In most motoring awards, typically chosen by juries of “petrolheads”, cars are rarely judged on the basis of advanced technology. From the trim to the torque of a vehicle, it is usually all about appearances and experiences.
And by experiences, I mean that it used to be all about the sense of power under the seat. This year’s 38th annual edition of the South African Car of the Year (COTY) awards, announced on Wednesday night, suggested that times are changing. The big winner was BMW, taking the overall prize for its 7 Series, and taking the family car category with the BMW X1.
If there’s anything both winners are known for, it is the on-board tech. The BMW 740i that the judges put through its paces is one of the most expensive standard sedans around, with a price tag of more than R2m. It is likely that could only be justified, in judging terms, by the mind-boggling array of technology on board.
From heated and ventilated seats in the front and rear to surround-view cameras that facilitate self-parking and a full gamut of safety features using AI, it does not miss a tech trick. The X1, a mini sports utility vehicle (SUV), has toned-down versions of these credentials, but its win in the family car category still came as a surprise. It shows that the tech is no longer only about the driver.
The runner-up in the overall awards, the entry-level Suzuki Fronx, which also won the budget car category, has advanced technology more commonly associated with the high-end. The winning GLX manual edition of the Fronx includes surround-view cameras, keyless entry with push-button start, hill descent control, and front, side and curtain airbags.
The motor enthusiasts’ choice went to the mid-range Mahindra Scorpio-N
Its nine-inch infotainment system connects to smartphones via Android Auto or Apple Car Play and, while requiring a cable for the link, offers one of the most seamless connections of vehicles that demand the handset be plugged in. Even the COTY sponsor, Old Mutual Insure (OMI), stressed the industry’s rapid advancements, particularly in automotive safety.
MD Charles Nortje highlighted “ever-heightening competition levels year on year, and with new technology and better value-for-money offerings from the different brands”. The six-month judging process for the 2024 COTY competition resulted in 18 finalists selected from 80 qualifying vehicles, in categories that included budget/compact, premium, luxury and performance.
Probably the most significant signal of a technology shift in the industry was the dropping of a previous “new energy” category, focused on electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid cars that combine petrol- and battery-powered engines. Not because the category became less important, but ironically because it became too important.
Once EVs began to be entered into multiple categories, it became illogical to give them their own exclusive category. As in the Grammy awards, in which the likes of hip-hop and African music were initially confined to a side event derisively called the “kitchen Grammies”, these are now part of the main event.
A publicly voted award, the motor enthusiasts’ choice, resulting from a social media campaign led by OMI, went to the mid-range Mahindra Scorpio-N. It is another technology outlier, with multi-terrain prowess at a lower cost than most equivalent vehicles.
Unusually for its half-million-rand price level, it includes an advanced driver assistance system with features such as lane departure warnings and adaptive cruise control. A tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system and a heads-up display on the windscreen in front of the driver give it a futuristic feel that, clearly, resonates with the public.
As both petrolheads and the public wake up to technology, we will soon stop differentiating between old-style and next-generation vehicles.
• Goldstuck is the founder of World Wide Worx and editor-in-chief of Gadget.co.za. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram on @art2gee
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