The deadline for voting in this year’s ‘Scottish Car of the
Year’ awards closed at 10.00 am this morning, So any one of Scotland’s top 19
motoring journalists who hasn’t voted will be hauled up in front of the head
teacher for a touch of the tawse!
Which is why Citroen was in Scotland yesterday where we all drove
the new DS5 and Hybrid, and a few other models.
If Saab was previously the choice of airline pilots in the
past, then the new DS5 will be its spiritual successor. It’s got more toggle
switches and dials than a Lancaster bomber, and that includes a roof-mounted
switch panel which stretches back from the top of the windscreen to between the
front seats.
The new DS5 is slightly smaller than the previous C5, but
here’s the thing, although it is extremely comfortable and roomy inside the car, it
also feels a tad claustrophobic. For sure, there is plenty leg and shoulder
room, but glazed panels with electric blinds in the roof constrict headroom and
so does the roof-mounted switch panel. I didn’t bump my head, but anyone over 6 ft
1 inch might.
And that’s the only real criticism. The big car rides well,
is quiet and well insulated from the road, and it looks really good. It also
feels much smaller than it looks once you start driving it. Citroen are pitching
it against the likes of Vauxhall’s Insignia and Volkswagen’s Passat CC, but I
wouldn’t be surprised if some Merc and BMW owners took a good hard look at the
finish and the toys.
It’s always difficult selecting winners in the various SCoTY
categories, but it was much more difficult than ever before this year. In the
past there has often been one car which stands out from its peers, but that is
no longer the case. The differences between marques and models are getting ever
smaller.
For instance, how do you select which is the better car for
the money – the Volkswagen Up!, Seat Mii or Skoda Citigo. Unfortunately we have
to discount silly names and look at the offer, i.e. what do you get for the
money? Each of the three manufacturers offers a quite different Spec in each
car, from carpet quality to ICE options, so you can’t simply choose the cheapest.
And then there are running costs, maintenance charges and dealer support.
And when it comes to sports cars, how do you differentiate
between the MINI Roadster and Porsche Boxster? T’ain’t easy.
You’d also think that amongst 19 hard-headed, professional motoring
writers that final choices would be quite similar. No way.
That would be like asking Ed Miliband to agree with Dave and Nick on the best curry and carry-out - and then throwing
Alex Salmond into the mix. Fall-outs and fisticuffs are never far away.
