The six finalists for the 2011 World Green Car of the Year Award were announced February 1, including one plug-in hybrid and two pure electric cars.
To be eligible for the 2011 World Green Car award, a vehicle had to be all-new, or substantially revised, in production and introduced for sale or lease to the public in quantities of at least 10 in at least one major market during the period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending May 30th, 2011. Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry), aimed specifically at increasing the vehicle’s environmental responsibility, were all taken into consideration.
The Nissan LEAF is the only vehicle to make both the World Car and World Green Car lists.
The LEAF joins BMW’s 320d Efficient Dynamics, Chevrolet Volt, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Mercedes B-Class F-CELL and smart electric drive on the shortlist for the World Green Car award.
Previous winners of the World Green Car award include the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion (2010), Honda FCX Clarity (2009), BMW 118d EfficientDynamics (2008) and the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec (2007).
Finalists for three other World Car of the Year categories have also been announced.
The top ten finalists in this year’s World Car of the Year competition are: the Audi A1 and A8, BMW 5 Series and X3, Jaguar XJ, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mercedes-Benz SLS, Nissan Leaf, Porsche Cayenne and Volvo S60/V60.
The 2011 World Performance Car will be chosen from the Aston Martin Rapide, Audi RS5, Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Mercedes’ S63 AMG/CL63 AMG and SLS AMG, Porsche’s 911 GT2 RS and 911 Turbo and the Renault Sport Megane.
The nominees for 2011 World Car Design of the Year are the Aston Martin Rapide, Audi A7, Citroen DS3, Ferrari 458, Honda CR-Z, Kia Sportage and the Nissan Juke.
In total, 66 motoring journalists and industry experts will rate the vehicles and vote for their favorites.
The final winners will be announced at the 2011 New York Auto Show, which kicks off on April 21, however, the top three finalists in all award categories will be announced at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next month.
