2017 Canadian Car of the Year Awards: the Premium Sports/Performance Car Category
During the week of October 24th, more than 65 journalists from across Canada gathered for the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s 2017 CCOTY testing in Ontario. Eight vehicle categories were established this year, including the Best New Premium Sports/Performance Car Category in which we find a few very potent vehicles.
This year, contenders included the BMW M2, the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe and the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S. Here’s a quick peek at each of them, and the winner of the category will be announced on December 6.
2017 BMW M2
The 2 Series replaced the 1 Series in BMW’s Canadian lineup a couple of years ago, and although we did get the powerful and fast M235i, it wasn’t a true-blue M product. The M2 is, equipped with a turbocharged, 3.0-litre inline-six that belts out 365 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque. It’s offered with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed, dual-clutch automated gearbox. It’s the latter that was entered in the CCOTY program, allowing the car to reach 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. The 2017 BMW M2 starts at $63,000 before freight and delivery charges.
Read more about the BMW M2
2017 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe
The C-Class Coupe was redesigned for the 2017 model year, and in addition to the C 300 4MATIC and C 43 4MATIC variants, the German brand obviously prepared a couple of hot-rod AMG editions as well. The C 63 boasts 469 horsepower, but the C 63 S ups the ante with 503 horses as well as 516 lb.-ft. of torque available between 1750 and 4500 rpm. Both are rear-wheel driven, and a seven-speed automatic is the only gearbox offered, but it allows the C 63 S to blast from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. The 2017 Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe starts at $77,100 before freight and delivery charges, while the C 63 S is listed at $85,800.
Read more about the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe
2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
For the 2017 model year, Porsche’s iconic 911 gets turbocharged engines in virtually all of its numerous variations. That includes base Carrera and Carrera S versions, which get a twin-turbo, 3.0-litre flat-six that punches out 370 hp in the Carrera and 420 in the Carrera S. The latter also boasts a peak torque rating of 368 lb.-ft. The 4S edition entered in the competition also includes four-wheel drive, and thanks to its optional seven-speed PDK automated gearbox, the car accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. Pricing starts at $102,200 before freight and delivery charges, although the Carrera 4S carries a sticker price of $126,100 and up.
Read more about the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
Which one do you think will win AJAC’s 2017 Best New Premium Sports/Performance Car award?