Ιαπωνικό αυτοκίνητο για το 2012 ψηφίστηκε το Mazda CX-5, αφού με 363 ψήφους άφησε στη δεύτερη θέση τα Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ τα οποία συγκέντρωσαν 318 ψήφους. Στη τρίτη θέση βρέθηκε η BMW 3-Series με 282 ψήφους, στη τέταρτη το Range Rover Evoque και στη πέμπτη το VW up!. Αναλυτικά τα 10 αυτοκίνητα που συμμετείχαν στη τελική φάση του διαγωνισμού ήταν τα εξής:
- Mazda CX-5 363 votes
- Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ 318
- BMW 3-Series 282
- Range Rover Evoque 218
- VW Up! 152
- Suzuki Wagon R 68
- Citroen DS5 51
- Alfa Romeo Giulietta 29
- Nissan Note 10
- Honda N-Box 9
[Πηγή: Japan Car of the Year]
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MAZDA CX-5 CAPTURES JAPAN CAR OF THE YEAR TROPHY
At the Japan Car of the Year awards ceremony inside Zepp Diver City on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, Mazda’s all-new CX-5 posted 363 votes to win Japan’s coveted Car of the Year prize.
Surprisingly, the expected close battle between this year’s two most highly anticipated cars – Mazda’s CX-5 and the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ – did not eventuate as the SUV from Hiroshima pulled away from the jointly developed GT86/BRZ sports car to triumph by some 45 votes.
While the Toyota-Subaru sports car picked up 318 votes for its thrilling rear-wheel drive handling, high revving boxer engine and reasonable price, it was the Mazda CX-5’s revolutionary Skyactiv technology, great handling and economical clean diesel engine that most impressed the 60 jurors.
In accepting the Japan COTY trophy, the so-called ‘Godfather’ of Skyactiv technology**, Kiyoshi Fujiwara, said: “It was a long road. In the early days of Skyactiv development, I had a lot of opposition from colleagues suggesting this technology was not the answer. But we stayed true to our goals, and here we are today, fully recognised by the COTY jurors. Thank you!”
The BMW 3-Series – with 282 votes – snatched the Import Car of the Year gong away from a strong finishing Range Rover Evoque polling 218 votes, while the sentimental COTY steering committee special prize was awarded to the Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ.
FINAL RESULTS
- Mazda CX-5 363 votes
- Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ 318
- BMW 3-Series 282
- Range Rover Evoque 218
- VW Up! 152
- Suzuki Wagon R 68
- Citroen DS5 51
- Alfa Romeo Giulietta 29
- Nissan Note 10
- Honda N-Box 9
Voting rules: Each juror is given 25 votes. The juror must give 10 votes to their highest rated car, and then spread the remaining 15 votes among their next best four cars.
** Skyactiv technology refers to a series of new body, chassis, engine and transmission technologies which increase fuel efficiency, reduce weight and emissions while improving the car’s handling and ride quality. Skyactiv does not employ hybrid technology.
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