The New England Motor Press presented at its 25th anniversary awards dinner on May 11, 2012, at the MIT Faculty Club, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Congratulations to John Krafcik, John Lawlor, Pierre Kanter, and Marty Schorr, who were all recognized for their commitment to the automotive industry. Vehicles of all shapes and sizes were honored for their luxury performance and efficiency.
The 2013 Ford Fusion was awarded the Gene Ritvo Memorial Design & Elegance Award. The award was handpicked with curators from Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and the Larz Anderson Auto Museum.
The Yankee Cup Technology Award was presented to Hyundai for its Gasoline Direct Injection technology. Selected in conjunction with faculty and staff at MIT, Hyundai was chosen for its creative approach to fuel economy. Rather than focusing on hybrid technology, GDI was applied to nearly the entire fleet to maximize fuel efficiency while maintaining cost efficiency for both the manufacturer and consumer.
The all new 2012 Subaru Impreza was presented with the Yankee Value Award, an honor that goes to a vehicle that highlights the New England experience. Completely restyled for 2012, the Impreza takes a value-focused approach to comfort and performance. This perpetual New England favorite now boasts a 30% fuel economy increase and a new 2.0 liter boxer engine.
The Winter Vehicle of New England Award was presented to the Jeep Grand Cherokee for the second year in a row. The luxurious and plush interior combined with its dynamic all-weather performance, makes this affordable SUV a perfect choice for New England’s robust winters. With its two class-leading engines and four 4WD systems, the Grand Cherokee provides a smooth ride in the toughest of conditions.
The following awards were also presented:
Favorite Fun Entry-Level Convertible: Mazda MX-5 Miata
Favorite Convertible $35,000-$50,000: Chevrolet Camaro SS
Favorite Luxury Convertible: BMW 650i
Luxury Winter Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz S-Class 4MATIC
Best in Class—Premium All-Weather Sedan/Wagon (tie): Lexus GS 350, Audi A6
Best in Class—All-Weather Sedan/Wagon $25,000-$35,000: Dodge Charger AWD
Best In Class—All-Weather Sedan/Wagon under $25,000: Subaru Legacy
Best in Class—All-Weather Pickup Truck: Ford F-150 EcoBoost
Best In Class—Compact Sport utility Vehicle/Crossover: Honda CR-V
Best in Class—Sport Utility Vehicle/Crossover over $25,000: Jeep Wrangler
Best In Class—Sport Utility Vehicle/Crossover over $35,000: Range Rover Evoque
Best In Class—Hybrid Sport Utility Vehicle: Porsche Cayenne
Best In Class—Premium Sport Utility Vehicle/Crossover (tie): Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX56
The New England Motor Press Association coordinates professional coverage of the auto industry in the six Northeastern states. For more information visit nempa.org.