The 2013 World Car of the Year finalists have been announced. Categories for this year’s award include the 2013 World Car of the Year, World Performance Car of the Year, World Green Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year. The top three finalists in each category will be announced at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and the winners will be announced at the New York Auto Show on 28 March 2013.

2013 Car of the Year Awards

A jury of 66 distinguished international automotive journalists have selected the following top ten finalists in the 2013 Car of the Year category and World Performance Car of the Year category by secret ballot, based on their experience with each candidate as part of their professional work. The top ten finalists in these categories are as follows, in alphabetical order.

2013 World Car of the Year

Audi A3

Land Rover Range Rover

Mazda6

Mazda CX-5

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Peugeot 208

Porsche Boxster / Cayman

Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota GT 86 / Toyota 86

Volkswagen Golf

Volvo V40

2013 World Performance Car of the Year

Aston Martin Vanquish

Audi RS 5

BMW M6 Coupe / Convertible

BMW M 135i

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta

Mercedes-Benz SL 63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster

Porsche Boxster / Cayman

Renault Clio Sport

Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ / Toyota GT 86 / Toyota 86

The jurors will re-evaluate the top ten cars in both classes in preparation for the final round of voting in February. The vehicles will be rated according to overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal and significance. The Volkswagen Up! won the World Car of the Year award in 2012 while the Porsche 911 was named the 2012 World Performance Car of the Year.

The 2013 World Green Car of the Year award is handled differently and five experts in ‘green’ technology were appointed to create a short list of finalists to be judged by the 66 jurors in February. The finalists in this category are as follows.

2013 World Green Car of the Year

Renault Zoe

Smart Electric Drive

Tesla Model S

Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid Diesel

The cars eligible for the 2013 World Car Design of the Year award are taken from the list of World Car candidates or are included as a stand-alone entry. Again, a panel of five highly respected design experts were chosen to provide a short list for the jurors. The finalists in this category include the following vehicles.

2013 World Car Design of the Year

Aston Martin Vanquish

Renault Clio

Jaguar F-Type

Land Rover Range Rover

Mazda 6

Volkswagen Golf