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2011 World Car finalists named

ONE IN 10: The Aston Martin Rapide is one of 10 cars to have made the performance car list. It's also made the design shortlist.
ONE IN 10: The Aston Martin Rapide is one of 10 cars to have made the performance car list. It's also made the design shortlist.
The shortlist of cars to make the 2011 World Car of the Year contest have been announced.

The six finalists in the World Green Car category are:

BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition
Chevrolet Volt
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell
Nissan LEAF
Smart electric drive

Eligible cars had to be all-new or substantially revised, in production and on sale, or have at least 10 units on public lease, in a minimum of one major market between January 1, 2010 and May 30, 2011.

Emissions, fuel consumption and the use of engine technology designed to reduce the vehicle’s impact on the environment were taken into consideration.

A range of VW BlueMotion models was the combined winner in 2010.

The short list for the World Car Design of the Year award was also presented. They are:

Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Aston Martin Rapide
Audi A7
Citroen DS3
Ferrari 458
Honda CR-Z
Kia Sportage
Nissan Juke

The design finalists were chosen from a list of 51 candidates introduced and on sale in at least one major market during the evaluation period.

The innovation and style that pushed established boundaries were considered in compiling this shortlist.

The most recent winner of this award was the Chevrolet Camaro in 2010.

Sixty-six international automotive journalists had a hand in selecting what are, perhaps, the two hottest categories -  2011 World Car of the Year and World Performance Car of the Year.

The World Car finalists are:

Audi A1
Audi A8
BMW 5 Series
BMW X3
Jaguar XJ
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Mercedes-Benz SLS
Nissan LEAF
Porsche Cayenne
Volvo S60 / V60

The winner in 2010 was the VW Polo.

The World Performance Car finalists are:

Aston Martin Rapide
Audi RS 5 Coupe
Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Ferrari 458 Italia
Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera
Mercedes-Benz S63 / CL 63 AMG
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Porsche 911 GT2RS
Porsche 911 Turbo
Renault Megane III / Renault Sport

The Audi R8 V10 was the 2010 World Performance Car of the Year.

The top three finalists in each category will be announced on March 1, 2011 at the opening of the Geneva auto show. Winners will be announced at the New York auto show on April 21, 2011.
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