The cars of the 2018 Robb Report Australia & New Zealand Car of the Year

The cars of the 2018 Robb Report Australia & New Zealand Car of the Year. The second edition of our annual event did not disappoint, with a stellar field of contenders by Michael Stahl photography by Cristian Brunelli. Robb Report Australia & New Zealand Car of the Year is an annual celebration of the very best that the automotive world has to offer. Car of the Year is modelled on the award introduced by our US parent 25 years ago. It is distinctive from other awards in focusing, naturally, on only the finest vehicles across a variety of luxury segments – highperformance, limousine, wagon and so on – and in being selected by a panel of qualified owners. Car of the Year acknowledges and encourages excellence in the functionality, design, ownership experience and advancement of luxury and high-performance cars.

For this, our second annual Car of the Year, Robb Report Australia & New Zealand has selected from seven categories the vehicles that best fulfil the expectations of customers in each segment. Among the requirements for qualification are that the vehicle, or particular derivative, was launched in Australia in the 12 months preceding our two-day Car of the Year event; this year staged in mid-April on a long road route in rural Victoria and the Phillip Island Circuit (see page 62). There were three notable absentees from the CotY Class of 2018. The Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII, extensively profiled in our January-February issue, had yet to commence customer deliveries. The same was true of the Lamborghini Huracán Performante; and despite great effort, Lamborghini was also unable to source the Aventador S. Ferrari’s 812 Superfast was withheld by the importer.

Our 2018 judging panel comprised business leaders and identities from fields such as finance, property and entertainment, whose common connection is their passion for (and serial ownership of) cars of exceptional quality. All understood that our Car of the Year is not a comparison among these vehicles, but an assessment of their fulfilment of their intended roles. At the conclusion of their two-day experience (see next page), the panel’s comments were reviewed. The Car of the Year – in essence, the people’s choice – is that which most amazed, satisfied and reset perceptions of automotive excellence.

1. SPORTS-LUXURY GRAND TOURING Aston Martin DB11 V8 

2. PERFORMANCE COUPÉ Audi RS5 

3. ULTRA-LUXURY LIMOUSINE Bentley Mulsanne Speed 

4. SPORTS LIMOUSINE BMW M760Li xDrive 

5. SUPERCAR McLaren 720S 

6. EXECUTIVE PERFORMANCE SEDAN Mercedes-AMG E 63 S 4MATIC+ 

7. SPORTS-LUXURY WAGON Porsche Panamera Turbo Gran Turismo 

8. LAMBORGHINI HURACÁN SPYDER LP 580-2 Not eligible 

Celebrating automotive excellence on and off the track Our Car of the Year judging panel enjoyed a peerless experience over two days of testing – and tasting by Michael Stahl. The second annual Robb Report Australia & New Zealand Car of the Year moved from the inaugural event’s Sydney setting to rural Victoria. A key factor in the decision to stage our luxury lifestyle event in one of the most scenic (if actively driver-deterrent) states in the nation was the opportunity to conduct the track-testing component on the glorious Phillip Island Circuit. Situated some two hours’ drive south of Melbourne, the beautiful, bucolic Phillip Island has a motor sport history dating back to 1928, when a circuit was staked out over the grassy hills to host what became the first Australian Grand Prix. The modern circuit was constructed nearby in 1956 and, after a couple of hiatuses, reopened in late-1988 for its modern era as a truly international circuit. It annually hosts rounds of motorcycling’s MotoGP and Superbike world championships, along with a V8 Supercar championship round.

Phillip Island Circuit has sometimes been cited by competitors and the media as the best motor racing facility in the world. Robb Report’s panel of 16 judges would first face Day One, comprising hundreds of kilometres of glorious rural roads, with seven luxury cars at their beckoning. Judges and cars were first united at the vast new Zagame Automotive Centre at Tullamarine, a short drive from Melbourne Airport. The modern landmark building, acquired by ZAG in 2015, provided the perfect staging point. Under the guidance of Luke O’Neill, probably Australia’s most experienced luxury automotive events co-ordinator, drivers were paired in the CotY fleet to embark on the pre-set route to the picturesque Yarra Valley.

The seven CotY contender cars were joined by a Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2 Spyder, to represent the brand in the unfortunate absence of the Aventador S. Having been launched in 2016, the Huracán was not taking part in the judging process. The fleet was also accompanied by a pair of Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio chase cars. While we weren’t anticipating having to do any actual chasing, the Giulia’s 375kW, twinturbo V6 is certainly up to the task. The Day One drive toured the Yarra Valley, drivers swapping seats and vehicles at prearranged points before arriving at the lunch venue, Ezard. This dramatic restaurant is a collaborative venture between chef Teage Ezard and the acclaimed Levantine Hill Winery. Our judges enjoyed an extraordinary degustation menu, the elegance and experience of which befitted the automotive excellence on show outside. On departure, guests were given a selection of Levantine Hills wines.

The drive route continued through a range of challenging and comfortable roads in the Yarra Ranges, eventually joining the Bass Highway for the final stint to San Remo, on the mainland adjacent to Phillip Island. The crews arrived in the late afternoon at the Silverwater Resort. After time to rest, more sumptuous dining awaited at The Cape Kitchen, dramatically situated on the coast at Newhaven, on Phillip Island. It offers dramatic 180-degree views to the southwest across Bass Strait (next stop: King Island, 170km across the water). At The Cape Kitchen, entertained by Melbourne guitar duo Siren, our judges enjoyed a threecourse dinner with matching wines. The coach transfer back to the Silverwater Resort (and the open bar that awaited) was a welcome luxury.

Throughout the evening, and the following day, judges were able to admire and ‘road test’ a selection of Zenith watches, including the latest Defy series. A Zenith representative explained the technical intricacies of the Defy’s distinctive oscillator component, and the brand’s legendary El Primero movement. Day Two commenced with adrenalinefuelled chatter on the short transfer to the Phillip Island Circuit. While the Bentley Mulsanne serenely sat out the track sessions, each driver was allocated 20-minute sessions in each of the other cars. They were accompanied by a professional driving instructor, to further enhance their enjoyment of driving without restriction on the worldrenowned racetrack.

The circuit time showcased engineering excellence in even the largest and least likely of these vehicles, further vindicating their selection as the best of their kind. Not even a brief but enthusiastic downpour would dampen the enthusiasm of the drivers. At the conclusion of the day’s vigorous driving, judges boarded some of Melbournebased Microflite’s fleet of five Eurocopter EC130s – among the company’s stable of 18 helicopters, Victoria’s largest – to enjoy the 40-minute airlift back to Tullamarine, taking in the sights of Port Phillip Bay and the soaring Melbourne skyline. This left the Robb Report Australia & New Zealand team with a profound satisfaction, wads of forthright comments and views, and a decision to be made.

Sources: Robb Report Australia, July 2018

Tweet

Subscribe to receive free email updates: