Ford�s S-Max managed to grab the first place in the COTY awards this year with a margin of only two points from the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa. Ford should feel proud for another reason too as the S-Max is only the second MPV (after the Renault Scenic in 1996) in the contest�s 44-year history to win the award. Having seen and driven all (with the exception of Citroen�s C4 Picasso) I agree 100% with the S-Max�s first place as it�s a truly driver orientated MPV packed with style and practicality. But, I totally disagree with the Opel Corsa�s second place. I can�t understand what they found in it to give it 233 points (!). Stylish yes, but that�s about the only attribute I can find in it in comparison with the other cars in the B-Segment category. What so new in the Corsa? In what way is it better than the Renault Clio for example?
I also disagree with the 5th placing of the Civic (5door Euro version) that managed to gather a mere 148 points. Its spacious interior is dressed in an outer-space design (in and out) and it has powerful but economical engines. In other words it brings a breeze of fresh air in a conventional, not to say boring category without loosing any of the assets that come with a C-Segment hatch.
- 1. Ford S-Max - 235
- 2. Opel Corsa - 233
- 3. Citroen Picasso - 222
- 4. Skoda Roomster - 189
- 5. Honda Civic - 148
- 6. Peugeot 207 - 144
- 7. Volvo C30 - 141
- 8. Fiat Grande Punto - 138
Technorati: COTY, Car+of+the+Year, 2007, photos, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, autoriquecars
As with prior events, in order to be a nominee, the contenders had to be new vehicles available now or before the end of this year in five or more European markets, and each has to have the prospect of a minimum of 5,000 annual sales. 
Ford�s S-Max managed to grab the first place in the COTY awards this year with a margin of only two points from the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa. Ford should feel proud for another reason too as the S-Max is only the second MPV (after the Renault Scenic in 1996) in the contest�s 44-year history to win the award. 
Round one is over for the COTY 2007. But instead of having 7 nominees, this year we're going to have 8 cars compete (from a total of 41 contenders) for the first place as there was a tie in points for the seventh place. For the final vote, the 58 members of the jury will have to apportion 25 points among at least five cars, providing a written justification of their choice. If you're asking for my personal opinion, I think that the three most prominent players for the first place are the Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford SMax and Honda Civic. The result will be announced on November 13th, 2006.
