Hatchbacks home in on world car prize

A ROLL-CALL of new-generation small hatchbacks is in contention for the 2013 World Car of the Year award to be announced at this year’s New York motor show in April.

The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf and the related Audi A3 have made the shortlist, along with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Peugeot 208 and Volvo V40.

Mazda has two contenders in the finals – Mazda6 and CX5 – while two sportscars have made the cut – Porsche’s Boxster and Cayman twins and the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 clones.

Also in the running is the new Range Rover that has just arrived on the Australian market.

The list, selected in a secret ballot by a jury of 66 motoring journalists from around the world, will be culled to three finalists that will be announced at next month’s Geneva motor show before the winner is unveiled at New York.

From top: Volkswagen Golf Subaru BRZ.

Volkswagen is a serial winner in the awards, collecting the 2012 prize for its Up city car, after winning back-to-back awards in 2009 and 2010 with the previous Golf and Polo.

Other winners in recent years have been the Nissan Leaf (2011), Mazda2 (2008), Lexus LS460 (2007), BMW 3 Series (2006) and Audi A6 (2005).

Also to be announced at New York are the World Performance Car of the Year, World Green Car of the Year and World Car Design of the Year.

Performance category finalists are Aston Martin Vanquish, Audi RS5, BMW M6 Coupe/Convertible, BMW M135i, Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster, Porsche Boxster/Cayman, Renault Clio Sport and Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86.