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AUTOS:  Concept Car Winners Clean And Fun
Written by: SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com   
06/24/2009
Dearborn, Mich.
 
Alternative power and top-down fun marked this year’s choices for the eighth annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards announced Tuesday at the North American Hall of Fame in Dearborn.

The Concept Car of the Year prize went to Volkswagen’s clean-diesel Concept BlueSport Roadster. (Photo: Volkswagen) » More Photos
 Organized by the South East Automotive Media Organization, the awards recognize those vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry. The winners were chosen by a panel of automotive journalists from 23 Concept Vehicles and 11 Production Preview Vehicles that debuted during the 2009 North American Auto Show season.

Kia Soul'ster, a beach party on wheels, was picked for Concept Truck of the Year. (Photo: Kia) » More Photos
The winners were:

Concept Car of the Year: Volkswagen’s clean-diesel Concept BlueSport Roadster, a shapely compact sports car.

"Who'd have thought a diesel could be fast, economical and clean while powering the fun, little roust-about Volkswagen BlueSport," said juror Ashly Knapp.

Cadillac Converj electric coupe won both Specialty Concept Vehicle of the Year and Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2009. (Photo: Cadillac) » More Photos
Concept Truck of the Year: Kia Soul’ster, a beach-ready sport truck that brings the South Korean automaker’s first concept-vehicle win.

"The Kia Soul'ster shows the playfulness of the designers from the initial design of the Soul," said juror Lou Ann Hammond.

Production Preview Vehicle of the Year: Fisker Automotive’s Karma Sunset Concept, a convertible expression of the company’s electric-powered production car.

"A company run by a designer should have
beautiful cars, concepts and prototypes,” said juror Michael Bettencourt. “Henrik Fisker's firm certainly does; the Fisker Karma Sunset is just drop-dead gorgeous."

Specialty Concept Vehicle of the Year: Cadillac Converj, a stylish electric-powered coupe and the fifth annual win for GM's Advanced Powertrain Studio.

"Cadillac capitalizes on the popularity of coupe styling, but steps up several notches with electric propulsion technology, two-plus-two seating, and profile-enhancing wheels on the Converj," said juror Bob Kroupa.

Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2009: Cadillac Converj.
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