For the first time in the history of the World Car Awards, the New Delhi Motor Show was the stage chosen to meet the first finalists in the various categories of the World Car Awards 2020.
A choice to which the growing notoriety of the Indian market worldwide has not been unrelated. Currently, India is the 4th largest car market in the world and it is expected that in 2022 it will rise to 3rd place, behind the USA and China.
Finalists announced in New Delhi
A jury composed of 86 international journalists — in which Portugal has been represented since 2017 by Guilherme Costa, Director of Razão Automóvel — selected the first 10 finalists, chosen from an initial list of 29 participants.
This has been the case since 2004, the year in which what is now considered the most relevant award in the automotive industry worldwide for the 7th consecutive year was launched — data from Prime Research's 2019, a subsidiary of Cision.
Images of the presentation of the World Car Awards finalists at the New Delhi Motor Show:
In the first round of voting, for the most coveted prize of all, the World Car of the Year 2020 — which in 2019 distinguished the Jaguar I-Pace — the results dictated the following finalists (in alphabetical order):
- Hyundai Sonata;
- Kia Soul EV;
- Kia Telluride;
- Land Rover Range Rover Evoque;
- Mazda3;
- Mazda CX-30;
- Mercedes-Benz CLA;
- Mercedes-Benz GLB;
- Volkswagen Golf;
- Volkswagen T-Cross.
in the category World City of the Year 2020, that distinguishes the more compact models — and that last year was won by the Suzuki Jimny — the finalists are:
- Kia e-Soul;
- Mini Cooper SE;
- Peugeot 208;
- Renault Clio;
- Volkswagen T-Cross.
in the category World Luxury Car of the Year 2020 , which distinguishes the most exclusive models of each brand — and which last year was won by the Audi A7 — the finalists are:
- BMW X5;
- BMW X7;
- Mercedes-Benz EQC;
- Porsche 911;
- Porsche Taycan.
Finally, in the category World Sports of the Year 2020 — which last year was won by the McLaren 720S — the finalists are:
- BMW M8;
- Porsche 718 Spyder / Cayman GT4;
- Porsche 911
- Porsche Taycan;
- Toyota GR Supra
World Car Design 2020
All cars eligible for World Car of the Year 2020 are eligible for the award World Car Design 2020 . Award that once again features a panel composed of seven world-renowned designers:- Anne Asensio (France — Vice President Design at Dassault Systemes);
- Gernot Bracht (Germany — Pforzheim Design School);
- Ian Callum (UK – Director of Design, CALLUM; Former Design Director at Jaguar);
- Patrick le Quément (France — Designer and Chair of the Strategy Committee, The Sustainable Design School; former Renault design director);
- Tom Matano (USA — Academy of Art University, San Francisco, and former Mazda design director);
- Gordon Murray (United Kingdom — President, Gordon Murray Group Limited; responsible for the Mclaren F1 project);
- Shiro Nakamura (Japan — CEO, Shiro Nakamura Design Associates Inc.; former Nissan design director).
This panel chose the five finalists in the design category of the World Car Awards 2020, out of 29 competing models: Alpine 110S, Mazda3, Mazda CX-30, Peugeot 208 and Porsche Taycan.
On the way to the 2020 Geneva Motor Show
Until we know which World Car of the Year 2020 we have to go through several stages. In a journey that follows the 86 international judges who make up the voting panel, from the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show to the 2020 New York Motor Show, next April — where the winners will be announced.
Next step? The 2020 Geneva Motor Show, where the three finalists in each category in the competition will be announced, as well as the winner of the award World Personality of the Year 2020 . An award that last year distinguished Sergio Marchionne posthumously.
Since 2017, Razão Automóvel has been a member of the panel of judges at the World Car Awards, representing Portugal, together with some of the most prestigious media in the world.
At an institutional level, the World Car Awards are supported by the following partners: Autoneum, Brembo, Cision Insights, KPMG, Newspress, New York International Auto Show and ZF.