On Tuesday, I wrote about the 2009 World Car Awards and the top contenders in each category and since the winners were announced yesterday, I can finally tell you which vehicles won the top spots!

2009 Performance Car Award

The 2009 World Performance Car award went to the Nissan GT-R.

The Nissan GT-R was chosen from an initial entry list of twenty-three contenders nominated by fifty-nine World Car jurors from twenty-five countries throughout the world.

WCOTY’s jurors observed:

The Nissan GT-R stole the headlines in the sports car world in 2008. This GT-R – the R35 – throws even former GT-Rs into the weeds via an all-new 3.6-liter bi-turbo V-8 providing 480 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The drive of the GT-R, especially on a track, reveals an incredibly flexible all-wheel-drive chassis that lays down the rubber whenever you request it. Acceleration to 60 mph from a stop takes just 3.5 seconds, or a tick behind fellow Performance finalist the Corvette ZR1.

Previous World Performance Car winners were the Audi R8 in 2008, the Audi RS4 in 2007 and the Porsche Cayman S in 2006.

2009 World Green Car Award

The Honda FCX Clarity was declared the 2009 World Green Car.

The Honda FCX Clarity was chosen from an initial entry list of twenty-two contenders nominated by fifty-nine World Car jurors from twenty-five countries throughout the world.

Jurors felt:

“The FCX clarity is an utterly real, hydrogen-fuelled luxury sedan that provides the amenities people expect in a premium car with 430 km range, fuel consumption of about 3.3 liters/100 km (72 mpg US) equivalent and zero tailpipe emissions. While there is only so much the automotive industry can do when it comes to this technology – governments need to come onboard to help create a true refueling infrastructure – Honda must be credited for taking a bold step in leasing FCX Clarity to customers in California for US$600 per month. There’s still a long way to go before fuel-cell cars will become a commercial success, but hats off to Honda for continuing to advance this expensive technology during a time when every cent counts.”

2009 World Car Design of the Year

The Fiat 500 was declared the 2009 World Car Design of the Year.

Cars eligible for the 2009 World Car Design of the Year award are taken from the list of fifty-one World Car candidates nominated by fifty-nine World Car jurors from twenty-five countries throughout the world.

The World Car Design of the Year category, and the corresponding award, is meant to highlight new vehicles with innovation and style that push established boundaries.

The World Car jurors observed:

“Icon is an overused word in the automotive world, but the Fiat 500 dating from 1957 genuinely deserves the sobriquet. Revived by Fiat last year, the new Cinquecento is larger than its predecessor but still smaller than a Mini. Cheerful and cheeky, it does a brilliant job of capturing the visual appeal of the original version while meeting modern design and engineering standards. Design consultant Robert Cumberford says the new 500 “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. Built on the Panda platform, the 500 keeps the original’s charm, adding two more seats and all contemporary safety, anti-pollution and driving aids.” In Tom Matano’s opinion the Fiat possesses “heart-warming style. It is genuine, straightforward, without gimmicks. It is a welcome addition to a car world full of non-humanistic designs.”

Previous winners of the World Car Design of the Year award were the Audi R8 in 2008, the Audi TT in 2007 and the Citroen C4 in 2006.

2009 World Car of the Year

The Volkswagen Golf VI was declared the 2009 World Car of the Year.

The Volkswagen Golf VI was chosen from an initial entry list of fifty-one entries nominated by fifty-nine World Car jurors from twenty-five countries throughout the world.

WCOTY jurors observed:

“The new Golf VI employs Sirocco styled grille and headlights and larger tail lights. However, it also feels more expensive than other family hatches, thanks to its solid build and high quality cabin. Customers get a choice of nothing less than six engines including the punchy and efficient 158hp 1.4-litre TSI unit that features both a turbo and supercharger. The Golf is also available with the firm’s new 2.0-litre common-rail diesel motor with either 108 or 138hp. It goes without saying that choosing between the slick 6-speed manual and superb DSG twin-clutch gearbox can be difficult. Sitting on an outstanding chassis, the VW is more refined than its rivals, especially when highway cruising. Wind, road and engine noise are kept to a minimum, making the Golf a relaxing long distance companion.”

Previous World Car of the Year winners were the Mazda2/Mazda Demio in 2008, the Lexus LS460 in 2007, the BMW 3-Series in 2006, and the Audi A6 in 2005.

Congratulations to the winners!

Photos from the press conference are available for download at www.wcoty.com. 

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