AutoWeek Editors Honor the Best of the 2009 Geneva Motor Show

DETROIT, March 4, 2009; The AutoWeek editorial staff announced today its 2009 Geneva motor show Editors' Choice Award winners.

For more than a decade, the AutoWeek editors have walked the halls of major international auto shows to select 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 Geneva are:

BEST IN SHOW: Infiniti Essence Concept

"The Essence is the best car in the Geneva show by a wide margin," said AutoWeek Managing Editor Roger Hart. "Infiniti calls the two-seat, 600-hp, rear-drive hybrid the 'essence of the brand in one car.' The heart of the beast is Nissan's venerable 3.7-liter, V6 engine, fitted with twin turbochargers for the concept. The engine is rated at a whopping 434 hp. It is spectacular."

Other Finalists Considered: Rolls-Royce 200 EX Concept, Aston Martin One-77

BEST CONCEPT: Ford Iosis Max

"Not only is the Iosis Max cool, it offers not-so-subtle hints about the next-generation Ford Focus," Hart said. "The Iosis project leader even hinted the multipurpose vehicle could come stateside. We sure hope so."

  Others Finalists Considered: Nissan Qazana, Kia No. 3

  MOST SIGNIFICANT: Volkswagen Polo

"This is the first Polo that will come to the U.S. in Volkswagen's effort to capture more of the youth market by building a car smaller than its Golf/Rabbit. It is significant because of this customer-development effort that we can expect see in 2011."

Other Finalists Considered: Chevrolet Spark, Bentley Supersports, Tata Nano

MOST FUN: Audi TT RS

"Three-hundred and forty horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque! It goes 0-to-60 mph in four seconds. It has a six-speed manual transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive!" Hart said. "Sounds like a Most Fun award winner to us, hands down!"

Other Finalists Considered: Lamborghini LP670-4 Super Veloce, Alfa Mito GTA, Fiat 500C, Mini JCW Cabrio

For more information on the Editors' Choice Awards, past winners and extensive Geneva motor show coverage, visit autoweek.com or be sure to pick up the March 23 issue of AutoWeek.

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.