Smart Motorist

Honda Motor Co.'s FCX Clarity has been named the 2009 World Green Car of the Year, the World Car Steering Committee said Thursday.

Nissan Motor Co.'s Nissan GT-R became the World Performance Car of the Year, the committee said at the New York International Auto Show. The 2009 World Car of the Year went to Volkswagen AG's Golf MkVI, it said.

2009 World Green Car of the Year awarded to Honda FCX Clarity

In order to qualify for the competition, cars had to be available in at least one major market during 2008. Honda's hydrogen-powered luxury sedan won because of its low fuel consumption (72 MPG), 267 mile range, and lack of tailpipe emissions. Oh, and air-conditioned seats that blow emissions-free thermoelectrically cooled air.

The competition's jurors acknowledge that the car is somewhat ahead of its time since a hydrogen fueling infrastructure isn't in place, but believe that "Honda must be credited for taking a bold step in leasing FCX Clarity to customers in California for US$600 per month". Still, it's hard to fathom why the FCX won the competition with so many hybrid electric cars in the pipeline.

Limited marketing of a fuel cell vehicle based on the concept model began in 19 June 2008 in United States and it was introduced in Japan in November 2008. Honda believes it could start mass producing vehicles based on the FCX concept by the year 2018.

Hydrogen has to be compressed at a high pressure, making it difficult to transport. So to store only 5kg of hydrogen, the FCX Clarity needs a giant 171 liter tank. Additionally, a single hydrogen filling station costs $2 million, so an infrastructure isn't likely to pop up any time soon. Add all that to the fact that most hydrogen fuel is obtained from gasoline and hydrogen-powered cars seem mighty impractical.

Second and third place in the World Green Car competition went to the gasoline-powered Toyota iQ and the all-electric Mitsubishi iMieV.

The FCX Clarity can travel about 620 kilometers on a single charge of hydrogen, up 30 percent from Honda's previous fuel cell model FCX, according to Honda, which began selling the FCX Clarity in Japan last November.

The awards are chosen by an international jury panel comprising auto critics chosen by the committee.

Honda's fuel cell-powered FCX Clarity car bested 21 other competitors to win the 2009 World Green Car award at this week's New York International Auto Show.

World Performance Car of the Year awarded to Nissan GT-R

The Nissan GT-R has been named World Performance Car, edging the Porsche 911 Carrera and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. The GT-R broke a three-year German stranglehold on the award; the previous winners were the Audi R8 (2008), the Audi RS4 (2007) and the Porsche Cayman S (2006).

The fifty-nine World Car jurors were from twenty-five countries throughout the world so this truly is a global award.

The jurors observed that the “Nissan GT-R stole the headlines in the sports car world in 2008. This GT-R – the R35 – throws even former GT-Rs into the weeds via an all-new 3.8-liter bi-turbo V-6 providing 480 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The ?drive of the GT-R, especially on a track, reveals an incredibly flexible all-wheel-drive chassis that lays down the rubber whenever you request it. Acceleration to 60 mph from a stop takes just 3.5 seconds, or a tick behind fellow Performance finalist the Corvette ZR1. This is a complete effort put forth by the normally conservative Nissan and the pleasure is in doing laps of a favourite circuit and feeling the sheer capabilities of the car. For $98,900 it may be the world’s best enthusiast car."

The high-tech GT-R feeds power to its flexible all-wheel-drive chassis via a hand-built and all-new 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V6, which pumps out 480 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque.

Previous World Performance Car winners include the Audi R8 in 2008, the Audi RS4 in 2007 and the Porsche Cayman S in 2006.

2009 World Car of the Year title awarded to Volkswagen Golf MkVI

The Volkswagen Golf MkVI has been awarded the 2009 World Car of the Year title. The WCOTY jury consists of 59 eminent motoring writers from 25 countries, including Telegraph Motoring's Mike Rutherford.

The inaugural World Car title was awarded in 2005, when the Audi A6 triumphed. A year later, BMW's 3-series took the title, with the Lexus LS460 winning in 2007. Last year, the honour went to the Mazda2/Demio supermini.

In a companion award, the redesigned Volkswagen Golf was named World Car of the Year, beating the Toyota iQ and the Ford Fiesta, while the Honda FCX Clarity was named World Green Car, ahead of the iQ and the Mitsubishi i MiEV.

Last year's World Car of the Year was the Mazda2/Demio.

They observed that: "The new Golf VI feels more expensive than other family hatches, thanks to its solid build and high quality cabin. Customers get a choice of nothing less than six engines including the punchy and efficient 158hp, 1.4-litre TSI unit that features both a turbo and supercharger.

"The Golf is also available with the firm's new 2.0-litre common-rail diesel engine, developing either 108 or 138hp. It goes without saying that choosing between the slick six-speed manual and superb DSG twin-clutch gearbox can be difficult. Sitting on an outstanding chassis, the VW is more refined than its rivals, especially when highway cruising. Wind, road and engine noise are kept to a minimum, making the Golf a relaxing long distance companion."

The top three contenders for 2009 World Car of the Year title were the Ford Fiesta, Toyota iQ and the Golf. The other eight contenders in the shortlist were the Audi A4, BMW 7-series, Citroen C5, Fiat 500, Honda Jazz, Jaguar XF, Mazda6 and Nissan GT-R.

Among VW's main rivals, Ford is bringing the European-built Fiesta to the US market, with the first batch of 100 cars arriving last week. Ford is loaning the vehicles to young people who will post videos about their experiences. The Toyota iQ is a 1.0-litre super fuel-efficient hatchback that boasts unsurpassed mileage.

About The World Car of the Year (WCOTY)

The World Car of the Year (WCOTY) (French: Prix mondial de la Voiture de l’année) is an automobile award selected by a jury of 48 international automotive journalists from 22 countries. Cars considered must be sold in at least five countries on at least two continents prior to January 1 of the year of the award. The contest is a relatively new one, inaugurated in 2005 as a unified award similar to many of the continent- and nation-specific Car of the Year awards already given. Since 2006, awards for performance, green cars, and car design also given

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