2008 European Car of the Year finalists announced

Tycoon · 10-06-2007, 05:12 PM

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A couple of months ago - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER on the European Car of the Year award, which is run by a panel of journalists from various publications across the continent. Having filtered through the initial 32 contenders, the final seven most impressive cars of the year have finally been announced.

Making the cut are the Fiat 500, Ford Mondeo, Kia cee’d, Mazda 2, Mercedes C-class, Nissan Qashqai, and the Peugeot 308. All these models are new or have been heavily redesigned in the past 12 months and all represent the ‘best of breed’ in their segment, whether it be the cute and curvy - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER or the popular - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

Last year’s winner was the - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER, while the Renault Clio got the award in 2006, the Toyota Prius in 2005, Fiat Panda in 2004, or the Renault Megane in 2003. We initially predicted the Mazda 2 or the Ford Mondeo would take the gong and that hasn’t changed. Both cars have been getting rave reviews in the European press so we expect a closely fought title. The winner will be announced on November 19th.

Source: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Just_me · 10-06-2007, 05:18 PM

Fiat 500 is going to win

EnI · 10-06-2007, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just_me

Fiat 500 is going to win

This, or Mazda 2.

Giannis · 10-10-2007, 10:40 AM

FIAT 500 or Ford Mondeo, but i thinks it's 60-40 over the 500

EnI · 11-15-2007, 10:04 AM

According to the Italian newspapers Fiat 500 won the ECotY 2008 title by a margin.

Just_me · 11-15-2007, 02:49 PM

The Fiat 500 carries more history and heritage than most minicars, excepting possibly the Mini. Alternately named the 500, the Cinquecento (literally, Italian for “500″) and Nuova 500, Fiat’s iconic minicar won the hearts of millions of drivers between 1957 and 1975. Since its rebirth in 2007, the 500 has proven true love never dies. And today it further assures itself a place in history by winning the 2008 European Car of The Year award.

Journalistic accolades for exterior and interior styling are one thing - and the 500 has those in spades. But getting the nod in a contest sponsored by seven major auto magazines with 58 journalists from 22 countries on the panel is quite another - but the 500 now has that, too. And the Fiat took it by a handy margin, beating the next-best Mazda2 by 60 points in the final tally. Kia’s Cee’d came in third with just half the points of the Mazda. Nissan’s Qashqai and Mercedes-Benz’s C-class rounded out the top five, reports Automotive News.

The 500 wowed critics upon its release with its perfect blend of modern and retro styling and an interior that effortlessly combines function with beauty. Based on the same platform as Fiat’s Panda, the 500 is also a very affordable and economic citycar. For a full review, check out our experience with the Fiat 500 1.3L Multijet.

martinbo · 11-16-2007, 03:27 AM

What a terrific little car! Well done to FIAT.

The 500 shows that small needn’t be cheap nor cheesy. It may have elements of retro styling (and my friends here will know that I'm not fond of sentimental retro throwbacks) but still manages to come across as thoroughly modern and fashionable. Its interior is vibrant and stylish and it promises to be a decent drive too...

Side note: BTW Is it just me or do others here find that the new MINI II Cooper is actually uglier than the new MINI I?

City cars are an ever increasingly important segment of the overall automotive market. City traffic congestion, fuel-efficiency, ease-of-commuting and more are considerations that we as car lovers tend to overlook. The Fiat 500 shows that socially and environmentally responsible does not need to be cheap and nasty or dull to drive.

I'm of the personal opinion that the cars that we aspire to here at GCZ are actually the antithesis of what is realistically practical and socially considerate in highly urbanised environments. Face it - most cars never leave the city (our little Polo is one of them) and hardly ever drive above 120 km/h. In fact, you'll be appalled at the average speed over the lifetime of such vehicles. Compact, practical, safe and spacious yet frugal cars

I believe that manufacturers should expend fewer resources on expensive, large, high performance, luxury vehicles (as much as we all love them) and focus on bringing back practical yet enjoyable commuters.

dr Dunkel · 11-16-2007, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tycoon

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Is it just me or is Ford really stepping it up with their new Mondeo? Good looking car.

Tycoon · 11-16-2007, 03:49 AM

Compared to the old one, this is not one, but 5 steps forward in terms of design.

bmer · 11-16-2007, 01:00 PM

The 500 definitely deserved it!

It such a remarkable breath of fresh air for the Fiat range and actually for the whole market of little cars. Currently it's the only Fiat that I like but then again I like it very very much!

10-06-2007, 05:12 PM	#1
Tycoon Expert Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 12,811 Thanks: 3,263 Thanked 3,647 Times in 1,986 Posts	2008 European Car of the Year finalists announced - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER A couple of months ago - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER on the European Car of the Year award, which is run by a panel of journalists from various publications across the continent. Having filtered through the initial 32 contenders, the final seven most impressive cars of the year have finally been announced. Making the cut are the Fiat 500, Ford Mondeo, Kia cee’d, Mazda 2, Mercedes C-class, Nissan Qashqai, and the Peugeot 308. All these models are new or have been heavily redesigned in the past 12 months and all represent the ‘best of breed’ in their segment, whether it be the cute and curvy - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER or the popular - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. Last year’s winner was the - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER, while the Renault Clio got the award in 2006, the Toyota Prius in 2005, Fiat Panda in 2004, or the Renault Megane in 2003. We initially predicted the Mazda 2 or the Ford Mondeo would take the gong and that hasn’t changed. Both cars have been getting rave reviews in the European press so we expect a closely fought title. The winner will be announced on November 19th. Source: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

10-06-2007, 05:18 PM	#2
Just_me Executive Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 15,487 Thanks: 1,062 Thanked 3,722 Times in 1,583 Posts	Re: 2008 European Car of the Year finalists announced Fiat 500 is going to win

10-10-2007, 10:40 AM	#4
Giannis Devotee Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Patra, Greece Posts: 3,934 Thanks: 255 Thanked 301 Times in 232 Posts	Re: 2008 European Car of the Year finalists announced FIAT 500 or Ford Mondeo, but i thinks it's 60-40 over the 500

11-15-2007, 10:04 AM	#5
EnI Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4,905 Thanks: 124 Thanked 1,737 Times in 840 Posts	Re: 2008 European Car of the Year finalists announced According to the Italian newspapers Fiat 500 won the ECotY 2008 title by a margin.

11-15-2007, 02:49 PM	#6
Just_me Executive Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Posts: 15,487 Thanks: 1,062 Thanked 3,722 Times in 1,583 Posts	Re: 2008 European Car of the Year finalists announced The Fiat 500 carries more history and heritage than most minicars, excepting possibly the Mini. Alternately named the 500, the Cinquecento (literally, Italian for “500″) and Nuova 500, Fiat’s iconic minicar won the hearts of millions of drivers between 1957 and 1975. Since its rebirth in 2007, the 500 has proven true love never dies. And today it further assures itself a place in history by winning the 2008 European Car of The Year award. Journalistic accolades for exterior and interior styling are one thing - and the 500 has those in spades. But getting the nod in a contest sponsored by seven major auto magazines with 58 journalists from 22 countries on the panel is quite another - but the 500 now has that, too. And the Fiat took it by a handy margin, beating the next-best Mazda2 by 60 points in the final tally. Kia’s Cee’d came in third with just half the points of the Mazda. Nissan’s Qashqai and Mercedes-Benz’s C-class rounded out the top five, reports Automotive News. The 500 wowed critics upon its release with its perfect blend of modern and retro styling and an interior that effortlessly combines function with beauty. Based on the same platform as Fiat’s Panda, the 500 is also a very affordable and economic citycar. For a full review, check out our experience with the Fiat 500 1.3L Multijet.

11-16-2007, 03:27 AM	#7
martinbo Fanatic Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Johannesburg Posts: 1,701 Thanks: 324 Thanked 531 Times in 269 Posts	Re: 2008 European Car of the Year finalists announced What a terrific little car! Well done to FIAT. The 500 shows that small needn’t be cheap nor cheesy. It may have elements of retro styling (and my friends here will know that I'm not fond of sentimental retro throwbacks) but still manages to come across as thoroughly modern and fashionable. Its interior is vibrant and stylish and it promises to be a decent drive too... Side note: BTW Is it just me or do others here find that the new MINI II Cooper is actually uglier than the new MINI I? City cars are an ever increasingly important segment of the overall automotive market. City traffic congestion, fuel-efficiency, ease-of-commuting and more are considerations that we as car lovers tend to overlook. The Fiat 500 shows that socially and environmentally responsible does not need to be cheap and nasty or dull to drive. I'm of the personal opinion that the cars that we aspire to here at GCZ are actually the antithesis of what is realistically practical and socially considerate in highly urbanised environments. Face it - most cars never leave the city (our little Polo is one of them) and hardly ever drive above 120 km/h. In fact, you'll be appalled at the average speed over the lifetime of such vehicles. Compact, practical, safe and spacious yet frugal cars I believe that manufacturers should expend fewer resources on expensive, large, high performance, luxury vehicles (as much as we all love them) and focus on bringing back practical yet enjoyable commuters.

11-16-2007, 03:49 AM	#9
Tycoon Expert Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 12,811 Thanks: 3,263 Thanked 3,647 Times in 1,986 Posts	Re: 2008 European Car of the Year finalists announced Compared to the old one, this is not one, but 5 steps forward in terms of design.

11-16-2007, 01:00 PM	#10
bmer Devotee Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,904 Thanks: 1,547 Thanked 669 Times in 405 Posts	Re: 2008 European Car of the Year finalists announced The 500 definitely deserved it! It such a remarkable breath of fresh air for the Fiat range and actually for the whole market of little cars. Currently it's the only Fiat that I like but then again I like it very very much!

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