Publications
Partners
The Porsche Boxster has been named 2013 South African Car of the Year, the first Porsche to win since the competition began in the 1980's.
The SA competition has for the past few years been based on the European Coty points-based scoring system but is unique in that each finalist, 12 vehicles in 2012, is also put through a series of tests at the Gerotek Vehicle Testing Facility west of Pretoria.
FIRST PORSCHE TO WIN
The competition claims to reward automotive excellence and the winning vehicle must score highly in its own class, not against the other finalists.
A parallel Wheels24 Coty voting poll open to the public and eventually taking a total of 19 431 votes was won by the Ford Ranger.
Wheels24 reader GRAEME VAN DER MEER shares his thoughts...
"Following the deluge of criticism regarding the Porsche Boxster winning the Coty title, I support the decision made by the judges. Not only are they experienced, but the judging system appears to be fair and transparent. That a sportscar won the title this year is a reflection on the impact the new and improved Boxster made on the judges.
While it falls squarely into the aspirational category for most South Africans, should that preclude it from being the best car of 2013? Looking at the Wheels24 people's choice of the Ford Ranger, how many South Africans can afford it new? A top of the range model will wipe out your R400 000 bank balance very easily.
I'm certain that this current debate played itself out in the minds and mouths of those involved with Coty during the judging and before the results were published.
South Africans have a proud heritage of loving their cars and are vociferous in defending their differing opinions. This debate highlights that culture, but also aptly demonstrates why the Boxster won - it's a car the judges fell in love with. Technologically brilliant while still recreating that intangible passion for driving all petrolheads dream of."
The SA competition has for the past few years been based on the European Coty points-based scoring system but is unique in that each finalist, 12 vehicles in 2012, is also put through a series of tests at the Gerotek Vehicle Testing Facility west of Pretoria.
FIRST PORSCHE TO WIN
The competition claims to reward automotive excellence and the winning vehicle must score highly in its own class, not against the other finalists.
A parallel Wheels24 Coty voting poll open to the public and eventually taking a total of 19 431 votes was won by the Ford Ranger.
Wheels24 reader GRAEME VAN DER MEER shares his thoughts...
"Following the deluge of criticism regarding the Porsche Boxster winning the Coty title, I support the decision made by the judges. Not only are they experienced, but the judging system appears to be fair and transparent. That a sportscar won the title this year is a reflection on the impact the new and improved Boxster made on the judges.
While it falls squarely into the aspirational category for most South Africans, should that preclude it from being the best car of 2013? Looking at the Wheels24 people's choice of the Ford Ranger, how many South Africans can afford it new? A top of the range model will wipe out your R400 000 bank balance very easily.
I'm certain that this current debate played itself out in the minds and mouths of those involved with Coty during the judging and before the results were published.
South Africans have a proud heritage of loving their cars and are vociferous in defending their differing opinions. This debate highlights that culture, but also aptly demonstrates why the Boxster won - it's a car the judges fell in love with. Technologically brilliant while still recreating that intangible passion for driving all petrolheads dream of."