Lyn Vogel
11-29-2003, 07:09 PM
Back when I worked in radio programming, I was known as someone who had a very good ear for picking hits. It's a skill like any other but it requires a certain ability to seperate from one's own likes and dislikes (even though there may be plenty o' overlap) and pay attention to other factors. Well, la-di-dah, right?
I make mention of this because taking note of new or upcoming automobiles calls on similar talents; the same need to step outside your own heart. And it's exciting when every once in a while a song or a movie or a car comes along that just lights up every dial on the internal sure bet-o-meter.
When the RX-Evolv was going through its development process, I had a very strong hunch that it was going to reach the market as something that doesn't come around very often: an exciting and unique amalgamation of qualities that would make most any auto enthusiast swoon. And more than that, the general public could be expected to take notice, a good thing for Mazda as a concern.
As journalists world-wide started mangling the first press cars they immediately began weighing in with nearly universal praise. I drove it myself and thought, yup, a hit record. I also began to imagine how those same scribes and their editors might treat the 8 when it came time to hand out awards. Considering that every staff has its own methodology, it wasn't an easy call. Plus, there are the non-publishing-based accolades, such as North American Car of the Year.
- I guessed that Car and Driver would place the RX-8 on their 10Best list. Check.
- I guessed that Motor Trend would not pick the car for their Car of the Year. Check. (They went with the Toyota Prius; a fair call considering MT's general editorial thrust.)
- I guessed that it would not win European Car of the Year for numerous reasons not necessary to go into here. (The winner was the new Fiat Panda.)
- I guessed that Automobile Magazine would choose the Mazda for their annual All Stars. Perhaps even Automobile of the Year. We'll see.
N. American Car of the Year is awarded in January. A team of international journos whittle the eligibles down to a list of three, from which a winner is announced during the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS). My gut tells me that the RX-8 will be a finalist but as to whether it takes the big prize will depend in part on what it's up against.
Other awards have been coming in as well. Japan's JDM Car of the Year Kiplinger's Best New Car One of CNN/Money's top three new cars A top-ten finish (#8 out of 27) in Car magazine's Performance Car of the Year
And of course the Renesis rotary engine won the prestigious International Engine of the Year award. (I, ahem, wasn't aware of that prize's existence 'til this year.)
So, in all, many many kudos to Mazda and the RX-8 team. May the hits keep on comin'!
I make mention of this because taking note of new or upcoming automobiles calls on similar talents; the same need to step outside your own heart. And it's exciting when every once in a while a song or a movie or a car comes along that just lights up every dial on the internal sure bet-o-meter.
When the RX-Evolv was going through its development process, I had a very strong hunch that it was going to reach the market as something that doesn't come around very often: an exciting and unique amalgamation of qualities that would make most any auto enthusiast swoon. And more than that, the general public could be expected to take notice, a good thing for Mazda as a concern.
As journalists world-wide started mangling the first press cars they immediately began weighing in with nearly universal praise. I drove it myself and thought, yup, a hit record. I also began to imagine how those same scribes and their editors might treat the 8 when it came time to hand out awards. Considering that every staff has its own methodology, it wasn't an easy call. Plus, there are the non-publishing-based accolades, such as North American Car of the Year.
- I guessed that Car and Driver would place the RX-8 on their 10Best list. Check.
- I guessed that Motor Trend would not pick the car for their Car of the Year. Check. (They went with the Toyota Prius; a fair call considering MT's general editorial thrust.)
- I guessed that it would not win European Car of the Year for numerous reasons not necessary to go into here. (The winner was the new Fiat Panda.)
- I guessed that Automobile Magazine would choose the Mazda for their annual All Stars. Perhaps even Automobile of the Year. We'll see.
N. American Car of the Year is awarded in January. A team of international journos whittle the eligibles down to a list of three, from which a winner is announced during the Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS). My gut tells me that the RX-8 will be a finalist but as to whether it takes the big prize will depend in part on what it's up against.
Other awards have been coming in as well. Japan's JDM Car of the Year Kiplinger's Best New Car One of CNN/Money's top three new cars A top-ten finish (#8 out of 27) in Car magazine's Performance Car of the Year
And of course the Renesis rotary engine won the prestigious International Engine of the Year award. (I, ahem, wasn't aware of that prize's existence 'til this year.)
So, in all, many many kudos to Mazda and the RX-8 team. May the hits keep on comin'!