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View Full Version : UCP 2011 COTY Award [Voting]



Ferrer
12-26-2011, 02:57 AM
Ok, since no one objected to it here is the voting thread.

It would be nice if instead of jost clicking some buttons on the polls, voters took their time to tell us what they voted for and why.

Kitdy
12-26-2011, 04:09 AM
The poll is not public.

I don't normally vote for things in general (other than elections) but I have here. Forewarning, evo's CotY 2012 influenced my decision heavily.

Some manufacturers have lost sight of what made them what they were. Year upon year, enthusiasts are being presented with cars that are less involving to drive. All manufacturers have fallen prey to this type of thought, even sportscar manufacturers like Porsche.

Porsche has made offerings to the altar of the social-ladder-climber with vehicles like the Cayenne and Panamera - vehicles which are regarded highly in their class, but which stick in the craw of the Porsche cognoscenti.

Then there is the GT3 4.0.

The 2.7 RS is regarded as an icon by Porscheophiles; the platonic form of both a 911 and a Porsche. The GT3 RS 4.0 is true to the vision of the RS. Removing the veneration of all that is old as superior, then I think it is fair to say that the 4.0 is potentially the equal or superior of the RS (though I hope I am not falling prey to the recency effect).

The 4.0 is a car that is what sportscars were all about. A lightweight chassis, a high revving naturally aspirated engine, dialed in handling, and brutal speed: what sportscars used to be, and what they should be again. Reviewers have called it one of best 911s — if not thebest — ever. I tend to agree, and one of the greatest variants of one of the greatest cars ever surely must be UCP's Car of the Year.

thebrochureman
12-26-2011, 04:11 AM
I voted for the BMW 1M. I voted for the BMW because i think it looks and sounds great, it has a great I6 engine, not enough car manufactures use I6 engines these days. The BMW 1M is a proper drivers car, it has a proper manuel gearbox, thats rare on car these days. I also love the fact that its mad, its great for going sidways. All that put together make the BMW 1M a great car and thats the reason why i chose it.

Magnum9987
12-26-2011, 09:46 AM
I voted for the Morgan 3 Wheeler for similar reasons as Kitdy voted for the GT3RS 4.0. But rather I voted for it because it is geared purely towards being fun and nonchalant while you could never say the same thing as any other car on that list, except for the CX5, but I don't think that really compares to it.

thebrochureman
12-26-2011, 10:42 AM
The poll is not public.

If the poll was public and open to anyone how would it be UCP car of the year, it would be anyone who visits the site car of the yea.

NSXType-R
12-26-2011, 11:14 AM
What happened to the Subaru/Toyota BRZ/GT-86?

W.R.
12-26-2011, 12:02 PM
I voted for the Mog, purely because it's the most original car to be released this year, being both different and successful at the same time. Whilst the GT3RS 4.0 would've been relatively simple and low-risk for Porsche to make, Morgan (re)designed something completely radical and it's created a massively fun car that's also selling like hot cakes. If you can make a car that's good and a fresh design in today's bland era, you've got a CotY.

Kitdy
12-26-2011, 12:36 PM
What happened to the Subaru/Toyota BRZ/GT-86?

No one has had a proper test of it.

NSXType-R
12-26-2011, 01:46 PM
No one has had a proper test of it.

Ah, makes sense.

Thanks for the explanation.

Ferrer
12-26-2011, 01:57 PM
What happened to the Subaru/Toyota BRZ/GT-86?


No one has had a proper test of it.


Ah, makes sense.

Thanks for the explanation.
Yup, the panel of senior members didn't want it in the voting this year.

I guess we have pre-nominated car for 2012 already. Perhaps the overall winner? Time will tell.

EDIT I included the CX-5, not because I like the car, but because what I means for Mazda (more on that later on).

thebrochureman
12-27-2011, 06:02 AM
The morgan is winning the Vote, no this must stop.

Matra et Alpine
12-27-2011, 06:19 AM
^^^^^ why ? Welcome to democracy ;-)

thebrochureman
12-27-2011, 06:37 AM
^^^ Although i like the Morgan i don't really think it should be UCP car of the year, although it's up to other members not me. I voted for the BMW 1M but thats because i really like it, i would like to see 911 GT3 4.0 as car of the Year.

ruim20
12-27-2011, 07:20 AM
Morgan, everything the big companys don't want to do.

A fun, small, 'car'.

And with a unique look that will turn heads in a good way.

Only two things against it, no roof and to pricey.

aiasib
12-27-2011, 12:18 PM
...and to pricey.

How much?

Ferrer
12-27-2011, 12:37 PM
£30,000.

Rockefella
12-27-2011, 03:30 PM
I've never heard of the Morgan 3 wheeler before opening this thread, but I haven't been in tune with the auto industry as of late. Looks like a gimmick but that's just me.

I went with the McLaren. In the way that the McLaren F1 became the gold-standard for supercars, the MP4-12C (did I get that right?) looks like the new benchmark for usable supercars. Incredible performance, comfort, handling, and functionality. I think the style will hold up for decades too, although it is a bit bland for some tastes.

Ferrer
12-28-2011, 02:29 AM
Cars that I don't like

BMW M5 and Lotus Exige S

They simply betray too much the principles of their forebearers. They are too big, too heavy, too complex and too powerful.

The car that should win, but that I just can't vote

Nissan Leaf

The car that truly deserves the award here, being innovative, creative, ingenious... and flawed. But a step in the direction of solving a problem that sooner or later we will have to adress. It also impersonates a car quite well.

The cars that should be exciting... but somewhat aren't

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and McLaren MP4-12C

Both cars are truly great masterpieces of engineering. They torn upside down the segments they compete in. Their rivals seem so last century compared them. And yet you can't help thinking that they would actually be better if they were a little bit worse.

The (worthy) others

Ford Mustang Boss 302, BMW 1M Coupé, Porsche 911 GT3RS 4.0, Morgan 3 Wheeler

All of those cars (vehicles?) are the complete opposite of the ones mentioned above. They may not have the ultimate engineering solutions or be the last word in outright performance, but they are automotive milestones. They will be remembered decades after they were phased out of production which is a far more important achievement than having the latest four-wheel-drive-turobcharged-direct-injected-flappy-paddle monster. All of them would be worthy of my vote, but none of them is getting it...

My vote

Mazda CX-5

Because this is. I'm sure it won't win. It's not the most focused driver's car in the world. It's not even the most focused driver's car in the Mazda lineup. And unlike the Leaf it doesn't seem spectacularly innovative either. But seem is the key word here.

Forget about the car itself, I'm not even too interested in a mid-size SUV myself. What is important here is that it is the first in which Mazda has decided to showcase their new SkyActiv technologies. They range from new gearboxes to clever new building methods to make cars lighter and better and more enjoyable to drive.

But the most important thing of all this new Mazda ethos is that it's the car that signals that Mazda still believe in the internal combustion engine, and one that it's fueled by petrol no less. And us petrolheads should be very thankful that at least one manufacturer thinks that way.

For that alone, regardless of the actual abilities of the car it deserves the award.

f6fhellcat13
12-28-2011, 03:28 AM
Glad to see the Leaf as an option, even if nobody actually votes for it.

My choice is the Boss 302. While a fan of Mustangs, the retro-ness of the current generation has annoyed me since about the second year of its run. Looking to the past for inspiration is one thing, but attempting to copy/paste out of the 1964½ Ford brochure undermines the work done on the 2005 brochure. The 302 seems like another offender: It is bedecked in "BOSS 302" and "5.0" badging, pulling off an impressive homage to two very disparate eras (neither of which being the present) and systems of measurement. However, by all accounts, the 302 is a modern car; the engine is a gem, the chassis is well-executed (because of or despite the flagpole between the rear wheels), the weight is low for its class, though it is still a pig, and, most importantly, it has cupholders. It manages to be faithful to the original while still being modern; revvy V8, road-racing chassis, and cheapish price.

On that last note, of the options, this is one of the very few cars we've nominated that is attainable for mere mortals.

By most journalistic accounts the 302 is successful at being no more or less than what it is and for that I think it is car of the year.

pimento
12-28-2011, 03:59 AM
I voted for the Morgan because I love that it's just so different to anything else out there. In a world of regulatory burden it shows that you don't have to drive the same blob as everyone else, just as long as you don't mind making a few small sacrifices.. like a fourth wheel, and protection from the weather. It's made for one thing - find a nice road on a nice day and go have some fun. That's what motoring enthusiasm is all about, and in a world where petrol is seen as the enemy of the people, that could become all too rare all too soon.

Matra et Alpine
12-28-2011, 04:19 AM
cheapish price.

On that last note, of the options, this is one of the very few cars we've nominated that is attainable for mere mortals.
£42,000 in the UK for a wrong hand drive Boss 302 that is mass produced :(
Versus £30,000 for a Morgan that is hand built :)
Price is difficult to use as a yardstick when we are in such price variability.

NSXType-R
12-29-2011, 08:56 PM
Hmmm...

Looking back on the thread, I read through the entries too quickly- I now see Exige, not Evora. If it was Evora instead of Exige, I would have voted for it. I forgot it came out a couple years back. I like the Evora a lot more than the Exige, it's a nice 911 competitor. Might be a smidge more expensive, but I definitely like the looks and is probably the last proper light Lotus. I'm not sure why the V6 is used in an Exige anyway, the 4 has been fine.

In that case, if I were to change my vote, I would have gone for the Porsche. Not the cheapest option in the list, but the 1M is too exclusive to be cheap- most dealers are marking it up anyway. Neither do I like the size of the 1M, it's smaller than I want at the wrong price point for me. The 3 Series is just about the right size.

The Porsche is the last version on the same flat 6 block, it's a fitting end to that series. It is at least somewhat attainable (if not the 4.0, regular GT3 is more car than I'd ever need).

The Mazda CX-5 would be my last choice of them all- I agree that the technology in the engine is important. But the last car I'd debut it in would be a stinking SUV or CUV, whatever the heck it is.

And since when were SUVs or CUVs ever interesting or worth noting for you, Ferrer? :D

Ferrer
01-01-2012, 07:07 AM
And our car of the year is...

...the Morgan 3 Wheeler!

Congratulations to Morgan for having won this rather discredited award.

pimento
01-01-2012, 08:50 AM
Oh poo, this place is not a democracy.

I mean that with the greatest respect for Wouter and Co who run this place: the UCP front page is their domain, the forum is a place for those of us who enthuse about these things to have our say. The UCP community COTY is the Morgan, the UCP COTY is the Aventador. They are two separate yet totally valid considerations. Lets keep these things in perspective and continue our lovely, cheerful community regarding all things motoring. With occasional pervasive spammist incursions.

Sledgehammer
01-01-2012, 07:46 PM
Morgan let UCP drive their car, so basically the thought of driving a aventador is better than having driven the Morgan.

Cyco
01-03-2012, 07:51 AM
This place has never been a democracy...

However to allow a unanimous decision to be reached I am willing to test drive both the Morgan and the Lambo back to back and give my final and binding decision.

I understand this would be a grave and frightful task, but I am willing to go through with it and do not need others to help. W knows my e-mail address to arrange my flights...

pimento
01-03-2012, 06:50 PM
It's heartwarming to have such dedicated members of the community, it really is. Kudos to you, Cyco.

thebrochureman
01-10-2012, 10:14 AM
TOP Gear voted the aventador as supercar of the year as well. The Citroen DS5 was the Car of the year.