Jury announces finalists for European Car of the Year
The panel of 59 automotive journalists which decide each year's European Car of the Year have narrowed down their selection from the initial list of 38 contenders to just seven finalists, which have now been announced. Along the way, some noteworthy new vehicles have been forsaken, among them the new Audi A4, BMW 7 Series, Honda Accord, Jaguar XF and Volkswagen Scirocco, but not everyone could make the short-list. Otherwise it wouldn't be a short list.
The finalists for the coveted prize includes the Alfa Romeo MiTo, Citroen C5, Ford Fiesta, Opel/Vauxhall Insignia, Renault Megane, Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Golf. It's worth noting that previous versions of the Megane took home the trophy in their hatchbacks twice since the contest was instituted thirteen years ago. Fiat and Alfa Romeo, meanwhile, have won it six times. We'll see who takes home the prize for 2009, with the winner scheduled for release in just over a week on November 19.
[Source: CarScoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mobius_1 10:11AM (11/12/2008)
Golf over Scirocco??? They must be blind judges or engineers.
I would vote for the Insignia, of those on the list.
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Scott 11:21AM (11/12/2008)
European COTY has been going a lot longer than 13 years. The Rover SD1 was a winner, and not one of the first either.
By the way, Toyota iQ won the 2008 Japan COTY, beating Citroen C5 by quite a margin. iQ not on sale soon enough to be eligible for EuroCOTY this year so whoever wins will be lucky...
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Slliim 11:07AM (11/12/2008)
"Along the way, some noteworthy new vehicles have been forsaken"
Honda Accord?!?!
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Flea 11:18AM (11/12/2008)
that one aint very european, now is it?
Markus 11:44AM (11/12/2008)
What is so incredible about that? The new Euro-Accord is a very decent car, both the sedan and the wagon, and the 2.2l diesel engines are very highly rated (the predecessor 2.2l iCTDI was engine of the year in 2000something).
And the European Car of the Year doesn't have to be european either - it's just chosen by Europeans ;).
Kitko 12:35PM (11/12/2008)
Euro Accord is more/less US Acura TSX. US Accord wouldn't have a chance in the EU.
Mr_Pie 11:46AM (11/12/2008)
id go with the the insignia
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F-22 12:41PM (11/12/2008)
Fiesta!
The only one that really deserves it...
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who i am 1:14PM (11/12/2008)
Unquestionable winner: Dacia Sandero !!!
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Mobius_1 5:34PM (11/12/2008)
Right, moving on...
Rony 1:32PM (11/12/2008)
In the COTY site there are 37 cars on the long list, not 38 (no Fiat Linea, thanks god).
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Fara 2:50PM (11/12/2008)
Fiat has won it nine times, Alfa has won it twice. The contest was constituted in 1964, which was 44 years ago, not 13.
Knowing this contest, the MiTo will win. The Italian cars usually do. In my opingion, though, the winner should be the Fiesta.
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Matthew 3:25PM (11/12/2008)
I think the MiTo, despite its looks, doesn't offer enough improvements to win this contest. I'd bet on the Fiesta or the C5; the Golf stands a good chance, too.
All we have to do is wait and see...
Fara 3:31PM (11/12/2008)
That's the thing, Alfas and Fiats always win somehow. Like the Old Punto (1995) or Bravo/Brava (1996). My dad had those cars. I remember those cars. They weren't all that good. Certainly not COTY good. Yet, they still won.
Swede 5:40PM (11/12/2008)
The Alfa will probably have a harder time than usual this year as it's not a very practical car. It is a pure toy, useless for shopping and only small children fit in the back. The Fiesta is a strong contender, the Insignia is probably a bit large.
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P.V. 6:44PM (11/12/2008)
I would have picked the A4, but it's not on the list.
The Ford Fiesta is noteworthy due to its American introduction, but I don't think it's very groundbreaking in the European market (aside from the more dynamic styling). I would go with Insignia because it is WORLDS better than the Vectra.
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Matthew 1:33PM (11/13/2008)
Today's C5 is worlds better than the previous one, too...