Video: Two electrics among three world car contenders

If the press release is to be believed, the air is crackling with excitement all over the world as the naming of the 2021 World Car of the Year approaches.

That propitious day will come on April 20 – yes, just three calendar weeks away – when the “jury of 93 distinguished international automotive journalists” reveals it decision.

In the meantime award organisers are trying to whip up announcement fever by revealing the three contenders for the big prize.

The trio, selected by the band of 93 using a secret ballot and “based on their evaluation of each eligible vehicle as part of their professional work,” was announced from Toronto Canada this Tuesday.

The World Car of the Year 2021 contenders are: the electric Honda-e, the Toyota Yaris, and Volkswagen (or should that be Voltswagen) ID.4 all-electric SUV.

There are category finalists too.

Chasing the gong in the World Urban car category are the Honda-e, the Honda Jazz/Fit, and the Yaris.

Step up to the World Luxury Car category and you find the Land Rover Defender (a category its predecessor could never have competed in), the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and the electric Polestar 2.

The three contenders for the World Performance Car are the Audi RS Q8, the Porsche 911 Turbo, and the giant-killing Toyota GR Yaris.

Then we get to the final category, the World Car Design of the Year, where the contenders are: the Honda-e, the Defender, and Mazda’s electric-powered  MX-30 crossover SUV.