AutoWeek Editors Honor the Best of the 2009 North American International Auto Show

DETROIT, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The AutoWeek editorial staff announced today its 2009 North American International Auto Show Editors' Choice Award winners.

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For more than a decade, the AutoWeek editors have walked the show floors in Detroit, Geneva, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo, selecting winners in four categories: Best in Show, Best Concept, Most Significant and Most Fun.

The 2009 AutoWeek Editors' Choice Award winners for the Best of Detroit are:

BEST IN SHOW: Audi Sportback Concept

"This was a unanimous decision. You could tell from the moment this car was unveiled that designers and executives could not help but be drawn to its stylish looks with an elegant execution of the back end, as a signpost toward future design," said AutoWeek Editor and Associate Publisher Dutch Mandel. "This is a concept, yes, but look for the production car (with a slightly taller roofline and no panoramic roof) to hit the showroom by the end of next year."

Other Finalists Considered: None

BEST CONCEPT: Cadillac Converj Concept

"There were many worthy concepts that percolated to the surface and for the first time ever, the AutoWeek editors seriously considered giving the award to a Tier 1 supplier for their efforts. In the end, the Cadillac execution of the Chevy Volt powertrain on a two-door coupe won the votes. Yes, you might have seen something like this as the CTS Coupe (or a similar styling exercise) a year earlier, but that this incorporated Volt technology to the high-end of the market is significant. Some might argue this was a car built from pieces off the shelf with a business plan created to fit the mold- something General Motors has been accused of doing in the past. This is the convergence of technology and today's reality," says Mandel.

Others Finalists Considered: Johnson Controls Interior Concept, Chrysler 200C Concept, Fisker Karma S Sunset Concept, Volkswagen BlueSport Concept

MOST SIGNIFICANT: 2010 Ford Taurus

"This car gives Ford and Taurus fans their car back. It's a large American sedan born from a global perspective whose appeal will strike with entry-level prices and that can get the full glam treatment- and still not demand you take a second mortgage out to pay for it. The 2010 Taurus was a hit that went well out of the park."

Other Finalists Considered: Honda Insight, Toyota Prius

MOST FUN: 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500

"The 2009 North American International Auto Show is invigorating in terms of the showcases for advancing technologies. But the enthusiast will not be disappointed either. There was no lack of high-emotion cars throughout the show," explains Mandel. "Perhaps none is more emotional than the rebirth of the Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500. The 5.4-liter, super-charged V8 produces 540 all-American, unapologetic horsepower. Its throaty rumble and tire-smoking torque will put a smile on the most somber faces- even those in Congress."

Other Finalists Considered: Volkswagen BlueSport Concept, BMW Z4, Jaguar XFR, Mercedes McLaren SLR Stirling Moss

For more information on the Editors' Choice Awards, past winners and extensive Detroit auto show coverage, visit autoweek.com. Beginning January 14, the editorial staff will provide guided tours of the show, available for free download with a companion map, at autoweek.com/detroittour.

AutoWeek magazine is a fortnightly automotive-enthusiast publication based out of Detroit, Michigan, and is one of more than 30 titles published by Crain Communications Inc. Through its print and online products, the AutoWeek brand is symbolic of core automotive passion and is a must read for those living the automotive lifestyle. AutoWeek delivers by-the-minute news and updates on autoweek.com while taking an in-depth look at all the latest happenings in the primarily subscription-based publication. AutoWeek provides readers with more information more often, giving readers their fix before the other guys even start their engines.

SOURCE: AutoWeek

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