With four different awards up for grabs, the shortlist models - in alphabetical order - are:
2011 World Car of the Year
- Audi A1
- Audi A8
- BMW 5 Series
- BMW X3
- Jaguar XJ
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
- Nissan Leaf
- Porsche Cayenne
- Volvo S60 / V60
Obviously, this is the big prize. Each of the finalists will be judged on ‘overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal and significance’, a combination that has lead to some previous winners being very worthy but also just a bit dull.
What’s striking is that 2011’s entire crop is from premium or, in the case of the Volvo and Jeep, semi-premium manufacturers. Even the Nissan isn’t exactly mainstream, given its relatively high price.
It’s hard to see either the SLS AMG or Cayenne winning, given their comparative lack of environmental responsibility. The BMW 5 Series has to be a contender given its all-round ability, but it would be good to see the Jaguar XJ clinch it, simply because it represents such a brave departure from previous generation XJ models.
Audi’s A1 probably ticks all the boxes. However, it’d be a shame for it to win because it’s essentially a tarted-up version of last year’s World Car of the Year, the Volkswagen Polo.
2011 World Performance Car
- Aston Martin Rapide
- Audi RS 5 Coupe
- Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
- Ferrari 458 Italia
- Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
- Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG / CL 63 AMG
- Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
- Porsche 911 GT2 RS
- Porsche 911 Turbo
- Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250
2011 World Car Design of the Year
- Alfa Romeo Giulietta
- Aston Martin Rapide
- Audi A7
- Citroën DS3
- Ferrari 458
- Honda CR-Z
- Kia Sportage
- Nissan Juke
There were originally fifty-one candidates in this category, which is expected to ‘highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push established boundaries’ - a demanding set of criteria.
The shortlist was decided by a panel of five design experts but, as with all of the other awards, it’s now solely up to the jurors to arrive at a winner.
2011 World Green Car
- BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition
- Chevrolet Volt
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
- Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell
- Nissan Leaf
- Smart electric drive
Three environmental experts were asked to draw up the finalists for this award based on emissions, fuel consumption and the power plant technology employed.
But with its 109 g/km and combined cycle 68.9 mpg (4.0 l/100km), the 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition proves that cars with a traditional internal combustion engine can still be impressively green.
The next stage is that during February the jurors will vote again, but this time just on the finalists.
Following that ballot, the top three cars in each category will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on 1st March.
Then, bringing the process to a close, the 2011 World Car Awards winners will be declared during the New York International Auto Show in April.
