FCA, Mercedes earn top honors at TAWA’s Auto Roundup
The Texas Auto Writers Association held its annual Texas Auto Roundup May 6-8, selecting three best-ofshow winners as well as top picks in individual vehicle categories.
Brand-spanking new models, or first-time entries in the event, have been frequently well received by TAWA’s evaluators and this year was no different: the 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio was voted Car of Texas, the 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT S coupe got the nod for Performance Car of Texas and Family Car of Texas honors went to Chrysler’s 2017 Pacifica Hybrid Platinum.
For the first time, TAWA’s long-running springtime testing was at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), which opened on the outskirts of Austin in 2012 for Formula 1 racing and other motorsports. A mix of 52 journalists and social media practitioners evaluated the 42-vehicle field.
“The vision of the event was to create an opportunity for our members to learn about the latest advances in technologies derived through racing and experience their applications in the latest street cars,” said Nick Phillips, TAWA’s president.
Marking its 30th year, TAWA is best known for its Texas Truck Rodeo and “Truck of Texas” bragging rights, which predate Americans’ truck and SUV mania. The group also supports journalism education in the Lone Star state through college scholarships.
Steve Wheeler, an automotive writer for the Baton Rouge Advocate and a board member of TAWA, noted that while the fast, sexy and luxurious Alfa Romeo Giulia and Mercedes-AMG GTS S deserved their wins, he was just as wowed by Chrysler’s first production hybrid minivan.
“The Pacifica is a very impressive vehicle,” said Wheeler. “It’s family friendly, gets great mileage and there’s plenty of room for kids to spread out. Plus, it has lots of amenities.”
Kimberly Shults, who oversees communications for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in Texas, was gratified. “This was my 10th time taking part in TAWA’s Auto Roundup and I have to say, it was the best event yet. Utilizing a world-class Formula 1 track was spectacular. COTA provided the perfect backdrop to evaluate vehicles in side-by-side comparisons unlike any other automotive media event in the country.”