The countdown has begun in preparation for the 2011 World Car Awards winners' press conference on Thursday April 21. The 2011 World Car of the Year and the World Performance Car will be declared at this time.
The top three finalists in all award categories will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on Tuesday March 1.
A jury of 66 distinguished international automotive journalists selected the following top 10 finalists in both categories by secret ballot, based on their experience with each candidate as part of their professional work. The jury members constitute a balance of representation from Asia, Europe, North America, South America, as well as other parts of the world. All hold significant stature within their own regions and countries.
Managing editor at Automotive Publications, Padraic Deane represents Ireland on the global jury. He is also motoring correspondent of the Advertiser Group .
The international accounting firm KPMG then tabulated the jurors’ ballots and announced the top 10 finalists in both categories today. They are in alphabetical order:
The top ten 2011 World Car of the Year finalists
The Audi A1, Audi A8, BMW 5 Series, BMW X3, Jaguar XJ, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mercedes-Benz SLS, Nissan LEAF, Porsche Cayenne, and the Volvo S60 / V60
The top ten 2011 World Performance Car finalists
The Aston Martin Rapide, Audi RS 5 Coupe, Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Mercedes-Benz S63 / CL 63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Porsche 911 GT2RS, Porsche 911 Turbo, and the Renault Megane III / Renault Sport.
The jurors’ next step is to re-evaluate the top 10 cars in both classes, in preparation for a final round of voting in February. They will specifically rate each vehicle in terms of overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal, and significance. KPMG will again tabulate the vote results.
The top three finalists in both categories will be announced at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 1 during a press conference co-hosted by Bridgestone Corporation and the New York International Auto Show.
Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Volkswagen Polo in 2010, the Volkswagen Golf in 2009, the Mazda2 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 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.
