Volkswagen Golf named World Car of the Yea

It beat out a raft of performance cars

NEW YORK -- A fun little hatchback beat out a raft of performance cars Thursday to win honors as the 2013 World Car of the Year at the big auto show here.

The new seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf -- on sale in Europe but NOT due on sale in the U.S. until sometime next year as 2015 model -- beat out finalists Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Porsche Boxster, and the combined entry of the near-identical Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ sports cars, to win the award.

The new Golf's U.S. version was unveiled here at the New York Auto Show even though it's a ways off.We gave you full details of the Golf's coming new U.S. version here.

The first Golf rolled out in 1974.

It was second consecutive win for Volkswagen. Last year, it scored with its innovative Up! minicar, another vehicle that can't yet be bought by American consumers.

"To win this award again shows that the Golf is, and remains, in a class of its own all around the world," says Chairman Martin Winterkorn. "This car sets new benchmarks again and again, not least in terms of efficiency and environmental credentials."

World Car Awards jurors said the Golf is roomy for its exterior size. It also got credit for being practical and comfortable. Wrote the judges: "If ever there was a car for Everyman, the Golf is it."

The awards are chosen by a panel of 66 journalists from 23 countries.