powerful; yet economical DI-V6; impressive performance and handling; outstanding safety; a long list of standard features = good value for money

    If only it were available in Australia particularly the AWD version
  • Jake02 [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    Wheelnut -
    It's because Skodas aren't sold in the US. Yes I realise the VW Polo isn't sold there either, but it won Euro COTY so I guess it was considered.
  • Rob [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    The list of cars is actually a really good and sensible list.
    The fact that there is no mention of the VW Golf (which is not a bad car) gives it some credibility. TMR made some good choices for their COTY.

    Personally I'd like to see either the Mazda 3 or Porsche Panamera getting the award both of which are excellent cars despite the very large price difference.
  • Paddy [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    Let's do a breakdown.

    Audi Q5 - killed by electric steering and empty features list.
    BMW X1 - not released in New Zealand yet.
    Chevrolet Cruze - Pretty good little car for medium market.
    Kia Soul - Looks like a box and drives like one.
    Mazda3 - Good choice with a nice cheesy grin to match
    Mercedes-Benz E-Class - Awesome stuff but with a pretty high price
    Opel/Vauxhall Insignia / Buick Regal - not in NZ but guessing it's good
    Porsche Panamera Expensive.
    Toyota Prius Rubbish treekiller's car
    Volkswagen Polo Awesome little golf cart.

    --------------
    ---------------
    Aston Martin V12 Vantage As Clarkson said. Going to be an awesome car forgotten in the history books.
    Audi R8 V10 Crazy bugger Audi
    Audi TT RS Coupé / Roadster Actually an awesomely great drive. I loved every second of it.
    BMW Z4 The only masculine convertible around
    Ferrari California Lol
    Jaguar XFR Sexy Jag with a pretty punch
    Lotus Evora Not in NZ
    Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG Not in NZ yet
    Nissan 370Z Boring shrunken 350Z with a bigger engine
    Porsche 911 GT3 Drives better than the Turbo I'd say!
    Porsche Boxster / Cayman Cayman a great little cheap 911.

    --------
    Ford Fusion hybrid Not in NZ
    Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid Not in NZ
    Honda Insight Pointless.
    Toyota Prius Pile of junk
    Volkswagen Bluemotion model range Only worthy contender which I've tried and tested myself.
  • Matt [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    X1? Cruze? lol

    When is the real list announced?
  • noj [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    Wheelnut, I find it hard to believe your now wanting an AWD car when all you have ever done is bag them.
  • Bavarian Missile [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    ummmmmmmmmm,he owns a AWD car Jon.........
  • noj [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    Ah a Captiva.
  • Bavarian Missile [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    errrrrpppppppp,wrong. It Japanese...........Jon. :P
  • noj [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    Oh that is suprising if its true.
  • Sam [reply]
    6 months ago 0 points
    E- Class Mercedes.
    Nissan 370Z
    VW Bluemotion.

    Thats my guess.

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