Editors Select Automobile of the Year, Six All-Stars, and the Man, Design,and Technology of the Year
(ANN ARBOR, MI--December 5, 2005)--AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE, America's leadingautomotive lifestyle publication, today announced the winners of the 2006 AUTOMOBILEMAGAZINE All-Stars Awards. Each year, the editors of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE conveneto test, evaluate and debate the performance, significance and contributionsof the vehicles and executives who have impacted the automotive industry themost. The prestigious list of the deserving winners is featured in the 2006January issue, available on newsstands December 13, 2005.
"The automotive industry this year has continued to raise the bar with new designs,new vehicles, and simply more surprises," said Jean Jennings, editor-in-chiefof AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE. "This year we went back to basics and chose vehiclesthat were simply the best, no categories to take into account or pricing oreven points--the goal this year was to assemble the perfect fleet."
The 2006 AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE top industry honors were awarded to:
* Automobile of the Year: BMW 3-series--The latest versionof BMW's superior sport sedan drove off with this year's top award. The 3-seriesis a testament to BMW's commitment to excellence and to the company's long-termthinking. BMW has produced a car that is the gold standard for its class, somethingthat all other automakers feel they have to measure up to. A car that continuesto get better and better with every evolution.
* Design of the Year: Pontiac Solstice--With brilliant Franz vonHolzhausen styling, this is one of the rare concept cars that went into productionand came out almost exactly the same. It's cool, it's smooth, it's exciting,and thanks to some clever engineering, it's a good drive, too.
* Man of the Year: Wendelin Wiedeking, Chairman, Porsche AG--Hehas transformed Porsche from a money loser to a winner, diversified Porsche'sproduct line, and most importantly has produced fantastic vehicles.
* Technology of the Year: BMW's Magnesium-Clad 3.0-Liter N52 Engine--Punditsare calling magnesium this century's "wonder metal." BMW's astute materialselection achieved a 24% weight reduction for the 3-series, which saved 22 poundsand increased peak output by 30 hp with no mileage loss. This earns BMW's twelfth-generationI-6 engine top honors.
The 2006 AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE All-Stars are:
* All-Star: BMW M5--Aside from this car being insanelyfast, this is the first ultra-exotic vehicle with a sedan body that can be drivenevery day.
* All-Star: Chevrolet Corvette Z06--One of the best performancecars ever made, the driver gets more speed and sheer energy for their dollar.
* All-Star: Mini Cooper--This modestly priced, front-wheel-drivehatchback with great fuel economy is actually an exotic sports car in disguiseand yet can still function as simple transportation.
* All-Star: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution--The ultimate boyracer, it's lightweight, has quick responses, and is dominated by its engine.
* All-Star: Porsche Boxster--This vehicle has been deemedthe sports car from heaven, with even more horsepower than last year's - a whopping276 hp.
* All-Star: Subaru Legacy--This vehicle plays multipleroles--sport sedan, all-weather family car, reasonably economical daily driver--givingitself well-deserved honors as an All-Star.
Criteria and Evaluation
The AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE All-Stars are chosen by the AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINEstaff, its worldwide bureau chiefs, and its contributors, following a week-longtest drive of the year's most innovative and important new cars. Vehicles eligibleto be considered for the Automobile of the Year award combine the followingtraits:
* Redefines an existing category or creates a new market segment
* Offers excellent value and performance for the money
* Is an exceptional design
* Offers pure driving enjoyment
The award decisions are not made through an instrumented test process. Afterthe 1000-mile road trip, winners are determined by a round-table discussionthat results in a vote for the winner.
About AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE
AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE, a PRIMEDIA Inc. (NYSE: PRM) publication, was foundedin 1986 by veteran automotive journalist David E. Davis, Jr., and has a circulationof 550,000 and a total readership of 3.6 million. Recipient of more editorialawards than any other major automotive publication; AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE is designedto appeal to the interests of passionate automotive enthusiasts. Its diverseeditorial mix includes behind-the-wheel experiences in the world's most fascinatingcars, as well as personalities, travel destinations, automotive art, vintagecars and industry trends.