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Award Winning Car Models of 2009

Every year a plethora of car models get released in the market. Some receives overwhelming responses from the car buyers and critic whereas other lost in the crowd of cars failing to impress the consumers.

Success and failure of a certain model is not only evaluated by its sales volume but also from accolades and appreciation received from discerning media and auto critics. The best products in the auto industry are picked by the world car of the year event based on their performance, style and innovative features. It announces winning car models in different categories. This year around 51 contestants participated in the event and they were examined by 59 judges from around 25 countries. Each judge is selected by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence in the automotive field. Judges evaluate the new vehicles based on their merit, value, safety, environment, significance, and emotional appeal. Listed here are the cars that bagged the top position in different categories in 2009 World Car of the Year Awards.

Volkswagen Golf

The Golf run fast and occupies the top position in the ‘Car of the Year’ category leaving behind the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota IQ in the final round. Compared to its competitors the Golf is a more refined model. The new generation Golf carries the stylish body borrowed from the hot looking Scirocco coupe. The car is well built with stylish grille and headlamps. The exterior as well as the interior is well complimented with premium quality materials. Golf gives an option of two engines - a 158bhp 1.4-litre TSI engine and a new 2-litre common-rail diesel motor that produces an output of 138bhp.The engine is mated with a 6-speed manual and superb DSG twin-clutch gearbox.

Fiat 500

Fiat 500 is awarded with prestigious title of ‘Design of the Year’. Other contestants chosen for this title were the Citrogen C5 Sedan/C5 Tourer and the Jaguar XF but these models were not strong enough to beat the Fiat 500. According to the design expert Robert Cumberford, Fait 500 was chosen as “it pushes the emotional hot buttons of several generations of people who might never have driven one of the early models, but who admired them on European streets.” Also known as Cinquecento, the car deserved this title in every sense. The new revamped version of the Fiat offers latest design and engineering standards. This is not the first award for Fiat in design category. In the year 2007, Grande Punto was ranked top in three lists for best design.

Nissan GT-R

The popular Nissan GT-R was in the headlines in the sports car circuit in 2008. The high performance car bagged the title of Performance Car of the Year. The car is powered by a 3.6-litre bi-turbo V-8 engine that produces an output of 480bhp. The GT-R shows the flexibility of the all-wheel-drive chassis that lays down the rubber whenever required. GT-R accelerates to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

As a speech of appreciation, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America Brian Carolin said, “On behalf of the global team of designers, engineers and others behind the development of the Nissan GT-R, Nissan proudly accepts the 2009 World Performance Car of the Year award. This recognition validates their unique vision in creating a true world supercar that can be enjoyed by anyone, anytime, and anywhere. Beyond power, beyond performance, GT-R goes beyond expectations.” The other finalist for this title was the Corvette ZR1 and the Porsche 911 Carrera.

Honda FCX Clarity

Honda FCX Clarity receives the Green Car of the Year Award. This is the toughest category for the judges to select a car that meets all the guidelines for being an outstanding green car. The factors that were taken into consideration in judging the green car were tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology. As already mentioned it is not an simple process, in order to make a wise decision, three ‘green experts’ were selected by the World Car Steering Committee to extensively review all documentation and specs associated with every green car.

The green revolution is the latest trend in the car industry and every car manufacturer wants to turn their car ‘green’. The Honda FCX Clarity was the perfect choice as it fulfilled all the requirements of a green car. The fuel cell technology is so powerful that it can even power a house. With all this superior quality, Honda FCX Clarity left behind the other participants like Mitsubishi‘s tiny iMiEV and Toyota IQ.

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