Mercedes-Benz C-Class is World Car of the Year 2015

Every year, automotive journalists from 22 countries are appointed by the World Steering Car Committee to choose the respective 'cars of the year' in different categories. This year, they declared the Mercedes-Benz C-Class as the World Car of the Year, stating that "Taking its design and technological cues from the S-Class, the C-Class employs an all-new aluminium/steel hybrid platform and updated rear-drive powertrains that deliver levels of refinement, luxury, safety, ride and handling that challenge best-in-class." The Mercedes-Benz bestseller beat the Ford Mustang and the Volkswagen Passat to bag the coveted award.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Meanwhile, the Stuttgart carmaker also won the 2015 World Performance Car Award for the Mercedes-AMG GT for its "on-road presence" which alone, the jurors said, was "almost enough to qualify it as a 'Top 3'[including the BMW M4 Coupe/M3 Sedan and the Jaguar F-Type R Coupe] finalist. But in addition to its ruggedly handsome looks it has an impressive spec sheet comprising biturbo 4.0-litre V8 engine, 7- speed dual-clutch transmission, 456PS (minimum)...and much, much more."

The Mercedes-AMG GT

The Mercedes-Benz S Coupe was declared the World Luxury Car for 2015. The jurors cited its "design and technology" that form "a marriage that is more happy than ever" as the reason for its win. The other two finalists in this category were the Range Rover Autobiography Black LWB and the BMW i8.

The BMW i8

BMW's tree-hugger of a sportscar didn't go home empty-handed though, with the World Green Car Award for 2015 in its kitty. This makes it two consecutive World Green Car Awards for BMW, after the i3 swept the prize in 2014. The five green experts who were appointed specially to review all documentation and specs associated with each 'green' candidate said, "The BMW i8 gasoline hybrid looks so cool, it should be the icon for all 'green' cars... So it inspires Green Passion, which on paper looks like 155mph (250kmph) on the i8's three cylinder turbo gasoline engine, four-wheel-drive and four seats. The i8 adds so much enjoyment to a sensible lifestyle that it needs to be recognised as a great Green Car." Other notable wins included the Citroen C4 Cactus which bagged the 2015 World Car Design of the Year Award.

The process for picking the winners for the World Car awards consists of a series of tests and drives whihc are together called the Road to the World Car. Starting at Paris, with a test-drive stop at Los Angeles, USA, the event is followed by the announcement of the three finalists in each category at the Geneva Motor Show and ends with the declaration of the winners at the.