Performance car of the year 2022 Top Three: I-Pace, GR Yaris & RS6
Fourteen days down and one to go. Today we narrow the Performance car of the year grid down to our three finalists. The Jaguar I-Pace, the Audi RS6 Avant and the Gazoo Toyota Yaris GR-Four.
THE TOP THREE: JAGUAR I-PACE SE
The Jaguar I-Pace SE had to dispose of the Ford Ranger Raptor SE and Mini Cooper SE to conquer its eclectic group. Not an easy task considering the Raptor has rewritten the bakkie record books for good. It may not be the quickest vehicle in Pcoty, but it delivers off-road performance like never before.
The Mini Cooper SE is a compelling ‘little’ EV in its own right. It’s a frisky electric car that doesn’t pretend to be cleverer than the rest. You must look hard to notice the differences to the petrol one. Their performance pedigrees earned both of them the right to stand among greatness this year. But neither the purpose built bakkie nor the electrified Mini quite had the spunk to make it into the Performance car of the year 2022 top three..
That honour rather befell the Jaguar I-Pace S. It proved a voyage of discovery for us that reinvigorated our electric spark. Good to drive, it has its compromises, but it’s a lot of fun. Never mind, I-Pace brings a different and exciting electric spin to driving. Sooner or later, we’ll all have to experience driving electric. And right here, right now, the Jaguar I-Pace represents the acme of electric motoring on South African roads. Which is why it’s here.
GAZOO TOYOTA GR YARIS
It had some big hitters to dispose of, but the Gazoo Toyota GR Yaris had little trouble in toppling the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S and Volkswagen’s ultimate Golf GTI. Easier said than done, considering both of those are long cherished as Kings among Hot Hatches…
Yes, it’s expensive. But the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S is a record breaker in so many ways. It’s a hugely fun, great looking yet practical ultra-performance hot hatch. The Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI is quick and it’s a very good car too. But has its technology exorcised its mojo? Stymied by too many systems to bamboozle the driver, it makes us wonder if VW is preparing us for an electric GTI future.
And the Toyota? It’s a Yaris, for goodness sake! But it’s a very special Yaris. Something completely different in the performance world, GR Yaris is unique, fast and devastatingly effective. It’s dear, but not stupidly so, but it’s reinvented the hot hatch for once and for all. A once in a lifetime performance car, GR Yaris goes through as a most deserved second of our Pcoty Top Three.
AUDI RS6 AVANT
And finally, the Audi RS6 Avant. It had the hardest job in getting here. An incredible duo, the BMW M5 Competition and Mercedes-AMG E 63 S were both a tad quicker than the über estate from Ingolstadt in our tests. But you’ll save two hundred grand on the Audi over the BMW. And spend another hundred more to get yourself the Merc.
The Audi is also a more practical, perhaps sexier, and more exciting car. So that saving coupled to a not insignificant dose of extra practicality is worth a tad more than just a tenth or two in vital performance statistics. Which is why the Audi is here.
Tomorrow is Christmas. Which has traditionally been the day we announced our Performance car of the year online over the years. Be sure to come back first thing in the morning to learn which of these three takes it!
Performance car of the year 2022 Program Pcoty ‘22 Introduction Audi RS 6 Avant BMW M5 Competition Ford Ranger Raptor SE Jaguar I-Pace Mercedes-AMG A45 S Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Mini Cooper SE Toyota GR Yaris Volkswagen Golf 8 GTI Pcoty ‘22 Electric Shootout Pcoty ‘22 Super Hatch Shootout Pcoty ‘22 Electric Shootout Pcoty ‘22 Super Hatch Shootout Pcoty ‘22 Super Saloon Shootout Pcoty '22 Top Three Pcoty ‘22 Winner