RS4, BLUETEC also cited.
by Paul A. Eisenstein
Lexus has captured top honors in the third annual World Car of the Year balloting. The LS460 was picked by a panel of 45 journalist-jurors from around the world who had 28 different models to consider, ranging from Asian small cars to European sports sedans.
"Our intention, internally, was to develop the most innovative, luxurious car we could produce," said Bob Carter, U.S. general manager of the Lexus division, as he accepted the World Car of the Year trophy.
The international event, held at this year's New York Auto Show, reflects changing global realities, declared organizer and journalist Peter Lyon. "The concept of national borders is almost non-existent," he said, adding that such as award was "inevitable."
Along with the world car-of-the-year award, three other trophies were handed out. In the increasingly competitive World Green Car category, Mercedes-Benz's new E320 Bluetec diesel car claimed top honors, besting the BMW Hydrogen7 and Volkswagen's Polo BlueMotion diesel. Mercedes officials were clearly pleased and can be expected to heavily promote the award in their push to rebuild the U.S. market for diesels.
Audi took top honors in two other categories. The recently-redesigned TT was named World Car Design of the Year, out-polling both the Citroen C4 Picasso and Fiat Grande Punto. "The previous car was an icon," said Johan de Nysschen, head of Audi operations in the U.S., which made it extremely challenging to come up with a successor, but he declared the new model, both "true" to the original, while being both "bold and modern."
Meanwhile, Audi's compact muscle car, the RS4, was named World Performance Car, besting some stiff competitors, the BMW 335i and Porsche's newly-redesigned 911 Turbo.
