Upscale Winner: Erin Berlose Vox 2.9 ConceptDesign Score: 130.075
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This year, our field for Upscale vehicles was absolutely abysmal. Given that it was only one of two submissions and the other was considered to be a joke by the editors, we have to proclaim the Erin Berlose Vox as the winner by default.
That, of course, is itself a disappointing term, and in no way reflects how sophisticated and precise this sedan is. Its power comes from a modestly refreshed Toledo 2.9 liter V6 (and by refreshed, we mean hastily refitted with a version of their MultiJect fuel technology). Power is flat and even throughout the range, and a long-geared 4-speed automatic keeps the rear wheels from breaking loose in all but the poorest road conditions. The Berlose concept showed that it could get to 100 km/k in 12.5 seconds. Not a barn burner, and it is a bit thirsty on fuel, with a 17.4 MPG combined figure.
Despite what some may consider lackluster performance, the heavy sedan still manages 0.86g in the slalom, and doesn't wallow much at all in spirited cornering. Damping of road perfections is almost sublime, and braking is even and controlled thanks to 4-wheel disc brakes. The cabin is a spectacle to behold. Soft touch plastics abound, and the seats are covered in a soft sueded material, with ample padding and good bolters. Power windows, locks, and mirrors are all standard. And yet all those features pale in the face of the high-fidelity, quadrophonic cassette deck, with digital tuning and equalization. Even the antenna can be raised and lowered remotely so that it won't be sheared off by an automatic car wash!
Potential buyers aren't going to buy the Berlose because they have to, should Erin decide to make the concept a reality. They're going to buy it because they love it.