News - Holden - Barina - hatchBarina wins Wheels COTYAward winning Barina praised for raising standards for small car buyers4 Dec 2001 By JUSTIN LACY HOLDEN'S new Barina has been announced as the Wheels magazine Car of the Year for 2001, beating notable finalists from BMW, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz. Easily the least expensive car eligible for the 39th COTY award, Barina scored highly against each of the five criteria: function, technology, efficiency, safety and value. "With small cars, retail price is everything, often to the point where technology, safety, efficiency, refinement and quality are sacrificed. The Barina doesn't take any short cuts, despite its low price. And that's why it is a convincing winner," Wheels editor Ewen Page said. "The Barina brings a new class of small car to the Australian market with superior roadholding, handling, steering and performance. At the price, it sets a standard no other car matches."But the Barina almost did not qualify for the awards, as this year the criteria included the need for all cars to be fitted with lap-sash seatbelts in every seating position. When the car was launched in February this year it was offered with a lap-only centre-rear seatbelt. Holden changed the Barina's specifications to include a lap-sash centre-rear seatbelt just in time to be eligible for COTY 2001. Other finalists for the title - the BMW 3 Series Compact, Toyota Prius and Mercedes-Benz C-class - provided stiff competition. Contenders COTY 2001 Alfa Romeo 147 Audi A4 BMW 3 Series Compact BMW X5 Chrysler Voyager Citroen C5 Holden Barina Honda Civic Honda Integra Hyundai Elantra Jaguar X-Type Jeep Cherokee Mazda Premacy Mercedes-Benz C-Class Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupe Nissan 200SX Proton Waja Renault Scenic Rover 75 Toyota MR2 Toyota Prius Volvo S60Past Winners 1963 Renault R8 1964 Morris 1100 1965 Ford XP Falcon 1966 Ford XR Falcon 1967 Chrysler VE Valiant 1968 Holden HK Monaro 1969 Holden LC Torana 1970 Renault 12 1971 Valiant Charger 1972 Award withheld 1973 Leyland P76 V8 1974 Volkswagen Passat 1975 Holden Gemini 1976 Volkswagen Golf 1977 Honda Accord 1978 Holden VB Commodore 1979 award withheld 1980 Mazda 323 1981 Mercedes-Benz S-class 1982 Holden JB Camira 1983 Mazda 626/Ford Telstar 1984 Mitsubishi Nimbus 1985 Mitsubishi Magna 1986 Award withheld 1987 Honda Prelude 1988 Holden VN Commodore 1989 Mazda MX-5 1990 Lexus LS400 1991 Honda NSX/Nissan Pulsar 1992 Mazda 626/Ford Telstar 1993 Holden VR Commodore 1994 Subaru Liberty 1995 Honda Odyssey 1996 Mitsubishi Magna/Verada 1997 Holden VT Commodore 1998 Subaru Liberty Wagon 1999 Mercedes-Benz S-class 2000 Subaru Impreza |
Click to shareHolden articlesResearch Holden Barina pricingMotor industry news |
Facebook Twitter Instagram