Porsche 911 is World Performance Car of the Year

The Porsche 911 has been voted 2012 World Performance Car of the Year by an international jury of 64 automotive journalists.

The Porsche sportscar triumphed over a total of 19 cars, narrowed down to a shortlist of three that included the McLaren MP4-12C and the Lamborghini Aventador.

The award was presented at the New York International Auto Show and Porsche president and CEO Matthias Muller said it was yet another mark of the new 991 911’s success – and also the most prestigious the car has won so far.

“The new 911 received its first award only a short time after it was launched in December 2011.

“Since then there have been many more. But this international important prize is certainly the high-water mark to date.”

The announcement of the award is particularly fitting too, following the death of Porsche 911 designer Ferdinand Porsche.

The World Performance Car of the Year title is the perfect tribute for the man who created the world’s most famous and long-lived sportscar.

The Volkswagen Up! is the overall World Car of the Year winner, the Range Rover Evoque is the World Car Design of the Year and the Mercedes S 250 CDI BlueEfficiency is the World Green Car of the Year.