Now here’s a bit of fun. Men like lists, don’t they? And apparently women do too, although not necessarily the same kind of lists that blokes come up with. Anyway, the 2012 World Car Awards hosted by Bridgestone Corporation will take place at the New York International Auto Show on Thursday, April 5, 2012.
There are two big titles, the 2012 World Car of the Year, and the 2012 World Performance Car, and the top ten finalists in each category have just been announced. So if you fancy a bit of fun, write down your favourites and keep them safe till April and see if you’re right.
The top ten contenders for the 2012 World Car of the Year are:
Audi A6 Sedan / Avant
Audi Q3
BMW 1 Series
BMW 3 Series
Chevrolet Volt / Opel/Vauxhall Ampera
Citroen DS5
Ford Focus
Land Rover Evoque
Porsche 911
Volkswagen Up!
Audi Q3
BMW 1 Series
BMW 3 Series
Chevrolet Volt / Opel/Vauxhall Ampera
Citroen DS5
Ford Focus
Land Rover Evoque
Porsche 911
Volkswagen Up!
The 2012 World Performance Car will be chosen from:
Audi RS 3 Sportback
BMW 1 Series M Coupé
BMW M5
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Ferrari FF
Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
McLaren MP4-12C
Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz C-63 Coupe AMG Black Series
Porsche 911
BMW 1 Series M Coupé
BMW M5
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Ferrari FF
Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
McLaren MP4-12C
Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz C-63 Coupe AMG Black Series
Porsche 911
The judging panel comprises a total of sixty-six (66) international automotive journalists from all around the world. There is however a serious omission in this celebrated line-up. There are no Scottish judges, just 4 from England and one from Ireland!
There is one more judging stage to go through this coming month when the judges will select their top three from each category and these will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 6th so if you’re playing the game, you’ll be able to see if you’re on the right track.
Previous World Car of the Year winners were 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 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.
That might help to give you some idea of the way the judges will be thinking but it wouldn’t surprise me if the ‘political correctnessers’ go for the Chevrolet Volt ahead of the Volkswagen Up! at the expense of the Range Rover Evoque, while the Performance Car category might just a get a cheeky surprise from the BMW 1 series M Coupe. Go on, gie it a birl.