European Car of The Year 2009

The inaugural European Car of The Year Awards had shortlisted their finalist for 2009 (a year that hadn't even arrive). As usual, their selection comes in awkward ways resembling their efforts for the past few years. The finalists are: Skoda Superb, Opel Insignia, Citroen C5, Alfa Mito, Volkswagen Golf VI, Renault Megane and Ford Fiesta. Well of course the judges are 'experts' comprising of 59 dorks from 7 major European automotive magazines, they've consistently churned up rather 'surprising' finalists, of course not all of their past winners were made up of 'suspiciously well performing' cars, we must say most of them were rather dubious when taking into consideration that many cheap cheerful lots won in years where iconic creations with technological breakthroughs were also present yet not recognized.

Let's start with 1995's Fiat Punto, a cheap cheerful, simple car that's good looking and not very reliable won, where during the same year, BMW's E39 mark a new era for mid size executive sedans was launched, blending performance, comfort looks that pushes the boundaries beyond. Then in year 1996, Fiat Bravo won, of course again another cheap, slightly less cheerful (when you're talking about selling it or driving it for the next few years after your warranty had expired) car that looks rather 'ok' won the award where in the same year Audi launched the first A4, a highly well built sports sedan that brought Audi into the premium segment previously reserved only for Mercedes Benz and BMW, and of course, the Quattro 4wd also heralds it onto winning the BTCC championships in an almost dominating manner (that got it banned). As for year 1999, yes the Ford Focus is a really good car, again a form and price factor that ECOTY favors, but being in the same year as the iconic Audi TT that showcased new methods of vehicle construction, which led to almost all cars manufactured from then on to follow similar construction and styling methods of the front and rear bumper shut lines that blends upwards, signaling a transformation from boxy and edgy 90s cars to the current suave, sleek cars of the 21st century; does leave us wondering what were they thinking.

As for this year, which do you think would clinch the award? The slightly repackaged VW Golf VI which is actually a Golf MK V? Or the French that's trying to go German C5? The yawning Opel Insignia or the Alfa Mito that'll soon be eclipse by the slightly larger, slightly more powerful and nicer Alfa 149? And please, not another Megane. Just to give you a slight contrast, those that didn't make the final lists includes the Scirocco, Jaguar XF, Audi A4, Nissan GTR etc, you figure that out.