In an effort to inject more tranparency into the PCOTY judging process, we’ve re-introduced a scoring system for 2016.

Each judge scored each car out of 10 on six criteria, outlined below, for a total out of 60. With five judges, each car gets a score out of 300.

Winton raceway
The MOTOR crew and cars

For example, the VW Golf GTI doesn’t automatically score a 10 for value simply because it’s the cheapest car in the field. Rather, its value is judged in terms of what it offers as a hot hatch.

THE SIX PCOTY CRITERIA: 1. Performance – Outright speed, engine response, gearbox feel and smoothness. 2. Dynamics – Grip, chassis balance, braking performance, steering. 3. Accessibility – How easy or difficult is the car’s performance to extract? 4. Liveability – Road noise, ride comfort, ergonomics, visibility, interior quality. 5. Value – Purchase price, cost of key options, standard equipment and performance offered. 6. ‘X Factor’ – Styling, exhaust note, how badly we want one.

The cars

The performance car of the year will be announced at the Australian Motoring Awards on February 1, 2017.