Audi, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz headline 2016 World Car of the Year finalists
Among the frenzy of super, hyper and mega cars revealed at this week's Geneva motor show, the top three finalists for the 2016 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) award have been announced.
With four key categories covered, comprising World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year, the top prize is the coveted title of World Car of the Year.
In the hunt for overall bragging rights is an all-new trio made up of the ninth-generation Audi A4, fourth-generation ND Mazda MX‐5 and first-ever Mercedes‐Benz GLC (pictured below).
In the luxury stakes it’s the second-generation Audi Q7, sixth-generation BMW 7 Series and second-gen Swedish powerhouse, the new Volvo XC90.
Accounting for front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive cars, the 2016 battle for World Performance Car will comes down to the second-generation Audi R8, the new turbocharged fourth-generation-based Honda Civic Type R and the mighty twin-turbocharged Mercedes‐AMG C63 Coupe.
At the other end of the spectrum, the Chevrolet Volt range-extender hybrid takes on the hydrogen fuel cell-powered Toyota Mirai (pictured below) and ‘traditional’ hybrid hero, the Toyota Prius, in the 2016 World Car Awards’ green car grudge match.
Always the source of much debate pre- and post-awards, for 2016, the World Car Design of the Year award will go to either the Jaguar XE, Mazda CX‐3 or Mazda MX‐5.
Regardless of what we humble onlookers may think, winners will be announced on March 24, when a jury of 73 “distinguished international automotive journalists” present their final decisions at the 2016 New York International Auto Show.
Which cars are you tipping will take home the silverware this year?
2016 World Car of the Year Top Three Finalists
Audi A4 Sedan/Avant
Mazda MX‐5
Mercedes‐Benz GLC
2016 World Luxury Car Top Three Finalists
Audi Q7
BMW 7 Series
Volvo XC90
2016 World Performance Car Top Three Finalists
Audi R8 Coupe
Honda Civic Type R
Mercedes‐AMG C63 Coupe
2016 World Green Car Top Three Finalists
Chevrolet Volt (Range-extender hybrid)
Toyota Mirai (Hydrogen fuel cell)
Toyota Prius (Hybrid)
2016 World Car Design of the Year Top Three Finalists
Jaguar XE
Mazda CX‐3
Mazda MX‐5
0
