Nominees for Car of the Year 2011 revealed

The seven nominees for the Car of the Year 2011 award have been revealed yesterday. The list of 41 candidates has been reduced to only seven cars that will now be running after the most prestigious prize in the automotive world. The winner will be announced on the 29th of November.

And the nominees are:

Alfa Romeo Giulietta

The Giulietta is the rebirth of one of the historic models of Alfa Romeo of the 1950s. The hatchback is the successor of the 147 and combines the styling cues of the Italian brand with the agile handling and good comfort. The Giulietta features the new ‘architecture’ from the Fiat Group developed to enhance structural stiffness, weight containment, noise suppression and climate control. The results of the 5-door model on the Euro NCAP are the best of a compact car so far. The Giulietta has a diversified engine lineup which includes an efficient 1.4 MultiAir with hydraulic valve actuation and 170 hp. Except for the sporty 1.750 TB (235 hp), every engine available for the Giulietta comes with the Start&Stop technology.

Citroën C3/DS3

From Citroën comes the new C3 platform used for both the new C3 and the DS3. After a long commercial life the C3 is back with almost the same carefree, round shape. The new platform now brings more quality and a roomier cabin and boot. The new model has an optional panoramic Zenith windscreen, which expands dramatically the angle of vision. The character is focused in practicality and comfort, while the engine line is addressed to fuel efficiency.

The same platform is used for the first model of the DS family, the DS3. The three-door features a lower line, specific style, richer equipment and much more dynamic suspension/steering settings than C3’s. It is also equipped with more powerfull engines.

Dacia Duster

Known as the European champion of low cost cars, Dacia’s models acceptance has been growing outside Romania because of its good value. With the Duster the Renault subsidiary receives thumbs up, thanks to the most affordable SUV in the market. With its compact length of 4.31 m, the Duster was developed on the usual, rugged Logan platform and gets a raised ground clearance of 210 mm. The Duster has a lineup of engines that goes from the 105 hp 1.6 petrol engine to the 1.5 diesel, offered in 85 and 109 hp versions.

Ford C-Max/Grand C-Max

The Ford C-Max and the Grand C-Max are the ambassadors of the third generation of the Focus, a car to be launched in 2011. They are produced using the global C-platform that will be the base for at least ten Ford models totalling two million units per year. The new C-Max has received a full update in terms of equipment and cabin versatility, improving its refinement and comfort. The C-Max is powered by a new generation of turbocharged, direct injection petrol engines –EcoBoost- with power up to 180 hp, lots of torque and good fuel efficiency. These engines will go along the popular diesel units. To eliminate the criticism of not offering seven seats the C-Max is joined by the new Grand C-Max, with its wheelbase stretched 140 mm to allow for the foldable third row, increasing the overall length of the vehicle to 4.52 m.

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is the pioneer in the electric drive generation and is the proof of Nissan and Renault’s commitment and bet on electric cars. Although wide acceptance will only come with less costly batteries with bigger range, cars like the Leaf might operate a change in public opinion.

The Leaf is a practical proposition from the point of view of usability and performance. In fact it is the equivalent to a usual compact car, and much more efficient in aural comfort, perhaps too much for safety purposes. With public incentives cutting the high cost of the electric car, there will still be the need of an operative recharging net to bring the Leaf beyond the urban/suburban scene.

Opel/Vauxhall Meriva

Although small MPVs have never been remembered for big sales, the Meriva has always been the leader of this segment. For this new generation the model keeps the nameplate but widens the spectrum of customers. It comes with a different approach, using the platform of a bigger, roomier car (the Zafira). It gets its looks improved thanks to the profile that seems less tall to the eye, closer to a conventional hatchback. Besides the inner versatility expectable in any MPV, the new Meriva offers a bonus in access to its cabin, thanks to its rear-hinged rear doors, an arrangement unusual in recent times, now made safe.

Volvo S60/V60

Although Volvo is now property of the Chinese, there is still no doubt that the S60/V60 are models from the Swedish brand. The new models, 4.63 m in size, are about the most compact D-segment cars. For the new models Volvo worked on more dynamism, in looks and handling, also an elegant cabin, with the dash oriented to the driver. With the S60 not having an ample boot, the V60 with bigger cargo space is more suitable for practicality. The two Volvo models feature the brand’s Pedestrian Detection device, that produces a fully automatic braking in case of need.