The Volkswagen Up! was named “World Car of the Year 2012″ today at the New York International Auto Show.

VW’s smallest car was the top vote-getter from a jury of 66 top automotive journalists from 25 countries, beating the BMW 3 Series and Porsche 911.

“This award shows once again that in the Up! our designers and engineers have created a vehicle that has been thought through in minute detail. A vehicle that sets standards in its class for efficient use of space, safety, motoring fun and environmental compatibility,” said Martin Winterkorn, Chariman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG.

“The little Volkswagen Up! has altered what we have come to expect from the citycar segment,” was the jurors’ comment. “Of note are the responsive steering, sophisticated suspension setup, new efficient engines and the quality of materials and finish. Never before in this economy segment have owners felt so premium. Look for every builder of citycars to up its game just to compete with the new VW.”

Soon after it went on the market last December, the Up! became a favorite with German carbuyers. It received a top score of five points from the Euro NCAP consumer protection organization, which also gave the Up! an ‘Advanced Award’ for its city emergency braking system. The highly regarded iF Design Institute in Hannover gave the little Volkswagen its “iF Design Gold Award.” The Up! has to also won the ‘2011 Goldene Lenkrad’ (Golden Steering Wheel) in Germany and three awards from British motoring magazine What Car?: Car of the Year; City Car 2012; and the Safety Award.

On a small 135.8-inch by 64.6-inch footprint the Up! provides maximum space for four people or very little space for 16 (see photo). The Up! uses a new generation of gasoline-fueled, three-cylinder engines delivering 60 and 70 horsepower. The engines are also available with the VW’s environmentally friendly BlueMotion Technology which can yield up to 63 miles per gallon in highway driving and 56 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving (one-liter, 75 horsepower engine measured on the European cycle, converted from liters per 100 kilometers consumption).

This was the eighth year for the World Car of the Year program. Volkswagen has received the award three times, for the Up! in 2012, the Polo in 2010 and the Golf in 2009. Other winners include the Nissan Leaf in 2011, the Mazda2 in 2008, the Lexus LS460 in 2007, the BMW 3-Series in 2006, and the Audi A6 in 2005.

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