Nissan Picks Up 2011 COTY Trophy for Leaf

Now, before someone adds a comment of the sort "in other related news, Audi unveiled the new A6", let us make it clear that we're not reporting on the actual Car of the Year (COTY) 2011 results, which were announced in late November 2010, but on the special ceremony that took place at the Pavillion Gabriel in Paris earlier this week to hand over the trophy to this year's winner, the new Nissan Leaf.

The trophy was received by Nissan Motor Co.'s President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, who of course, was extremely happy with the results.

"It is a great honor for Nissan LEAF to be recognized as the European Car of the Year - the first all-electric car to receive this distinction, " said Mr. Ghosn. "Like previous Car of the Year winners, Nissan LEAF is an appealing, competitive car, with no compromise on style, features, safety, performance or handling. Yet it stands apart as an innovative car that reflects a clear vision of the future of transportation - a vision of sustainable mobility."

Speaking at the ceremony Håkan Matson, president of the CoTY jury said: "I am convinced that we will see other electric cars named Car of the Year in the future. But when we do, we must always remember that only one can be the first. And that is why Nissan LEAF Car of the Year 2011 is - and will remain - so very special," said Håkan Matson, president of the CoTY jury, speaking at the ceremony.

You can view the results in detail here, but we'll remind you that the 58 jury members from 23 European countries placed the all-electric Nissan Leaf in first place with 257 points, followed by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta with 248 points and the Opel Meriva small MPV with 244 points. This is the second time Nissan has won the COTY, the first being in 1993 with the Micra, which became the first ever Japanese model to win the accolade.

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Citroen prepares Golf R competitor

Citroen’s future plans includes more DS versions, including a DS Roadster based on Citroen Survolt concept. Today we have details on a new DS model that will compete with model like Audi S3, the Volkswagen Golf R and the Ford Focus ST.

The new model will be called DS4 Racing (or Sport) and is descried as a "hybridized DS4 model." This new model will combine a 1.6 liter turbocharged engine with 200 HP and with a 95 HP electric motor on the rear axle. The result for this all-wheel drive sport model is a total output of 295 HP. This new hybrid system is similar to the PSA Group’s diesel HYbrid4 set-up or perhaps it will de derived from the new front-wheel drive hybrid system PSA Group is developing with BMW.

The new DS4 Racing is expected to make its world debut sometime in 2013, after the standard DS4 will go on sale in 2011.

Civic Type R Gets a Facelift Top Cing Cars

Type R was first introduced in 1992 on the NSX as a specially tuned model that provided racing car-like feel. It was later extended to the Integra in 1995, and the Civic in 1997 in response to meeting customers' request for more opportunities to own a Type R. Malaysia is the only country in the world, besides Japan that is making available this version of the Civic Type R. To date, there are close to 200 units on Malaysian roads.


The New Civic Type R is now made to look more aggressive with the rear combination lamps redesigned to give a bolder look by incorporating diamond cluster tail and stop lights. The side mirrors are now power retractable for convenience and safety. Not forgetting the interiors, the New Civic Type R is now spotted with a new radio player complete with USB port, giving drivers the extra joy of being behind the wheels of an acknowledged performance car.


The Civic Type R is well recognised worldwide for its driving performance, futuristic design, functionality and efficiency. In Malaysia, it is well received and was named as Car of the Year in the performance car category for the Autocar Asean Car of the Year Awards 2008 and New Straits Times/Maybank Car of the Year 2008 Awards.