BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo F07 Wins Ward's Auto Interior of the Year Award

Ward's Auto Interior of the Year Awards, North America's only honors for excellence in automotive interiors, have been announced for 2010. The list features winners in pricing and vehicle type categories, as well as special award winners for design, versatility and brand expression.

The 2010 Ward's Auto Interior of the Year winners are:
* Subaru Outback (Popular-priced car under $29,999)
* Infiniti M56 (Premium-priced car)
* Lexus HS 250h (Hybrid car)
* Chevrolet Camaro (Sports car)
* Chevrolet Equinox (Popular-priced truck under $39,999)
* Volvo XC60 (Premium-priced truck)
* Acura ZDX (Design Breakthrough)
* Mazdaspeed3 (Brand Expression)
* BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo (Design Versatility)
* Porsche Panamera (Inspired Design)


"For years, the focus on safety and functionality has given us drab, uninspired vehicle interiors," said Ward's AutoWorld Editor-in-Chief Drew Winter. "This year's winners show style and original design is becoming as important inside the vehicle as it already is to the sheet metal outside."

A team of eight Ward's editors evaluated 40 vehicles that have either all-new or significantly upgraded interiors this year. The vehicles – both car and truck – were divided into segments, with one winner named in each category. In addition, Ward's bestowed special awards for outstanding achievements in key areas. Having both designations allowed judges to rank vehicles against the entire field, regardless of segment and price. Judging criteria included aesthetics and design harmony, comfort, driver information, ergonomics, fit and finish, materials, safety and overall value.


BMW Press Release
The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo has won the 2010 Ward’s Auto Interior of the Year award for Design Versatility. This unique automobile was designed to expand on the original gran turismo concept, which was a luxurious and sporty car for two with room for luggage. The 5 Series Gran Turismo offers luxury seating for four (or five) with plenty of room for luggage. For those times when larger items will be along for the ride, it offers maximum flexibility including a two-piece tailgate.

“We’re very pleased to receive this award,” said Jim O’Donnell, President and CEO of BMW of North America. “With the 5 Series Gran Turismo, our engineers and designers set out to create a vehicle that combined first-class seating for four with the utmost in flexibility for storage options. This award for Design Versatility shows just how well they hit that target.”

The 2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo, with its twin-turbo V8, arrived in US showrooms in December. The 2010 535i Gran Turismo arrives this month featuring BMW’s all-new tubocharged inline six. Both models use BMW’s newest 8-speed automatic transmission and, like all BMWs include BMW Ultimate Service with free scheduled maintenance for the first four-years or 50,000 miles.

I'm shocked that Audi didn't win any interior design awards.