Renault Samsung Motors’ medium-sized sedan “SM6” was finally selected as the “2017 AWAK Car Of the Year” selected by the Automobile Writers' Association of Korea(AWAK).
Hyundai Ioniq Electric was selected for this year's Environment-Friendly car, Chevrolet 'Camaro SS' for this year's performance car, and Volvo Motors'XC90' was selected for this year's SUV. In particular, SM6 was also selected in this year's design category.
The Automobile Writers' Association of Korea officially announced the results on the 27th. For the selection of the car of the year, the association selected the “2017 Car of the Year” candidates on December 5, and on the 20th, 10 candidates were selected. 'Car of the Year' finalists, a total of 10 models, include Hyundai Ioniq Electric, Genesis G80, Kia K7, Renault Samsung SM6/QM6, Chevrolet Malibu, Ssangyong Tivoli Air, BMW 740Li, Mercedes-Benz E300, and Volvo XC90.
The AWAK members selected the winning models of each category through careful evaluation and performance vehicle tests in the area of Heyri, Paju, upon the 10 candidate vehicles. The performance vehicle test was carried out strictly among 20 categories; such as exterior and interior, performance, NVH, ride comfort, acceleration, shifting, braking performance, handling, safety, innovation, and price competitiveness.
According to the evaluation result, Renault Samsung's SM6 scored 3259 points and was selected as the '2017 Car of the Year'. Genesis G80, Hyundai Motor's premium brand, ranked second with a total score of 3257. Kia Motors K7 scored 3233 points, BMW 740Li scored 3219 points, and Mercedes-Benz E300 scored 3213 points. The Volvo SUV 'All-New XC90' won the SUV title of the year with 3211 points, overtaking Renault Samsung QM6 (3114 points).
SM6 scored high compared to competing models in design, safety, innovation, and price competitiveness. The G80, which missed this year's car by only two points, received the best score in the interior and design category, the BMW 740Li for performance, and the Hyundai Ioniq Electric scored the highest score in the innovation category.
Renault Samsung Motors Public Relations Headquarters Hwang Eun-young said, "This 2017 AWAK Car of the Year award with SM6 is a great honor because it was awarded competing against both domestic and imported cars. It is a result of all the executives and employees working together as one." “In fact, it is recognized that SM6 has the greatest extent of innovation in the domestic automobile market,” he said.
He said, “The excellent value of SM6 comes from our development goal to meet the high expectation of the domestic customers, so we will continue to lead the industry trend with products and services that can move customers' hearts.”
Meanwhile, the association selected Chevrolet Camaro SS as the 'Performance Car of the Year' model, the Volvo XC90 as the 'SUV of the year', and Hyundai Ioniq Electric as the ‘Environment-Friendly Car of the Year'. SM6 was honored with two crowns, winning the “Car of the Year” and the “Design of the Year” award.
The awards for the models selected in each category of the 2017 Car of the Year will be held at the Korea Press Center on January 5th next year.
