Finalists Named in World Car of the Year

A panel of 46 automotive journalists from around the world has come up with a final list of ten vehicles that will compete to become the 2006 World Car of the Year. The initial list of 27 vehicles has been narrowed to these finalists:

* BMW 3-Series

* Honda Civic / Civic Hybrid

* Land Rover Range Rover Sport

* Lexus IS

* Mazda MX-5

* Mercedes-Benz M-Class

* Mercedes-Benz S-Class

* Porsche Cayman S

* Suzuki Swift

* Volkswagen Passat

The winner will be chosen by secret ballots in late March. The winner will be announced at the New York Auto Show on April 13 during the show's press days. The panel of journalists also will choose a performance car, green car, and car design of the year.

SUZUKI SWIFT NAMED CAR OF THE YEAR IN BRITISH AWARDS

13 December 2005

Another independently assessed accolade has been accorded to the new generation Suzuki Swift.

The popular front-wheel-driven hatchback has been named Car of the Year in Britain by the authoritative monthly journal "Car".

It follows a further ringing endorsement from the 72-strong Automotive Researchers and Journalists Conference of Japan, which voted the Swift Car of the Year. Swift has also won the "Most Fun" category in the 2006 Japanese Car of the Year awards.

Other awards from Ireland and New Zealand have been presented to the model which is the first world-strategic car introduced by Suzuki.

Jason Barlow, the editor of the highly respected "Car" magazine in the UK, lavished praise on the European-inspired front-wheel-drive Swift.

"In a world where small cars are getting better and better, it doesn't fall into the trap of offering gimmicks, pointless extras or overt quirkiness – it simply gets on with the job it's there to do, and it does it superbly," said Barlow.

Success for the Swift in the UK award was no fluke after a universal thumbs-up was given by all the judges.

"All-rounders often end up winning various 'car of the year' accolades due to the fact they offend the fewest judges," said Barlow. "But in this case not a single judge came out against it as a fair choice."

"The car is stylish, roomy, good value, pretty quick and a lot of fun to drive, and this combination of aptitudes makes it a totally compelling package," he said.

Introduced to the New Zealand market in February 2005, the new Swift is the fastest selling Suzuki ever sold in this country.

Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand, said the winning of so many awards was a strong vindication of the Swift's approach to the growing super mini class of vehicles.

"New Swift delivers a seductive blend of eye-catching good looks, Japanese quality and European-inspired driving dynamics, backed up by excellent handling and outstanding fuel economy," said Peck.

"Suzuki has engineered a world-class super mini that represents a completely fresh approach to design and combines a great driving experience with unbelievable value for money," he said.

"Not only have new car buyers been quick to respond to the car's qualities, but impartial motor industry critics and observers have also heaped commendations on the Swift," said Tom Peck.

The car has an outstanding crashworthy structure and was awarded a high four stars for occupant protection in Euro NCAP testing. Extensive use of high tensile steel and tailored blanks achieve strength without the penalty of added weight.

All versions are fitted with airbags and there is leg-injury mitigating brake and clutch pedals.

Pedestrian protection measures – which received an impressive three out of four star Euro NCAP rating – are impressive. The Suzuki Swift rated higher than the new Toyota Yaris and the Mercedes Benz A Class. Careful consideration was given to the design of the bonnet, guards, wipers and front bumpers to absorb energy more progressively, so reducing injury.

Anti-lock braking, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and a brake assist function all complement the car's responsive, agile chassis.

Priced from a highly competitive $18,990, the five-door Swift is powered by a 1.5-litre variable valve, double overhead camshaft engine with four valves per cylinder. It is available with either a manual gearbox or automatic transmission.

Priced from a highly competitive $18,990, the five-door Swift is powered by a 1.5-litre variable valve, double overhead camshaft engine with four valves per cylinder. It is available with either a manual gearbox or automatic transmission.

Following up from the quarter-finalists announcement in January, now the 44 international judges that make up the World Car of the Year awards jury have let out their top-three lists in the categories Green Car, Car Design, Performance Car, and the overall World Car of the Year for the 2007 model year. The winners are to be announced at the awards ceremony held at the New York Auto Show on the morning of April 5.

BlueTec is DaimlerChrysler's name for its two nitrogen oxide (NOx) reducing systems, for use in their Diesel automobile engines. One is a urea based reductant called AdBlue, the other is called DeNOx and uses an oxidising catalytic converter and particulate filter combined with other NOx reducing systems. Both systems are designed to reduce pollutant emissions.