Benz C-Class is World Car of the Year
Mercedes-Benz pulls off historic hat-trick at World Car AwardsThe Mercedes Benz C-Class has trumped the Ford Mustang and Volkswagen Passat to pull off a hat-trick of trophies for the first time at the World Car Awards announced at the New York International Auto Show.
In front of more than 300 media and car industry executives, the C-Class was crowned World Car of the Year, while the Mercedes-AMG GT snagged the World Performance Car prize and the S-Class Coupe picked up the World Luxury Car gong.
Apart from being the first brand to score three WCA trophies in one year, Mercedes-Benz has now won the World Luxury Car award two years running, with the S-Class coupe following the S-Class sedan last year. BMW and VW have both captured double class wins in previous years, but this is the first time one manufacturer has won three categories in the same year.
Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, said: "We are delighted to pick up three awards. This is unprecedented. The C-Class is a best-seller that has always been a trendsetter in the premium medium-size category. It comes to the starting line with qualities usually reserved for higher-class automobiles. We are extremely happy to win this big honour.”
The World Car Awards jurors observed that “Taking its design and technological cues from the S-Class, the C-Class employs an all-new aluminium/steel hybrid platform and updated rear-drive powertrains that delivers levels of refinement, luxury, safety, ride and handling that challenge best-in-class.”
Previous winners of the World Car of the Year include the Audi A3 in 2014, Volkswagen Golf 7 (2013), Volkswagen up! (2012), Nissan LEAF (2011), Volkswagen Polo (2010), Volkswagen Golf 6 (2009), Mazda2 (2008), Lexus LS460 (2007), BMW 3 Series (2006) and Audi A6 (2005).
The 4.0-litre twin-turbo GT S beat the BMW M3/M4 and Jaguar F-TYPE R to win the performance car title its SLS predecessor never won. Previous winners include the Porsche 911 GT3 (2014), Porsche Boxster/Cayman (2013), Porsche 911 (2012), Ferrari 458 Italia (2011), Audi R8 V10 (2010), Nissan GT-R (2009), Audi R8 (2008), Audi RS4 (2007) and Porsche Cayman (2006).
Having been nominated as a top-three World Car Design of the Year finalist no less than six times in 10 years, winning once before with the C4 in 2006, Citroen captured the World Car Design trophy for 2015 with its C4 Cactus, which beat the C-Class and Volvo XC90.
Meanwhile, in a clean-sweep for the European car industry, BMW's futuristic i8 hybrid sports car picked up the World Green Car trophy.
Now in its 11th year, the World Car Awards has been rated by independent research company Prime Research as the world’s number one car awards program in terms of media reach.
To be eligible for the overall World Car Awards, candidates must be available for sale on at least two continents between January 1 and May 31 in any given year.
Vehicles are selected and voted for by an international jury panel comprising 75 top automotive journalists from 22 countries around the world.
2015 World Car Awards winners:
World Car of the Year – Mercedes-Benz C-Class
World Performance Car of the Year -- Mercedes-AMG GT
World Luxury Car of the Year – Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe
World Car Design of the Year – Citroen C4 Cactus
World Green Car of the Year – BMW i8
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