Three Aussie cars ruled out of award.....

**DJR-351** · 25-10-2012, 01:06 PM

THREE Australian built cars have been ruled out of the Wheels Car of the Year Award for 2012.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/bre...-1226501784642

Quote:

Wheels deputy editor Jesse Taylor said the Ford Falcon Ecoboost, Toyota Camry and the Toyota Aurion were all ruled to be not new enough under the magazine's criteria.

The Nissan Almera fell to the same fate while a supercar from McLaren and a luxury model from Bentley were also ruled out as sales did not reach the required level.

"The cars that win this award need to satisfy the criteria," Mr Taylor said.

"It has never been a comparison test between the contenders, only against the criteria."

Of the 39 cars that started on the Wheels list, 27 will go through to the next round of judging before the finalists are revealed on November 21.

Those still in contention include Holden's Volt electric/petrol model, the BMW 3Series, the Toyota Prius, the Volkswagen Up, the Subaru Impreza, the Porsche 911 and the Lexus GS.

The cars that make the shortlist will be judged against five criteria - function, technology, efficiency, safety and value.

The Wheels award is now in its 50th year and broke new ground in 2011 with Honda's CR-Z becoming the first hybrid car to take the prize.

The award has also been withheld on three occasions, in 1972, 79 and 86.

FPV GTHO · 25-10-2012, 01:16 PM

I'm surprised at the Toyotas being excluded although I don't see why Ecoboost would ever be a question - it's BARELY a trim level, let alone a unique model. Without having compared trim levels between equivalent I6 and Ecoboost models I would go so far as to say its simply an engine choice.

I just hope the Volt doesn't win. Even if it deserves it, it'll get labelled either a win cause its a Holden or a win cause its electric.

flappist · 25-10-2012, 01:27 PM

Wheels Car of the Year is the "RSL Girl in a million" aka "Dog in a dozen" of the motor industry awards.

With such amazing previous winners as the Leyland P76, Holden Camira, Mitsubishi Nimbus and Honda Odyssey who would really consider it when choosing a new vehicle.....

2011G6E · 25-10-2012, 10:59 PM

I remember the 1979 Wheels mag with the lemon on the front with a set of wheels under it. In fact I still have it somewhere.
The Lexus in 1990 winning the COTY was a shock to many people...not only "just a Toyota" won it, but one worth a hundred grand won it. Wheels countered, quite rightly, but saying it's a prize for the best, not the cheapest, and at the time the Lexus sedan was staggeringly good value and an amazingly built car. You can pick them up for a song now.

I'm surprised the EcoBoost isn't seen as "different enough" from anything else in Fords lineup to be considered. I mean, most of the mags usually fall about in orgasmic fits whenever Ford or Holden slap a few extra stickers on a Commodore or Falcon and call it some special name or "limited edition" when it's the same old same old in a new dress.

FGII-XR6 · 25-10-2012, 01:40 PM

althoug there is no trim / body change the EB is a completly different car . you have to drive one to realise how different and impressive they are ( and I laughed at the idea of a 4 cyl falcon)

FPV GTHO · 25-10-2012, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

althoug there is no trim / body change the EB is a completly different car . you have to drive one to realise how different and impressive they are ( and I laughed at the idea of a 4 cyl falcon)

Ecoboost is just one part of the whole Falcon lineup. The whole lineup of which is considered by Wheels for the award, not just one particular trim level.

Wretched · 25-10-2012, 01:44 PM

eh seems fair.

TC200six · 25-10-2012, 01:52 PM

Wheels COY is awarded to new models, not existing models with new engine options. No mystery there.

vztrt · 25-10-2012, 01:55 PM

Ecoboost would have been good if they put it in as it would have had free advertising for the model.

**Grunter** · 25-10-2012, 02:03 PM

My prediction is that the best car will receive the praises of the various judges, however the Wheels award will go to the most unlikely/controversial vehicle, that is providing Wheels with the highest advertising budget for 2013.

Or the Holden Volt.

**Silver Ghia** · 25-10-2012, 02:09 PM

30 or more years ago the Wheels COTY was the gong to get, it has now been reduced to something quite insignificant, probably helped by the fixed criteria they follow. The criteria these days is irrelevant when considering the choices available, it should be open to any car or model that has been released over the last year or whatever time period. What is available for sale.

During the '60's and '70's, cars went through model cycles each year. That was when the Wheels criteria was more relevant. Now new models are released only after the previous model has run for up to 6 years or so, with new variants and upgrades made available during the lifespan of that model.

FGII-XR6 · 25-10-2012, 02:16 PM

so it should be new model of the year not car of the year as many new inovations are left out because of the model lifecycle, this is not representative of all available cars just newly released cars.
as stated above there have been some lemons awarded wheels "COTY"
Leyland P76, Holden Camira, Mitsubishi Nimbus and Honda Odyssey

aussie muscle · 26-10-2012, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au3xr6

so it should be new model of the year not car of the year as many new inovations are left out because of the model lifecycle, this is not representative of all available cars just newly released cars.
as stated above there have been some lemons awarded wheels "COTY"
Leyland P76, Holden Camira, Mitsubishi Nimbus and Honda Odyssey

Not a good track record.

Wretched · 25-10-2012, 02:23 PM

It was only a relevant and worthy award in 2002 and 2004

flappist · 25-10-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wretched

It was only a relevant and worthy award in 2002 and 2004

Yep statistically a monkey could get 25% in a 4 answer multichoice exam on quantam physics......

naddis01 · 25-10-2012, 02:31 PM

My tip - VW Up

Yellow_Festiva · 25-10-2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naddis01

My tip - VW Up

Doubt it. I quoted the '$13,990' VW only to get an online 'drive away' price of circa $17.5k.... won't get many points for 'value'.

A lot of money for a 3 door city car when the i20 is 14k drive away.

Road_Warrior · 25-10-2012, 02:40 PM

Pfft, Wheels.

FGII-XR6 · 25-10-2012, 02:51 PM

1972 and 1986 were their best thought out awards

tweeked · 25-10-2012, 02:54 PM

Yep it is the VW of the year awards.

If Ford or Holden made an auto that shifted like the VW DSG boxes, they would be torn up for not being smooth, inconsistent and a non intuitive gearbox.

But it is a DSG and from VW, so it is great. And yeah, I have driven plenty of both.

Falcman0o7 · 25-10-2012, 03:03 PM

Pfft.....Wheels car of the year.

Ford_The_Win · 25-10-2012, 03:05 PM

Didn't realise anybody still read Wheels!

jpd80 · 25-10-2012, 03:19 PM

VF Commodore will get Wheels COTY in 2013 - you can see that coming a mile off.....

Olbucko · 31-10-2012, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

Didn't realise anybody still read Wheels!

I have been reading it for the last 52 years but now I only read it because they gave me a free Sidchrome socket set for renewing my subscription. I doubt if I will renew next year.

I find this forum far more informative

zilo · 25-10-2012, 03:22 PM

At least Holden see electric/hybrids on the horizon and are doing something about it.

Sorry to say it but Ford has it's head in the sand on electric cars in Aus.

No electric or Hybrid plans deserve a slap on the wrist.

FGII-XR6 · 25-10-2012, 03:29 PM

95% don't want electric cars, electric cars are a con anyhow they are "green" because you don't put petrol in them but you have to plug them in. where is the power coming from? the electricity fairy? no from dirty coal fired power stations. not to mentioned reduced range, you can't just fill it up and go

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugg

At least Holden see electric/hybrids on the horizon and are doing something about it.

Sorry to say it but Ford has it's head in the sand on electric cars in Aus.

No electric or Hybrid plans deserve a slap on the wrist.

jpd80 · 25-10-2012, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugg

At least Holden see electric/hybrids on the horizon and are doing something about it.

Sorry to say it but Ford has it's head in the sand on electric cars in Aus.

No electric or Hybrid plans deserve a slap on the wrist.

No, they just keep with efficient diesels for a fraction of the cost....

$60,000 Volt in Australia when its available in the USA with huge subsidies and recently very attractive $269/month leases...

Ford dos have Hybrid Fusion and C-Max in America, both also available as plug in hybrids too
and both with better depleted battery fuel economy than Volt.

zilo · 25-10-2012, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

No, they just keep up with efficient diesels for a fraction of the cost....

What do you mean "just keep up?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

$60,000 Volt in Australia when its available in the USA with huge subsidies and recently very attractive $269/month leases...

Ford dos have Hybrid Fusion and C-Max in America, both also available as plug in hybrids too
and both with better depleted battery fuel economy than Volt.

My point exactly...why aren't Ford Aus in the race with toyota, Nissan,Holden Honda and Mitsubishi to get at least some market share and presence?

They might be in for a surprise....

.

flappist · 25-10-2012, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugg

What do you mean "just keep up?"

My point exactly...why aren't Ford Aus in the race with toyota, Nissan,Holden Honda and Mitsubishi to get at least some market share and presence?

They might be in for a surprise....

.

Electric, LPG and E85 are the "Vodafone" of Australian fuels.
Yes they are cheaper and have some fanatical supporters but not so good if you do not live in a major city or along an arterial highway.

Until you can travel 1000km at highway speed in any direction with a full load and then recharge in under an hour the only people who will buy electric cars in Australia, including Teslas are the inner city trendies......

zilo · 26-10-2012, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Electric, LPG and E85 are the "Vodafone" of Australian fuels.
Yes they are cheaper and have some fanatical supporters but not so good if you do not live in a major city or along an arterial highway.......

Hmmm...me thinks 90% of aussies do live in a major city or near an arterial highway....maybe you need to move the goal posts a bit more....

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Until you can travel 1000km at highway speed in any direction with a full load and then recharge in under an hour the only people who will buy electric cars in Australia, including Teslas are the inner city trendies......

In this community it's justifiable to be denouncing electrics/hybrids.

Cause Ford Aus doesn't sell any.....