What Car? CotY contenders

For the first time, What Car? magazine has published a list of candidates for its annual Car of the Year Awards.

Two new categories have been added this year - City Car and SUV - and there will also be special awards for safety and security.

The results are going to be announced at a ceremony on Wednesday, 11th January. Between now and then the judges will have to decide on the individual group winners, as well as the model that deserves to take the overall 2012 What Car? Car of the Year title.

The contenders are:

City Car
· Fiat 500
· Hyundai i10
· Kia Picanto
· Seat Mii
· Škoda Citigo
· Volkswagen Up!

Skoda Citigo (2012) Front Side
2012 Škoda Citigo.

In its debut year, this category features three essentially identical cars - the Mii, Citigo and Up! Out of that trio, it’s the Škoda that should win, simply because it’s likely to be the cheapest.

Supermini
· Audi A1
· Chevrolet Aveo
· Ford Fiesta
· Hyundai i20
· Kia Rio
· Renault Clio
· Volkswagen Polo

The A1 won last year, the most expensive model on this year’s supermini shortlist.

Small Family Car
· BMW 1 Series
· Chevrolet Volt
· Ford Focus
· Hyundai i30
· Nissan Leaf
· Škoda Octavia
· Vauxhall Ampera
· Vauxhall Astra GTC
· Volkswagen Golf

This group includes some very strong newcomers, among them the Focus, 1 Series and Astra GTC. Surely one of these will be deemed good enough to steal the category title from the Golf?

Family Car
· Ford Mondeo
· Mazda 6
· Mercedes-Benz B-Class
· Peugeot 508
· Škoda Superb
· Volkswagen Passat

The big surprise here is that the Vauxhall Insignia hasn’t made the list, especially as it comfortably outsells its Passat, Mondeo (last year’s winner) and 508 competitors in the UK.

Estate
· Audi A6 Avant
· BMW 5 Series Touring
· Ford Focus Estate
· Ford Mondeo Estate
· Hyundai i40 Estate
· Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate
· Škoda Octavia Estate
· Volkswagen Passat Estate

The Mondeo might have won last year, but the Octavia is an impressive estate car package that deserves to be recognised.

MPV
· Citroën C3 Picasso
· Ford Galaxy
· Ford S-Max
· Peugeot 5008
· Renault Grand Scenic
· Seat Alhambra
· Volkswagen Sharan

This category is made somewhat dull by the lack of new models. Seat’s Alhambra is the current title holder.

Hot Hatch
· Mini Cooper S
· Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup
· Renault Mégane Renaultsport 250 Cup
· Renault Twingo Renaultsport 133 Cup
· Suzuki Swift Sport
· Volkswagen Golf GTI

It’s hard to envisage Renault not retaining this particular title, but will the Clio or Twingo manage to take over from the Mégane as the best hot hatch?

Coupé
· Audi A5 Coupé
· Audi TT
· BMW 3 Series Coupé
· BMW 6 Series
· Jaguar XK
· Mini Coupé
· Volkswagen Scirocco

Mini John Cooper Works Coupé (2012) Front Side 1
2012 Mini John Cooper Works Coupé.

The Audi TT won in 2011, but could the new Mini Coupé be victorious this year?

Open Top
· Audi A3 Cabriolet
· Audi TT Roadster
· Bentley Continental GTC
· BMW 6 Series Convertible
· BMW Z4
· Mazda MX-5
· Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
· Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

This class spans a huge price range, so deciding on a winner is going to be one tough job. BMW’s Z4 is the reigning champ.

Performance Car
· Audi R8 Spyder
· BMW M5
· Ferrari 458 Italia
· Lamborghini Aventador
· Lotus Evora
· McLaren MP4-12C
· Porsche 911
· Porsche Cayman R

Some very strong contenders here - can the McLaren snatch the title from its archrival, the 458 Italia?

SUV
· Audi Q3
· BMW X3
· Hyundai Santa Fe
· Land Rover Discovery
· Nissan Qashqai
· Peugeot 3008
· Range Rover Evoque

If the Evoque doesn’t win this category, it’ll be a major shock.

Executive Car
· Audi A6
· Audi A7 Sportback
· BMW 3 Series
· BMW 5 Series
· Citroën DS5
· Jaguar XF
· Mercedes-Benz C-Class
· Porsche Panamera

Both new BMW models have to be favourites to win, but will they be judged good enough to take the title from the Jaguar?

Luxury Car
· Audi A8
· Bentley Mulsanne
· Jaguar XJ
· Mercedes-Benz S-Class
· Range Rover
· Rolls-Royce Phantom

Jaguar XJ Sport and Speed Packs (2011) Front Side
2011 Jaguar XJ.

The S-Class might have won last time but, with its combination of lightweight construction and striking design, the Jaguar ought to be victorious for 2012.

Low-Carbon Award
· Alfa Romeo – Biggest improvement in CO2 in the past year.
· BMW – New 3 Series and 520d Efficient Dynamics.
· Fiat – Lowest CO2 range average.
· General Motors – Range-extender technology.
· Kia – Rio 1.1 CRDi 85g/km.
· Nissan Leaf – Last year’s winner.
· Porsche – Lowest average CO2 per 100bhp.

BMW’s Efficient Dynamics programme continues to impress, however GM’s range extender technologies combine the environmental benefits of electric cars without any of the range anxiety.

Related posts:
2012 Euro COTY candidates
World Car Awards winners

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