And the winner is...
German favourite comes out on top in Wheels Car of the YearVolkswagen has claimed its first Wheels Car of the Year award in over three decades with the latest generation Golf beating the largest ever group of contenders assembled for the prestigious award. Announced tonight on Channel Nine's 'A Current Affair' the win is Volkswagen's third in the 47-year history of the award.
Having conquered a field of 22 rivals Wheels' editor, Ged Bulmer, summed up why the sixth generation Golf scored the top prize, performing well in each of the five criteria the magazine judges use.
"The turbocharged, five-door hatch VW Golf range is outstanding," says Bulmer. "The Golf oozes sophistication, refinement and development -- in an energetic package that comes with fundamentally good steering and balance."
Although the Golf impressed in each area, the magazine particularly praised Volkswagen's decision to fit the Golf with seven airbags as standard.
It is the first time since 1976 that Volkswagen has won the award. The '76 win was the first generation Golf and that win came only two years after the Passat triumphed in the 1974 running of the competition.
Wheels narrowed the 22-strong field down to a final four that consisted of the Golf, Toyota Prius, Skoda Superb and Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan.
Previous Wheels COTY winners:
1963 RENAULT R8
1964 MORRIS 1100
1965 FORD XP FALCON
1966 FORD XR FALCON
1967 CHRYSLER VE VALIANT
1968 HOLDEN HK MONARO
1969 HOLDEN LC TORANA
1970 RENAULT R12
1971 CHRYSLER VH CHARGER
1972 AWARD WITHHELD
1973 LEYLAND P76 V8
1974 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
1975 TX GEMINI
1976 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
1977 HONDA ACCORD
1978 HOLDEN VB COMMODORE
1979 AWARD WITHHELD
1980 MAZDA 323
1981 MERCEDES BENZ W126 S-CLASS
1982 HOLDEN JB CAMIRA
1983 FORD AR TELSTAR & MAZDA 626
1984 MITSUBISHI NIMBUS
1985 MITSUBISHI TM MAGNA
1986 AWARD WITHHELD
1987 HONDA PRELUDE
1988 HOLDEN VN COMMODORE
1989 MAZDA MX-5
1990 LEXUS LS400
1991 HONDA NSX & NISSAN PULSAR
1992 FORD TELSTAR & MAZDA 626
1993 HOLDEN VR COMMODORE
1994 SUBARU LIBERTY
1995 HONDA ODYSSEY
1996 MITSUBISHI MAGNA / VERADA
1997 HOLDEN VT COMMODORE
1998 SUBARU LIBERTY WAGON
1999 MERCEDES BENZ W220 S CLASS
2000 SUBARU IMPREZA
2001 HOLDEN BARINA
2002 FORD BA FALCON
2003 MAZDA RX-8
2004 FORD TERRITORY
2005 MAZDA MX-5
2006 HOLDEN VE COMMODORE
2007 MERCEDES BENZ C-CLASS
2008 HONDA ACCORD EURO
Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
