The online poll for the Most Beautiful Car of 2012, run by Eurosport, Festival Automobile International, J. C. Decaux, Bell & Ross, Le Point and Automobiles Classiques, has been won by the new, W176-series Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse.
   In second place was the third-generation Mazda Atenza, followed by the Renault Clio IV and the BMW 3er-Reihe Touring.
   Dropping out in earlier rounds of voting were the Opel Adam, the Peugeot 208 and the Mini Paceman.
   The new Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse is a departure from the innovative hatchback that originally débuted in the late 1990s. The new model is a more conventionally engineered car, losing the clever space efficiency and sandwich floor that made the original A a landmark model.
   It is sleeker and more aerodynamic, challenging established rivals such as the BMW 1er-Reihe and Audi A3. In terms of sportiness, the new car is far more eye-catching, with its sculpted sides and more aggressive stance, in line with how German design is evolving.
   Online voters participated in the competition between December 6, 2012 and January 20, 2013.