COTY 2006 second round finalists

We announced the first four finalists on our Top 10 list last week and the final three finalists will be revealed next Friday.

Our top 10 finalists have been achieved after an extensive search and culling process through all cars launched in Australia over the past year.

Earlier this month the 10 finalists were tested extensively over three days, including a full day's driving at Wakefield Park at Goulburn, to find a winner.

The judging criteria ranges across styling, safety, innovation, value, functionality, build quality and performance.

The finalists were driven in a wide mix of environments and road conditions, including wet, dry, city, freeway, highway and country roads.

The 2006 CARSguide Car of the Year will be announced on December 1.

Mazda 3 MPS

Judge Gordon Lomas' comment:

In an age where hot hatches have staged a big revival on the new-car landscape, the MPS makes the final list on the strength of its sheer point and squirt capability.

Point because it steers as though it has German blood, and squirt because it is the hottest four-potter in production at Hiroshima. The MPS is raw, mean and keen. It offers enormous bang for your buck with this $40,000-odd package delivering stunning levels of performance.

If the WRX was the turbo cult car of the 1990s, then Mazda has come up with the next big daddy of the hot four-cylinder world.

It has the tricky differential - torque management keeping a lid on the MPS's boost in first and second gears so the driver

won't have any nasty surprises when some steering angle is wound on.

The MPS is a tough car that is practical as well as being armed with attributes for those seeking track day enjoyment.

Porsche Cayman S

Judge Stuart Martin's comment:

The Boxster S platform doesn't need a solid roof to compensate for any platform deficiencies, but put one on it and the result - Cayman S - retains the droptop's serious abilities, with extra platform strength.

Gorgeous curves (to most eyes) cloak

a chassis that is entertaining, challenging and communicative - so much so it feels as though it could use more horsepower.

Porsche were accused of limiting outputs to preserve the 911's position, but the Cayman S is a different beast. Mid-engined balance, luggage space front and rear, the two-seater puts a smile on the face of any driver.

On road, the suspension copes with broken bitumen, but once on a favourite back road

or at a track, the Cayman S hunkers down and yowls seductively, with myriad options to sharpen its claws.

The most expensive in the field might not be a commuter tool, but there's plenty to like about the svelte coupe.

Ford Focus XR5

Judge James Stanford's comment

A Ford hot hatch with the heart of a Volvo was an easy pick for the Car of The Year finalists. The XR5 exploded on to the road in April and the waiting list has been growing ever since.

Instead of using a four-cylinder engine as other hot hatches have, the XR5 has a five-cylinder engine with a turbo strapped on.

The potent engine, which has 166kW and 320Nm of torque, came straight from Ford's Swedish friends at Volvo.

It is a cracker engine, with low-down urge and a wonderful meaty exhaust note thanks to a large muffler that takes up the space normally used by a full-size spare (it now has a space saver).

The XR5 has chunky 18-inch wheels, sports suspension and styling that means it is instantly recognised as a performance car.

With a starting price of just $35,990, the XR5 is a strong contender for this year's biggest award.

The finalists

1: Audi Q7 TDI 4WD, $85,700

2: Holden VE Calais V8 V-series sedan, $58,490

3: Toyota Aurion Presara V6 sedan, $49,990

4: VW Passat wagon 4-cyl turbo, $44,990

5: Ford Focus XR5 5-cyl turbo hatch, $35,990

6: Mazda3 MPS 4-cyl turbo hatch, $39,990

7: Porsche Cayman S 2-door coupe, $148,500

8: TBA

9: TBA

10: TBA

Remaining three finalists to be announced next Friday.