{"id":144002,"date":"2017-02-13T15:44:40","date_gmt":"2017-02-13T13:44:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?page_id=144002"},"modified":"2017-03-17T12:19:58","modified_gmt":"2017-03-17T10:19:58","slug":"car-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/car-of-the-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Car of the Year : Opel Astra"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”10″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” css_animation=”top-to-bottom” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/03\/Opel-Winner-2017.jpg”][vc_column_text]\n
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In what has surely been one of the closest Car of the Year competitions in recent memory, the Opel Astra has emerged victorious as the 2017 Wesbank SAGMJ Car of the Year winner. The announcement took place at the recently upgraded Kyalami International Motorsport Circuit and Conference Centre.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”10″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/2017-COTY-Finalists1.jpg”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” alignment=”center” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/Audi-A4-2017-HD-Wallpaper.jpg”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/2017-Volkswagen-Tiguan-20-TSI-Euro-Spec-front-three-quarter.jpg”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/Jaguar-F-Pace-2017-HD-Desktop.jpg”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/1265×712.jpg”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”chino” style=”shadow” border_width=”10″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

Key automotive industry stakeholders were in attendance as the evening got underway at 7pm sharp with an address by the COTY Convenor and Chairman of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) Bernard Hellberg Jr. Mr Hellberg shared some insightful information about the auto\u00admotive and media businesses respectively before the traditional Wesbank vehicle sales forecast speech got underway. With the news of moderate growth within the automotive sphere ringing through everyone\u2019s ears it was time for the introduction of the nine finalists.<\/p>\n

After the room had been introduced to each car it was time to reveal to the first and second runners-up. In third position was the Volkswagen Passat, a big luxurious sedan that showed the jury that the Passat is not longer a car for the older gentleman, but one that is ready to take on its segment with cutting-edge design, dynamics and technology.<\/p>\n

In second position was the Audi A4, a car that was a bit late to the party in terms of its segment however the wait was most certainly worth the wait. The A4 ushers in a level of quality, driving dynamics, technology and desirability that is impressive, even for a brand a well-established as Audi.<\/p>\n

Then it was time for the big announcement, the winner of the competition. After a dramatic count\u00addown, the covers were lifted from the winner in the middle of the room. The Opel Astra was victorious for the second time in the history of this prestigious competition after its predecessor took the crown back in 1995.<\/p>\n

In retrospect it\u2019s quite easy to see why the Astra won, with a range of new 1.0-, 1.4- and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engines, exceptional handling and build quality while remaining affordable, it is simply a good all-rounder. As the SAGMJ said in its press release \u201cThis year\u2019s Jury selected the Astra as overall winner with 2,370.25 points, and most impressively, 94.8% of its points were awarded in the 5 to 10 scoring range.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy virtually unanimously approving of the Opel Astra as the 2017 WesBank South African Car of the Year, the COTY Jury has again proven that experience is the key to the success of the COTY competition,\u201d says Hellberg. \u201cThe Opel Astra, a multiple award-winning car, perfectly embodies much of the spirit of the competition by combining engineering excellence, driving pleasure and value for money in a worthy winner of South Africa\u2019s ulti\u00admate motoring accolade.\u201d he concludes.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Car of the Year 2017 Finalists” i_type=”monosocial” i_icon_monosocial=”vc-mono vc-mono-appstorealt” i_color=”chino” i_size=”xl” color=”chino” style=”shadow” border_width=”10″ add_icon=”true”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” alignment=”center” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”custom_link” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/AUDI-A4-SEDAN.jpg” caption=”Audi A4″ link=”https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=144204″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” alignment=”center” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”custom_link” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/OPEL-ASTRA.jpg” caption=”Opel Astra” link=”https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=144383″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” alignment=”center” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”custom_link” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/VOLKSWAGEN-TIGUAN.jpg” caption=”Volkswagen Tiguan” link=”https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=144450″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”custom_link” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/HONDA-CIVIC.jpg” caption=”Honda Civic” link=”https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=144220″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”custom_link” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/RENAULT-KADJAR.jpg” caption=”Renault Kadjar” link=”https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=144390″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”custom_link” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/HYUNDAI-TUCSON.jpg” caption=”Hyundai Tucson” link=”https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=144361″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”custom_link” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/TOYOTA-FORTUNER.jpg” caption=”Toyota Fortuner” link=”https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=144394″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”custom_link” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/JAGUAR-F-PACE.jpg” caption=”Jaguar F-Pace” link=”https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=144375″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” onclick=”custom_link” css_animation=”appear” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/VOLKSWAGEN-PASSAT.jpg” caption=”Volkswagen Passat” link=”https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/?p=144401″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_video link=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=zfqjcBYnm6o”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”chino” style=”shadow” border_width=”10″][vc_single_image source=”external_link” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/02\/Car-Banner2.jpg”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”chino” style=”shadow” border_width=”10″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”sky” style=”shadow” border_width=”10″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image source=”external_link” external_style=”vc_box_shadow_3d” css_animation=”top-to-bottom” custom_src=”https:\/\/bedfordviewedenvalenews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/22\/2017\/03\/Opel-Winner-2017.jpg”][vc_column_text] In what has surely been one of the closest Car of the Year competitions in recent memory, the Opel Astra has emerged victorious as the 2017 Wesbank SAGMJ Car of the Year winner. The announcement took place at the recently upgraded Kyalami International Motorsport Circuit and Conference …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7859,"featured_media":146944,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-full-width.php","meta":{"hasGravity":false,"cxt_article_byline":"","cxt_disable_google_ads":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-144002","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"amp_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/144002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7859"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=144002"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/144002\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/146944"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=144002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}