DRIVE Car of the Year MB C250 CDi But Focus Best Small car..

[csv8]

Diesel and Europe dominates 2011 awards.

If you think diesel is only for truckies, think again. A diesel-powered car has won Drive’s Car of the Year award for the first time.

The Mercedes-Benz C250 CDI beat a field of 45 other cars, 20 of which were powered by the once-unfashionable fuel. Diesel vehicles won almost half of this year’s individual vehicle category awards.

The switch to diesel power in luxury cars is partly being driven by legislation; more fuel efficient luxury cars get a partial exemption from the Government’s controversial luxury car tax.

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DCOTY Winners
But the fuel is also hard to ignore for the average motorist: the C-Class was the most fuel-efficient car in this year’s Car of the Year field, beating much smaller cars. At the same time it delivers better acceleration than a Holden Commodore large car.

Latest generation diesels are also noticeably more refined and quiet than the old rattlers found under the hoods of workhorse utes.

The Mercedes emerged victorious after more than 20,000km of testing on the road and racetrack in country Victoria. In the end, the fight for the top honour came down to four very different finalists: the Mercedes, Ford’s Territory SUV and Focus hatchback and the Volkswagen Polo city car.

“The C-Class has always been a great car, but the addition of a punchy, fuel efficient new diesel engine in the C250 CDI, combined with additional standard equipment, make it a standout in a hotly contested part of the luxury car market,” said Toby Hagon, National Drive Editor.

“What’s more impressive is that the C250 CDI is not just about fuel efficiency - it’s also surprisingly fun to drive.”

Drive’s Car of the Year awards are designed to be the ultimate consumer guide to the new car market. Each vehicle is judged against a set of criteria, not against each car, including how it drives, value-for-money and re-sale value.

The 46 cars were split into 13 categories designed to cover the majority of the Australian market, including city cars, people-movers and performance cars.

This year’s field ranged from the $18,990 Toyota Yaris to the $340,000 Jaguar XKR-S. The latter was almost the most powerful car ever entered in Car of the Year testing, with a race car-like 404kW of power; that’s more than 540-horsepower in the old money.

The least powerful car was actually last year’s Car of the Year winner, the 77kW Volkswagen Polo city car.

Despite having the most entries in this year’s awards - nine cars in total - Volkswagen only won two categories. Best City Car was retained by the Polo while the new Golf Cabriolet claimed the Best Convertible prize.

Best Small Car went to the new Ford Focus,(my comment..fantastic..!! Ford advertise this !!) which beat the 2009 Car of the Year winner, the Volkswagen Golf.

A new category for 2011 was Best Family Car, combining the former Medium and Large car classes into one more consumer friendly contest. But it was the defending Best Medium Car, the Ford Mondeo that triumphed again.

The Mercedes-Benz C250 CDI wrapped up the Luxury Under $80,000 category while the Audi A6 3.0 TDI took out the Luxury Over $80,000 class; meaning both luxury awards went to diesel-powered cars.

Performance Car Under $60,000 was retained by the Renault Megane RS 250 for the second year. Performance Car Over $60,000 saw the new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe best the BMW 1 Series M Coupe and Jaguar XKR-S in a high-powered three-way battle.

In the fiercely contested SUV Under $40,000 category, one of the biggest segments in the market, the new Skoda Yeti diesel beat the reigning champion, the Kia Sportage, by a single vote.

The Ford Territory upheld local honours by claiming the SUV Over $40,000 class. It was one of three locally made cars in contention and the only won to win.

The locally-developed (but made in Thailand) Ford Ranger was a serious contender in the Best Ute category but was beaten by the Mazda BT-50. It was still a win for local know-how, though, because the Mazda uses same mechanical underpinnings as the Ranger, albeit with different body panels.

The two utes also earned the Safety Innovation Award for bringing new levels of safety to the commercial vehicle market.

The Best People-Mover title went to perennial favourite the Honda Odyssey in a unanimous vote. Best 4WD also went unopposed to the new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Mazda claimed the Green Innovation Award for its new “SkyActiv” engine and gearbox that has dramatically cut fuel use in its Mazda3 hatch.

Previous Car of the Year Winners:
2010 Volkswagen Polo 77TSI
2009 Volkswagen Golf 118TSI
2008 Honda Accord V6
2007 BMW M3
2006 Audi TT

2011 Drive Car of the Year Fast Facts
Cars tested: 46
Brands represented: 11
Country with the most cars: Germany, 15
Brand with the most cars: Volkswagen, 9
Total value of cars tested: $2,735,525
Total number of seats: 225
Number of airbags: 298
Most powerful car: Jaguar XKR-S, 404kW
Least powerful car: Volkswagen Polo, 77kW
Total number of kilowatts: 6994

[Wretched]

Well done to Mercedes, the C class is a good car, handling is quite good. Though never driven the diesel version.

Well done to Ford with the Focus.

[2011G6E]

Mercedes have had thier stuff together when it comes to diesels for decades now. The old ones used to always have a reputation for great economy and reliability, and new ones are even better.

I find it odd that a badge-engineered pair of cars like the BT50 and the Ranger could be seperated in judging...a few different panels do not a different car make.

Mondeo is a class leader...if more people test drove them, they'd walk out the doors in droves. As I've said before, when we took our G6E in for it's first complementary service and to get the towbar fitted, they loaned us a Mondeo turbo diesel auto, not top of the line but it had a lot of nifty features...and as the missus and I drove it around, we looked at one another and realised that if we'd test driven one of them, the Falcon wouldn't be in our driveway, but rather a Mondeo diesel...amazing car!

[JPFS1]

I’m pleased to let you know that Ford has taken out four awards at the highly respected 2011 Drive Best Car awards in Sydney this morning.

• Best Small Car – Ford Focus Trend hatch
• Best Family Car – Ford Mondeo Zetec EcoBoost
• Best SUV Over $40,000 – Ford Territory TX TDCi rear-wheel drive
• 2011 Drive Safety Innovation Award – Ranger pickup (shared with the Mazda BT-50)

We have had a number of significant new vehicle activity this year and it is great to see all of our new products gaining the recognition that they deserve. They are truly great products!

Thanks to everyone for all their efforts and their on-going commitment to making our brand stand out from the crowd.

Regards

Bob Graziano
President & CEO of Ford Australia

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by JPFS1

I’m pleased to let you know that Ford has taken out four awards at the highly respected 2011 Drive Best Car awards in Sydney this morning.

• Best Small Car – Ford Focus Trend hatch
• Best Family Car – Ford Mondeo Zetec EcoBoost
• Best SUV Over $40,000 – Ford Territory TX TDCi rear-wheel drive
• 2011 Drive Safety Innovation Award – Ranger pickup (shared with the Mazda BT-50)

We have had a number of significant new vehicle activity this year and it is great to see all of our new products gaining the recognition that they deserve. They are truly great products!

Thanks to everyone for all their efforts and their on-going commitment to making our brand stand out from the crowd.

Regards

Bob Graziano
President & CEO of Ford Australia

Impressive result for Ford!

[The G6ET Spot]

Originally Posted by JPFS1

I’m pleased to let you know that Ford has taken out four awards at the highly respected 2011 Drive Best Car awards in Sydney this morning.

• Best Small Car – Ford Focus Trend hatch
• Best Family Car – Ford Mondeo Zetec EcoBoost
• Best SUV Over $40,000 – Ford Territory TX TDCi rear-wheel drive
• 2011 Drive Safety Innovation Award – Ranger pickup (shared with the Mazda BT-50)

We have had a number of significant new vehicle activity this year and it is great to see all of our new products gaining the recognition that they deserve. They are truly great products!

Thanks to everyone for all their efforts and their on-going commitment to making our brand stand out from the crowd.

Regards

Bob Graziano
President & CEO of Ford Australia

That's great and congratulations to Ford on some great products.

But lets hope the marketing department does the right thing and advertises them to the hilt.

[deesun]

Originally Posted by The G6ET Spot

But lets hope the marketing department does the right thing and advertises them to the hilt.

+1 and many more I would think.

Great job Ford. We always knew it but no one else does.

[Luke Plaizier]

(1) Top gong to a Diesel Sedan. Bob - did you take notice of this? People are calling out for a Diesel Coon, why for art thou not putting one in?

(2) The split between Ranger and BT-50 was settled on Price. My relatives just passed on buying a new Ranger because of the price. Interesting that. The Ranger doesn't have a low entry point option like the Mitsubishi - just mid and high.

(3) What's the go with combining mid and large cars into 'Family' cars? Is that to stop the Toyota different-with-the-same-car Camry/Aurion debacle? Or are Holden/Ford fooling themselves into thinking Falcon/Mondeo and Commodore/Malibu are catering to different classes of buyers? I don't approve of this move by Drive. But then, when has Drive ever done anything that anybody has ever liked?


Lukeyson

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

(3) What's the go with combining mid and large cars into 'Family' cars? Is that to stop the Toyota different-with-the-same-car Camry/Aurion debacle? Or are Holden/Ford fooling themselves into thinking Falcon/Mondeo and Commodore/Malibu are catering to different classes of buyers? I don't approve of this move by Drive. But then, when has Drive ever done anything that anybody has ever liked?


Lukeyson

Probably because many of the 'mid size' are actually about the same size as the 'large' cars anyway?

For example dad's Mondeo is a little shorter then Mum's XR6 but a similar width (it actually feels wider).

And due to being a 'hatch' has more useable boot space.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

(1) Top gong to a Diesel Sedan. Bob - did you take notice of this? People are calling out for a Diesel Coon, why for art thou not putting one in?

Its not voted by the public like the cars guide one. So no one has called for anything.

[Gman_86_xr6]

Good on Drive for telling their readers that the best car everybody should buy is a $68,000 Mercedes Benz. Great consumer advice.

Good on Ford though for putting in a good showing. 4 out of 5 Fords in contention won their categories, (and the fifth lost out to another Ford )

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

(2) The split between Ranger and BT-50 was settled on Price. My relatives just passed on buying a new Ranger because of the price. Interesting that. The Ranger doesn't have a low entry point option like the Mitsubishi - just mid and high.

Lukeyson

Not true, Ford have the Ranger XL (Base model, steel wheels, vinyl mats etc) XLT (mid range, alloy wheels, chrome mirrors/ door handles, auto wipers etc) and Wildtrak (Bigger wheels, heated 8 way power seats, and mirror mounted indicator lights, etc)

[Luke Plaizier]

Originally Posted by Gman_86_xr6

Good on Drive for telling their readers that the best car everybody should buy is a $68,000 Mercedes Benz. Great consumer advice.

Good on Ford though for putting in a good showing. 4 out of 5 Fords in contention won their categories, (and the fifth lost out to another Ford )


Not true, Ford have the Ranger XL (Base model, steel wheels, vinyl mats etc) XLT (mid range, alloy wheels, chrome mirrors/ door handles, auto wipers etc) and Wildtrak (Bigger wheels, heated 8 way power seats, and mirror mounted indicator lights, etc)

The XL is priced the same as a mid-range Mitsibushi - the entry Mitsubishi is way under that. But the entry Mitsu drops all the airbags, ABS and Stability control to get there.

The Wildtrack to me is like the XR of the range - and on that basis there's no equiv of the XT. (XL = G6, XLT=G6E, Wildtrack=XR)

Can you go over the 4 out of 5 bit? I only counted 3 of 4 - Focus, Mondeo, Territory, Ranger - I must have missed one.


Lukeyson

[Gman_86_xr6]

Originally Posted by Luke Plaizier

The XL is priced the same as a mid-range Mitsibushi - the entry Mitsubishi is way under that. But the entry Mitsu drops all the airbags, ABS and Stability control to get there.

The Wildtrack to me is like the XR of the range - and on that basis there's no equiv of the XT. (XL = G6, XLT=G6E, Wildtrack=XR)

Can you go over the 4 out of 5 bit? I only counted 3 of 4 - Focus, Mondeo, Territory, Ranger - I must have missed one.


Lukeyson

Focus won best small car, Territory won best SUV under $40,000, Ranger shared the win for best safety innovation, and Mondeo won for best Family car, an award the FG Falcon XR6 LPI was also in the running for. That makes for 4 wins for 5 nominations

[Road_Warrior]

Surprising this thread hasn't been getting more attention. Oh, that's right, it's Fordforums, you're not allowed to heap praise on Fords here.

Well done Ford, three great wins (four if you count the tie with BT50) and from Drive.com.au no less.

[HUNTER8]

^^^^^
Agreed. If it had been the Cruze that won it'd be 10 pages by now.

[spvd02]

Only an expensive diesel won car of the year. A cheaper diesel is not half as impressive, depending on the application.

The Ecoboost Mondeo (petrol) won against 2 diesels, so what does that say about diesel? The Mondeo was praised for its performance, economy, and extended service intervals when compared to diesel.

So, diesel isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's suited to certain applications, especially high-end expensive vehicles like Mercedes, but there is no way you would access that level of technology in a budget-conscious vehicle.

[ebxr8240]

Originally Posted by spvd02

Only an expensive diesel won car of the year. A cheaper diesel is not half as impressive, depending on the application.

The Ecoboost Mondeo (petrol) won against 2 diesels, so what does that say about diesel? The Mondeo was praised for its performance, economy, and extended service intervals when compared to diesel.

So, diesel isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's suited to certain applications, especially high-end expensive vehicles like Mercedes, but there is no way you would access that level of technology in a budget-conscious vehicle.

Don't agree..

[martyk54]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Don't agree..

I agree... performance wise diesels are generally boring and not involving enough. Lumpy, loud.. etc. In Australia the cost saving is not typically a factor until you've done a LOT of kms either.

Diesels are popular in Europe because unleaded is a lot more expensive, they get rebates on diesel cars and there is no LPG (unless pumped from Russia), it's too expensive.

TBO I don't like them and never have. In an SUV I see the point (especially for towing), but otherwise... for me, no dice.

[Swordsman88]

Originally Posted by martyk54

I agree... performance wise diesels are generally boring and not involving enough. Lumpy, loud.. etc. In Australia the cost saving is not typically a factor until you've done a LOT of kms either.

Diesels are popular in Europe because unleaded is a lot more expensive, they get rebates on diesel cars and there is no LPG (unless pumped from Russia), it's too expensive.

TBO I don't like them and never have. In an SUV I see the point (especially for towing), but otherwise... for me, no dice.

Not quite boring marty but certainly less involving in its power delivery. Then again a good mid torque to high reving atmo engine is alwasys the most 'fun' to drive if you dont mind beating the hell out of it (witness just about any race engine).

Ecoboost type engines are almost a combo of low down diesel torque with more responsive/linear engine performance higher up the rev range. If you take into account the similar cost of the engine builds (both have turbos etc.) then given the petrol engine is only 10-15% or less efficient in terms of fuel used its lower fuel costs per litre, generally longer service intervals, easier compliance with emissions and in many cases (due to market forces) lower up front cost then yes it is better to stay with the petrol. Diesels are popular in australia due to the market perceptoin at this point....and the lack of availability of ecoboost type engines. Now the latter are becoming more common i think it would be hard to justify a diesel passenger car unless you were convinced the ecoboost type tech would not work in your application....

[2011G6E]

Wheels magazine was the first to have such an issue of people whinging about the price of a car when they named the Lexus sedan Car Of The Year way back in the 1990's. Australia had never seen anything like it...a hundred grand Toyota!!!???

Wheels, quite rightly, countered by saying they were awarding the best car of the year...not neccisarily the cheapest...

[martyk54]

Originally Posted by Swordsman88

Ecoboost type engines are almost a combo of low down diesel torque with more responsive/linear engine performance higher up the rev range. If you take into account the similar cost of the engine builds (both have turbos etc.) then given the petrol engine is only 10-15% or less efficient in terms of fuel used its lower fuel costs per litre, generally longer service intervals, easier compliance with emissions and in many cases (due to market forces) lower up front cost then yes it is better to stay with the petrol. Diesels are popular in australia due to the market perceptoin at this point....and the lack of availability of ecoboost type engines. Now the latter are becoming more common i think it would be hard to justify a diesel passenger car unless you were convinced the ecoboost type tech would not work in your application....

Couldn't agree more. Speaking of the Mondeo, the diesel version is 2k more. I think people would be surprised at just how long / how many kms it takes to get that 2k back. That's a long, long time to be dealing with diesel and its shortcomings if you ask me... Euros have made it fashionable, in Australia it's only useful in larger vehicles, which blow lots of fuel and need towing ability.

Lets hope Ford uses these results to market their product.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by csv8

The Best People-Mover title went to perennial favourite the Honda Odyssey in a unanimous vote.

I wonder if the Odessey still retains the dangerous lap-only middle seat belt in the rear that disqualified it from Wheels awards for years? If it does, Drive should be ashamed of itself.

I often wondered about the government double-standard whereby Australian-built cars, under the ADR, were required to have lap-sash belts while the imported Odessey got in scot-free with a lap-only belt.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by new2ford

I wonder if the Odessey still retains the dangerous lap-only middle seat belt in the rear that disqualified it from Wheels awards for years? If it does, Drive should be ashamed of itself.

I often wondered about the government double-standard whereby Australian-built cars, under the ADR, were required to have lap-sash belts while the imported Odessey got in scot-free with a lap-only belt.

It appears they're all 3 point seat belts now.
http://odyssey.honda.com.au/about-the-car_safety.aspx

...Every seat position in the new Honda Odyssey has a 3-point (lap/sash) seatbelt. So even with seven people inside, the Odyssey offers everyone the enhanced protection of lap and shoulder restraints.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Wretched

It appears they're all 3 point seat belts now.
http://odyssey.honda.com.au/about-the-car_safety.aspx

Thanks. Look like the bad publicity finally got to them! But why didn't the federal government get to them first - wouldn't happen in the USA.

[2011G6E]

Love the Honda Odyssey...if I simply had to have a people mover (shudder...) that would be the one I'd go for. At least it's been made stylishly, and there are some very nice modified ones around.

"Lap only rear center belt"? The horror!!! Oh how did we ever survive in the old days!!!

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

"Lap only rear center belt"? The horror!!! Oh how did we ever survive in the old days!!!

We didn't, we got horrible injuries. There are some very unpleasant instances of kids with severed spines and even deaths from that cause when the load in the boot came forward. Restraining the upper body is very important.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

"Lap only rear center belt"? The horror!!! Oh how did we ever survive in the old days!!!

Quite a few people didn't, maybe you should think about that.

[EFinSilver]

Ford Mondeo Zetec EcoBoost aye...could be the next car for me.

[Rodge]

Diesel will cost you more in maintenance, have operational problems with the diesel particulate filter if used around town a lot and there's the extra expense up front. OTOH Ecoboost Mondeo Titanium is a nice peice of kit with quite a bit more power and will probably give far less drama's to owners as it ages.

[Polyal]

Very good result, but I agree, TDi should be in the Falcon sedan/ute yesterday.

For most people its not about performance as such, its about low fuel costs because thats what we notice every week. I agree in some cases diesel can give similar costs to petrol over a long period, but generally in the short term and most definitely while under warranty it should be cheaper for the consumer.

Not to worry though, Ford will act when its all too late, TDi Tezz was way over due even when it was mostly ready....IMO FoA are protecting I6 production rates, which is admirable but perhaps chasing sales is what they should be looking at.