A preview of the 2012 CNBC-TV18 OVERDRIVE awards
The Indian automotive industry has been abuzz with the recent slew of launches. Every manufacturer is vying for the customer's attention and tugging at their purse strings. In 2011, we've seen some made-for-India cars, imported ones, cars adapted to Indian conditions, cars starting at below Rs 3 lakh to ones costing upwards of Rs 5 crore. It's the time of year when we recognize the manufacturers' efforts and the13th CNBC-TV18 OVERDRIVE awards will do just that. The list of nominees is a long one and judging the automobiles is a distinguished panel of judges.
Starting with the senior editorial team comprising Sirish Chandran (Editor-OVERDRIVE), Bertrand Dsouza (Deputy Editor), Shubhabrata Marmar (Deputy Editor), Abhay Verma (Senior Correspondent) to FIA GP2 racer Armaan Ebrahim, President of FMSCI Vicky Chandok, Sarath Kumar - National Motorcycling Champion, 5-time INRC winner Hari Singh and Gaurav Gill - WRC driver.
OVERDRIVE is the first entity outside Formula 1 teams to be allowed access to the newly developed and world-acclaimed Buddh International Circuit to judge 2011's new cars and bikes. Points were awarded on the basis of their design, performance, engineering finesse, driver involvement, eco-friendliness, safety, efficiency and adaptability to the Indian market. Prior to being judged for the awards on the Buddh Circuit, these vehicles underwent extensive road tests as well.
The jury have already voted and the results will be declared on 8th December 2011. You, the reader, can cast your votes on what you think should be the Car of the Year and Bike of the Year. If your votes match those of the jury, you could win tickets for two to Goa. To know more and to cast your votes, logon to http://www.cnbcoverdriveawards.moneycontrol.com/contest_polls.php
Nominees:
Car Of The Year
• 2011 Ford Fiesta
• Skoda Rapid
• 2011 Audi A6
• Hyundai Eon
• 2011 BMW X3
• Hyundai Verna
• VW Passat
• VW Jetta
• Renault Fluence
• Nissan Sunny
• Maruti Swift
• Honda Brio
• Toyota Etios Liva
Bike Of The Year
• Hero Impulse
• Hyosung GT650R
• Hyosung GT650N
• Hyosung ST7
• Honda CBR250R
• Kawasaki Ninja 650R
• Harley-Davidson SuperLow
• Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight
• Harley-Davidson Iron
• Bajaj Boxer BM150
Mini Car Of The Year
• Chevrolet Beat diesel
• Hyundai Eon
Compact Car Of The Year
• Maruti Swift
• Honda Jazz
• Toyota Etios Liva
• Honda Brio
• Tata Indigo e-CS
Mid-sized Car Of The Year
• Hyundai Verna
• Ford Fiesta
• Toyota Etios diesel
• Nissan Sunny
• Skoda Rapid
Executive Car Of The Year
• Skoda Laura RS
• Maruti Kizashi
• Toyota Corolla Altis
• VW Jetta
• Mercedes C-Class
• Volvo S60
• Renault Fluence
Premium Car Of The Year
• VW Passat
• Audi A6
• BMW 520d
Import Car Of The Year
• Audi A8
• Audi A7
• Audi R8 V10
• Audi RS5
• BMW 650i
• Mercedes SLK350
• Mercedes CLS
• Volvo S60
• Jaguar XJ
SUV Of The Year
• BMW X1
• BMW X3
• Force One
• Land Rover Freelander2
• Mahindra XUV500
• Renault Koleos
• Mahindra Thar
Import SUV Of The Year
• Mercedes R-class
• Mercedes G55 AMG
• Porsche Cayenne
• Ranger Rover Evoque
• BMW X5
Motorsport Award Of The Year
• Mahindra Racing
• JPSI (BIC)
• Mahindra Adventure

• Tata Motors Full Throttle
Manufacturer Of The Year
• BMW
• Mahindra and Mahindra
• Toyota Kirloskar Motors
Viewers Choice Award (4 wheelers)
• Audi A6
• Ford Fiesta
• Maruti Swift
• Honda Jazz
• Toyota Etios Liva
• Honda Brio
• Mahindra Thar
• Renault Koleos
• Mahindra XUV500
• Land Rover Freelander2
• Force One
• BMW X1
• BMW X3
• VW Passat
• VW Jetta
• Skoda Rapid
• Nissan Sunny
• Hyundai Eon
• Hyundai Verna
Viewers Choice Award (2 wheelers)
• Bajaj Boxer BM150
• Kawasaki Ninja 650R
• Harley-Davidson Iron
• Harley-Davidson SuperLow
• Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight
• Hero Impulse
• Honda CBR 250R
• Hyosung GT650R
• Hyosung GT650N
• Hyosung ST7