The Audi A8 is 2018’s World Luxury Car

The Road to World Car journey concluded last week at the New York International Auto Show with the declaration of the Audi A8 as the 2018 World Luxury Car. 

2018 marks the 9th time that Audi AG has won a World Car award in its 14 year history.  The company previously won World Car of the Year in 2014 (Audi A3) and the very first World Car of the Year award in 2005 (Audi A6).   

Audi has also won four World Performance Car titles:  2016 (Audi R8 Coupé), 2010 (Audi R8 V10), 2008 (Audi R8) and 2007 (Audi RS 4).  The company also captured the World Car Design of the Year award in 2007 and 2008. 

“This award is a special honour for us and our flagship model,” AUDI AG Board Member for Technical Development Peter Mertens explains. “The Audi A8 is an innovation driver for our entire industry.  With its innovative touch control system, consistent broad‐based electrification and the technical prerequisites for highly automated driving, the A8 sets new standards in automotive engineering.” 

This year’s winner was chosen from an initial entry list of five prestigious cars from all over the world, then a short list of three finalists as announced in Geneva earlier this month:  the Audi A8, the Porsche Cayenne and the Porsche Panamera. 

Previous World Luxury Car winners were the Mercedes‐Benz E‐Class (2017), the BMW 7 Series (2016), the Mercedes-Benz S Coupé (2015) and the Mercedes‐Benz S‐Class (2014). The award was first created in 2014 to acknowledge higher‐priced premium models selling in more limited numbers worldwide.   

Vehicles in all award categories are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of 82 top‐level automotive journalists from 24 countries around the world.  Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence.  Each juror typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of their professional work.   Through their respective outlets they collectively reach an audience of many millions world‐wide.   The international accounting firm KPMG tabulates the jurors’ ballots. 

The Road to the World Car began in Frankfurt on September 19 2017 and was followed by the first‐ever Tokyo Test Drive conducted at the BMW Tokyo Bay facility in October 2017, giving jurors yet another opportunity to evaluate contenders that might not be available in their home markets. Then, the fourth annual “L.A. Test Drives” took place across a six day period in November with a record number of 35 jurors participating. The “Top Three in the World” finalists were announced earlier this month at the Geneva motor show.  The Road to World Car journey ended today at the New York International Auto Show with the declaration of the winners in all categories.  

2018 marks the 12th year of World Car’s partnership with the New York show, and the fifth consecutive year that the World Car Awards have retained their ranking as the No.1 automotive awards program in the world in terms of media reach. “The New York International Auto Show is proud of the tradition it has built with the World Car Awards to recognise the ‘best of the best’ in the auto industry,” said New York International Auto Show Chairman John LaSorsa.  “Over the past 12 years this awards program has grown to become one of the most coveted honours for the world’s automakers.” 

The Global Trends Report, co‐presented annually by Prime Research and Autoneum, will also be announced during the New York show press conference and media breakfast. The report is the culmination of research and insights across the past six months. Autoneum CEO Martin Hirzel said, “Trends such as electro-mobility or autonomous driving shape the automobile future and offer great opportunities for Autoneum. As global market and technology leader in acoustic and thermal management, Autoneum is developing and manufacturing innovative products and technologies for the mobility of tomorrow. For example, our multifunctional, lightweight components are particularly suited for use in electric vehicles, as they help to reduce the vehicle’s weight which is significantly increased by the battery. Thanks to our innovation leadership and advanced production processes, Autoneum is well‐prepared for the automobile future.” 

2018 marks the 10th anniversary of World Car’s relationship with Bridgestone. “At Bridgestone, we are focused on delivering sustainable mobility through innovative tire technologies and solutions that address global trends in transportation,” said Shannon Quinn, president, original equipment tire sales, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “We are proud to join the World Car of the Year organisation again this year in celebrating the very best in automotive excellence.” 

As electrification, autonomous driving, connectivity and A.I. continue to enhance the industry, World Car is proud to be a part of this amazing journey along with the New York International Auto Show, Prime Research, Bridgestone, Autoneum, KPMG and official media partner Newspress.