2013 European Car of the Year nominees announced
The nominees for the 2013 European Car of the Year award have been announced, with a diverse list of 34 new vehicles vying for the prestigious title.
To be eligible, the vehicles must have been launched in the past 12 months or be expected to go on sale before the end of 2012, be available in at least five European countries, and have a projected annual sales figure of no fewer than 5000 units.
The provisional list will be narrowed to a shortlist of seven vehicles in December after a jury of 58 journalists from 22 European countries vote for their favourites.
The overall winner of the 2013 European Car of the Year award will be announced early next year, when it will join recent winners including the Chevrolet Volt (2012), Nissan Leaf (2011), Volkswagen Polo (2010), Opel Insignia (2009) and the Fiat 500 (2008).
2013 European Car of the Year Nominees:
- Audi A3
- BMW 3 Series
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Dacia Lodgy
- Fiat 500L
- Ford B-Max
- Honda CR-V
- Hyundai i30
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Kia Cee’d
- Kia Optima
- Lancia Flavia
- Mazda6
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
- Mitsubishi Outlander
- Mitsubishi ASX/Citroen C4 Aircross/Peugeot 4008
- Opel Adam
- Opel Mokka
- Peugeot 208
- Porsche Boxster
- Renault Clio
- Skoda Rapid
- Smart ED
- Subaru Impreza
- Subaru XV
- Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86
- Tata Vista
- Toyota Auris (Corolla)
- Toyota Prius Plug-In
- Toyota Prius Plus (Prius V)
- Volkswagen Golf
- Volvo V40
- Volvo V60 Plug-In
Meanwhile, the first cull has been made to the long list of nominees for the 2013 North American Car of the Year and 2013 North American Truck/Utility of the Year awards
In total, 19 cars and five trucks/utilities (what we call SUVs and light-commercial vehicles in Australia) have been cut to leave a shortlist of 11 cars and 10 SUVs and light-commercials.
Included in the list of vehicles that failed to make the cut are Chevrolet Spark (Holden Barina Spark), Ford Focus Electric, Honda Fit EV (Jazz EV), Lexus GS and LS, Porsche 911, SRT Viper, Subaru XV, Tesla Model S, and the Mercedes-Benz G-, GL- and GLK-Class SUVs.
The winners will be announced at the 2013 Detroit motor show in January. Last year’s prizes were awarded to the Hyundai Elantra and the Range Rover Evoque.
2013 North American Car of the Year shortlist:
- BMW 3 Series
- Cadillac ATS
- Chevrolet Malibu
- Dodge Dart
- Ford Fusion
- Honda Accord
- Lincoln MKZ
- Nissan Altima
- Scion FR-S
- Subaru BRZ
- Toyota Avalon
2013 North American Truck/Utility of the Year shortlist:
- Acura RDX
- Audi A4 Allroad
- BMW X1
- Ford C-Max
- Ford Escape (Kuga)
- Hyundai Santa Fe
- Infiniti JX35
- Mazda CX-5
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Ram 1500