Today on The Top Ten Auto Show the team take a look at the top ten best mini cars of 2002, basing their final decision on pure sales figures and features.
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Our website: http://menandmotors.com/
---- Social Media ----
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If you have any questions, e-mail us at talk@menandmotors.com
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MotorTranscript
00:00 [Music]
00:27 Hello, I'm Dave Lee Travis and welcome to this week's Top Ten Auto Show.
00:32 Each week we look at the top ten vehicles from the different automotive categories as voted for by our panel of experts,
00:38 including editors from the top UK's motoring magazines.
00:42 Now this week we're taking a look at the top ten super minis of 2002.
00:47 [Music]
00:53 Where last week's city cars would turn their noses up at long journeys and complain about runs on the motorway,
00:58 the super minis are almost the best of both worlds.
01:01 Having the compact size to make them practical in town,
01:04 combined with refinement and extra size and power to cope with the greater demands of all-round driving.
01:10 [Music]
01:16 So, first off this week at number ten, all the way from Italy, it's the Fiat Punto.
01:22 So often these days, unless you're spending a good deal of cash,
01:25 your car's styling would be at the end of its features list.
01:28 But the Fiat Punto is every bit a stylish, attractive, cutting-edge design,
01:33 which is one of the main reasons it gets a place in our top ten.
01:36 And those fashionable Italian designers haven't stopped at the exterior,
01:40 as the cabin is also very well laid out and finished off,
01:43 with a nice use of quality materials.
01:45 And you can really see that Fiat have made an effort here.
01:48 So, it's all bellissimo so far, but the Punto does have a major fly in its Italian ointment,
01:54 and that's its ride.
01:56 Whilst it turns well and has little body roll, the ride is extremely harsh,
02:01 and even on the smallest of bumps, the Punto begins to feel uncomfortable,
02:05 despite the good driving position.
02:08 And it's a real shame, as with a better ride, the Punto would have been so much higher in our top ten.
02:13 So, let's check out those all-important manufacturer statistics.
02:18 And from the manufacturer's figures to those of our expert panel,
02:38 as we see how they've scored the car in the top ten auto show categories.
02:43 At number ten, then, with a total percentage of 60, the Fiat Punto.
02:57 In at number nine, it's Papa's little favourite, the Renault Clio.
03:06 Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
03:08 Just six or seven years ago, everyone would have voted this Gallic charmer number one.
03:13 And it can't be denied that Clio set the benchmark for other manufacturers to beat.
03:18 The problem is, most of them have.
03:20 Across this range, the ride and handling isn't bad,
03:23 but the cheaper end cars are a little wallowy and numb, with fairly uninvolved steering.
03:28 And you have to shell out for the 172 Renault Sport or the V6 to get a truly exciting drive.
03:34 On the inside of Le Clio, it isn't exactly groundbreaking stuff,
03:39 but it is well put together and feels very durable.
03:42 And the equipment levels across the range are excellent,
03:44 with every model getting driver, passenger and side airbags,
03:48 power steering, ABS, electric windows,
03:51 ah, pause for a glass of vin rouge, remote central locking and a decent stereo.
03:57 Now, like the majority of smaller cars, they tend to show up most of their flaws out on the open road.
04:02 We've already said that the Clio's ride is a little vague,
04:05 but there's also a large amount of wind noise on the motorway,
04:08 and it's generally not as refined as some of its competition.
04:11 Which is why it only makes number nine.
04:14 [Music]
04:43 So, let's see just how our expert panel have marked the Clio.
04:48 [Music]
04:57 At number nine then, with a total percentage of 65, the Renault Clio.
05:02 [Music]
05:10 In eighth place this year is the Volkswagen Polo.
05:13 Now, the Polo may well have come in eighth in our chart,
05:16 but you people out there seem to love Volkswagen's little baby.
05:20 Though we say little, throughout its life, the Polo has steadily been putting on weight,
05:24 to the point where it's now as big as the first version of the Golf, Polo's big brother.
05:29 The obvious benefit of a bigger Polo means that there is more room inside,
05:34 with good head and leg room for both front and rear passengers.
05:37 The boot is also excellent in this class, and the split-fold seats make it even more versatile.
05:43 And what about that interior?
05:45 Well, quality-wise, it's second to none,
05:47 with every button and switch feeling extremely solid and worthy of a luxury car, let alone a supermini.
05:53 Now, we all know that saying, "You get what you pay for."
05:56 Well, that superb VW build quality and refinement comes at a price.
06:01 The basic Polo will set you back eight grand,
06:04 with the top-spec diesel coming in at a far from mini 14 grand.
06:09 Ouch!
06:10 Well, while you comfort your wallet, here's the manufacturer's statistics for the VW Polo.
06:16 (music)
06:42 Simple fact. If it had been cheaper, the Polo would have been much higher in the top ten.
06:47 Here's how our expert panel have marked the little VW.
06:51 (music)
07:00 So, with an overall percentage of 66, the VW Polo takes eighth place.
07:06 (music)
07:12 In at number seven is the second French supermini in today's chart, the Peugeot 206.
07:17 It's the son of an extremely successful father,
07:20 and that's probably how the 206 feels when it's constantly compared to the 205,
07:25 the car which was awesome in its day and even better in people's memories.
07:30 Now, like the Renault Clio, the 206 has a great range of engines,
07:33 from a 1.1 petrol right up to 2-litre petrol and diesel offerings,
07:37 all of which are smooth and efficient.
07:39 But as you'd expect, the small units need plenty of revs to make them work well out of town.
07:44 It's on the inside, though, where the 206 suffers.
07:47 It has a pretty poor driving position, and the cabin, though well-equipped,
07:51 is dearly lacking in flair and quality, especially when you look at many of the cars in this sector.
07:56 It's also lacking in space for rear passengers, though the boot is fairly roomy.
08:01 It's interesting to note that in last year's top ten hatchbacks, the 206 came second,
08:06 which clearly shows how this sector has evolved over the last 12 months.
08:10 Now, for all you techies, here are the specifications for the 206 range.
08:15 [Music]
08:41 We know it's made seventh place, but let's see how our expert panel have marked the 206
08:45 in the top ten auto show categories.
08:48 [Music]
08:58 With a total percentage of 67, the Peugeot 206.
09:03 [Music]
09:10 In at number six in this year's top ten superminis, the curvy Citroen C3.
09:15 There's no doubt about it, Citroen have really made an effort with the looks of the C3
09:19 to create a car that's genuinely different, yet with clear Citroen identity.
09:24 At first glance, you could be mistaken for thinking the C3 is actually a mini-MPV,
09:29 with its high-sided, high-curving roof.
09:32 Indeed, the driving position is more akin to an MPV than a supermini, being very upright.
09:37 Sadly, though, the MPV comparisons end when it comes to interior space.
09:42 Yes, there's bags of head and leg room up front, but rear space is limited,
09:46 and the boot isn't as big as the exterior look suggests.
09:50 Space aside, though, the interior is a good effort, with plenty of attention to detail
09:54 as to how the instruments and switches are laid out and put together.
09:57 When it comes to the C3's engine range, there's only actually a choice of three,
10:02 the petrols and the diesel, but you can be sure that all three will perform exceptionally well,
10:07 based on Citroen's past history.
10:09 Here's the manufacturer's facts and figures on the C3.
10:13 [Music]
10:37 Here's how our panel of experts scored the C3.
10:40 [Music]
10:49 The Citroen C3 then takes sixth place, with a total of 68%.
10:54 [Music]
11:04 Just making it into the top five this year is the new Ford Fiesta.
11:08 Now, if it was just down to how these superminis handle,
11:11 the Fiesta would be in top spot as it is, and has been for many years,
11:15 the best handling car in its class.
11:17 Like many manufacturers, Ford have opted for a family look for their new Fiesta,
11:22 as from many angles it looks like a Focus.
11:24 Whilst this is a safe option to go for, you can't help thinking it's a bit of a cop-out,
11:29 especially when compared to the Continental style of the C3 and the Punto.
11:34 Engine-wise, there's a choice of three petrol units and a diesel.
11:39 For us, the most impressive was the diesel.
11:41 It's a turbocharger, making it feel quite lively,
11:44 and though it's only a 1.4, it's got enough oomph for overtaking on the motorway,
11:49 and returning a staggering 65 miles to the gallon.
11:52 You won't get that out of your Ferrari Enzo.
11:55 So, while I try to justify why I still haven't got the Ferrari,
11:59 I always promise myself, here's the manufacturer's stats for you on the Fiesta.
12:03 [Music]
12:28 So, let's see now how the expert panel have scored the little Ford.
12:32 [Music]
12:42 In fifth place, then, with a total percentage of 69, the Ford Fiesta.
12:47 Well, that's it for part one of this week's Top Ten Auto Show.
12:50 Do join us after the break when we will reveal the top four super minis of 2002.
12:56 [Music]
13:03 Hello, and welcome back to this year's Top Ten Auto Show,
13:07 where this week we're looking at super minis.
13:10 [Music]
13:17 In fourth place is the Skoda Fabia.
13:20 It should no longer be a surprise that the Skoda Fabia should beat a host of major manufacturers
13:25 to make it into the top four after all.
13:27 It was a previous winner of the What Car? Car of the Year award,
13:31 and it's based on the VW Polo. Neither bad things to have on your CV.
13:36 One of the most surprising aspects of the Fabia is with its overall finish and build quality.
13:41 You would expect it to be reasonable coming from a VW-owned company,
13:45 but it's actually very impressive and wouldn't look out of place on cars
13:48 costing much more than the Fabia's entry-level eight grand.
13:52 You also get ABS on all of the basic models, which is unusual in this class of car.
13:57 Skoda have also done a great job of making the Fabia spacious,
14:01 and you can genuinely get five adults in here, no problem.
14:05 There's also a pretty good boot, making the Skoda one of the most practical super minis on the market.
14:10 [Music]
14:34 For what is a great overall car, though, it's such a shame that people still seem to have
14:38 an image problem with that Skoda name, and it's through its image
14:42 that the Fabia loses most of its points.
14:45 [Music]
14:54 In fourth place, then, with a total score of 70%, the Skoda Fabia.
14:59 [Music]
15:09 Into the top three, and in third place is the versatile Toyota Yaris.
15:14 When the Yaris was launched, it was a real breakthrough in super mini design,
15:18 so the fact that it's still in the top three after several years
15:21 is even greater testament to how good it is.
15:24 From a practicality standpoint, it's one of the class leaders,
15:27 with the high-roof design giving huge amounts of space for drivers and passengers,
15:31 and there's loads of small storage areas for your bits and pieces.
15:35 Powering the Yaris range is a choice of three petrol engines and a diesel.
15:40 With only one person in the car, the one-litres are fine,
15:43 but they do start to protest when pushed with a full load.
15:47 The 1.3 is probably the best all-rounder, as it's a good balance between power and economy,
15:52 but for those who want to really save the pennies, the diesel obviously has the best economy,
15:57 though it can get noisy.
15:59 [Music]
16:02 [Music]
16:29 So, all in all, an impressive piece of kit.
16:32 Let's have a look at how our expert panel have marked the Yaris.
16:36 [Music]
16:46 In third place, then, with a total score of 71%, the Toyota Yaris.
16:51 [Music]
16:58 On to second place, then, and it was a close call,
17:01 but the MINI has been pipped into second place.
17:04 Though it's no longer a tiny roller skate with a roof,
17:07 BMW have worked wonders to recreate the character and charm of the original MINI
17:11 with the added performance, safety and handling that modern motoring demands.
17:16 No doubt about it, the new MINI is stylish, it's purposeful,
17:19 it already looks like a classic, but above all, it's cheeky,
17:23 and you can't help but smile when one drives past.
17:26 Cleverly, BMW have been careful to establish the MINI as a stand-alone brand,
17:31 and you'd be hard-pushed to find a BMW logo anywhere on the car,
17:35 or under the bonnet, for that matter,
17:37 but there is one huge giveaway, and that's with the build quality.
17:41 It's absolutely superb, with every switch and panel feeling durable and expensive.
17:46 The same goes for the dash layout, which is a work of art.
17:50 So, why, oh, why, I hear you cry, doesn't the MINI win overall?
17:54 Well, despite its size, there's a terrible lack of space in the car.
17:58 It's fine for driver and passenger in the front,
18:01 but the backseat space is almost unusable,
18:03 unless you're prepared to wrap your legs around your neck.
18:06 Anyway, while I go and try and see if my legs will still fit round my head,
18:10 here's the manufacturer's statistics for the MINI range.
18:14 (MUSIC)
18:17 We know it's made it to second place,
18:36 but let's now see how the Men & Motors expert panel
18:39 have scored the MINI in the five Top 10 Auto Show categories.
18:43 (MUSIC)
18:46 In second place, then, with a total percentage of 72, the MINI.
18:57 Well, it's nearly time to reveal the top super MINI of 2002,
19:02 but before we let the cat out of the bag,
19:04 here's a quick rundown of the top nine places.
19:08 (MUSIC)
19:11 In tenth place, the Punto from Fiat.
19:14 In at number nine is Renault's Clio.
19:18 At number eight this year is the VW Polo.
19:22 In at number seven, the Peugeot 206.
19:26 Taking sixth spot this year is the curvy Citroen C3,
19:31 just making the top five for 2002, the Ford Fiesta.
19:35 Fourth place goes to the Polo-based Skoda Fabia,
19:39 making the top three this year is the Toyota Yaris.
19:42 And in second place, just pipping the Yaris, the new MINI.
19:47 (MUSIC)
19:51 So, the Top 10 Auto Super MINI of 2002 is the Honda Jazz.
20:02 Although the MINI is one of the most stylish and best handling super MINIs out there,
20:06 well, they aren't the most important criteria for this class of car.
20:09 Most important is a good balance of performance and practicality to really win out,
20:15 and it's this that really makes the Jazz a winner here.
20:18 Now, whilst the ride of the Jazz is a little on the firm side,
20:22 it's still a lovely car to drive, and feels like a much bigger car than it actually is.
20:27 And so, on to practicality, and it's here that the Jazz really steals the show.
20:32 As a genuine five-seater, it does the job and still retains a reasonable boot.
20:37 However, if you really want to carry a shed full of stuff,
20:40 the rear seats will fold down and slide under the front seats,
20:43 giving you completely flat load space.
20:46 This feature really is the biggest feather in the Jazz's cap,
20:50 as it takes what is already a great performing practical super MINI,
20:54 and makes it almost as capacious as some small MINI vans.
20:58 As always, here's a quick look at the statistics for the Honda Jazz.
21:20 Here's a look at how our panel of experts have scored the Jazz for image and style,
21:24 practicality, performance, ride and handling, and overall value for money.
21:29 With a total score of 74%, this year's winner of the Top 10 Super MINI of 2002 goes to the Honda Jazz.
21:47 Hi, I'm Gary Shewfield, Director of Programming at Granada Men & Motors.
21:51 This is Ken Kearney, Managing Director of Honda.
21:53 We're here at the Motor Show, and my purpose here today is to present an award to Ken for the Jazz,
21:58 which has won the Best Super MINI. And Ken, this is the award.
22:02 Thank you very much, Gary. The Jazz now has won many awards, but this one in the UK.
22:09 We know Men & Motors, this is special to us. Thanks, Gary.
22:13 Well, that's it for this week. I'm Dave Lee Travis.
22:16 Do be sure to join me next week when we'll be looking at the Top 10 Small Cars of 2002.
22:22 [Music]
22:25 [Music]
22:28 [Music]
22:31 [Music]
22:41 [Music]
22:51 (upbeat music)
22:53 [BLANK_AUDIO]