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THE Eastern Cape is well represented on the list of eight finalists for the country’s most coveted new car award. It is the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists-WesBank Car of the Year title, the finalists for which have just been named. The vehicles are:

Alfa Romeo MiTo 1,4i turbo petrol.

Audi Q5 2,0 T S Tronic.

Chevrolet Cruze 1,8 LS.

Hyundai i20 1,6 GLS.

Suzuki Alto 1,0-litre GLS.

Toyota Prius 1,8 ECVT advanced.

Volkswagen Golf VI 1,4 TSI 90 kW Comfortline.

Volvo XC60 3,0T Geartronic.

The three models with an Eastern Cape heritage are the Audi, imported through Uitenhage-based VWSA, the VW Golf, also from Uitenhage, and the Chevrolet Cruze, brought to our shores by GMSA in Port Elizabeth.

While price is only one of many factors measured when it comes to final judging which will take place in the new year, it is worth noting the wide range of numbers.

Models and prices in descending order are:

Suzuki Alto – R119900.

Hyundai i20 – R159900.

Chevrolet Cruze – R204133.

VW Golf 1,4 (90kW) R238400.

Alfa MiTo – R241000.

Audi Q5 – R463000

Toyota Prius – R314800.

Volvo XC60 – R515000.

Other parts of the value-for-money checklist will include running and parts costs, fuel consumption, level of comfort and features at the price, performance, and innovative engineering and design, say the organisers.

“The next step in the process is to determine the winner from a two-day test session to be held in February 2010 at the Gerotek test facility near Pretoria.”

Aspects to be judged will include manoeuvrability, parking prowess and general ease of control, plus driving dynamics, including gravel road tests.

Styling and aesthetics, together with build quality and ergonomics, will also come under intense scrutiny.