Nissan 350 Z is AJAC's 'Car of the Year' and 'Best New Design' for 2003
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| The sexy Nissan 350Z wins AJAC's Canadian Car of the Year award as well as its Best New Design honors. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Yesterday the Nissan 350 Z was declared the winner of the "Best New Design" award for 2003 by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The award was announced today during the opening ceremonies for the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.
Tony Whitney, AJAC president, explained that, "The intent of the design award is to identify and reward the vehicle that we collectively judge to exhibit the most aesthetically pleasing combination of appearance and function." He continued, "Judging is based on exterior and interior appearance, but in a real world context. That means, for example, that an extremely raked windshield or exceptionally low roofline should be judged on the basis of their effects on headroom and visibility as well as styling, and the styling should be appropriate to the type of vehicle. The best balance of form and function should be rewarded."
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| Nissan's daring Murano 'crossover' SUV takes home the Canadian Truck of the Year prize, marking the first time both awards have been granted to a single automaker. (Photo: Nissan) |
To get to top spot the 350Z had to beat out two of its siblings, the new Infiniti G35 and Nissan Murano 'crossover' SUV. The latter didn't loose out completely mind you, taking Canadian Truck of the Year honors. The sexy new 350Z coupe was also voted Canadian Car of the Year - Nissan won this title last year with its Altima making this the first time in the AJAC award's 19-year history that a single manufacturer has taken titles back to back.
Speaking of breaking no automaker has ever won both Canadian Car and Truck of the Year awards in the same year either. Nissan and Infiniti, the latter having just passed archrival Lexus in sales, are definitely on a roll.
"To say we are thrilled is a huge understatement," stated Brad Bradshaw, president of Nissan Canada Inc. "This is clear testimony that Nissan is designing and building the best vehicles in the industry."
Earlier in the competition the 350Z was awarded Best New Sports/Performance Car while the Best New Sport Utility Vehicle Under $45,000 award went to the Murano.