World Car of the Year Awards

Peter Brock: best known as the designer of the classically beautiful, World Championship-winning Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe, Brock also penned the sketches that ultimately turned into the Corvette Stingray. He taught auto design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and today remains involved with design on such cars as the South African-built Superformance Brock Coupe.

Robert Cumberford, Automobile and Auto & Design magazines. Both a car designer and a writer specializing in design for over 20 years, the first car made to Cumberford’s sketches - a one-off special body for a Jaguar chassis — was built when he was 15 years old. At 19 he was a designer for General Motors (Chevrolet Corvettes). He taught transportation design at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

Akira Fujimoto, Editor-in-Chief, Car Styling magazine: based in Tokyo, Japan, Mr. Fujimoto has worked for the bi-monthly magazine, published in Japanese and English, since 1979. Mr. Fujimoto has a long and distinguished career as a judge: Japan’s Car Design Award; International Car Design Competition; Car of the Century; Concept Car of the Year by Automotive News International; and the World Automotive Design Competition sponsored by Alias (now Autodesk).

WORLD PERFORMANCE CAR 2006

The Porsche Cayman S was chosen from an initial entry list of twenty-nine (29) candidates nominated by the World Car of the Year jurors. The top three contenders for the World Performance Car in addition to the Porsche Cayman S were the Audi RS4 and the BMW M5.

The Porsche Cayman S impressed the World Car jury with its distinct presence set squarely between the Boxster and 911. The 295-horsepower coupe possesses all of the balance of the Boxster's rear-mid engine placement and all of the body stiffness of a 911 coupe, while its sonorous flat six-cylinder engine delivers a seamless rush of middleweight punch. The Cayman S polishes Porsche’s halo with its perfect combination of stellar handling, looks and power. It is truly a world-class performer.

"Positioned between the 911 and the Boxster, the Porsche Cayman S has established its own unique styling and performance identity," related Peter Schwarzenbauer, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America in receiving the award on behalf of Porsche. "Its selection as World Performance Car of the Year for 2006 is an early indicator it will take its place along side these two famed models as yet another benchmark sports car from Porsche."

The World Performance Car award is just one of a trio of specialty awards announced by the World Car of the Year steering committee last October. Performance, design, and environmental responsibility are all key elements in the success of a vehicle on a global scale. Accordingly, it is appropriate to recognize exceptional achievement in those specific areas with their own awards.

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