Import Car Of The Year 2005: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

We like the Porsche 911 too much to do this! But Porsche has only just entered two metros, while Toyota caters to the whole country. That swung the decision the Prado's way.

If the jury had its way, the Bentley Continental GT, Audi A8 and the 911 would all have won this award together. Land Cruiser and Prado are familiar names to the rich and famous, and they no longer need the grey market for one.

The Prado is an urban animal, not a jungle predator, but it makes quick progress in both situations. Despite the narrow track, the Prado has presence and purpose.

The V6 motor is explosive and the Prado has a good selection of safety tech too. Our last test car of 2004 fought off the competition and a few enthusiasts. And won! The Business Standard Motoring Import Car Of The Year 2005 is the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. Cheers!

Business Standard Motoring
Jury Award 2005:
Skoda Octavia RS

The jury award is free country. No branding, price, fuel efficiency or value barriers restrict the jury. The Skoda Octavia RS wins the coveted Business Standard Motoring Jury Award 2005 for being the most involving car built and sold in India today.

It has the right ingredients for a glorious drive and heralds an era where variants are more than sticker jobs with fresh upholstery.

Low profile tyres, stiffer suspension, a de-tuned yet brawny engine, bright paint jobs and scintillating performance make it a compelling buy for petrol- heads. Congratulations, Skoda!

Business Standard Motoring
Brand Of The Year 2005:
Chevrolet

It takes years for automotive brands to evolve and reach the stage where family hatchbacks and bleeding edge supercars can thrive in the same stable.

The Chevrolet Spark and Corvette are a classic example. Imagine a hatchback Ferrari and you'll get the idea. Chevrolet is an effervescent brand that is deep-rooted in automotive history.

When General Motors re-launched their Indian operations, they opted for the Chevy bowtie. The Chevy's mystique is still in the minds of at least two generations in India. The Impalas that criss-crossed the landscape and the silver screen haven't been forgotten.

The fact that GMI already has three cars of varied specification and sophistication confirms just how versatile the Chevrolet brand is.

The resounding success of the Isuzu-based Tavera and Daewoo-sourced Optra erase all doubt. The selection of Chevrolet as the Business Standard Motoring Brand Of The Year 2005 was unanimous.