Middle East Car of the Year (MECOTY) Awards is a prestigious automotive event that annually acknowledges the best cars of the Middle East region. This year, many top cars contended for the awards in different segments as the event marked its fourth anniversary in the region. Automotive companies launch their best vehicles every year to satisfy the demands of their customers in the Middle East and MECOTY Awards is a platform that recognizes the efforts of car brands for contributing towards the growth of automotive industry in the region.
The standards of automotive engineering have dramatically improved in last few years as the modern car buyers now demand better cars with improved technological features for performance, convenience and safety. All the cars that received the awards at the Middle East Car of the Year event have their own unique capabilities and are better than the cars of previous generations. To be the best car of the year at the MECOTY Awards in a particular segment or category, a car had to tick all the boxes for reliability, customer satisfaction, safety and performance.
Let’s review 5 top cars from different categories that won the MECOTY award in 2017.
Best Compact Premium Sedan: Audi A4
Audi A4 won the MECOTY award for the category of compact premium sedans. Audi A4 is the best compact premium sedan of the year because of its dynamic engine technologies, lightweight design, powerful performance and advanced safety features. The Audi A4 boasts a stylish exterior that features an aggressive shape, slightly lowered stance, iconic Singleframe grille and dynamic LED taillights. The interior of the Audi A4 is equally well-crafted and intensively fuses innovation and utility with advanced technological features.
Important Specifications
Starting Price: AED 138,000
Engine: 2.0-Litre Turbocharged
Horsepower: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Fuel Economy: 5.2L/100Km
Safety Rating: Five-Star
For the first time, Audi has equipped it’s A4 with a dynamic 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission that is highly responsive and purposefully managed. Along with an appealing exterior, luxurious interior and smooth performance, the premium sedan by Audi also delivers maximum safety to its occupants. Audi A4 has earned a EuroNCAP five-star safety rating and offers safety features including Dual Airbags for driver and front passenger, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Electronic Stability Control, Low Anchors and Tethers for Children in rear seats, Safety Belt Reminder for driver and front passenger, and Electromechanical Parking Brake.
Best Premium Performance Coupe: Jaguar F-Type SVR
The Jaguar F-Type SVR was adjudged as the best Premium Performance Coupe of the year at the MECOTY Awards for its exceptional performance and racing capabilities. Jaguar F-Type SVR has a lightweight aerodynamic body that adds to its performance in difficult conditions and improves its handling significantly. Jaguar F-Type SVR is a lean and stylish fast-machine that delivers unbelievable racing performance on the road and racing track alike.
Important Specifications
Starting Price: AED 328,000
Engine: 5.0-Litre V8
Horsepower: 568hp
Torque: 699Nm
Acceleration time from 0-60mph: 3.5 seconds
Top Speed: 200mph
Safety Rating: Five-Star
The interior of the SVR exhibits sheer class and premium build-quality. High-quality quilted performance seats deliver supreme comfort to the occupants of the coupe and make every ride with the SVR a true delight. The purposefully designed dashboard has been laced with innovative features for navigation, convenience and entertainment including Intuitive Visual Controls, Touch Pro, Connect Pro and Meridian Sound. With all these amazing power and styling attributes, the SVR also offers state-of-the-art safety features like Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Condition Monitor, Blind Spot Monitor, Pedestrian Contact Sensing System and Park Assist.
Also read: 2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR: Specifications and Features Revealed
Best Performance Hatchback: Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport is a versatile compact car that has won the award for best performance hatchback at MECOTY Awards 2017. Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport is an urban legend that delivers a truly delightful in-city driving experience. From an exceptionally sleek and purposeful design to its reliable performance attributes, the Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport offers the best utility in its segment. It is a highly fuel-efficient vehicle, which makes it an ideal car to buy in the UAE.
Important Specifications
Starting Price: AED 140,000
Engine: 2.0-Litre V4
Horsepower: 265hp
Torque: 350Nm
Safety Rating: Five-Star
Volkswagen Golf 2017 is a compact hatchback that delivers maximum comfort and convenience to the passengers of the car with intelligent technological features and advanced entertainment options. The in-cabin experience of the vehicle has been enhanced with VW Car-Net App-Connect that connects the car to external devices such as smartphone or tablet, making it easier to perform multiple functions of your handheld device through the touchscreen of the dashboard. This is another five-star safety rating car and makes no compromise on the safety of its occupants. The standard safety features of the all-new Volkswagen Golf 2017 include Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, Intelligent Crash Response System and Seven Stability Enhancing Systems.
Best Large Premium SUV: Bentley Bentayga
Bentley Bentayga was chosen as the Best Large Premium SUV of the Year at the MECOTY Awards 2017. It boasts some stunning specs and features to perform consistently in various driving conditions. It brings the best of both worlds for the SUV enthusiasts by offering a luxurious experience and a powerful performance, thus making it a uniquely built SUV. With three models available, such as Bentayga Mulliner, Bentayga and Bentayga Diesel, the Bentayga caters to the demands of all types of SUV buyers. The sharp signature lines, 22-inch large wheels and delightful body curves exhibit true craftsmanship in its exterior. It also offers an exclusive hand-built interior that depicts quality and sheer luxury. Leather seats with diamond quilting, a delightful instrument panel and a tantalizing panoramic roof are the highlights of its amazing interior.
Important Specifications
Starting Price: AED 955,000
Engine: 6.0-Litre W12 Turbocharged
Horsepower: 600hp
Torque: 900Nm
Acceleration from 0-60mph: 4.0 seconds
Top Speed: 301Km/h
Safety Rating: Untested
With a powerful engine that produces 600 horsepower and enables the vehicle to achieve a top speed of 301Km/h, Bentayga has certainly redefined the potential of a large luxury SUV. It is not just about speed as Bentayga’s engine is also one of the most technologically superior W12 engine in the world that offers amazing power, enhanced efficiency and improved torque. Bentayga is also a safe SUV as it offers a number of essential safety features as standard. The safety features available in the Bentayga include Anti-lock Braking System, Electronic Stability Program, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Blind Spot Alert and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Also read: Bentley Bentayga – A Luxury SUV with Extraordinary Speed Attributes
Best Midsize Truck: Ford Ranger
Ford is known for producing some of industry’s sturdiest vehicles and Ford Ranger is one of them. For its enthralling off-road performance, smooth handling and advanced technological features, Ford Ranger won the award for the best midsize truck of the year at MECOTY Awards 2017. It is a wonderful machine that makes life easier with its reliable build-quality that can withstand the toughest of conditions, especially on the adventure trips. With a bold design, sharp curves of the body and the availability of roof rails, Ford Ranger boasts an enhanced adventurous appeal.
Important Specifications
Starting Price: AED 70,000
Engine: 2.5-Litre V4
Horsepower: 164hp
Torque: 226Nm
Acceleration from 0-60mph: 12 seconds
Top Speed: 170Km/h
Safety Rating: Four-Star
This stunning midsize truck offers great utility with its spacious appeal and exciting towing capacity. It has a class-leading towing capacity of 3,500Kg, which compliments the adventure-ready built of the Ford Ranger 2017. The Ford Ranger also offers some striking technological features in the interior including 8-inch touchscreen, exceptional entertainment system and climate control options. With all its powerful performance and towing capabilities, Ford Ranger is also a safe adventure truck. It offers maximum safety to its occupants with features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Standard Stability Control, Six Airbags, Radar Based Forward Collision System and Automatic High Beam Control.
Roundup
MECOTY Awards is an outstanding event that rewards the best vehicles of the regional automotive industry every year. The top vehicles that won the MECOTY award stood out of the crowd for their unique capabilities and exciting potential. The UAE car market is rich with all different types of new and used vehicles, all thanks to an ever-evolving automotive industry and a dedicated customer base that awaits the best vehicles from some of the best brands every year. All the five vehicles mentioned here are built according to the UAE’s roads and weather conditions and this is what makes them best in their specific segments.
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