Volkswagen Polo named as the 2018 World Urban Car
The Volkswagen Polo has been named as the ‘2018 World Urban Car’ in the 2018 World Car Awards, at a presentation held at the New York International Auto Show. Klaus Bischoff, Head of Volkswagen Design, accepted the sixth-generation Polo’s latest prize.
The Polo was chosen as ‘2018 World Urban Car’ from a shortlist of three – originally eight – which also included the Ford Fiesta and Suzuki Swift. 2018 marks the fifth time Volkswagen has won a World Car gong, in the awards’ 14-year history. The Golf has won twice (2009 and 2013), while the Up and Polo have each won top honours once (2012 and 2010 respectively).
‘One of the most successful compact cars’
‘The whole team at Volkswagen is delighted to have won the 2018 World Urban Car award with the Polo,’ declared Bischoff. ‘With around 17 million units sold, the Polo is one of the most successful compact cars of all time and a pillar of the brand. And the sixth-generation, based on the MQB platform, is even sportier and more grown up than its predecessors.’
The World Urban Car award was introduced in 2017 because it’s an award whose time has come. World Car vice-chairman, Mike Rutherford, commented: ‘Everyday cars in many parts of the world will have to become smaller if road and parking space is to be found for them in increasingly packed towns and cities whose populations are swelling annually.’ Last year’s inaugural World Urban Car winner was the BMW i3 (94Ah).
International jury panel
Vehicles in all World Car 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 worldwide. The international accounting firm KPMG tabulates the jurors’ ballots.
The Volvo XC60 won the overall 2018 World Car of the Year award. For a list of all the winners and for more details about the awards, visit www.wcoty.com.
