NBR Car of the Year 2010

Overall Winner 2010: BMW 5 Series

The National Business Review 2010 Overall Car of the Year is the BMW 5 Series.

The finalists were the two ever-competing BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes E-Class, which have both been comprehensively updated and which bring enough technology to comprise a supercomputer and the all new Jaguar XJ, a car that has comprehensively changed the concept of what a large Jaguar should be. Also joining them was the Audi A8 which is available only with one engine, and it’s a diesel. There are petrol models available overseas but Audi New Zealand is confident that the diesel engine in the A8 is so impressive that petrol doesn’t enter the equation.

Also worthy of looking at were newcomers like the Audi S5 Sportback and the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo. These new types of cars follow – and in the BMW’s case rather more loosely – the precedent set by the Mercedes Benz CLS, a coupe-like design with four doors that was criticised at launch and yet has gone on to be a sales success.

They were considered because of the original thinking that went into the BMW GT especially – it’s a bold step for BMW to launch what is essentially a large five-door hatchback into the executive market.

The most major step forward with all of these vehicles though is the music and telecommunications systems built into them. Every car mentioned here has Bluetooth phone integration and the audio systems can all accept music from a variety of sources, be they CDs, MP3’s, iPods and other personal music players, memory cards and sticks, and even old-fashioned radio. It is worth noting that the new Lexus IS 350 arrived after judging was completed but qualifies for consideration next year.

This contest, if reduced to what really matters in the executive car market, was between the BMW 5 Series and the Audi A8. These have long been aspirational brands and high quality brands. We think Jaguar has done a fine job with the new XJ but we wonder if it’s a little bit too far out on a limb styling-wise for the traditional senior executive market. We would like to watch it for a while. The A5 is a fine offering, too, but again, it is not perhaps a typical senior exec car, and neither does it profess to be. The Mercedes Benz E Class does a fine job but we felt that the BMW edged it in one or two aspects.

And so it came down to the 5 Series and the Audi A8. But the fact is that Audi took the very brave decision to launch its new A8 into New Zealand as diesel only. Fine by me. I am a diesel nut. Not fine by many I have spoken to or who have emailed me. Richard Giltrap of the Audi importer EMD told me himself that it was a decision that was widely discussed. It may turn out to have been the wrong one.

It is a gorgeous vehicle. It could find a home in the chief judge’s carport any time.

But BMW New Zealand, with the slightly smaller 5 Series, (its large car is the 7 Series which won our award last year) offers its customers so many more options. Choice is what customers want. They do not care to be told that this is it: The Audi A8. One option. Take it or leave it. BMW New Zealand has optioned the 5 Series with a wide range of engines, both petrol and diesel. They range through many steps from 2 litre to 4.4 litre V8. Yes, it costs an importer a lot of money to back a large range of engines and options. We salute BMW New Zealand for doing so. Not to mention that it is one of the most enjoyable cars I have driven, ever.

BMW 5 Series

It is a case of an entirely new look for the BMW 5-Series, as the new model abandons the “flame surfacing” style so beloved of BMW’s former head of design Chris Bangle. So instead of a series of flat surfaces and abrupt lines the 5-Series has gone a little back toward its roots, with a smoother, more aerodynamic route. What hasn’t changed though is that the BMW 5 Series is still aimed at the enthusiastic driver. This is readily apparent when the driver slips behind the wheel, as the cockpit is ever so subtly designed to surround the driver rather than the front seat passenger.

Not so subtle is the availability of what BMW calls Adaptive Drive, which is a system that alters the suspension for a more sporty drive and Dynamic Drive Control, which alters the throttle response, power steering, and the eight speed automatic gearbox. It’s a system that certainly works, with an instant change in the car’s behaviour, making it even sportier than it already is. The driver can also change the system so only the Adaptive Drive or Dynamic Drive Control is activated, so the car has more sporty suspension or sportier engine response without the hassle of having both.

At the same time it does its best to be a sporty drive. Every new 5 Series has BMW’s Efficient Dynamics technology, which includes regenerative braking, where the battery is charged as the car slows so the alternator need not be operating all the time. There are even flaps in the front of the car that open and close according to the driving conditions, for the best combination of cooling and aerodynamics. The power steering has also been changed from a hydraulic system to an electric one, which helps fuel consumption as the power assistance is only operating when it is needed.

The new 5 series continues with the now traditional iDrive controller, which is used to operate many of the car’s functions. When iDrive first appeared it was criticised for being too complicated to operate and over the years plenty of improvements have been made to the system to make it more intuitive and easier to work with. It is certainly easier than ever before to navigate through the electric menus but it can still be confusing for those who have only just slipped behind the wheel. It must be said that Audi has had a much better history of such control devices, with the manufacturer’s multi media interface.

There’s a fair amount of space in the rear of the 5 Series and the seats are higher than those in the front, giving a better view out of the vehicle.

As usual there is a wide range of 5 Series available, with everything from the $125,000 528i to the $173,000 550. and with both diesel and petrol engines in the range. There is also a bewilderingly large number of options, allowing those with pockets deep enough to completely personalise the 5-Series.

Audi A8

Audi took a big risk in bringing in only the $245,000 diesel powered version of the new flagship A8, which may well put some buyers off. However, it need not worry as when the engine is being pushed hard it sounds more like a lusty V8 petrol than a turbo diesel and only at idle from outside the car is it obvious that petrol does not power this car. Plus there’s the advantage of lower everyday running costs due to the increased efficiency of diesel over petrol.

The 4.2 litre V8 produces 258kW and a massive 800Nm of torque, which is enough, Audi says, to propel the car from a standstill to 100km/h in just 5.5 seconds, which is of course extremely quick for any car, let alone one powered by diesel. And because it’s powered by diesel the A8 has a claimed combined fuel economy of 7.6L/100km. The eight-speed automatic gearbox can be operated manually but it’s good enough to just leave it in Drive most of the time and let the gearbox software work out what the driver desires. The optional air suspension with sport function enables the driver to select comfort, automatic, dynamic or a customised setting. It really does work well, as when dynamic is selected the steering becomes noticeably heavier and the car feels as if it has turned into a small sports car.

Fans of technology will be rapt with the Audi A8, as the driver is almost overcome with all the electronic functions. And for an extra $5700, there’s a thermal imaging camera hidden in the grille, which providers extra night time viewing distance. It can even be used in the day, an option that will really interest anyone in the IT business.

Most of the functions are controlled through Audi’s multi media interface, which is still much more intuitive than BMW’s iDrive system. Hit the navigation button and a large screen slides up and out of the dashboard from behind a panel. There’s a separate screen lower down that shows all the functions the MMI is operating and you can usually find your way through the many menus that come up. Those with less of a computing experience may find this hard going though.

Both the driver’s seat and passengers seat are fully power adjustable, cooled and heated, and the rear seats have heaters too. Speaking of the rear seats, there’s plenty of room in the back, with both abundant leg and head room. Due to the Quattro four wheel drive system and full size spare tyre though, the boot is very shallow. The boot comes with a one touch closing function though.

For the technology lover the Audi A8 has, or can be optioned with, almost anything, making it a technological tour de force.

Standout specialties

The National Business Review Sports Car Of The Year Maserati GranCabrio

There is always a following for a truly gratifying sports car, one that brings your nerve-endings to the surface. This year, it was the Maserati GranCabrio. It has a sonorous 4.7 litre V8 which makes 323kW. Maserati has done an admirable job of seeing that there is no “scuttle shake,” an affliction that open top cars often suffer when the roof is down, due to the stiffening effect of the roof not being there. The steering column and mirrors can vibrate. Not in this car. And it has a real rear seat and enough legroom for two adults to sit in the back in comfort. It takes Italian design and engineering to new heights.

The National Business Review SUV Of The YearPorsche Cayenne

Almost everyone offers an SUV now. People want them, despite what all the environmental do-gooders think. But we really liked what Porsche did with the latest Cayenne. They have taken all the flab and fat out of the car, taking away the feeling that some SUVs give, which is that you are driving a block of flats around the place. Yet this is still one big SUV. As of earlier this year, it also comes as a hybrid but our judgment was based on the conventionally powered models in the range. The new Toyota Highlander and the latest VW Touareg came to our car park after judging was completed but qualify for consideration next year.

The National Business Review Hybrid Of The Year Lexus RX450h

Lexus had led the global industry in the business of giving petrol electric hybrids performance to match conventional vehicles and in some cases, better. When it introduced that technology to large SUVs, they showed that the buyer had to give nothing up in terms of performance. Lexus has showcased this technology better than ever in the RX450h. Here is an SUV that even the do-gooders can’t fault, except for the fact that the do-gooders don’t like big cars. This car can squeeze 100km out of 6.4 litres of petrol. It puts a mere 150 grams of CO2 into the atmosphere per km. This is capped off by a 4year/140,000km warranty, which includes a replacement set of tyres if needed.