I haven't posted on UCP very much this year, but about this time each year I start a thread previewing Australia's main Car of the Year Award which is announced by Wheels Magazine in their February issue each year. I see no reason not to continue the trend again this year.
I bought the January issue yesterday, and it has a full list of the cars that have been nominated for the award.
The list is as follows.
Nominated:
Alfa Romeo Mito
Audi Q5
BMW 7-series
Honda Odyssey
Holden Cruze
Kia Cerato
Kia Sorento
Lexus RX
Mazda3
Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
Nissan 370Z
Nissan GT-R
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Murano
Skoda Superb
Subaru Liberty/Outback (note: Liberty is sold elsewhere as the Legacy)
Subaru Liberty Exiga
Toyota Prius
VW Golf
Volvo XC60
Nominated but no cars for testing (hence can't win)
BMZ Z4
Eligible But Not Nominated for final testing
Honda City (too expensive compared with Civic and dynamically underdone)
Honda Civic Si (poor value)
Kia Soul (interesting package, but poor ride and dynamics)
Kia Koup (poor value and ride)
Peugeot 308CC (poor performance and dynamics, not up to standard of VW Eos)
Suzuki Alto (cheap, but poor value. Poor ride and refinement and performance)
Ineligible
Audi A5 Cabrio (not significantly different enough to the A5 to meet newness criteria)
Audi S4 (not significantly different enough to the A4 to meet newness criteria)
BMW M3 sedan (not significantly different enough to the M3 coupe to meet newness criteria)
Ford Mondeo wagon (not significantly different enough to the Mondeo sedan to meet newness criteria)
Lexus IS250CC (not significantly different enough to the IS sedan to meet newness criteria)
Mazda CX-7 (not enough changes over predecessor to qualify as new)
Porsche Cayman/Boxster (sales/newness)
Porsche Panamera (sales)
And note that no Ferrari or Lamborghini would meet the minimum sales criteria of 250 per year to qualify, so no Ferrari California or Gallardo LP560-4.
The full list of criteria by which the award is judged is listed here: http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/Car_of_t...late=domWheels
So, from the above list what will or should win?
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UCP's biggest Ford Sierra RS500 and BMW M3 E30 fan. My two favourite cars of all time.