2006 Wheels Car of the Year: what will win in a very strong field?

[motorsportnerd]

The 2006 model year has been a great year for new car releases. In its December 2006 issue, Wheels magazine has listed the cars which are eligible for the Wheels Car of the Year award. The January issue will reveal a shortlist, as nominated by a committee of the magazine’s senior editorial staff and contributors. Only the cars from the shortlist will be taken on the full drive programme. The 2006 Car of the Year will be announced in the February 2007 issue.

ELIGIBLE CARS
Alfa Romeo 159
Audi TT
Audi Q7
BMW 3-series Coupe
Dodge Caliber
Fiat Punto
Holden Commodore VE
Holden Statesman/Caprice WM
Holden Captiva
Honda Civic
Honda Legend
Hyundai Accent
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Grandeur
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Commander
Kia Magentis
Mazda CX-7
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
Mitsubishi Colt CC
Mitsubishi Outlander
Peugeot 407 Coupe
Porsche Cayman
Ssangyong Kyron
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota Camry
Toyota Aurion
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Passat
Volkswagen Caddy Life
Volvo C70


The criteria for the award are:
FUNCTION (how well the car drives, performance, packaging, ergonomics, comfort, refinement)
EFFICIENCY (fuel consumption and environmental issues, advances in production/manufacturing methods that result in improved efficiencies)
TECHNOLOGY (advances and innovation - at a reasonable price)
SAFETY (active and passive)
VALUE (does the car deliver a worthy blend of abilities and qualities for the price).

Cars eligible are any car released during the 2005 model year is eligible, providing that it meets the following requirements:
NEWNESS - that the car scores at least two ticks against the following: New Design and Purpose, New Dimensions and New Technology
SEATBELTS - cars must have a lap-sash seatbelt in every model.
SALES - at least 250 a year must sell - hence no exotica qualify.

The following cars are ineligible for the award.
Doesn’t meet newness criteria: Subaru Legacy, Holden Viva, Holden Barina.
Doesn’t meet sales criteria: Alfa Romeo Brera, BMW Z4 Coupe, Jaguar XK (these three surprise me – I would’ve thought they’d meet the sales criteria or at least get close), Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Lotus Exige S. There’s always Motor’s Performance Car of the Year for all of these cars though.
Safety: Kia Carnival/Grand Carnival, Nissan Tiida, Proton Savvy.