Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com Names Porsche 911 '2012 Best Redesigned Vehicle'

Kbb.com Editors Name Top 10 Redesigned Vehicles of 2012

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Dec 08, 2011, 05:00 ET

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used vehicle information, today announces the 2012 Porsche 911 has been named 2012 Best Redesigned Vehicle (http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/10-best-redesigned-cars-for-2012).

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#1: 2012 Porsche 911
http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/2012-porsche-911-carrera-first-drive-brand-spanking-familiar/

Redesigning an icon like the Porsche 911 is tricky business, but the latest rendition deftly walks that tightrope. The 911's exterior and interior have tastefully evolved, supported by enhanced performance, improved economy and clever engineering to make the 2012 Porsche 911 a compelling sports car, worthy heir to the 911 throne and our Best Redesigned Car for 2012.

"Porsche's designers and engineers were faced with the very difficult task of redesigning an icon while keeping all the aspects that made an icon intact," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "They accomplished that task and more, creating a car that looks and handles better than its predecessor and is more fuel-efficient to boot."

The Best Redesigned Vehicle accolade honors the vehicle that best demonstrates improvement and superiority relative to its predecessor and competitors. In judging, the kbb.com editors consider exterior and interior styling, technology, comfort and convenience features, performance/capability, driving dynamics, safety, fuel economy, overall refinement and, of course, value.

What is the Best Redesigned Vehicle? One way to describe it is the model that got the best complete makeover. It's the existing car, truck, minivan or SUV whose team of designers, product planners and engineers did the best job of plastic surgery, transforming what was into something much better.

Top 10 Best Redesigned Vehicles of 2012

#10: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

You want magic? The 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK delivers. The new SLK's interior is lavish, its exterior is sexier and sportier than ever, and the open-air freedom of a retractable hardtop convertible is always captivating. But the neatest SLK trick of all is the available Magic Sky Control roof glass that tints from crystal clear to a dark-smoked tint at the touch of a button.

#9: 2012 Ford Focus

The Ford Focus has been more than just redesigned for 2012; it's been reworked, restyled and completely changed from the model it replaces. It takes cues from other countries, incorporating a European look and feel, Japanese fuel economy and in-cabin technologies that rival both, but doesn't stray from its American roots.

#8: 2012 Toyota Camry

America's best-selling car for the past nine years gets a well-focused remake, highlighted by an absolutely brilliant new iteration of its mileage-maxing Hybrid model. Bolder looks, more comfortable seating and an even-longer roster of standard features on this recast mid-size sedan are complemented by improved fuel economy, significantly better handling and a stronger emphasis on value pricing that extends across the entire Camry lineup.

#7: 2012 Honda Civic

The latest version of the Honda Civic is proof that even if something isn't broken, it can still be fixed. More updated than fixed, actually, with a new look both inside and out, higher fuel efficiency and five different iterations to fit just about everyone.

#6: 2012 BMW 6 Series

Yes, it now offers an adjustable suspension to better fulfill the luxo-sport promise of its grand tourer design. And yes, the passenger cabin is higher-style and higher-tech than before. But it's the new sheet metal – particularly the sleeker and sportier rear end – that solidifies for the new 6 series a spot on this list.

For the entire list of Best Redesigned Vehicles of 2012 from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, visit http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/10-best-redesigned-cars-for-2012/.

Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Best Redesigned Vehicle Winners from Year's Past

2012 Porsche 911

2011 Honda Odyssey

2010 Ford Taurus

2009 Ford F-150

2008 Chevrolet Malibu

2007 Chevrolet Silverado

2006 Honda Civic

2005 Ford Mustang

2004 Ford F-150

For more information and news from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com/media/, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kelleybluebook (or @kelleybluebook), or like our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kbb.

About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies. Kbb.com provides consumer pricing and information on minivans, pickup-trucks, sedan, hybrids, electric cars, and SUVs. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.