The best new car shined in Korea for the year 2020 was the Genesis G80. On the 25th, the Automobile Writers' Association (Chairman Young-Sun Hah (Daily Car), abbreviated English abbreviation AWAK) said that Genesis G80 and Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun were honored in '2021 Korea Car of the Year' and 'Person of the Year'.
The G80 was selected as the “2021 AWAK Car of the Year” with 4807.5 points in the 1st and 2nd performance vehicle tests conducted on cars that were ranked in the top 3 in 12 categories. GV70 with 4741.3 points in second place and GV80 with 4679.5 points in third place.
On the 22nd, the Automobile Writers' Association of Korea conducted the 1st and 2nd performance vehicle tests on 30 vehicles that ranked in the top 3 by category at the Pocheon Raceway on the 22nd. The Pocheon Raceway is set to open in this spring. Under the understanding of Pocheon City, the AWAK driving test was held as a final facility inspection.
In the first performance vehicle test, the car of the year was determined by 12 categories. ▲ Compact sedan of the year (including compact-medium): ‘All-New Avante (Hyundai)' ▲ Mid-size sedan of the year: 'New 5 Series (BMW)' ▲ Large sedan of the year: ’G80 (Genesis)' ▲ Compact SUV of the year: (including CUV) )’ XM3 (Renault Samsung)' ▲ Medium SUV of the year: (including CUV) 'GV70 (Genesis)' ▲ Large SUV of the year: (including RV) 'GV80 (Genesis)'
▲ Electric sedan of the year: (including hatchback) Renault 'Joe' ▲ Electric SUV of the year: Audi 'e-tron' ▲ Design of the year: Renault Samsung 'XM3', ' Genesis GV70' ▲ Hybrid of the year (PHEV): including)' Kia Sorento Hybrid' ▲ This year's high-performance internal combustion engine: Hyundai 'Veloster N' ▲ This year's high-performance electric car Porsche 'Taycan 4S' were selected respectively.
In particular, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun was selected as the “Person of the Year” newly established in 2021 from the AWAK. Chairman Chung Eui-sun became the first “Person of the Year” as he was evaluated as leading the Hyundai Motor Group, leading the paradigm of global automobile culture by quickly establishing future strategies in the rapidly changing global automobile environment.
Lee Yun-mo, CEO of Volvo Korea, Jung Il-Kwon, chairman of the Ssangyong Motors union, and Albert Beerman, head of the Hyundai Motors R&D headquarters, competed in fierce competition. The second performance vehicle test selecting the king of kings was held for 11 cars of the year by category. The 11 candidates were evaluated in five categories: design, performance, convenience/safety, economy, and innovation.
The design category is again divided into five sub-categories such as front, side, rear, interior, and material/space. And the performance category is divided into seven sub-categories such as acceleration, braking, shifting performance, handling, high-speed stability, ride comfort, and NVH. Convenience/safety category is further divided into convenience features, infotainment system and safety features.
The economy category is divided into five sub-categories such as price, fuel economy, maintenance, and other maintenance costs, and innovation was divided into three sub-categories: new technology, innovative design, and innovative concept. Therefore, it was a very detailed evaluation.
The title of “Car of the Year” was awarded to Genesis G80 as a result of the 2nd performance vehicle test evaluation. G80 became the top pick with a total score of 4807.5. GV70, GV80, Taycan, e-tron, and Sorento hybrids followed.
The Automobile Writers' Association of Korea has awarded Kia Motors ‘K9'-Lexus 'New ES' in 2013, Mercedes-Benz'S Class' in 2014, Infiniti 'Q50' in 2015, Hyundai Motors 'Avante' in 2016, and Renault Samsung Motors ‘SM6’ in 2017, Kia Stinger in 2018, Hyundai Motors Palisade' in 2019, and Kia new K5 in 2020 were selected as 'Car of the Year'.
AWAK Chairman Ha Young-Sun Hah said, “With the Genesis brand taking over the top rankings, high-performance electric vehicles are succeeding. Genesis is clearly establishing itself as a premium brand starting in 2020. The Porsche Taycan 4S, Audi e-tron, and Kia Sorento hybrids also ranked at the top, showing that the era of Environment-friendly electrification is in full swing,” he reviewed the results of the “2021 Korea Car of the Year” selection.
The “2021 AWAK Car of the Year” awards ceremony will be held on March 10 at 2 pm at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Hongeun-dong, Seoul.
