Not to be outdone by the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards from the Detroit Auto Show, the organizers of the 2010 New York Auto Show are heavily promoting their own ‘World’ and ‘Performance’ titles and today revealed the winners for this year’s awards.

A total of 31 cars made up the original list of candidates for the 2010 World Car category, while 15 cars made up the list for the 2010 Performance Car category, but now just one car for each category has been picked.

Taking out the 2010 World Car of the Year title was the Volkswagen Polo. The jurors observed that, “Holding its own in the most competitive market segment, the all-new Polo MkV is one of Volkswagen’s star performers. Boasting best-in-segment packaging and handling, this supermini’s blend of classy looks, reliability and quality has meant it’s consistently been one the market’s best-sellers. Draped in head-turning stylish curves, the Polo is certainly one of the classiest small Volkswagens ever built. It’s also safe--generating a maximum five-star Euro NCAP crash-test rating. Behind the wheel, the Polo demonstrates mature manners and boasts a superb driving position that’s adjustable and, in common with the latest Golf, all the controls are well weighted and precise. The Polo is just one brilliant supermini.”

As for the 2010 World Performance Car of the Year title, that award went to the Audi R8 V10. The jurors observed that, “In the opinion of many a judge on the World Car Awards jury, Audi has at long last satisfied our hunger for a street car that lives up to the excitement of the original Le Mans series-dominating R8 LMP1 car that changed the endurance racing game starting in the 2000 season. This civilian trim uber R8 shares the 5.2-liter engine and chassis of the more powerful and lighter Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, so that we all really liked driving it this year should come as little surprise. With 525 metric horsepower and a big exhaust note, this Audi has been clocked to a 60-mph acceleration time of just 3.4 seconds by several publications worldwide. Almost as impressive as the minimum $150,000 those fortunate enough get to pay for one.”

Now in their seventh year, the World and Performance Car of the Year awards are an independent global accreditation to name the best new car on the market, as selected by a voter group made up of established automotive journalists from around the globe.

To be eligible, a car has to be in production and sold in at least five countries and on two continents, which meant many American manufactured cars didn't make the list. The final winners were picked by a team of 59 judges and announced today at the New York event.

Also running once again for this year’s event are the additional World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year awards, which went to the Volkswagen BlueMotion range (Passat, Golf and Polo) and the Chevrolet Camaro, respectively.