With COTY just around the corner, finalists have finally been announced and the off-roading sector is represented by only two 4×4 survivors of the pre-judging process, the Range Rover Evoque and the new Ford Ranger
With over 110 global awards already to its name, it’s no small wonder that the Evoque has made it through along with 9 other finalists. It’s won World Design Car of the Year, North American Truck of the Year, and most recently Women’s Car of the Year in South Africa from Women on Wheels.
The Ford Ranger, which was updated and incredibly well received by the local market, will represent the bakkies. Hoping it will fare better than its German counterpart did last year, this is only the second time that a bakkie has been allowed to compete in the SA Car of the Year competition.
The models
The popular five-door Si4 Dynamic model has now been voted by the country’s top motoring media as a worthy contender for the overall COTY title. The Si4 Dynamic is powered by a turbocharged 2,0-litre four-cylinder petrol, has a six-speed automatic transmission with rotary-dial shift, produces 177kW and is capable of 0-100km/h in 7,6 seconds.
The Ford Ranger chosen by journalists as the best model all round is the 3.2 XLT 4×4 Double Cab Diesel AT, which produces 147kW of pwer, 470Nm of torque and costs just under R500k. Despite that, the automaker is selling around 800 units per month of this locally produced vehicle.
The other contenders
The list of finalists goes as follows, in alphabetical order:
2012 BMW 3 Series 320i Automatic
2012 Ford Ranger 3.2 XLT 4X4 Double Cab Diesel AT
2012 Hyundai i30 1.8 Executive
2012 Kia Rio 1.4 TEC Hatch MT
2012 Lexus GS 350 EX
2012 Mercedes-Benz B 180 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY
2012 Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T Tekna (Leather)
2012 Opel Meriva 1.4T Cosmo
2012 Porsche Boxster
2012 Range Rover Evoque Si4 Dynamic 5-door
2012 Toyota 86 High Spec 6MT
2012 Toyota Yaris 1.5 HSD Xs