ST-Torque Awards 2019 – the winning cars from L-R, top to bottom: Mazda 3 Sedan, Alpine A110, BMW 3 Series, Kia Niro EV, BMW 8 Series, Jaguar I-Pace, Hyundai Kona Electric, Toyota GR Supra, Porsche 911 and Skoda Octavia RS 245.
The ST-Torque Awards 2019 recognises the 10 most outstanding new cars launched in Singapore from January to November last year.
Many of the 12 judges on the panel are long-time contributors to both Torque and The Straits Times. Collectively, the team has the most years of experience in the industry.
Shortlisting
After thousands of kilometres of testing, the team picked the cars that dilated our pupils and quickened our pulses. This initial selection was then shortlisted to 10 cars.
The 10 were then individually scored using a robust ballot system. Each contender was rated against typical rivals and their attributes were weighed against those of their peers.
Said rivals included other ST-Torque Awards finalists where applicable, such as having similar prices or competing in the same specific market segment.
Scoring
On the ST-Torque Awards scoresheets are nine criteria which we feel are the most important to any reviewer/driver/consumer: performance, handling, ride, build quality, economy/efficiency, ergonomics, styling, value for money and the X factor.
The car with the most points is crowned Straits Times Car Of The Year (ST COTY), while the remaining nine are Best In Class winners.
Only Singapore-spec cars brought in by authorised dealers were considered. There was also a $750,000 price cap.
The Points Tally
JAGUAR I-PACE – 355 points, Straits Times Car Of The Year
PORSCHE 911 – 354 points, Best Luxury Sports Car
ALPINE A110 – 331 points, Best 4-Cylinder Sports Car
BMW 8 SERIES – 313 points, Best Luxury Coupe
MAZDA 3 – 306 points, Best Family Sedan/Hatchback
BMW 3 SERIES – 291 points, Best Executive Saloon
SKODA OCTAVIA RS 245 – 282 points, Best Performance Fastback
TOYOTA SUPRA – 280 points, Best 6-Cylinder Sports Car
HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC – 249 points, Best Compact Crossover
KIA NIRO EV – 239 points, Best Mid-Size Crossover
Past ST-COTY Winners
2011 – Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
2012 – Porsche 911
2013 – Volkswagen Golf
2014 – BMW i3
2015 – BMW i8
2016 – Volvo S90
2017 – Lexus LC500
2018 – Kia Stinger
