Barina wins Wheels COTY

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