Connected World Magazine Taps Top Auto Companies with Connected Car of the Year Awards

CAROL STREAM, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ford, Chrysler, Cadillac, and Audi are bringing drivers into the future, according to Connected World magazine. The publication today announced the winners of its first Connected Car of the Year awards.

“And, as consumers, we also want to be connected in a distraction-free environment. The connected cars named as winners for 2012 are certainly providing these options, and so much more.”

There was a time when communicating with your vehicle, and having it communicate with you, was an idea that only seemed possible if your name was Michael Knight and you had a car like K.I.T.T. parked in your driveway. But, now, as automobile companies present drivers with in-vehicle systems like Ford SYNC and MyFordTouch, Chrysler Uconnect, Cadillac CUE, and Audi connect, these innovative brands have made that far-off idea today’s reality.

“If you were to compare the requirements of today’s car enthusiast to one from the 1960s or 1970s, it would seem as if they were each speaking two different languages,” says Peggy Smedley, editorial director, Connected World. “What was once a discussion about dual exhaust and mag wheels has now become a discussion about safety and convenience. Rather than just looking for power, speed, and performance, this now means turn-by-turn directions, voice-activated controls, and precollision systems. Car buyers now want it all under one hood and in the cabin.”

The Connected Car of the Year awards honor vehicles with technology that strike the right balance of safety, convenience, and infotainment. Chosen by the editorial team at Connected World magazine, the winners for 2012 were named in the categories of small, mid-size, luxury, and ultra-luxury.

The 2012 Connected Car of the Year winners are:

Ford Focus (Small)

Chrysler 300 (Mid-Size)

Cadillac XTS (Luxury)

Audi A8 (Ultra-Luxury)

“Drivers have reached a point in which they are looking for a vehicle that is safe and reliable, and can keep them connected while on the road, just as they are able to while in the office or in their homes,” says Mike Carrozzo, chief editor, Connected World. “And, as consumers, we also want to be connected in a distraction-free environment. The connected cars named as winners for 2012 are certainly providing these options, and so much more.”

To learn more about the Connected Car of the Year, please visit www.connectedworldmag.com/ccoy

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About Connected World magazine

Connected World is the definitive resource on connectivity trends and mobile lifestyles. The magazine and Website are the authoritative voice that set the direction for influential individuals looking to take innovation and emerging technology to the next level. By shaping the way readers embrace connected devices, Connected World helps make the present look more like the future. www.connectedworldmag.com