Autodealer Feature - SAGMJ/WesBank Car of the Year 2010

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The eight finalists for the 2010 SAGMJ/WesBank Car of the Year were unveiled at a breakfast event last week. The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 Turbo Petrol Audi Q5 2.0T S-Tronic Chevrolet Cruze 1.8 LS Hyundai i20 1.6 GLS Suzuki Alto 1.0 GLS Toyota Prius 1.8 ECVT Advanced Volkswagen Golf VI 1.4TSI 90kW Comfortline << WINNER!! Volvo XC60 3.0T Geartronic
The finalists were selected by vote which included full members and a jury made up of 30 selected members of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ). The competition, in its 25^th year, seeks to reward automotive excellence. The next step in the process is to determine the winner from a two-day test session to be held in February 2010 at the Gerotek test facility near Pretoria, where the cars will be assessed independently by jury members. The evaluation includes high speed dynamic assessment; an autokhana test to mark manoeuvrability; parking prowess and general ease of control; driving tests under various conditions on track and road, in town and on gravel - all the while taking fuel economy into account. A static evaluation of each finalist also contributes to the car’s score in terms of aesthetics, build quality and ergonomics, while considerations based on perceptions of value for money, cost of a spares’ basket, safety features and environmental friendliness contribute to overall points. Then there’s value for money to consider. What does the vehicle cost to run? Are parts expensive? What kind of fuel consumption figures does it return? How practical is the car? Is it equipped with all the comfort and user-friendly features you would expect at the quoted price? Is its performance worth the money? What innovations does it bring to the automotive mainstream? South Africa’s Car of the Year competition – sponsored for the past 25 years by wheels bank, WesBank, with additional support this year from Total, Hollard Insurance, Garmin and Varta – is unique in the world in that the victor is determined not by popular vote as in most countries, but by actual testing of the finalists to determine by what margins they meet criteria for COTY honours. While all the models are deemed to represent examples of outstanding automotive engineering, there can be only one winner and, in the eyes of the COTY jury, that model will epitomise all-round automotive excellence.


	While there is some controversy over the COTY finalists, this is nothing new to the competition. The fact of the matter is there are only eight places available and the people who vote (yes, a democratic voting process selects the finalists) are all respected motoring journalists. As it stands, there are a few contenders this year who could take the competition. However, two models stand out from the crowd and I would put money on the fact that either the Alfa Romeo MiTo or Hyundai i20 will take top honours.	"I would put money on the fact that either the Alfa Romeo MiTo or Hyundai i20 will take top honours." - Mark Holdsworth Autodealer Editor

	Like every year, predicting a winner in this year’s COTY competition won’t be an easy one, especially given the quality of contenders that made it into the finals. Bearing in mind that SA, like the rest of the world, is feeling the brunt of the recession, don’t be surprised to see a small car take the title. Thus, my money will be on Hyundai’s i20, while Suzuki’s Alto and Chevrolet’s Cruze could pip the i20 at the post. The i20 is well made, performs well and has good quality finishes - all at a sensible price. Much the same can be said for the Alto and Cruze, but if Kia’s Cerato had made the cut, a one-horse race might have been on the cards...	"...don’t be surprised to see a small car take the title." - Nick Bates Autodealer Web Editor

	While still boasting traditional Hyundai values like excellent value-for-money and class-leading specification, the company has now produced a B-segment hatch that is powered by a class-leading 1.6-litre petrol engine as well. And, as is often the case with Korean products, the standard Five-year 150 000km Warranty is unbeaten in it's segment too.	"Top of my list has to be the highly impressive Hyundai i20." - Tristan Wiggil Autodealer Motoring Journalist


	1986 Toyota Corolla Twin Cam 1987 Mercedes 260 1988 BMW 735i 1989 Toyota Corolla GLi Executive 1990 BMW 525i 1991 Opel Monza 160 GSi 1992 Nissan Maxima 300 SE 1993 BMW 316i 1994 Opel Kadett 140 1995 Opel Astra 160iS 1996 Audi A4 1,8 1997 BMW 528i	1998 Ford Fiesta Fun 1999 Alfa Romeo 156 T-Spark 2000 Renault Clio 1.4 RT 2001 BMW 320d 2002 Audi A4 1.9 TDI 2003 Polo TDI 2004 Renault Megane 1.9 dCi 2005 Volvo S40 2.4i 2006 Audi A3 Sportback 2.0T 2007 Honda Civic 1.8VXi Sedan 2008 Mazda2 1.5 Individual 2009 Honda Accord 2.4 Executive




With its name derived from two Italian cities, Milano and Torino, the Alfa MiTo has captured the hearts of the motoring fraternity around the country. Its 1.4-litre turbocharged mill provides plenty of fun while keeping fuel consumption low and its funky and eccentric looks literally scream Italian design. With 99 years of Alfa Romeo sporting heritage behind it, the MiTo should perform well in this year’s competition. And at just R245 200 it deserves too.



Baby brother to the Q7, the Audi Q5 is surprisingly capable outdoors. A premium product, it oozes quality and style and sports some rather impressive technology, too. A strong draw card is its revised turbocharged petrol engine, which produces a healthy 350Nm of maximum torque from 1 500rpm. Carbon emissions levels are also pretty good – 197g/100km. Price may present a problem, though, as many of the nicer features are cost options.






The recently launched Cruze is Chev’s answer to the C-segment and it’s certainly a step in the right direction. Build and ride quality is good, but there’s still a way to go, particularly in the engine department while consumption also needs to be addressed, particularly in the case of the 1.8 litre model. It’s pretty roomy inside and has a good specification list, but there are a few options on which buyers have to fork out unnecessary cash. Price and quality are two very strong points, while it got flying colours in the latest bout of Euro NCAP tests.





As hatches go, Hyundai’s i20 has to be one of the finds on showroom floors this year. This perky run-around is very well built and an absolute pleasure to drive, both in an urban or country environment. Typically Hyundai, its high-spec makes it an extremely competitive player in this market, while good table manners add to its credentials, as does an exceptionally good maintenance plan and warranty.






Not only is the Alto the smallest of the finalists, but at R119 900 it’s also the cheapest. Its 996cc three- cylinder engine is more than capable of getting you around town at a fair pace while contrary to belief, handles longer trips with ease, too. Air conditioning is standard as is ABS and dual airbags, but skimping on a front passenger electric window control on the driver's side might be seen as a cheap shot by the jurors. Central locking and a CD/Radio combo are part of its makeup too, while frugal travelling will count strongly in its favour.








With its technologically advanced Hybrid Synergy Drive system the Toyota Prius is not only one of the most sophisticated cars available today, it is also the most environmentally friendly vehicle in South Africa – emitting on 94g/km of carbon, no NoX gases and using a claimed 4.1 litres/100km. A five star EuroNCAP rating and Britain’s Green Car of the Year title round up the reason why it is a finalist in the 2010 SAGMJ/WesBank Car of the Year.








Having sold 26 million of the derivative over the years, Volkswagen is understandably proud of its Golf. The TSI engine technology used in the new Golf was crowned as the International Engine of the Year in 2009 and the model received five stars in the EuroNCAP test. Still at the top of its game, many motoring scribes regard the Golf as the most accomplished car in its segment with an all-round driveability second to none.





Volvo’s entry displays a dramatic and exciting new design approach, and blends traditional Volvo attributes of comfort and functionality with dynamic road-holding and stability. A stand-out feature is City Safety, which automatically brakes the car at speeds of up to 30km/h, if required, to avoid a stationary vehicle. Pricing, when considering engine specification (3.0-litre turbo producing 210kW and 400Nm), is also keen when compared to similar competitors.