Vote for the 2012 Diesel Car of the Year

Voting for the 2012 Diesel Car of the Year has started.  Four companies, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen, currently offer diesel passenger cars in the U.S.

This year’s stellar field of nominees includes seven passenger cars; the Audi A3 TDI, the Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec, the Volkswagen Golf  TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sedan TDI, the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI, and the Volkswagen Passat TDI, as well as six SUVs, the Audi Q7 TDI, the BMW X5 xDrive35d, the Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz R350 BlueTec, the Mercedes-Benz GL350 BlueTec, and the Volkswagen Touareg TDI.

Two of these models, namely the Mercedes-Benz S350 BlueTec and the Volkswagen Passat TDI, are new for 2012.  The winner of the 2011 Diesel Car of the Year Award, the BMW 335d, is no longer in production, so the field is wide open, and it’s up to readers of The Diesel Driver to make the decision.  Last year, over 3600 readers took part in the vote.

Voting starts at noon on November 18 and ends at midnight on March 1, 2012.  The 2012 Diesel Car of the Year, as well as the two runners up, will be announced at the New York International Auto Show in April 2012.

Each year, The Diesel Driver’s readers will select the Diesel Car of the Year, recognizing three vehicles offered in the U.S. as the people’s choice.  As jurors, you can vote for any one of the 13 nominees.  Criteria range from fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions to performance, handling, styling, comfort, and the overall package.

The Diesel Driver is the world’s leading publication geared towards automotive enthusiasts who are interested in diesel-powered passenger cars. The Diesel Driver offers in-depth road tests and reviews, diesel-oriented travel features, and features that focus on the latest in diesel technology.

Voting has ended.  The winner will be announced in April at the New York International Auto Show.