The auto awards season might not be over, however two of the extra prestigious annual races got here nearer to a climax this week.
One would possibly want a scorecard to maintain observe. We’re centered right here on two occasions: the World Automotive of 2024, now lowered to a few finalists in six classes. Then there’s the Automotive of the Yr, recognized in some quarters because the European Automotive of the Yr. Besides that the automotive doesn’t need to be European to win, solely offered there.
Acquired that?
Winners out of the best way first: On the Geneva Motor Present on Monday, the Renault Scenic E-Tech all-electric has been voted Automotive of the Yr 2024. The Scenic is a reasonably compact, considerably trendy SUV for Europe solely, and is the seventh automobile from the French model to win the award. It sells in the UK for about $47,500.
The opposite six finalists that had made the primary reduce of voting in November have been the BMW 5 Collection, BYD Seal, Kia EV9, Peugeot E-3008/3008, Toyota C-HR, and Volvo EX30. The trophy winner was chosen by a jury of 59 motoring journalists from 22 nations. Scenic got here in first place with 329 factors.
The Seal was the primary Chinese language-made automotive to make this award’s shortlist; it completed sixth out of seven, simply up from the Toyota. One choose defined his resolution to grant the Seal zero votes. Writing in High Gear, Paul Horrell wrote this entertaining critique: “It looks good and is well specified, so makes a strong market entry. The advanced electric system and cobalt-free battery are commendable too, and it’s enjoyable enough to drive quickly. That’s undermined by an agitated ride over bumps, and the logic of screens and switches is pretty eccentric.”
Recapping the World Automotive of the Yr 2024 replace, the sponsors shared the stage at Geneva on Monday with the Europeans as nicely, though they revealed solely the highest three finalists in six classes. For the final word prize, they’re the Kia EV9, the Volvo EX30 and the BYD Seal. The winners will probably be introduced March 27 on the New York Worldwide Auto Present. This is extra on the World Automotive finalists.