Nissan LEAF is World Car of the Year 2011
26.04.2011 - Andy Goodwin
(10)
The Nissan LEAF has been announced as the 2011 World Car of the Year competition, at the New York International motor show.
The Nissan LEAF is the world's first mass-produced, affordable and comparatively 'normal' all-electric family car, that's now on sale in three continents.
It's the first all-electric car ever to win the contest, beating the conventionally-engined BMW 5 Series and Audi A8 into second and third place respectively.
The Nissan LEAF has already scooped the 2011 European Car of the Year award for its vision of sustainable motoring.
The car is capable of more than 100 miles on a single recharge, costing only a few pounds in electricity (depending on your electricity tariff). We drove it recently and found its performance and abilities very impressive - even if its range is slightly reduced in real-world driving conditions.
The top 10 was rounded out by the Audi A1 in fourth place, followed by the Mercedes-Benz SLS, Volvo S60/V60, Jaguar XJ, BMW X3, Porsche Cayenne and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
In the category World Performance Car the Ferrari 458 Italia beat the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Porsche 911 Turbo into second and third, with the Porsche 911 GT2 RS, Lamborghini Gallardo, Audi RS5, Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, Aston Martin Rapide, Renault Megane Renaultsport and Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG
The four-door Aston Martin Rapide was voted World Car Design of the Year, while the petrol and electric Chevrolet Volt won World Green Car.
