IRVINE — Kelley Blue Book’s Kbb.com announced that the 2012 Porsche 911 was named the 2012 Best Redesigned Vehicle, giving the iconic sports car high marks for its exterior and interior design, enhanced performance, improved economy and clever engineering.

“Porsche’s designers and engineers were faced with the very difficult task of redesigning an icon while keeping all the aspects that made it an icon intact,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst, 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, according to the Website. 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 value, reported F&I and Showroom magazine.

Other vehicles making Top 10 list were the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class (No. 10), the 2012 Ford Focus (No. 9), the 2012 Toyota Camry (No. 8), the 2012 Honda Civic (No. 7) and the 2012 BMW 6 Series (No. 6).