Car of the Year (COTY) and Auto Focus People's Choice Awards 2006 (updated!!!)

**carlocaraddict** · January 19th, 2006 06:50 PM

People's Choice Awards
January 28-29 2006 * the Fort Central Gateway and again on April 22-23 and April 29-30. 9am-9pm on saturdays and 9am-6pm on sundays.

Car of the Year 2006 (from motioncars.com)

The highly anticipated 2nd Car of the Year – Philippines kicked off with its first test fest held at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club in Antipolo on January 13 and 14. The weekend test fest featured the highly competitive compact car market. With the support of more than 20 publications, the 45 member strong Car Awards Group, Inc. (CAGI) gathered five compact cars and one mini car for the weekend test.

CAGI is led by its new president, Manny N. de los Reyes, editor-in-chief of Speed Magazine.

Like last year, the testing has two phases. The first is an instrumented test where the entries are subjected to an acceleration test followed by a braking test. The times and distances required by each vehicle are then recorded in the latest model GTech meter and then tabulated on a computer. The second phase is a qualitative test where journalists drive the vehicles back-to-back in the same predetermined route to gauge things such as ergonomics, ride, handling, ventilation, audio system, visibility and so forth. This year, the qualitative route includes more realistic (and entertaining) tests such as turning radius, extensive gradient changes and speed bumps.

Several key changes were done to tighten the competition between the different classifications. CAGI also took into account the feedback received from the different manufacturers / distributors as well as the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines (CAMPI). From a mixed engine-based/interior volume classification scheme, this year’s CoTY – Philippines will be segmented in terms of pricing.

Category Price Point Limit
Mini Car P 750,000 and below
Compact Car P 751,000 to P 999,000
Executive Car P 1,000,000 to P 2,499,000
Luxury Car P 2,500,000 to P 3,999,000
Ultra-Luxury Car P 4,000,000 and above
Entry-Level SUV P 1,400,000 and below
Luxury SUV P 1,401,000 to P 3,999,999
Ultra-Luxury SUV P 4,000,000 and above
Entry-Level MPV / People Carrier P 1,200,000 and below
Luxury MPV / People Carrier P 1,201,000 and above

Following the same format of other internationally recognized Car of the Year awards, the CoTY – Philippines will only consider new or revised vehicle models sold between September 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005 as eligible to join. Of course, the different category winners from last year’s CoTY – Philippines—if still being sold—are expected to defend their respective titles.

For this year’s Compact Car of the Year, 5 contenders made their way to the testing venue: Ford Focus 1.8 Ghia and 2.0 Sport; Mazda 1.6 5-door and 2.0R (revised); and the Mitsubishi Lancer MX Limited. The Hyundai Matrix CRDi also made an appearance but it is set to compete in the Mini Car of the Year Category. The Chevrolet Optra Wagon and Hyundai Accent CRDi are slated to appear during another test weekend.

The results of the weekend’s instrumented and qualitative tests will be sealed and turned over to accounting firm SyCip, Gorres and Velayo (SGV) for independent tabulation and counting. The awarding of the 2nd Car of the Year – Philippines will be held in April to coincide with 2006 Manila International Motor Show.

Here's a brief summary of the eligible cars competing for the Compact Car of the Year awards. Take note that entries with an asterisk (*) mark have yet to participate in the test fest. Entries with a cross (+) mark have opted to bow out of the competition altogether.

Chevrolet Optra 1.6 Wagon *
List Price: P 789,000 (MT) / P 834,000 (AT)
Engine: 1.6 DOHC 16V inline-4 (110 bhp * 5,800 rpm, 150 Nm * 4,000 rpm)
Front / Rear Suspension: Independent Strut / Independent Strut
Front / Rear Brakes: Vented Disc / Solid Disc, ABS, EBD

Ford Focus 1.8 Ghia
List Price: P 919,000
Engine: 1.8 DOHC 16V inline-4 (125 bhp * 6,000 rpm, 165 Nm * 4,000 rpm)
Front / Rear Suspension: Independent Strut / Independent Strut
Front / Rear Brakes: Vented Disc / Solid Disc, ABS, EBD

Ford Focus 2.0 Sport
List Price: P 989,000
Engine: 2.0 DOHC 16V inline-4 (145 bhp * 6,000 rpm, 185 Nm * 4,000 rpm)
Front / Rear Suspension: Independent Strut / Independent Strut
Front / Rear Brakes: Vented Disc / Solid Disc, ABS, EBD

Hyundai Accent CRDi *
List Price: P 748,000
Engine: 1.5 DOHC 16V inline-4 (114 bhp * 4,000 rpm, 241 Nm * 2,000 rpm)
Front / Rear Suspension: Independent Strut / Independent Multi-Link
Front / Rear Brakes: Vented Disc / Drum

Mazda3 1.6S 5-door
List Price: P 815,000
Engine: 1.6 DOHC 16V inline-4 (105 bhp * 6,000 rpm, 145 Nm * 4,500 rpm)
Front / Rear Suspension: Independent Strut / Independent Multi-Link
Front / Rear Brakes: Vented Disc / Solid Disc

Mazda3 2.0 R
List Price: P 990,000
Engine: 2.0 DOHC 16V inline-4 (141 bhp * 6,500 rpm, 181 Nm * 4,500 rpm)
Front / Rear Suspension: Independent Strut / Independent Multi-Link
Front / Rear Brakes: Vented Disc / Solid Disc, ABS, EBD

Mitsubishi Lancer MX Limited
List Price: P 898,000
Engine: 1.8 SOHC 16V inline-4 (123 bhp * 6,000 rpm, 154 Nm * 4,500 rpm)
Front / Rear Suspension: Independent Strut / Independent Multi-Link
Front / Rear Brakes: Vented Disc / Solid Disc, ABS, EBD

Nissan Sentra GS i-Style +
List Price: 798,000
Engine: 1.6 DOHC 16V inline-4 (114 bhp * 6,000 rpm, 146 Nm * 4,400 rpm)
Front / Rear Suspension: Independent Strut / Beam Axle
Front / Rear Brakes: Vented Disc / Solid Disc, ABS, EBD

The platform twins, Ford Focus 1.8 Ghia (top) and Mazda3 2.0 R (bottom) showed very different characteristics.

The Philippine Star's Andy Leuterio is still impressed with the Lancer's amount of grip and surefooted braking power.

The change in camber along with the twisty road evokes images of the Laguna Seca Raceway.

sino kaya mananalo?

**basti08** · January 19th, 2006 06:59 PM

yup, the sentra opted to bow out of the competition...

my bet is that the Fortuner as well as the Focus will get an award.

my predictions are still very vague for the overall winner.

**theveed** · January 19th, 2006 06:59 PM

Base on those listed lang ha, I'd be surprised if the Mazda 3 didn't win, mahina kalaban eh.

**niky** · January 19th, 2006 07:03 PM

Yup... my bet's on the 2.0R, too... but you'd be surprised. I think the refinement of the Focus 2.0 over the Mazda 3 2.0R will be a factor in the outcome.

**carlocaraddict** · January 19th, 2006 07:04 PM

why did nissan chose to back out?

**basti08** · January 19th, 2006 07:05 PM

i just wonder why the withdrawn Sentra is still included...how about a Civic or an Altis?

i know the Civic is due for replacement, that might be a good excuse...but what's with the exclusion of the Altis?

**basti08** · January 19th, 2006 07:07 PM

maybe its too old.

**niky** · January 19th, 2006 07:20 PM

Toyota, AFAIK, did not actively participate last time. They only had Toyotas because private owners lent their cars to the competition.

Bad move on Toyota's part. They may be doing this so they can claim that the winners would have no merit because not every manufacturer was considered... but if you don't want to compete, what does that say about the product?

Then again, it could be because of the face-lifted Corolla coming out mid-year, but I doubt it.