Who won Automobile mags car of the year award?

AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE, America's leading automotive lifestyle publication, today announced the winners of the 2006 AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE All-Stars Awards. Each year, the editors of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE convene to test, evaluate and debate the performance, significance and contributions of the vehicles and executives who have impacted the automotive industry the most. The prestigious list of the deserving winners is featured in the 2006 January issue, available on newsstands December 13, 2005.

Automobile of the Year: BMW 3-series--The latest version of BMW's superior sport sedan drove off with this year's top award. The 3-series is a testament to BMW's commitment to excellence and to the company's long-term thinking. BMW has produced a car that is the gold standard for its class, something that all other automakers feel they have to measure up to. A car that continues to get better and better with every evolution.

Do you agree with their choices?

We would love to hear what you think..

Full article here

Matthew1 - 12/5/2005 11:26:57 PM

+1 Boost

The Pontiac Solstice. It may look funky, but this line here trips them up:

"and thanks to some clever engineering, it's a good drive, too."

A good drive? Evo magazine out of the UK gave it one of the lowest ratings out of any car ever tested. They said the 2.4 litre engine was as rough and as crude as a cement mixer, it understeered badly, and drove the total opposite to what a sports car should be like.

They said about the engine: "The noise, vibration and harshness are beyond anything I have experienced."

And the drive: "It is an uninspiring drive for anyone raised on European sports cars."

And the roof: "Ah yes, the hood, which takes five minutes of unbuttoning before it folds creakily into the boot and uses up all the luggage space."

Either the looks were too good to resist, or Lutz gave the people at Automobile Magazine a bottle of wine and some chocolates.

rack - 12/6/2005 9:25:16 AM

+1 Boost

its not the nations leading magazine.

phantom330 - 12/6/2005 10:23:13 AM

+1 Boost

I love to hear all the Lexus fans cry because their car isn't getting the nod as the best sedan. Even in the latest issue of Motor Trend they say that the IS has it beat in the power department, but just doesn't quite measure up to the BMW. It was interesting in their articles, every luxury car was compared to BMW, it really is the benchmark that all others are measured against. Love it or hate it, it's the truth.

Chip - 12/8/2005 5:53:13 AM

+1 Boost

Found this on a German Auto page.

Since the 745i of the mid-80s, BMW has not produced any turbocharging petrol engines. Undeniably, its normally aspirated engines are among the best of the mass production world, especially the inline-6. However, as mentioned in a 3-Series report recently, BMW's 3-litre inline-6 has already ran out of space for enlargement, and it is now struggling to match its rivals' 3.5-litre or so V6s. To strike back, BMW is going to use turbocharging again.

The first car to use the turbo engine is likely to be called the 335i. It will arrive in mid-2006. Its engine is based on the 3.0-litre R6 magnesium engine. An advanced twin-turbo system will boost power to approximately 330 horsepower. That's a good 72 hp more than 330i. The turbocharging system employs a small turbine for low rpm to ensure instant response and a large turbine for full boost. An advanced control ensures the transition from small to large turbine is seamless. A similar twin-turbo system made by BorgWarner has been used successfully in the 535d, now it finally make debut in a petrol engine.

The 330hp 335i will bridge the gap between the 255hp 330i and the forthcoming 400hp M3. On the other hand, the 272hp diesel engine of 535d will also join the 3-Series. Turbocharging seems to have a bright future with BMW.