Mazda already have something to celebrate this year as two of its new models have entered the final round of the 2020 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) award.
Organizers of the WCOTY announced that the Mazda3 and CX-30 are joined by the Kia Telluride in the finals of the “World Car of the Year” category. The WCOTY has been staged for 17 years.
The CX-30 has just been officially launched for the Thai market today, priced at Bt989,000 to Bt1.119 million with 3 trim levels being offered. The new Mazda crossover is powered by an E85-compatible 2.0-liter SKYACTIV-G engine developing 165hp and 213Nm, while the average fuel economy is claimed at 15.4km/liter.
However, the most successful brand this year is Porsche, with the 911, 718 Spyder/Cayman GT4 and the Taycan EV entering the finals of several categories.
According to the TCOTY, a jury of 86 international automotive journalists selected the finalists by secret ballots based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle. The process started at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 2019, and the names of the Top 10 and Top Five finalists in five categories were announced at the New Delhi auto show in February this year. The grand finale, meanwhile, will be staged at the upcoming New York International Auto Show on April 8.
The “Top Three in The World” finalists for each category are:
World Car of the Year – Kia Telluride, Mazda CX-30, Mazda3
World Urban Car – Kia Soul EV, Mini Electric, Volkswagen T-Cross
World Luxury Car – Mercedes Benz EQC, Porsche 911, Porsche Taycan
World Performance Car – Porsche 718 Spyder/Cayman GT4, Porsche 911, Porsche Taycan
World Car Design of the Year – Mazda3, Peugeot 208, Porsche Taycan
