The all-new Volkswagen Passat B8, one of the latest in a long line of new VW Group models to be built off its modular MQB platform, is fast gaining plaudits having just secured the 2015 European Car of the Year Award that was presented at the ongoing Geneva International Motor Show.
Scored by a panel of 58 jurors from across Europe, the Passat raked in 340 points, putting it comfortably ahead of the Citroen C4 Cactus with 248 points and the W205 Mercedes-Benz C-Class with 221 points. Other cars in the running included the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, Ford Mondeo, Nissan Qashqai, and Renault Twingo.
Also announced at Geneva were the top three finalists for each of five categories of the 2015 World Car of the Year awards. Nomination for the overall awards sees the Passat being presented with a chance to do the double; whilst the C-Class gets a second crack to challenge the VW. The Ford Mustang completes the trio of nominations.
The World Car of the Year is judged by a panel of 75 automotive journalists from around the world. Scoring is performed by secret balloting and results are tabulated by KPMG. Besides the overall award, categories of the World COTY are World Luxury Car, World Performance Car, World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year. Results of the World COTY will be announced at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) on 2 April 2015.
Nominees for the World COTY Awards are:
World Car of the Year
– Ford Mustang
– Mercedes-Benz C-Class
– Volkswagen Passat
World Luxury Car
– BMW i8
– Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe
– Range Rover Autobiography Black LWB
World Performance Car
– BMW M4 Coupe / M3 Sedan
– Jaguar F-Type R Coupe
– Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
World Green Car
– BMW i8
– Mercedes-Benz S 500 Plug-In Hybrid
– Volkswagen Golf GTE
World Car Design of the Year
– Citroen C4 Cactus
– Mercedes-Benz C-Class
– Volvo XC90
Pictures: Official manufacturer release.
