BMW 3 Series: World Car of the Year 2006

World Car of the Year 2006: BMW 3 Series

The new BMW 3 Series was judged to be the ‘2006 World Car of the Year’ at a presentation held during the ongoing New York International Auto Show. The jury consisted of 46 international automotive journalists who had reviewed every new car available around the world.

The finalists in this competition were three fantastic cars: the BMW 3 Series, Mazda MX-5, and Porsche Cayman S. And the BMW 3 Series was declared the winner. The jury said that the car won due to its balance of ride, handling, performance, and interior space.

Graham Johnson, co-Chairman of the World Car of the Year steering committee said in a statement: “The new 3 Series delivers a balance of traits that only a few cars on the market offer. BMW’s compact executive doubles up as a family car during the week and a sports car at the weekends. This unique double-act, twinned with the 3 Series’ exceptional levels of refinement, meant the BMW was a clear winner.”

Steve Fowler, Group Editor of What Car? added his views: “The BMW 3 Series emerged as a clear winner. We’d expected BMW’s Compact Exec contender to be good, but we didn’t expect it to be this good. No other car is as great in so many ways as the 3 Series.”

Tristan Young, Editor of Fleet Week commented: “Available from under £20,000, the 3 Series range provides choice for any business and its drivers, offering seven different engines and four specification levels. A class-leading combination of fuel economy, emissions and performance irrespective of model, cements its appeal to the all important company car driver audience.”