EC motor firms’ cars in race for honours

Eastern Cape products feature among SA’s prestigious group of semifinalists

ONCE again this year Eastern Cape motor manufacturers have done well in the shortlist for the 2017 WesBank South African Car of the Year competition (Coty). Six of the 20 semifinalists are from the region.

Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Opel Astra have models which are included in the line-up.

Following a vote by the full membership of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ), on new vehicle ranges introduced to the South African new car market within the Coty eligibility period, the SAGMJ announced the semifinalist contenders for the 2017 WesBank South African Coty competition in alphabetical order:

AUDI A4 AUDI Q7 BMW 7 SERIES BMW X1 BMW M2 FORD FIGO FORD EVEREST HONDA CIVIC HYUNDAI TUCSON JAGUAR F-PACE MAZDA CX-3 MAZDA MX-5 MERCEDES E-CLASS OPEL ASTRA RENAULT KADJAR SUZUKI VITARA TOYOTA FORTUNER TOYOTA HILUX VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

With the sole aim of rewarding automotive excellence, the 2017 Coty jury will put the finalists through structured testing procedures in early February, before scoring each finalist against its direct class competitors on aspects that include:

Affordability. Cabin styling, layout, and ergonomics. Engine. Engineering integrity and build quality. Exterior design. Overall excellence. Ride quality. Steering and handling. Technology. Transmission. Value for money.

The SAGMJ has run the SA Car of the Year competition since 1986, with WesBank – the leading South African vehicle finance institution – as its headline sponsor since inception.

This year, two new sponsors join Hollard Insurance in supplying support sponsorship.

AutoTrader is South Africa’s largest online motoring portal and joins the SAGMJ as marketing sponsor, while Mapo provides the world-first digital scoring system used during the Coty evaluation days.

The 2017 Coty Jury has already concluded voting for the finalist vehicle ranges that will compete in the next year’s WesBank South African Car of the Year competition, and these will be announced on September 27 at the Johannesburg Country Club, Woodmead.

The 2017 WesBank South African Car of the Year winner will be announced at a black-tie event on March 15.

FRONT RUNNER:The new Opel Astra has been winning over experts and the public alike. It has won the ‘Golden Steering Wheel’ award, ‘Most Sensible Car’ and ultimately Europen ‘Car of the Year 2016’ – and is a semifinalist in the Car of The Year...