CAR OF THE YEAR: Ford Mondeo
KEY POINTS:
Ford came up with a whole new set of automotive buzz words to describe the design and technology that went into its new mid-range Mondeo, the overall New Zealand Herald 2007 Car of the Year.
The Mondeo's body panels are no longer "laser welded." Instead, they are "laser brazed". Brazing sounds more internet cafe, with clean work surfaces. Welding is all sparks and grubby overalls and rubbish on the floor.
The wheel arches on the Mondeo are no longer wheel arches either. They are called "lips." Calling them lips makes the car go better. Lips means "energy in motion," in Ford's dictionary of "kinetic design." It's a language all its own, set in corporate stone a few years ago.
The two grooves in the Mondeo's bonnet also fall under the kinetic spell. They create a "power bulge, hinting at the dynamic qualities of the car," says Ford.
But the grooves are purely aesthetic, there to soften the look of a bonnet that sits higher to meet European pedestrian safety legislation.
Carmakers have been forced by upcoming laws to design more space between the bonnet and the top of the engine to help cushion the impact of an unfortunate pedestrian.
Some carmakers are sitting the engine lower and retaining a swoopier bonnet. Others, like Ford with the Mondeo, are hiking up the bonnet line.
Ford likes its explanation best. Mondeo's "distinctive and dynamic kinetic design styling language expresses energy in motion, creates a sleek and dynamic profile and delivers a design presence that signals power and grace".
But the car itself doesn't need the flowery language. It's a straight-shooter. What you see is what you get. If it could talk it would call a shovel a shovel. The Ford kinetic language dictionary might call a shovel an "implement used for manual labour, crafted using an ancient but simple design process".
Mondeo isn't as confused. It is a refined, roomy, comfortable, and economical mid-range front-driver with one of the best chassis in the business. Build quality is sharp, too. It's bigger inside and out than the outgoing model and gets a wider track, revised suspension and improved rack and pinion steering.
The extra bulk hasn't dampened the excellent dynamics either. Indeed, the new look and higher bonnet line move the car upmarket.
"The team at Ford New Zealand are thrilled to receive the NZ Herald Car of the Year award for the new Mondeo" said managing director Richard Matheson.
"We look forward to letting the design and engineering teams back in Europe know that the third-generation Mondeo is following in the footsteps of its predecessor with a cluster of NZ awards beginning to build. We knew that with the new Mondeo we had a very strong product proposition for the medium car customer in New Zealand and with the diesel and sporty XR5 derivatives due to be added to the range in 2008, we predict the appeal of Mondeo will grow significantly."
Mondeo is available in sedan, hatch or wagon bodystyles, with manual or automatic transmissions and one of two different trim levels, standard and Zetec.
Standard equipment is extensive and includes a stability control system and driver's side kneebag. Safety bodies worldwide are calling for standard stability systems. It's recognised as a safety component as crucial as seatbelts and anti-lock brakes. Studies show stability control could reduce fatal road crashes by around 30 per cent. The Mondeo range is powered by either a 2.3-litre Duratec four-cylinder petrol engine coupled to the new six-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, or a 2-litre four-cylinder petrol unit mated to a five-speed manual. A 2-litre diesel variant will be available in New Zealand next year.
Mondeo starts in price at $35,990 for the 2-litre manual sedan and tops off at $45,490 for the 2.3-litre Zetec automatic hatch with sports pack. The pack includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a body kit and leather trim. The standard feet are 16-inch alloys.
The 2-litre engine is quiet but delivers only average performance. The 2.3-litre unit is punchier.
The 2-litre under the bonnet of the station wagon returned 8 litres/100km (35mpg) on a 365km return trip on main and back roads between Auckland and Raglan. That was with three adults on board. At one stage the fuel readout showed 7.4 litres/100km (38mpg).
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CROSSOVER: Honda CR-V
The Honda CR-V is our crossover model of 2007.
The third-generation example is the most accomplished yet, biased more towards on-road behaviour than the previous CR-V.
But its on-demand all-wheel-drive copes admirably when the going gets sticky. It won't take you into the back of the Uraweras but it will tackle surfaces that would leave rival station wagon-types stranded.
The CR-V is slightly smaller than its predecessor but spacious inside, with ample room front and rear, seats that tumble every which way and a boot that has a removeable floor.
It's also stronger than the outgoing model because of the increased use of high-tensile steels. It handles well, remaining poised and with little body roll. The CR-V uses a 2.4-litre engine mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox.
Price ranges from $38,400 to $46,500.
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SMALL CAR: Mazda2
The Mazda2, our best small car of 2007, has already won a handful of awards, including a second-place finish in the European Car of the Year. It's a high quality, everyday fun package that comes with a comprehensive list of safety features, including curtain airbags across the range and stability control in the top-spec Sport variant. The chassis is well balanced and agile and body control rivals more expensive hatchbacks.
Ride is firm but composed and the light, accurate controls and tight turning circle are great for summer in the city.
The five-door is powered by a lively 1.5-litre engine mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox. Mazda has an envious record in motoring awards. The Mazda2 is priced between $20,990 and $24,500.
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PERFORMANCE CAR: BMW M3
The BMW M3 coupe is the NZ Herald's performance car of the year.
It's so accomplished that you could drive three of your mates to Pukekohe race track, kick them and their luggage out when you get there - and enter and win an endurance race at the wheel in your street clothes.
The trip on the Southern Motorway through to Pukekohe would be highlighted by the supple, limousine-like ride and the race-bred 4-litre V8 engine's flexibility through a six-speed gearbox. On the track and under the throttle, the car hunkers down like David Tua coming out of his corner. No other car we can think of combines docile road-going manners with such ferocious on-track behaviour. BMW has raised the benchmark again.
Two M3 models are available, the standard variant priced $170,000 and the HP (high performance) exxample at $182,000.
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POLITICALLY INCORRECT: Holden Commodore VE Ute
The Holden Commodore VE Ute is our politically incorrect car of the year. It's there, thank the stars, because most blokes are happy with the Mars thing.
If women want to come from Venus, fine. Whatever. Who cares. Mars is different. Mars is cool. Utes, V8 engines, Y-fronts, worn shaving brushes and favourite old shirts come from Mars. Women from Venus are trying to get men from Mars to think like women from Venus. This isn't good. Venus teachers are already here, some disguised as men who don't come from Mars. Some are on the fringes of politics. Blokes can escape the Venus threat by getting into the Holden ute. The cabin is cave-like, with two seats for bonding. This is good. So is the top-range engine, a 6.1-litre V8 powerhouse.
The ute is priced between $37,990 and $55,490, no questions asked.
