Colin-on-Cars - Car of the Year contenders announced

The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists’ has announced the list of semi-finalists for the 2022 Car of the Year competition - the oldest car competition in the country, with its inaugural event taking place in 1986.

Over the years, the COTY competition has evolved based on changes in the automotive industry.

Honda Fit

“The impact of COVID-19 on the automotive industry has also seen changes in car launches and the allocation of fleet vehicles over the last year, necessitating modifications to the 2022 COTY competition,” says Graham Eagle, Chairman of the 2022 COTY committee.

This year has also seen the increased importance of online scoring by Guild members. As in 2021, this year will also not see a physical event where winners will be announced; the winners will be announced on the Guild’s digital platforms.

Categories

The 39 semi-finalists represent 10 categories launched between March 31 and December 31, 2021. Four contenders tied with identical scores in the final 35th semi-finalist position and were all included.

Subaru Outback

A total of 65 new vehicles launched in South Africa during this period were considered for this year’s COTY competition.

Energy

For the first time in the competition’s history, the decision was made that vehicles launched with both regular and new energy derivatives would be entered into both their relevant vehicle category and the New Energy Category. Vehicle ranges that only launched a new energy derivative were also included in the ever-growing New Energy Category.

The recently announced 25 juror and trainee juror teams will vote for the 2022 COTY competition finalists in 10 categories.

The categories are: Budget, Compact, Compact Family, Midsize, Premium, Luxury, Performance, New Energy, Adventure SUV and 4X4 Double Cab.

Hyundai Palisade

 Toyota dominates with seven semi-finalists competing in five categories, but there is also strong representation by Audi and Hyundai. Surprisingly, the Performance Category has nine contenders, the most in many years. This year there are no contenders in the Budget category.

Audi A3

Shortly the jurors will narrow the field of semi-finalists to worthy finalists. They are given eight weeks to assess vehicles, after which the final scoring will commence, determining the 2022 SA Car of the Year.

“The overall 2020 SA Car of the Year winner remains the most coveted of all automotive competition titles in South Africa and enjoys international recognition,” concludes Eagle.

https://bit.ly/3fKY7EF

 

Lemon used to refer to a no-hoper car; a complete dud usually bought off a used car lot owned by someone called ‘Honest John’ or similar – but, today, Haval is proudly using the term as the name for its new design platform. 

The Jolion, launched recently, was the first model to feature the Lemon architecture and it is now followed by the latest version of the Haval H6. 

The new platform allows more strength at a lower weight. Being lightweight is of great significance to the automobile industry mostly due to increased performance and improved economy. The LEMON platform can form up to 438 basic modules and 113 standard modules and has completed road testing of more than 6-million kilometres including 76 different kinds of road surface found globally. 

The all new Haval H6, penned by Phil Simmonds, has a purposeful aesthetic with the goal to be unapologetically futuristic with a ‘sci-fi-esc’ design intention so everything from the front bumper and mesh grille flows stylistically into an uninterrupted creation that embraces the futuristic mindset from the outset. 

H6 also boasts new generation technologies and all models come fitted with Full-Speed-Range Adaptive Cruise Control and boasts to be the only SUV in its class that can activate AEB in all driving scenarios, including passing pedestrians, bicycles and traffic intersections. 

This intelligent SUV features TSR (Traffic Sign Recognition) assisting the driver to further abide by the rules of the road and ensure passengers’ safety. TJA (Traffic Jam Assist) offers the driver the option to engage cruise control in bumper to bumper traffic with this setting engaged, while the 12,3-inch touch screen and the 10,25-inch full-colour instrument panel allows for seamless vehicle interactions. 

It boasts an all new 2.0 GDIT (gasoline direct injection turbo) powerplant that is an inhouse creation featuring a Double overhead cam with continuous variable valve timing. This new unit offers 38% thermal efficiency ensuring lower running temperatures, whilst still churning out 320 Nm of torque between 1 500 r/min and 4 000 r/min. Maximum power output is at 150 kW at 6 000 r/min. 

The entire range features the second generation 7DCT transmission and it now has a McPherson strut independent front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension. 

The third generation Haval H6 also boasts the latest 9.3 Gen ESP (electronic stability program), HD 360 Degree View Camera, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist, an All-round Blind Spot Monitoring system as well as Tire-pressure Monitoring System, while six crash bags, Automatic Collision Unlocking Function, Anti-theft Alarm System and Electronic engine Immobilizer are all standard features. 

Pricing:

Haval H6 2.0T 7DCT 2WD Premium R 419 900

Haval H6 2.0T 7DCT 2WD Luxury R 454 900

Haval H6 2.0T 7DCT 4WD Luxury R 479 900

Haval H6 2.0T 7DCT 4WD Super Luxury R 514 900 

The H6 offers a 5-year/100 000 km warranty as well as a 5-year/60 000 km service plan.