Autoweek Editors' Choice Awards and Automotive News Concept Car Awards Announced at Design Forum Ceremony

     DETROIT, Jan. 8, 2003; The best of the best displayed at the 2003
North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) and throughout the past year at
auto shows around the world were honored this evening at the AutoWeek Design
Forum at Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center, Detroit, Mich.
    The AutoWeek Editors' Choice Awards were announced by AutoWeek Editor and
Associate Publisher Dutch Mandel and the Automotive News Concept Car of the
Year Awards were revealed by Automotive News Executive Editor and Associate
Publisher Peter Brown during the Design Forum's dinner program.
    The winning vehicles in the AutoWeek Editors' Choice Awards, as selected
from the 2003 NAIAS by the magazine's editorial staff, are:

    Most Fun - Aston Martin V8 Vantage:  "Put a 4.3-liter V8 in a tidy sports
car package, trim it out in beautiful detail and they'll make enthusiasts
salivate," said AutoWeek Executive Editor Kevin Wilson.  "Applying traditional
Aston Martin themes in new ways on a smaller scale, designer Henrik Fiskar has
shaped an alluring body for this challenger to the Porsche 911 and Ferrari 360
Modena.  With an expected price in the low $100,000 range, it's a third less
expensive than the company's other two models with their V12 engines, bringing
the company's design and performance into reach of more consumers.  As for us,
we can't wait to drive it."

    Best Concept - Ford 427:  "With a big-displacement engine out in front of
the driver, plenty of room inside and plenty of power to the rear wheels, the
427 concept reminds us what was best about the American family sedan," said
Wilson.  "It's the leading indicator of a trend in Detroit to celebrate its
own strengths.  The 427-cubic inch engine displacement has pleasant
associations for muscle-car fans, though this engine is a V10 rather than the
V8 of yore."

    Most Significant - Mustang GT:  "Technically a concept car, this is really
a thinly disguised preview of the Mustang that Ford is preparing for 2004.
Its significance resides in the way it recaptures the original spirit of
Mustang of the late 1960s," said Wilson.  "Updated for the 21st century both
mechanically and in design detail, this car will keep the pony car magic alive
after many had given up on the notion.  A true American cultural icon, an all-
new Mustang is as significant a turn of events for car enthusiasts as was the
revival of the Mini or the New Beetle."

    Best in Show - Cadillac Sixteen:  "Five or 10 years from now when we look
at the '03 North American International Auto Show, this is the car we will
remember as its star," said Wilson.  "Taking a cue from the V16 Cadillac
engine of the 1930s, GM's team put a stunner on the show floor.  Exactly the
kind of bold stroke Cadillac needs to make, and keep making, to re-establish
itself amongst the world's premier automakers, the Sixteen arrives at just the
right time, in the same show with the U.S. debuts of the Mercedes-Benz
Maybach, the Bentley GT and the Rolls Royce Phantom.  Even in this company,
Cadillac can hold its head high with this knock-out concept car."

    The Automotive News Concept Car of the Year Awards celebrate the leading
concept styles and vehicles unveiled at auto shows around the world over the
past year.  Innovation, production feasibility, production cost and consumer
value are considered in selecting the finalists.

    Winners of the fifth annual Automotive News Concept Car of the Year Awards
are:

    Interior Concept:
      1st place -    Renault Ellypse
      2nd place -    Bertone SKF Novanta
      3rd place -    Citroen C-Airdream

    Exterior Concept:
      1st place -    Italdesign Alfa Romeo Brera
      2nd place -    Cadillac Cien
      3rd place -    Citroen C-Airdream

    Environmental Concept:
      1st place -    GM Hy-Wire
      2nd place -    Bertone SKF Novanta
      3rd place -    Opel Concept M

    Concept Car of the Year:
      1st place -    Italdesign Alfa Romeo Brera
      2nd place -    GM Hy-wire
      3rd place -    Renault Ellypse

    "We're seeing some incredibly cool designs on the floor of the world's
most important auto shows.  These vehicles really get the juices flowing for
car people," said Brown.  "More than ever, the automakers are showing us
concepts that are really possible as production vehicles.  It's a blast for
our judges to be able to recognize the coolest as Automotive News Concept Cars
of the Year."
    The AutoWeek Design Forum is a day-long event geared to automotive and
non-automotive professionals and students.  Held in conjunction with the
NAIAS, the program features presentations by leading design professionals.
The tenth annual Design Forum and the Automotive News Concept Car of the Year
Awards were sponsored by Johnson Controls, Inc.  Deloitte & Touche, Immersion,
Michelin, City of Sunderland and The Underground World Corp. were additional
event sponsors.
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