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MOTOR TREND Announces 2016 "Of The Year" WinnersLOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, for the first time in the brand's 66-year history, MOTOR TREND announced winners of the Golden Calipers for Car of the Year, Truck of the Year, SUV of the Year, and Person of the Year at a red-carpet gala in front of an audience of industry insiders and celebrity guests. The awards show was also streamed live on the MOTOR TREND Channel on YouTube, with 3.5 million subscribers the world's largest automotive video channel, and on MOTOR TREND OnDemand, the brand's new subscription video on demand (SVOD) channel. A replay of the event broadcast is available for free at motortrendondemand.com.  "What an amazing evening! We made history tonight with our announcements of Car, Truck, SUV, and Person of the Year," says Edward Loh, editor-in-chief of MOTOR TREND. "We are honored to present these coveted awards to the well-deserving winners." All vehicular "Of the Year" contenders were selected by MOTOR TREND judges and evaluated against six key criteria: advancement in design, engineering excellence, safety, efficiency, value, and performance of intended function. The Person of the Year was chosen from MOTOR TREND's annual Power List of the automotive industry's 50 most influential people. The awards in detail: 2016 MOTOR TREND Car of the Year Winner: 2016 Chevrolet Camaro Fifteen all-new or significantly updated cars were eligible for MOTOR TREND'S 2016 Car of the Year award. After a week of instrumented testing at Hyundai's California Proving Grounds, seven finalists were selected: Audi TT, BMW 7 Series, Chevrolet Camaro, Honda Civic, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mercedes-Benz GT S, and Toyota Mirai. These vehicles were then subjected to hundreds of miles of real-world road loops before MOTOR TREND's nine judges voted the all-new Chevrolet Camaro the 2016 MOTOR TREND Car of the Year. Based on General Motor's stellar Alpha platform architecture, the completely redesigned sixth-generation Camaro is sharper looking inside and out and has the latest in technology, including Apple CarPlay and 4G LTE Wi-Fi. It's a car built for driving enthusiasts, one that is hundreds of pounds lighter than the previous generation and available with a new, high-tech, turbocharged 275-horsepower four-cylinder engine, a sporty, yet fuel-efficient 335-horsepower V-6, or a blistering 455-horsepower V-8. "Our 016 Car of the Year, the Chevrolet Camaro, is one of the finest driving vehicles in the world at any price," said Loh, "though its price is well within reach of the average consumer." 2016 MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year Winner: 2016 Chevrolet Colorado After a week of on-road and off-road evaluation, plus instrumented testing with payloads and trailers attached, MOTOR TREND judges named the Chevrolet Colorado the 2016 MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year for the second year in a row. The 2016 Colorado stood out from a field of six finalists for its effortless performance in every towing, payload, and driving test MOTOR TREND's judges threw its way. Even when loaded with hundreds of pounds of payload, towing thousands of pounds, or climbing steep grades, the Colorado felt calm and relaxed. For 2016 Colorado features an optional class-exclusive 2.8-liter inline-four Duramax diesel, which gives it best-in-class towing of 7,700 pounds and phenomenal fuel economy; 31 mpg highway according to the EPA test cycle. "Our Truck of the Year is not only stylish and capable on-road and off, it recorded the highest fuel economy numbers we've ever seen, when equipped with its class-exclusive diesel engine," said Jason Cammisa, senior features editor and presenter of the award. 2016 MOTOR TREND SUV of the Year Winner: Volvo XC90 For the first time ever, there were more SUVs in contention for SUV of the Year than cars for Car of the Year, a fact that speaks to the caliber of this year's competition. After days of on-road and off-road evaluation, our judges pared a field of 16 all-new or significantly updated SUVs to five finalists. Longer drive loops and closer inspection confirmed the 2016 MOTOR TREND SUV of the Year to be the Volvo XC90. The XC90 impressed with its all-new chassis and powerful, yet efficient, gasoline and hybrid powertrains. MOTOR TREND judges also gave the XC90 high marks for its stunning exterior and interior design and full complement of high-technology entertainment and safety features. "The Volvo XC90 is one of the most handsome SUVs on the road," said Jonny Lieberman, MOTOR TREND senior features editor, SUV of the Year judge, and presenter of the award. "And it's as capable off-road as it is a delight to drive on-road; seven-passenger people movers aren't supposed to drive like this." 2016 MOTOR TREND Person of the Year Winner: Thomas Doll, Subaru of America President and Chief Operating Officer Since his start at Subaru in 1982, Doll has transformed the Subaru brand from a once-quirky car company to a now mainstream lifestyle choice, amplifying Subaru's focus on affordable, well-equipped, and quietly capable symmetrical all-wheel-drive cars and crossovers. Under Doll's leadership, Subaru of America is entering its eighth year of consecutive record sales and has tripled its U.S. sales since 2007. Subaru of America is expected to reach close to 600,000 sales in 2015, with only a lack of inventory preventing the company from selling more. Doll has led the company from 19th in industry sales to the top 10, now outselling brands such as VW, Mazda, BMW, and Buick. "By any measure, the business Tom Doll leads is an outstanding success," said Angus MacKenzie, MOTOR TREND editor-at-large and chief content officer for TEN: The Enthusiast Network. "And he is the person whose unique vision and quiet leadership made it happen." Complete details on the contenders, finalists, and winners can be found at MOTOR TREND's newly redesigned website, www.motortrend.com. Visit MOTOR TREND's media asset site at press.motortrend.com for downloadable PR materials including press releases, logos, B-roll video, and photos for Car, Truck, SUV and Person of the Year awards. About MOTOR TREND About Motor Trend OnDemand About TEN: The Enthusiast Network CONTACT: Rob Quigley, Senior PR and Social Media Manager, Marketing, TEN: The Enthusiast Network, [email protected] or 310-363-4086 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150817/258789LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motor-trend-announces-2016-of-the-year-winners-300179835.html SOURCE MOTOR TREND 
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