AutoExpress - 2006 Honours (includes COTY)

[Bruce]

AutoExpress Awards

Orignal Link - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Roadster: Mazda MX5 Miata
Runner Up: Porsche Boxster & Nissan 350Z



Convertible: Vauxhall Astra Twin Top
Runner Up: Jaguar XK8 Cabriolet, Volvo C70, Audi A4 Cabriolet



Sporting Car: Porsche Cayman S
Runner Up: Audi B7 RS4, Nissan 350Z



Hot Hatch: Ford Focus ST
Runner Up: Skoda Octavia vRS, Volkswagen Golf GTi



4X4 Off Roader: Land Rover Discovery 3
Runner Up: Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz ML-Class



Luxury Car: Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Runner Up: Audi A8, Bentley Flying Spur



Executive Car: BMW 5 Series
Runner Up: Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class



Compact Executive: BMW 3 Series
Runner Up: Alfa Romeo 159, Audi A4



Compact Family Car: Honda Civic
Runner Up: Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf



Family Car: Volkswagen Passat
Runner Up: Honda Accord, Skoda Octavia



SuperMini: Renault Clio
Runner Up: Fiat Punto, Suzuki Swift, Peugeot 207



And the Car of the Year is..
Runner Up: Alfa Romeo Brera, Mazda RX-8

The Jaguar XK8,





Others:

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

[cawimmer430]

Overall, I agree with the results though I think the Executive Class is so closely fought after that you can't go wrong with any car in that class.

No surprise that a British car wins COTY in a British magazine.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by cawimmer430

No surprise that a British car wins COTY in a British magazine.

Lol, very true, i knew before i even opened the link who would win

P.S. thanks Wimmer

[The Artist]

Wohoo S class..

[Bruce]

I also want to say i also agree with most of the choices, especially the Ford Focus ST. Now it may not be as brilliant as the Volkswagen Golf GTi, lacking some of the interior quality of the Golf, but it offers an exciting package for good money. I really dig that exterior.

[Mr. M]

I think the list is okay except for Jaguar winning Car Of The Year and the Astra twintop winning the convertible segment. IMO for Car Of The Year, a car should be an all-rounder and offering a complete package: the XK lacks on both of these, the former being that it is a Coupe (not as practical), and secondly, the interior of the XK is really a shame. And as far as I know the Twintop is as good as any other convertible out there, unless anyone can enlighten me on anything special about it.

The Focus ST is a really impressive car. I went to see it over the weekend, but I was utterly disappointed when the dealer said only test drives were available after putting down a deposit. The interior is quite a let-down though, and for 'completeness' I'd get a Golf, anytime. For the power, perhaps the ST would be better.

[cawimmer430]

Originally Posted by 7.3 AMG

I also want to say i also agree with most of the choices, especially the Ford Focus ST. Now it may not be as brilliant as the Volkswagen Golf GTi, lacking some of the interior quality of the Golf, but it offers an exciting package for good money. I really dig that exterior.

The European Ford Focus actually has a pretty sweet interior. Very high quality plastics and materials, very nice. Definitely on par or even superior to the VW Golf etc. The French competition in this class also has very nice interiors.

Euro Ford Focus Convertible interior:


It's you guys in the US and Canada who are getting ripped-off with your Focus. You're essentially getting a watered-down version of the Euro version.

[cawimmer430]

Originally Posted by Mirage77

The Focus ST is a really impressive car. I went to see it over the weekend, but I was utterly disappointed when the dealer said only test drives were available after putting down a deposit. .

That is retarded.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by cawimmer430

The European Ford Focus actually has a pretty sweet interior. Very high quality plastics and materials, very nice. Definitely on par or even superior to the VW Golf etc. The French competition in this class also has very nice interiors.

It's you guys in the US and Canada who are getting ripped-off with your Focus. You're essentially getting a watered-down version of the Euro version.

I still feel some of the interior parts a little cheesy
(No offense Christian )

However i still like the general design of the interior

As for the North American Focus, yeah we get the watered-down Focus, no Focus ST for us

Which is a shame, i know if i lived in Europe the Focus ST would be a serious choice for me

Originally Posted by Mirage77

I think the list is okay except for Jaguar winning Car Of The Year and the Astra twintop winning the convertible segment. IMO for Car Of The Year, a car should be an all-rounder and offering a complete package: the XK lacks on both of these, the former being that it is a Coupe (not as practical), and secondly, the interior of the XK is really a shame. And as far as I know the Twintop is as good as any other convertible out there, unless anyone can enlighten me on anything special about it.

Understandable

[cawimmer430]

Originally Posted by 7.3 AMG

I still feel some of the interior parts a little cheesy
(No offense Christian )

However i still like the general design of the interior

None taken. I respect your opinion. To me, the Ford Focus interior is a high quality interior, especially for the class of car it is.

Originally Posted by 7.3 AMG

As for the North American Focus, yeah we get the watered-down Focus, no Focus ST for us

Which is a shame, i know if i lived in Europe the Focus ST would be a serious choice for me

The Focus ST is not a volume seller. Most people going for a Ford Focus are interested in value and basic transportation. Those with a bigger wallet looking for fun can go for a Mazda MX-5 or Toyota MR2 (do they still make those?) or even an Audi A3 or BMW 1-Series (in base trim).