As you'll read elsewhere on this site, there are eleven finalists in the competition for 2013 Continental Irish Car of the Year. The full list in alphabetical order is as follows:
BMW 3 Series
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé
BMW M5
Ford B-Max
Kia cee'd
Kia Optima
Mazda CX-5
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Peugeot 208
Toyota GT86
Volvo V40
At first this might seem an odd mix, but it has to be remembered that this is not a 'top eleven'. Instead, the first round of voting determines the best two cars in each of five categories. This year the 'Compact Family' class was particularly large so an extra car was allowed through from that. Now we, the members of the IMWA, must place the cars in order of our preference - regardless of category.
Before I do that, I am highly surprised that neither the Fiat Panda nor the Volkswagen up!, Skoda Citigo or SEAT Mii made it through the first round. They competed against the Ford B-Max and Peugeot 208. But no matter, this is a democratic process and clearly not everyone in the IMWA agrees with my opinions!
So, starting from the bottom... It feels odd to put the BMW M5 in last place, but for the purposes of this competition that's where I have it. I love this car's multi-faceted personality and its devastatingly quick performance, but it's the least relevant car to the Irish market on this list - by quite some way.
The same could be said for the Mercedes-Benz M-Class. The large SUV sector has suffered serious losses, in line with the woes of the economy, though for what it's worth the big Merc is a highly accomplished luxury car. Even so, I've put it in tenth place.
I was tempted to put the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé next in ninth, but realised that this competition isn't solely about relevance to the mass market. The 6 Series totally redefines the luxury saloon sector in my eyes and it's a car I'd lust after even if I won the Lotto and could afford more expensive models. Hence I've put it in eighth, ahead of the Kia Optima.
Kia's big saloon is a breath of fresh air from the Korean car maker, certainly in the exterior style stakes (it's the best-looking car in the segment in my opinion), but while it moves Kia's offering on significantly, it doesn't move the goalposts for the sector.
The same is certainly not true for Toyota's GT86 sports car. While very much a niche product, it's such an exciting driver's machine that it's pretty much the default choice at its price point now. Why 'only' seventh position? Two reasons: one, I realise that many people, even those that consider themselves car enthusiasts and keen drivers, will not 'get' the GT86; two, it's back to relevance I'm afraid.
There's nothing wrong with Kia's second-generation cee'd. It's one of those cars that managed to impress more on Irish roads and in Irish specification than it did abroad at the international launch equipped to the hilt. It's well-judged, has a good warranty and a decent all-rounder, but like the Optima it doesn't really stand out in its class as the absolute must-have model. Worthy of sixth spot for sure - and of buyers' consideration.
Peugeot's 208 has got to be one of the favourites for the overall title. It's very much a car of the moment. I completely admire the direction the company has gone in terms of significant weight reduction and the resultant improvement in efficiency. I also quite like the feeling of agility in the 208 imbued by the tiny steering wheel - and Peugeot's recently announced five-year warranty. Its new three-cylinder petrol engine is quite good too, but for some reason I didn't get on with this car as well in Irish specification as I did with it at the international launch. The suspension settings probably have something to do with that and the specification didn't blow me away. Though not eligible for this year's vote, I much rather the new Renault Clio, so the 208 is fifth on my list.
I don't remember the last time Volvo sold a car that was so relevant to the Irish market. The new V40 hatchback is just that. It competes with the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and forthcoming Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the premium compact class. It's one of the most stylish models in that group, while packing the usual Volvo arsenal of safety equipment - including a pop-up pedestrian protecting bonnet as standard. Along with all that it drives well, is efficient and seemingly well-built. A deserved fourth spot.
It gets trickier to position cars as there are less of them to choose from. I've put the Mazda CX-5 in third. This compact SUV brings a lot to the table - though Mazda was relatively late launching such a model in the first place. It's of high quality, good to drive, spacious, well equipped and surprisingly efficient. Just as important: it's what buyers seem to want right now. It deserves to succeed.
I'm surprising myself by putting the Ford B-Max in second place. While I personally believe that one of the Volkswagen small cars should be in the final ahead of it, I stand behind the majority vote and on this short list of cars the Ford stands out. The design of the door opening is novel, but more than that, it's genuinely useful - especially for parents of small children (I should know!). But the B-Max isn't just a tall Fiesta with clever doors; it's a genuinely likable car. It's great to drive and of good quality inside. I especially loved it when powered by Ford's 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine. Don't be shocked to see this take the number one spot overall.
Sorry about this BMW, but I've put the in first place. Why the apology? Well, none of my personal favourite cars since I joined the IMWA have won the top prize. Seems I'm out of kilter with the majority... No doubt many will wonder have I gone mad putting a relatively high-end car like the 3 Series in top spot, but this is no niche product; BMW is tenth overall in the Irish sales charts and this model has improved over its (already class-leading) predecessor in leaps and bounds in virtually all areas. It's decently spacious now, far more comfortable, just as good to drive yet even more efficient. It feels like a big step up from a BMW 1 Series, yet I'd argue that it's better than the 5 Series in some respects.
Now let's see how the rest of the membership votes. Bear in mind that it's a closed vote and it's up to each member whether they want transparency or not.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on all this.