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Priced from $16,500, the Mazda2 has won concerted praise since the new model was launched in Australia last year. Forty-seven jurors from 24 countries determined the winner based on a range of factors, including styling, quality and safety.
The Ford Mondeo and the Mercedes C-Class were the other nominees for the main prize from an initial list of 39 cars. The Mazda2 also made it into the top three for the World Car Design Of The Year award along with the Volvo C30 small car and the eventual winner the Audi R8 supercar.
The $259,900 R8 claimed two of the four awards as it also won the World Performance Car award.
BMW's little 118d 1-series diesel won the World Green Car Of The Year award. The WCOTY awards started in 2004 and are run by motoring journalists.
“This is wonderful recognition which Mazda2 car owners and Mazda employees alike can celebrate,” Mazda spokesman Dan Morris says.
The Mazda2 Maxx finished third in the 2007 Carsguide Car Of The Year poll.
It was awarded 75 points and finished behind the winning Hyundai i30 CRDi (94 points) and the VW Golf TSi (86). The green victor, the BMW 118d is not sold in Australia. It won the award based on low fuel consumption (4.5litres per 100km) and clean emissions of 119 grams per kilometre.
The nearest equivalent model in Australia is the $48,000 BMW 120d, which has the same engine, 25kW more power but consequently higher fuel consumption (6.1litres per 100km) and emissions (162grams per km).
The award panel found; “Jurors felt that BMW's EfficentDynamics technology, as applied to the 118d, comprises a range of features and improvements with the specific purpose of reducing fuel consumption and lowering emissions. Its 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, with third-generation common-rail fuel injection, piezo injectors and up to 2000 bar injection pressure is said to reduce fuel consumption by up to 8 per cent.”
Runners up were the Smart Fortwo cdi and the VW Passat 1.9 TDI.
The Audi beat the BMW M3 and the Audi S5 Coupe to win the performance car award.
The judging panel found; “The Audi R8 has solid credentials on paper thanks to its mid-mounted 4.2-litre V8 engine and aluminium construction."
“But where it excels is in the exceptional balance, refinement and control that grant the driver the confidence to push to the limit without fear of unintended consequences."
“That limit is high, with 0-100km/h acceleration of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 300km/h."
“The R8's dramatic visible carbon fibre side panels make a traffic-stopping visual statement, one that it backs up on the test track with astonishing precision for a car of its size category. The R8 is a surprisingly good value for its class.”
World of winners
World Car Of The Year: Mazda2
Performance Car Of The Year: Audi R8
Car Design Of The Year: Audi R8
Green Car Of The Year: BMW 118d
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