Hyundai's i10 is BS Motoring Car of the Year

The Hyundai i10 pipped strong competition from the Mahindra Renault Logan to win the Business Standard Motoring Car of the Year 2008 award.

This is third time in the history of the oldest automotive awards in the country that Hyundai has zoomed to the numero uno position, after the Santro in 1998 and the Getz in 2005.

Seven all-new cars vied for the crown this year, which also included the Chevrolet Spark, Maruti Suzuki's SX4, the BMW 3 and 5 Series and the Volkswagen Passat.

The i10 managed to impress the Business Standard Motoring jury across various counts, including build quality, ride, handling, driveability, comfort and safety features. A compelling price tag and above average fuel efficiency further clinched the deal for Hyundai's made-in-India car for the world.

Despite using a wheelbase similar to the Santro, Hyundai's engineers have done a good job of improving the overall dynamics as well as liberating space on the inside. Clever features such as the centre-console, mounted gear lever and the overall fit and finish also managed to create a positive impression.

Eventually, despite the Logan's high scoring points run, the i10 managed to stay six points clear of the Indo-French car to win the Business Standard Motoring Car of the Year 2008 award.

In the 2008 Business Standard Motoring Bike of the Year awards, the onus lay on six variants and an all-new motorcycle to fight it out.

Despite the brilliance of the new Bajaj Pulsar twins "" the 200 and 220 "" and the equally worthy TVS Apache RTR 160, the Bajaj XCD 125 managed to grab the mantle.

Being a new bike ground-up, plus key features like the DTS Si technology that enhances power while delivering near 100cc fuel efficiency swayed the votes in its favour. The XCD's trump card was its price tag, which edged it to become this year's winner.

Apart from the Car and Bike of the Year, Business Standard Motoring also announced winners in other categories. The ebullient Chevrolet Spark won the Business Standard Motoring Best Value 2008 award and the Mahindra Renault Logan picked up the Business Standard Motoring Jury Award 2008 "" given to the most significant car other than the COTY winner.

The Business Standard Motoring Performance Car of the Year 2008 is the BMW 325i, a brilliant driving enthusiast's car, while the feature-rich Volkswagen Passat is the Business Standard Motoring Premium Car of the Year 2008.

Among two-wheelers, the TVS Apache RTR 160 stole the Business Standard Motoring performance bike of the year 2008 award while the Kinetic-Sym Flyte is the Business Standard Motoring Scooter of the Year.