Holden/HSV Has 13 Cars Nominated For 2006 'Wheels Car Of The Year' Awards

[JoeT]

Wheels Names Its COTY Day

Wheels Staff
21 December 2006
www.wheels.ninemsn.com.au

The wheels are in motion for Wheels’ big announcement, which comes after 50 variants of 21 new models were tested over six long days.

Wheels magazine will announce the winner of its 2006 Wheels Car of the Year award at an industry function in Melbourne on the evening of Tuesday, January 23.

The eagerly-awaited winner will be drawn from the field of 21 new models that Wheels’ judges nominated to go through to the magazine’s gruelling six-day test program.

In all, 50 variants of the 21 new vehicles short-listed for the award were put through their paces.

“This is to ensure that our judges drive a representative sample of the entire model range, rather than one stellar model, so that we can be sure the entire model range is worthy of Wheels’ coveted Car of the Year crown,” Wheels editor, Ged Bulmer said.

Wheels Car of the Year is Australia’s original new car award and the longest continuously-running award of its type in the world, having been first awarded in 1962 to the Renault R8.

From the top – and obviously in alphabetical order – this year’s list of Car Of The Year contenders and the variants tested by the Wheels judges is:

Alfa Romeo 159 JTD
Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
Audi Q7 4.2 FSI
Audi TT TFSI
Audi TT V6
BMW 325i Coupe
BMW 335i Coupe
Holden Captiva SX
Holden Captiva LX
Holden Captiva Maxx
Holden Commodore VE Omega
Holden Commodore Berlina (LPG)
Holden Commodore Calais
Holden Commodore Calais V
Holden Commodore SV6
Holden Commodore SS V
Holden WM Statesman V6
Holden WM Caprice V8
HSV Clubsport R8
HSV GTS
Honda Civic Vti 1.8L
Honda Civic Sport 2.0L
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Legend V6
Hyundai Elantra Elite
Hyundai Elantra Elite S
Hyundai Santa Fe SX
Hyundai Santa Fe SLX
Mazda CX-7
Mitsubishi Outlander LS
Mitsubishi Outlander VR
Mitsubishi Colt CC
Mitsubishi Colt CC Turbo
Porsche Cayman 2.7
Porsche Cayman S (manual)
Porsche Cayman S (tiptronic)
Mercedes S350
Mercedes S500
Toyota Aurion AT-X
Toyota Aurion Sportivo ZR6
Toyota Aurion Presara
Toyota Camry Altise
Toyota Camry Sportivo
Toyota Camry Grande
Toyota RAV-4 CV
Toyota RAV-4 Cruiser L
VW Passat TDI wagon
VW Passat TFSI sedan
VW Passat V6 4 Motion
Volvo C70 T5



Wheels’ Car Of The Year: What Won’t Win

Wheels Staff
17 December 2007
www.carpoint.com.au

Meet the rejects … the cars that didn’t make the grade as contenders for Australia’s biggest new car award.

The award car-makers most want to win – Wheels Magazine’s Car Of The Year – will be announced in Melbourne next week.

The coveted award will be presented at an industry function in Melbourne on Tuesday night, January 23. Wheels Magazine’s big February Car Of The Year issue goes on sale Australia-wide the following day.

Wheels Car Of The Year will be presented for the 44th time. The award was established in 1962, making it the longest continuously-running award of its type in the world.

Commenting on the plethora of newspaper car of the year awards that have sprung up in the interim, Wheels editor Ged Bulmer said: “If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we are indeed chuffed that 44 years after the inaugural Wheels Car Of The Year, Australian newspapers are at last getting on board with the idea.

“Perhaps, if they spend as long at it as we have, they’ll eventually iron out their bugs.”

In a marked departure from most other car of the year awards, Wheels lists the 2006 new models which didn’t make the cut … and tells why.

The 13 rejected models – together with Wheels’ reasons for rejecting them – were:

1. Dodge Caliber. “Poor ergonomics, packaging, quality, performance and handling.”

2. Fiat Punto. “Attractive exterior design, but too-big prices for too-small engines doesn’t add up to value in our view. Dynamics not great, and rear seat isn’t as roomy as it should be.”

3. Kia Magentis. “The Kia formerly known as Optima, is actually a Hyundai Sonata with different skin. Not good enough…”

4. Volkswagen Caddy Life. “There’s lots to like about the sub-$30K starting price of this seven-seater, but its delivery van origins compromise its dynamics.”

5. Subaru Tribeca. “A disappointing effort from Subaru, as the Tribeca lacks the performance and handling we’ve come to expect. Third row is very cramped, too.”

6. Ssangyong Kyron. “This Korean compact SUV has a surprisingly refined diesel engine, but doesn’t impress in any other way.”
7. Mercedes-Benz R-Class. “Big on the outside, not so roomy inside. Dynamics only mediocre, despite high prices.”

8. Hyundai Grandeur. “A fine car … until you drive it. Drivetrain, interior quality and roominess impress, but steering and suspension are all at sea on typical Australian roads.”

9. Hyundai Accent. “While this is the most mature car to wear the Accent badge so far, it’s outclassed by Japanese competitors for refinement and all-round ability.”

10. Jeep Commander. “Big Jeep has suspension and interior quality problems. Bravely boxy design affects visibility, too. High prices spell poor value.”

11. Peugeot 407 Coupe. “Coupes are supposed to be pretty, but the Peugeot is awkwardly proportioned and distractingly detailed. Like four-door 407, driving is marred by poor suspension calibration.”

12. Volkswagen Jetta. “… fails to deliver value and versatility of Golf hatch, on which it is based. Not a bad car, but not a serious contender either.”

13. Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. “Big brother to the Mercedes ML, the GL’s extra weight and size are significant handicaps. Visibility is poor, the rear suspension underdamped and the diesel engine struggles.”

[stevecmh]

Wow thats impressive. good Job Holden

[Gm786]

One word, WOW!!!

[EldoFan]

Damn.....that's a nice big list.

I take it Wheels is akin to our Motor Trend there??? (albeit with more objective writers....)

Am wishing Holden all the best

[paul3230]

I sure hope that Holden can pull it out! By the way, has anyone checked out the Silverado page? They've got the "motor trend truck of the year" on it already. I just love it..one more thorn in Toyota's Tundra launch

[chevydlrmn]

the only American manufacturer and more than any other. wow

[Aych Es Vee]

Originally Posted by chevydlrmn

the only American manufacturer and more than any other. wow

errr.... Australian Manufacturer*


.................

[asim]

Wow. Thats a whole crap load of Holdens!

[Turbo aufgelade]

looks like this car was worth every cent of that billion dollars spent on it, can't wait tell it comes over seas.

[commodorecoops]

Where's the V8 Berlina dammit? They should be testing the V8 in every model possible. Because it's the engine everyone seems to be buying.

If the Commodore doesn't win, it will be the HFV6 that lets it down.

[AusCalais]

...and not a Ford to be seen.

(not counting Mazda and Volvo)

[redimpss5]

Send some of those here.

[commodorecoops]

Originally Posted by AusCalais

...and not a Ford to be seen.

(not counting Mazda and Volvo)

That's only because all-new models are the only ones eligible. That's why there are no Fords. It's not because they're not good enough. Notice that they leave the Commodore SS out, which is the best value in the entire range, they test the Omega instead of the Omega V which is the same price but with alloys and air con, and they only test the three best Aurion models...

[Robert Ryan]

Actually Motor Trend is now very much like WHEELS. Why? as Angus Mackenzie the current editor of MOTOR TREND was a former WHEELS Editor.

[commodorecoops]

Originally Posted by Robert Ryan

Actually Motor Trend is now very much like WHEELS. Why? as Angus Mackenzie the current editor of MOTOR TREND was a former WHEELS Editor.

But Toyota has never won a Wheels COTY award.