Carsguide Annouces First Five Finalists for 2008 Car of the Year Awards

Carsguide Announces First Five Finalists for 2008 Car of the Year Awards

 The editor of carsguide.com.au Karla Pincott today announced the first five finalists for the 2008 carsguide Car of the Year Awards.

The first five finalists are:

- Audi A4 1.8 with CVT;

 - BMW 135i auto;

 - Fiat 500 1.4;

 - Jaguar XF Diesel and;

 - Volkswagen Tiguan TDi.

Judged on criteria that cover styling, safety, innovation, value, functionality, build-quality and performance, finalists were tested in a variety of situations including a full day's close examination at Wakefield Park race track, in New South Wales’ Goulburn.

Ms. Pincott said that the purpose of the Car of the Year Awards was to find Australia’s best new cars for 2008.

“Now in its eleventh year, the carsguide Car of the Year Awards has proven to be an authoritative measure of the best new Australian car models. “Automotive manufacturers are becoming more innovative each year making the selection process tighter than ever. We are pleased with the list of first five finalists and encourage the public to get behind this initiative by voting for the People’s Choice Award.”

The remaining five finalists will be announced next Friday, November 21. From the 10 finalists, three winners will be chosen under the categories of:

• Car of the Year
• Green Car of the Year
• People’s Choice Award

 All winners will be announced on Friday, November 28.

The judges comprise of motoring editors and senior writers from Sydney's The Daily Telegraph, Melbourne's Herald-Sun, Brisbane's Courier-Mail, Adelaide's Advertiser, Hobart's Mercury, Perth's Sunday Times and carsguide.com.au.

Voting for the People’s Choice Award commences on 21 November and runs until 27 November.

carsguide.com.au users can read appraisals, view large format photo galleries and watch videos of all the finalists shot on location at Wakefield Park to help with their decision.

To vote or for more information, visit http://www.carsguide.com.au/COTY.