Magazine Announces Its 2006 All-Stars Awards

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--Dec. 5, 2005--AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE, America's leading automotive lifestyle publication, today announced the winners of the 2006 AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE All-Stars Awards. Each year, the editors of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE convene to test, evaluate and debate the performance, significance and contributions of the vehicles and executives who have impacted the automotive industry the most. The prestigious list of deserving winners is featured in the 2006 January issue, available on newsstands December 13, 2005.

"The automotive industry this year has continued to raise the bar with new designs, new vehicles, and simply more surprises," said Jean Jennings, editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE. "This year we went back to basics and chose vehicles that were simply the best, no categories to take into account or pricing or even points - the goal this year was to assemble the perfect fleet."

The 2006 AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE top industry honors were awarded to:

-- Automobile of the Year: BMW 3-Series - The latest version of BMW's superior sport sedan drove off with this year's top award. The 3-series is a testament to BMW's commitment to excellence and to the company's long-term thinking. BMW has produced a car that is the gold standard for its class, something that all other automakers feel they have to measure up to. A car that continues to get better and better with every evolution.

-- Design of the Year: Pontiac Solstice - With brilliant Franz von Holzhausen styling, this is one of the rare concept cars that went into production and came out almost exactly the same. It's cool, it's smooth, it's exciting, and thanks to some clever engineering, it's a good drive, too.

-- Man of the Year: Wendelin Wiedekeng, Chairman, Porsche AG - He has transformed Porsche from a money loser to a winner, diversified Porsche's product line, and most importantly has produced fantastic vehicles.

-- Technology of the Year: BMW's Magnesium-Clad 3.0-Liter N52 Engine - Pundits are calling magnesium this century's 'wonder metal." BMW's astute material selection achieved a 24% weight reduction for the 3-Series, which saved 22 pounds and increased peak output by 30hp with no mileage loss. This earns BMW's twelfth-generation I-6 engine top honors.

The 2006 AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE All-Stars winning vehicles were:

-- All-Star: BMW M5- Aside from this car being insanely fast, this is the first ultra-exotic vehicle with a sedan body that can be driven every day.

-- All-Star: Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - One of the best performance cars ever made, the driver gets more speed and sheer energy for their dollar.

-- All-Star: Mini Cooper - This modestly priced, front-wheel drive hatchback with great fuel economy is actually an exotic sports car in disguise and yet can still function as simple transportation.

-- All-Star: Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - The ultimate boy racer, its lightweight, has quick responses, and is dominated by its engine.

-- All-Star: Porsche Boxster - This vehicle has been deemed the sports-car from heaven, with even more horsepower than last years - a whopping 276hp.

-- All-Star: Subaru Legacy - This vehicle plays multiple roles - sports sedan, all-weather family car, reasonably economical daily driver, giving itself well-deserved honors as an All-Star.

Criteria and Evaluation

The AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE All-Stars are chosen by the AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE staff, its worldwide bureau chiefs, and its contributors, following a week-long test drive of the year's most innovative and important new cars. Vehicles eligible to be considered for the Automobile of the Year award combine the following traits:

-- Redefines an existing category or creates a new market segment

-- Offers excellent value and performance for the money

-- Is an exceptional design

-- Offers pure driving enjoyment

The award decisions are not made through an instrumented test process. After the 1000-mile road trip, winners are determined by a round-table discussion that results in a vote for the winner.

About AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE

AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE, a PRIMEDIA Inc. publication, was founded in 1986 by veteran automotive journalist David E. Davis, Jr., and has a circulation of 550,000 and a total readership of 3.6 million. Recipient of more editorial awards than any other major automotive publication; AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE is designed to appeal to the interests of passionate automotive enthusiasts. Its diverse editorial mix includes behind-the-wheel experiences in the world's most fascinating cars, as well as personalities, travel destinations, automotive art, vintage cars and industry trends.