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 New Jaguar XKR and XFR

Jaguar top 225 at Bonneville Salt Flat

Jaguar have pushed the new XFR to its limits in a secret test at the Bonneville Salt Flats, and in doing so broke the record for the fastest ever Jaguar.

The modified XFR reached a staggering 225.675 mph on its run, powered by a tweaked version of the newly launched 5.0 litre engine in the supercharged Jaguar XF. The engine was almost standard, save a new air intake, revised supercharger settings and new exhaust system, boosting the power from 503 to 600 horsepower, but all the engine internals were untouched, as was the standard gearbox, boding well for tuners to come along and liberate even more power. Jaguar also modified the bodywork with a new front skirt and a huge rear wing to give downforce and stability at speed, as you can see below:

All this work was done in conjunction with American racing company Rocketsports, and the car was driven by Paul Gentilozzi, who raced the Jaguar XKR to 5 series wins in the US Trans Am series between 2001 and 2006. He was quoted as saying "During my career, I've raced worldwide from the southern tip of New Zealand to Le Mans, Along the way, I have been privileged to drive and own so many exciting cars but I've never driven one that was as exciting to drive fast as this Jaguar.

"The previous Jaguar speed record was set by Martin Brundle in 1992 in a Jaguar XJ220.

(source: http://www.jaguar-cars-blog.com/)