2015 will soon be past us and with that we have come to the end of yet another year that saw several significant new cars and motorcycles being launched. So, which amongst all these launches were the best when it comes to what they offer in the Indian context? This is what the jury of the Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY) and Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY) awards get together and decide every year.
Currently in their eleventh year, the ICOTY and IMOTY awards are modeled on the lines of prestigious automotive titles like the North American Car and Truck of the Year and European Car of the Year. With the list of jury members including personalities like Yogendra Pratap and Rahul Ghosh (Auto Today), Dhruv Behl, Arup Das, Jared Solomon and Ishan Raghava (Auto X), Rohin Nagrani (Motoring World), Aspi Bhathena and Aninda Sarda (Car India), Bertrand D’souza, Shubhabrata Marmar, Halley Prabhakar and Bob Rupani (Overdrive), Girish Karkera (BBC Top Gear), Sirish Chandran and Ouseph Chacko (Evo India), Muralidhar Swaminathan (The Hindu Business Line), Kartik Ware (Motoring World) and Pablo Chaterji (Mans World), it just doesn't get better than this for choosing the best in two and four wheels.
Of all the new cars launched in 2015, there were a few key models that stood out like the S-Cross and Baleno from Maruti-Suzuki, Hyundai Creta, Mahindra TUV300, Honda Jazz, the Figo twins from Ford, Renault Kwid and DC Avanti. Judging each and every new car launched this year based on parameters like price, fuel efficiency, styling, comfort, safety, features, performance, practicality, technical innovation and value for money, the jury narrowed down the list to ten cars with the Creta, Baleno, Kwid, Jazz and Figo Aspire emerging as the top contenders.
For the third year running, it was a Hyundai that came out on top at the end of the evaluation. Following Grand i10 and i20 that won the title in 2015 and 2014 respectively, it was Creta's turn to take the honours this year as the 2016 Indian Car of the Year (ICOTY). This is the fourth ICOTY win for Hyundai with the first-generation i10 also taking the crown in 2008. Offering space, comfort, power, efficiency and features in a stylish package, the Creta just proves the fact that Hyundai has read and understood customer's minds and preferences perfectly. Its no doubt then that the Creta has decimated competition in the sales charts. Well done, Hyundai!
2016 ICOTY RESULTS:
1. Hyundai Creta - 96 points
2. Maruti-Suzuki Baleno - 85 points
3. Renault Kwid - 71 points
PREVIOUS ICOTY WINNERS:
* 2015 - Hyundai i20
* 2014 - Hyundai Grand i10
* 2013 - Renault Duster
* 2012 - Maruti-Suzuki Swift
* 2011 - Ford Figo
While the Creta is no doubt an excellent package, the Renault Kwid is the model in which we had our bets on. Challenging Maruti-Suzuki in its home turf and garnering phenomenal response in the market, the Kwid is a sensation and would have been a worthy winner as well.
Moving on to two wheels, it was yet another slug fest with no less than 15 new motorcycles vying for the title. The evaluation criteria remained similar to cars with suitability to Indian riding conditions being an unique factor for consideration in motorcycles. While 2015 saw significant new launches, it was the Yamaha YZF R3 that emerged in pole position at the end. With stunning looks, a great engine, a superb chassis and that trademark Yamaha handling, the jury felt that the YZF R3 delivered much more than the other new launches. The Honda CBR 650F came a distant second with the Benelli TNT300 finishing a close third.
2016 IMOTY RESULTS:
1. Yamaha YZF R3
2. Honda CBR 650F
3. Benelli TNT300
PREVIOUS IMOTY WINNERS:
* 2015 - Harley-Davidson Street 750
* 2014 - Royal Enfield Continental GT
* 2013 - KTM Duke 200
* 2012 - Honda CBR 250R
* 2011 - Honda CB Twister
Ever since the launch of YZF R15, Yamaha has been on a roll in India and it continues with the launch of the YZF R3. With the Indian two-wheeler market still maturing, we need more and more launches like this to set the bar high.
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