Keeler Motor Car is proud to represent 5 of the 20 Finalists for the 2010 World Car and Performance Car of the Year!

The countdown has begun in preparation for the 2010 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) and Performance Car of the Year (PCOTY) awards ceremony that will be taking place on April 1 at the 2010 New York Auto Show.

A total of 31 cars made up the original list of candidates for the 2010 World Car category, while 15 cars made up the list for the 2010 Performance Car category, but now these lists have been whittled down to just ten finalists.

Now in their seventh year, the World and Performance Car of the Year awards are an independent global accreditation to name the best new car on the market, as selected by a voter group made up of established automotive journalists from around the globe.

To be eligible, a car has to be in production and sold in at least five countries and on two continents, which meant many American manufactured cars didn’t make the list. The final winners will be picked by a team of 59 judges and announced during April’s New York event, however, the list will be whittled down even further to just three finalists in both categories at next month’s 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

2010 World Car of the Year top ten finalists:
Audi Q5
BMW X1
Chevrolet Cruze
Kia Soul
Mazda3
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Opel/Vauxhall Insignia / Buick Regal
Porsche Panamera
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Polo

2010 Performance Car of the Year top ten finalists:
Aston Martin V12 Vantage
Audi R8 V10
Audi TT RS Coupé / Roadster
BMW Z4
Ferrari California
Jaguar XFR
Lotus Evora
Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG
Nissan 370 Z
Porsche 911 GT3
Porsche Boxster / Cayman

The All-New 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes Benz has been getting roughed up along with everyone else during the ongoing worldwide automotive downturn, but it appears that help is on the way in the form of the new E-Class. Mercedes' newest luxury ride has reportedly received 50,000 orders, with Q1 pre-sales in Germany double the sales from the same period in 2008.

Daimler knows the stakes are high when it comes to the new E-Class, and Mercedes has armed itself with plenty of tools for success. The new E-Class will be offered in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon variants, along with the fire-breathing E63 AMG just introduced in New York. Der neue E-Class will also be available with a 211 hp, 3.0-liter Bluetec diesel.

The last E-Class sold over 1.5 million vehicles during its lifespan, giving the 2010 model a lofty target to reach over the next few years. With 50,000 orders already on the books, the E-Class is at least off to a promising start.

(source: Automotive News)