Volkswagen up! is the 2012 World Car of the Year

Beating some really stiff competition and managing to unsettle some strong rivals, the Volkswagen up! has bagged the coveted 2012 World Car of the Year award. Contesting alongside the UP! were some more premium and exotic cars like the BMW 3 Series and the Porsche 911, but the small city car took the top honours, hinting at the rather dynamic shift in the auto world. The award has been handed to Volkswagen twice before, in 2009 for the Golf VI and in 2010 for the Polo and this year again the German conglomerate has once again taken home the prestigious award. The initial entry list for the award consisted of thirty four new cars from around the world, out of which, ten cars were short listed for the final dash eventually the up!, the BMW 3 Series and the Porsche 911 making it to the top three. "This award shows once again that in the up! our designers and engineers have created a vehicle that has been thought through in minute detail. A vehicle that sets standards in its class for efficient use of space, safety, motoring fun and environmental compatibility," remarks Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chariman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. 

The World Car Awards jurors observed that, "The little Volkswagen up! has altered what we have come to expect from the citycar segment. Of note are the responsive steering, sophisticated suspension setup, new efficient engines and the quality of materials and finish. Never before in this economy segment have owners felt so premium. Look for every builder of citycars to up its game just to compete with the new VW". Speaking about the award, Oliver Stefani, the chief designer of the VW Up! said "the goal of this car was to make something small great, and we really got rewarded for it today." In its eighth year, the coveted World Car of the Year award was launched in 2004 and it boasts of some of the most illustrious jury members from around the world consisting of sixty four renowned automotive journalists from twenty five nations, including ZigWheels Editor-in-Chief, Adil Jal Darukhanawala, who has been on the jury for the award consecutively for past three years. Vehicles are eligible for the award only if they are available for sale in atleast two continents during the period starting from 01 January, 2011 to 30 May, 2012. Also Read: Adil's special feature on the Volkswagen up!