History will be made this year regardless of which of the final three is crowned World Car of the Year 2017. The Top Three announced at the Geneva International Motor Show are the Audi Q5, Jaguar F-Pace and Volkswagen Tiguan. So you want to know the historic part? The winner will be an SUV - a first in the World Car Awards' 13-year history. And all three are uniquely strong in their own way, aren't they?
World Car of the Year
They also represent the changing face of the global car market. Consumers have shown a preference for SUV/Crossover type cars for some time now. But this top 3 line-up also tells us that the industry is innovating and putting their best behind such cars too. The F-Pace is also nominated for 2017 World Car Design. It shares that stage with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet and the Toyota C-HR as finalists.
World Car Design
Each design is distinct and stands for muscle and metal, sheer beauty and elegance, and sporty dynamism too. Mercedes-Benz gets its second nomination as finalists for World Luxury Car. In a tight three-way race, the finalists are the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volvo S90/V90. All three are cars at the top of their game, and either one would make for a worthy winner - for exceedingly different reasons.
World Luxury Car
The 5 Series is the athletic performer, the E-Class is the epitome of refinement and the S90 has set new benchmarks in luxury and style. All three are bursting with technology too. The Audi R8 Spyder, McLaren 570S and Porsche Boxster/Cayman are the three finalists in the running for 2017 World Performance Car. All have proven their worth in sheer performance terms, and all three brands have vied for this title in the past too.
World Performance Car
Audi and Porsche have each won it 4 times though. Previous versions of the R8 have won 3 times, including the R8 Coupé just last year. The 2017 World Green Car award has a predictable set of finalists. The Chevrolet Bolt could seal a win like its sibling the Volt had in 2011. Tesla had won this award in 2103 for the Model S, and now gets a nod for the Model X. And Toyota won this award just last year for the Mirai, which beat the new generation Prius.
World Green Car
The Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid) is the third contender this year. And finally it's the brand new award category - 2017 World Urban Car of the Year. This category was created to recognise the increasing number of smart city vehicles that are being designed with very urban needs in mind. And the variety of nominees tells you how diverse those requirements are. The updated BMW i3 with the 90Ah battery pack sees range getting extended.
World Urban Car
The first i3 had won the Green Car award in 2014. The second finalist nominee is the quirky, functional and stunning new Citroen C3 hatch. Citroen has only won two design awards in the past for the C4/C4 Cactus in 2006 and 2015. And the third finalist is the Suzuki Ignis. Yes the good old Maruti Ignis you can call it too. The car's attributes have been well documented by us and it needs no introduction. The European version packs in 4WD and more engine options than what we have too.
