The World Car of the Year Awards organization has announced short-lists of second-round nominees in four categories – 2013 World Car of the Year, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design.
The three finalists in each category will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show on March 5 and the winners will be announced at the New York International Auto Show on March 28.
The short-listed finalists in each category are:
2013 World Car of the Year
Audi A3
Land Rover Range Rover
Mazda6
Mazda CX5
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Peugeot 208
Porsche Boxster / Cayman
Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota GT 86 / Toyota 86
Volkswagen Golf
Volvo V40
2013 World Performance Car
Aston Martin Vanquish
Audi RS 5
BMW M6 Coupe / Convertible
BMW M 135i
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta
Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster
Porsche Boxster / Cayman
Renault Clio Sport
Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota GT 86 / Toyota 86
2013 World Green Car
Renault Zoe
smart Electric Drive
Tesla Model S
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Diesel
(NOTE: The short list of World Green Car was selected by five experts in "green" technology, from five different countries, prior to final voting by the 66 WCA jurors.)
2013 World Car Design of the Year
Aston Martin Vanquish
Renault Clio
Jaguar F-Type
Land Rover Range Rover
Mazda 6
Volkswagen Golf
(NOTE: The short list of World Car was selected by a a design panel of five highly respected automotive design experts from around the world, prior to final voting by the 66 WCA jurors.)
The jurors’ next step is to evaluate the short-listed vehicles for a final round of voting, by secret ballot, later this month. The overall World Car of the Year award will be based on separate scoring for overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal, and significance.
Votes are compiled and maintained confidential by the international accounting firm KPMG until they are announced.
The World Car Awards were officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale.
They are intended to complement, rather than compete with, existing national and regional Car of the Year programs.
The awards are administered by a non-profit association, under the guidance of a Steering Committee of automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America. Peter Lyon (Japan) and Matt Davis (Italy) are the co-chairs; John McCormick (USA), Jens Meiners (Germany), Mike Rutherford (U.K.), Eddie Alterman (USA), and Gerry Malloy (Canada) are directors.
Previous World Car of the Year winners include the Volkswagen Up! (2012), the Nissan LEAF (2011), the Volkswagen Polo (2010), the Volkswagen Golf (2009), the Mazda2/Mazda Demio (2008), the Lexus LS460 (2007), the BMW 3-Series (2006) and the Audi A6 (2005).