Two VW's in top car finals

On the short list of 10 contenders announced yesterday by the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists are:

• Volkswagen Amarok 2.0BiTDI 4x2 DoubleCab
  
• Volkswagen Polo 1.6 Comfortline TDI
  
• BMW 5 Series 530d
  
• Citroen DS3 1.6 THP Sport
  
• Ford Figo 1.4 Ambiente
  
• Honda CR-Z 1.5 i-VTEC Hybrid
  
• Hyundai iX35 2.0 CRDI GLS Automatic AWD
  
• Hyundai Sonata 2.4 GLS Automatic Exec
  
• Kia Sportage 2.0 VGT Diesel AWD Auto
  
• Opel Astra 1.4T Enjoy Plus

The cars will undergo two days of strict evaluation at the Gerotek test facility near Pretoria by a panel of experienced motoring journalists who are elected jury members of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists.

Expert opinions

Unlike most other countries in the world where Car of the Year awards are based on popular votes, the South African competition is based on an initial vote by full members of the SAGMJ members from which a short list is drawn up.

All the members would have driven the cars for which they are asked to vote.

The finalists are then subjected to stringent evaluation by a panel of jury members according to a predetermined set of criteria.

The winner will be announced at the gala dinner in March next year.

Footnote: Bizcommunity.com Motoring Editor Henrie Geyser is a jury member on the panel of judges.