The nominations for the 2017, World Car, Green Car, urban Cr and Luxury car of the year has been announced.

The journey on The Road to World Car began today at the Paris International Motor Show (Le Mondial de l'automobile) with the celebration of the reigning 2016 World Luxury Car winner - the BMW 7 Series - during a champagne media reception held within the BMW Group's exhibit.

Dr. Ian Robertson (HonDSc), Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW, Sales Channels BMW Group said, "We are delighted and honoured that the BMW 7 Series carries the prestigious title of World Luxury Car 2016. 

The sixth generation of the BMW 7 Series sets new benchmarks in the luxury segment: Customers are especially appreciative of the way the 7 Series combines superb modern luxury with outstanding driving dynamics and many ground-breaking innovations. The success story continues: For the very first time, we are now expanding our offering for the 7 Series lineup under the label of the BMW M and BMW i brands."

The Road to World Car follows our 73 international automotive jurors as they test-drive and tell the stories of the 2017 nominated cars in five categories prior to voting by secret ballot in January 2017. The official list of nominees for the World Car of the Year, World Luxury / Performance Car, World Green Car, World Car Design of the Year and the inaugural World Urban Car can be found on our web site: wcoty.com. The Road to World Car makes a stop in Los Angeles for test-drives in November, then at the Geneva International Motor Show in March when the top three finalists in each category are declared prior to the winners' announcement at a high-profile awards ceremony at the New York International Auto Show on April 13, 2017. The list of all nominated cars follows.

2017 marks the 11th year of World Car's partnership with the New York show, and the fourth consecutive year that the World Car Awards have retained their ranking as the No.1 automotive awards program in the world in terms of media reach. "The New York International Auto Show is proud of the tradition it has built with the World Car Awards to recognize the 'best of the best' in the auto industry, said Mark Schienberg, president of the New York International Auto Show. "Over the past 11 years this awards program has grown to become one of the most coveted honors for the world's automakers."

World Car has a dual mission of celebrating the best of today and inspiring the best ideas for tomorrow. Our role is not just to reward current achievement but to also provide insights into the future.

The World Car community brings together a large cross section of experts and professionals from every segment of the automotive industry who serve as an important resource focused on excellence and innovation on a global scale.

The Road Ahead initiative was created in 2014 with our long-standing partner Prime Research.

The Road Ahead identifies emerging global trends throughout the year, via newsletters, trend studies and related initiatives that recognize innovation. The annual Global Trends Report, co-presented by Prime Research and Autoneum annually at the New York International Auto Show is the culmination of research and insights across six months.

During the reception, Peter Lyon, chairman of the WCA Steering Committee, welcomed back the Swiss-based firm Autoneum as a presenting partner of the 2017 World Car Awards for the third consecutive year. "Autoneum's commitment to innovation and excellence on a global scale makes them a good fit for the World Car Awards and our Road Ahead platform," he explained.

Martin Hirzel, CEO of Autoneum, further explained: "For Autoneum as the market leader for acoustic and thermal management with 50 locations around the world, the global World Car Awards are the ideal sponsorship partner. Together we aspire to promote innovation in the automotive industry and thus shape the future of mobility."

As the global nature of the industry continues to strengthen, and the pace of innovation continues to accelerate, World Car is proud to be a part of this amazing journey along with the New York International Auto Show, Prime Research, Autoneum, Bridgestone Corporation, Newspress (media partner) and KPMG (vote tabulation).

THE ROAD TO WORLD CAR:

BEGINS IN PARIS SEPT. 29, 2016. ENDS IN NEW YORK APRIL 13, 2017.

BACKGROUND

World Car Awards

Now entering their 13th year, the annual World Car Awards are the number one awards program in the world for the fourth consecutive year based on Prime Research's 2016 media report. The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January 2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale. The awards are intended to complement, not compete, with existing national and regional Car of the Year programs.

The awards are administered by a not-for-profit association, under the guidance of a Steering Committee of pre-eminent automotive journalists from Asia, Europe, and North America. Peter Lyon (chair - Japan), Jens Meiners (vice-chair - Germany), Mike Rutherford (vice-chair - UK), Tamara Warren (director - USA), Siddarth Patankar (director - India) and Gerry Malloy (director - Canada and president, WCOTY Association).

New York International Auto Show

Owned and operated by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, the New York Auto Show is an awesome combination of new ideas, technological innovation, exceptional concept cars and nearly 1,000 of the latest new cars and trucks. Over one million visitors are expected to visit the show this year to see what is truly possible from the automotive industry.

Important 2017 Auto Show Dates

Automotive Forum: April 11

Press Preview, April 12 & 13 (credentials required)

Public Sneak Preview, Friday, April 14

Public Show Dates, Friday, April 14 - Sunday, April 23

PRIME Research

PRIME Research, a global leader in strategic communication research and consultancy is once again the World Car Awards' research partner. On an annual basis, PRIME Research and the World Car Awards are co-presenting a Global Trends Report at the New York International Auto Show each spring. PRIME Research is a well-trusted research partner for the automotive industry with a broad range of automotive clients. Its full picture approach, which provides strategic benchmark information and SWOT analyses on over 150 brands and over 10,000 different automobile models, sets the standard in automotive media research.

Autoneum

Autoneum, with its headquarters in Winterthur, Switzerland, is the globally leading producer of vehicle acoustics and thermal management systems. The company develops and manufactures components, modules and complete systems for interior and engine bay as well as heatshields and underbody shields. Customers include leading automobile producers in the key markets of Europe, North America, South America and Asia. Autoneum is represented at around 50 locations in over 20 countries and employs more than 11,000 people worldwide, of whom about 5% are in Switzerland. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol AUTN).

THE ROAD TO THE WORLD CAR

2017 WORLD CAR AWARDS

NOMINATIONS LIST - SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

WORLD CAR OF THE YEAR

Audi A5 / S5 Coupé

Audi Q2

Audi Q5

Buick LaCrosse

Buick Envision

Chevrolet Cruze

Chrysler Pacifica

Fiat/Abarth 124 Spyder

Honda Civic

Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Genesis G80

Infiniti Q60

Jaguar F-PACE

Kia Cadenza

Kia Rio

Kia Sportage

Mazda CX-9

SEAT Ateca

Skoda Kodiaq

SsangYong Tivoli Air / XLV

Subaru Impreza

Toyota C-HR

Volkswagen Tiguan

WORLD LUXURY / PERFORMANCE CAR 2017

Audi R8 Spyder

BMW 5 Series

Bentley Bentayga

Cadillac CT6

Cadillac XT5

Honda/Acura NSX

Hyundai Genesis G90

Lexus LC500

Lincoln Continental

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-AMG Roadster

Porsche Boxster Cayman

Range Rover Evoque Convertible

Volvo S90 / V90

WORLD URBAN CAR 2017

BMW i3 (94 Ah)

Citroën C3 Citroën E-MEHARI

Ford KA+

Smart Brabus Range

Smart Cabriolet

Suzuki Baleno

Suzuki Ignis

WORLD GREEN CAR 2017

Audi Q7 e-tron 3.0 TDI quattro

BMW 740e iPerformance

Chevrolet Bolt

Chevrolet Malibu

Hybrid Honda Clarity Fuel-Cell Car

Hyundai Ioniq

Kia Niro Hybrid

Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 e (Plug-In Hybrid)

Tesla Model X

Toyota RAV4

Toyota Prius Prime

WORLD CAR DESIGN OF THE YEAR 2017

• All of the World Car of the Year entries automatically qualify for the design award.
• In addition, the following stand-alone entries are also nominated as candidates

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet