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Tags: Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Porsche, Volvo, VW
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JUST IN: European Car (Magazine) Announces COTY Awards for '08
Here are the winners from each class, with a choice quote from their descriptions.
Overall Car of the Year: Audi R8
"It's fast, handles well, looks amazing, sounds freakin' great and is surprisingly easy to drive..."
Best Hot Hatch: MINI Cooper S
"You can't drive this thing and not smile while doing it."
Best Hot Hatch Runner-Up: VW GTI
"The GTI doesn't have the same raw feeling [as the MINI], but is still a great handler with plenty of power."
Best Sport Wagon: Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Estate
"It packs no less than 507hp, with sedan handling and the utility of that big back end."
Best Sport Wagon Runner-Up: VW Jetta Wagon TDI
"The Jetta has always been a great car; the new TDI diesel should make it that much better and hopefully draw a whole new set of buyers to VW dealers."
Best Full-size SUV: Land Rover Range Rover
"There may be no more capable four-wheel-drive vehicle....Paradoxically, on-road manners are frighteningly good."
Best Full-size SUV Runner-Up: Porsche Cayenne Turbo
"...the Cayenne is also probably the best handling truck-like thing on the road today."
Best Small SUV: VW Tiguan
"The Tiguan bucks the trend with quality materials and great features not found even on big SUVs."
Best GT: Aston Martin DBS
"The DBS builds on all that is good about the DB9..."
Best GT Runner-Up: Jaguar XKR
"A sweet, supercharged V8 sits up front and makes all the right sounds for a proper GT experience."
Best 4-door Compact: Audi RS4
"...the RS4 is beyond reproach. No other sedan out there provides anywhere near the driving experience."
Best 2-door Compact: BMW M3
"So far, the M3 reigns supreme."
Best Mid-size Sedan: BMW 535i
"The 535i is the best buy in the 5 Series range..."
Best Full-size Sedan: Audi A8 4.2
"The A8 is remarkably athletic for its size--luxurious and sporting with copious amounts of interior space."
Best Full-size Sedan Runner-Up: Mercedes-Benz S600
"There's just so much to love about Mercedes' bi-turbo V12."
Best Sports Car, $50K-100K: Porsche 911 Carrera
"...the 911 is still King."
Best Sports car, $50K-100K Runner-Up: BMW Z4 M Coupé
"No one can deny that the car is a true performance bargain."
Best Sports Car, $100K-200K: Ferrari F430
"The F430 is an exotic that can be driven daily and without fuss."
Best 'Money No Object:' Lamborghini Murciélago LP640
"It seems strangely inappropriate to refer to the LP640 as a car."
Best Value, Entry Level: VW Rabbit
"When you look at the quality of this car, the driving experience, even the safety ratings, and then look at the price, is anyone surprised that VW is losing money?"
Best Value, High End: Jaguar XK
"The XK offers amazing looks, tons of pedigree and great driving dynamics."
Best Mod Machine, High End: Porsche 911 Turbo
"Some would argue that the Turbo is fast enough as delivered. But how can you stop when making power is so disgustingly easy?"
Best Canyon Carver: Porsche Cayman S
"You're looking for a car that's predictable, handles and stops well, and has enough power to make things interesting, but not put you in a crater. The Cayman S is all these things and more."
Best Mod Machine, Entry Level: BMW 135i
"A compact, twin-turbo, rear-wheel drive car potentially accessible to loads of enthusiasts, this is what tuners dream of."
Best Track Weapon: Lotus Exige
"...there is no purer, more focused vehicle on the American market than a Lotus."
Best Mile Eater: Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG
"It only seats two, but aren't those the best kinds of gateways?"
Best 'First Real Job:' Audi S5
"It's time for something that has everything you want in a car, without looking like you're trying too hard. It can't have the stigma of a BMW or Benz, or the boss will think you're overpaid. The S5 is the answer."
Best IKEA Hauler: Volvo V70/XC70
"There are probably no cars more ideal for this scenario than the new Volvos."
Best Brat Packer: Audi Q7 4.2
"Substantially larger than the biggest sport wagon, the Q7 does so many things right that it can make you forget your kids altogether and simply drive on."
Best Night on the Town: Bentley Continental GT
"By any definition, the GT packs incredible performance, but the car is absolutely in its element when you're just out for a cruise."
Yes, it's a ridiculously long list, but one that's great to read. I recommend picking up the latest issue of 'European Car' from a Borders near you.