http://www.caroftheyear.org/
The 58 members of the Car of the Year Jury have voted in the first round of the election of Car of the Year 2004. From the 35 contenders for the award they have nominated seven cars for the short list. They are as follows: BMW 5-series, Fiat Panda, Mazda3, Nissan Micra, Opel/Vauxhall Meriva, Toyota Avensis and Volkswagen Golf.
Over the next month, Jury members will vote in the final round, apportioning 25 points among the seven cars and providing a written justification of their choice. The winner, Car of the Year 2004, will be announced on 18 November 2003.
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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,588-858025,00.html
Mazda3
It’s interesting that the Mazda made the shortlist when its sisters under the skin, the Ford Focus C-Max and new Volvo S40, did not. That probably had something to do with the breadth of the range: the C-Max is an MPV trailblazer for next year’s new Focus and the Volvo starts out only as a saloon, with a powerful five-cylinder engine. The Mazda3 will be available from January as a five-door hatchback with 1.6 and 2 litre petrol engines, and a four-door saloon and diesel engine will follow shortly afterwards. Prices will start at about £12,000. Like the Mazda6 its presentation is bright and it is eager and fun to drive."
The 58 members of the Car of the Year Jury have voted in the first round of the election of Car of the Year 2004. From the 35 contenders for the award they have nominated seven cars for the short list. They are as follows: BMW 5-series, Fiat Panda, Mazda3, Nissan Micra, Opel/Vauxhall Meriva, Toyota Avensis and Volkswagen Golf.
Over the next month, Jury members will vote in the final round, apportioning 25 points among the seven cars and providing a written justification of their choice. The winner, Car of the Year 2004, will be announced on 18 November 2003.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,588-858025,00.html
Mazda3
It’s interesting that the Mazda made the shortlist when its sisters under the skin, the Ford Focus C-Max and new Volvo S40, did not. That probably had something to do with the breadth of the range: the C-Max is an MPV trailblazer for next year’s new Focus and the Volvo starts out only as a saloon, with a powerful five-cylinder engine. The Mazda3 will be available from January as a five-door hatchback with 1.6 and 2 litre petrol engines, and a four-door saloon and diesel engine will follow shortly afterwards. Prices will start at about £12,000. Like the Mazda6 its presentation is bright and it is eager and fun to drive."