Thread: Choosing the World Car of the Year

Today 66 auto journalists from around the world cast initial votes in the 2011 WCOTY contest. Including yours truly, each of us selected the ten cars we feel are worthy of being chosen as the best new car as well as choosing ten for the World Performance Car award.

Like the North America Car of the Year awards, this group of journalists is not affiliated with any one magazine and is completely independent.

Since WCOTY is a worldwide award, eligible vehicles have to be available in at least two continents. Each year there are several eligible vehicles not sold in the US while the majority of American vehicles are ineligible since they are not available outside North America.

There are three Chrysler vehicles included this year – the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Challenger SRT8 and Dodge Viper ACR.

Two GM vehicles, the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe and Opel Meriva (not sold in the US) are eligible in this years contest. The Chevrolet Cruze and Opel Insignia (Buick Regal) were included in last years competition.

This year no new Ford models were eligible. The Ford Fiesta came close to winning in 2009 when it was introduced in the rest of the world.

At this stage I have still to drive several cars, so I have not yet decided which models I think should win the awards. Three vehicles that surprised me were the Dodge Viper ACR, Nissan Juke and Renault Megane Sport (pictured) that I drove in Europe last September.

Last year the Volkswagen Polo won the World Car of the Year 
award, while the Audi R8 V10 was voted as World Performance Car.



There are also two other awards given – the 
World Green Car was won in 2010 by the Volkswagen BlueMotion (Golf, Passat, Polo) and the 
Chevrolet Camaro won the World Car Design of the Year.