Hyundai scoops trophy

The Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS has won the prestigious Car of the Year title. The Elantra was selected from a shortlist of 10 finalists for the WesBank/SA Guild of Motoring Journalists Car of the Year 2012 at a glittering function in Johannesburg this week.

Captains of the South African motor industry and other major players associated with it attended the function.

The SAGMJ, a professional body of qualified motoring writers, has awarded the title of SA's Car of the Year annually for 25 years.

Only vehicles launched between October 1 2010 and August 31 2011 were eligible for this year's competition, with everything from entry-level hatchbacks to premium brand SUVs vying for the title.

The vehicles were subjected to a series of back-to-back tests at the Gerotek test facility earlier this year.

A total of 380 model derivatives were on the initial list, which was reduced to 180 models to be voted on by the jury for the final places. This process ultimately resulted in the 10 finalists.

The cars were driven by jury members before the Gerotek test days, after which each member was allocated 25 points to award to not more than five of the vehicles and not fewer than three.

Even after the test days, the jury members did not know the result, which was audited and kept a secret until the announcement on Wednesday night. The finalists, in alphabetical order, were:

• Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 125kW MultiAir Distinctive.
• Audi A6 3.0 T TDI Quattro S-tronic.
• Citroën DS4 THP 200 Sport.
• Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI Trend Sedan Powershift.
• Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS.
• Kia Picanto 1.2 EX.
• Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 BlueEfficiency.
• Peugeot 5008 2.0 HDi Active Man.
• Suzuki Kizashi 2.4 SDLX Man.
• VW Jetta 1.4 TSI 118kW Highline.

Many jury members said the contest was even closer than last year, when a dead heat was declared for the first time when BMW's 530d and VW's Polo 1.6 TDI were named joint winners to a stunned audience.

Even the master of ceremonies, veteran TV broadcaster and industry expert Roger McCleery, was initially at a loss for words. MotorMania caught up with Mark Jones, SAGMJ convenor of the competition, and asked him to comment on this year's event.

"The WesBank/South African Guild of Motoring Journalist's Car of the Year 2012 competition is about automotive excellence and the winning vehicle must score highly in its own class, not against each other as is often thought, but across a variety of categories, including those which reflect real value for money, safety, dynamics, technology and aesthetics - to name but a few."

I asked him if he was satisfied with this year's competition and to comment further on the event.

"Most certainly, we have a good mix of vehicles and we also have a good mix on the jury - some young new blood to compliment the vast experience of the existing members". Asked if he believed manufacturers rated the COTY as one of the most important industry events, he said: "I do. It is an important marketing platform for the winner, especially now that it is open for all to see who has won, and why".

Would he like any refinements or improvements to next year's COTY?

"Not operational changes as such. I am happy with the way we choose our finalists and the way they are put through their paces at Gerotek. But I would like to see a bigger jury involving even more motoring journalists," Jones said.

"I think it is vitally important to thank our naming sponsor WesBank, which has been with us since the competition's inception in 1986, Hollard Insurance and Total. "

Runner-up in the competition was the Kia Picanto 1.2 EX with third place going to the Volkswagen Jetta.