At the Japan Car of the Year awards ceremony inside Zepp Diver City on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, Mazda’s all-new CX-5 CUV posted 363 votes to win Japan’s coveted Car of the Year prize.
While the Toyota-Subaru sports car picked up 318 votes for its thrilling rear-wheel drive handling, high revving boxer engine and reasonable price, it was the Mazda CX-5’s revolutionary Skyactiv technology, great handling, and economical clean diesel engine that most impressed the 60 jurors.
Skyactiv technology refers to a series of new body, chassis, engine, and transmission technologies which increase fuel efficiency, reduce weight and emissions while improving the car’s handling and ride quality. Skyactiv does not employ hybrid technology.
In accepting the Japan COTY trophy, the so-called Godfather of Skyactiv technology, Kiyoshi Fujiwara, said: “It was a long road. In the early days of Skyactiv development, I had a lot of opposition from colleagues suggesting this technology was not the answer. But we stayed true to our goals, and here we are today, fully recognised by the COTY jurors. Thank you!”
The BMW 3-Series - with 282 votes - snatched the Import Car of the Year gong away from a strong finishing Range Rover Evoque polling 218 votes, while the sentimental COTY steering committee special prize was awarded to the Toyota GT86/ Subaru BRZ.
The BMW 3-Series has also been named the Continental Irish Car of the Year 2013 and the Toyota GT86 is the Continental Irish Performance Car of the Year 2013.
Final Result – Japan Car of the Year
Mazda CX-5 - 363 votes
Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ - 318
BMW 3-Series - 282
Range Rover Evoque - 218
Volkswagen up! - 152
