As the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show is just a few short weeks off from now, the conspicuous and high profile car event also heralds that annual World Car Awards. The awards program which has gathered in stature and reputation over more recent years accepts nominations under five different categories of; Best Green Car, World Car Design of the Year, World Performance Car of the Year, Luxury Car of the Year and the most coveted overall 2016 World Car of the Year.
Jurors for the 2016 World Car Awards herald from 23 different countries across the globe. Numbering 73 jurors all together, countries with the highest representation include China (10), the USA (9), India (7) and Japan (7). Results are to be tabulated and measured by the unanimously respected KPMG group.
All cars that were eligible to contend were launched in the nomination period of 2015, however the shortlisting of contenders has since been selected and published. Shortlisted nominations for the best green car include the BMW 330e Plug-in Hybrid, Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Mirai, Toyota Prius, and the Volkswagen Passat GTE. The shortlist of design finalists are the Cadillac CT6, Jaguar XE, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Mazda CX-3, and the Mazda MX-5.
The final nominees for the performance category has the new generation Audi R8 Coupe and Chevrolet Camaro, the Honda Civic Type R, Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe, and the Range Rover Sport SVR. Finalists for the luxury category list the Audi Q7 (2nd gen), BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, and the Volvo XC90.
Nominations for the prime position of Best car have gone to the Audi A4, BMW X1, Hyundai Tucson, Jaguar XE, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Mazda CX-3, Mazda MX-5, Mercedes GLC, Skoda Superb and the Toyota Prius.
Yet while the top three of each category are to be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show, the winning finalists are not going to be announced until the 2016 New York Auto Show in April. A clever little trick to make sure that we are all still likely to stay tuned.
