When we asked you to vote for the 2004 South China Morning Post Car of the Year, we also invited our road testers to compare notes
Torque of the Town
Your choice: Rolls-Royce Phantom
James Chan: Disagree. Given that Hong Kong has more Rolls-Royces relative to its geographical size than anywhere else in the world, I can understand Hongkongers having a unique love affair with the brand. But I would have picked the Audi A8 for its light aluminium construction, driving fun and sleek appearance.
Carl Yuen: Agree. If it weren't for the Phantom, the Arnage T would have got my vote. It has more pomp than the Audi and the Jaguar XJ, and more circumstance than the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG and the big Bimmer. And the Maserati Quattroporte is too young, fit and athletic for these boardroom big-hitters. But the Phantom has more presence than all the others put together.
William Wadsworth: Disagree. I loved the Phantom's waft in Sussex last week, but I'd go for the Maserati Quattroporte (below) because it's a supercar and limousine in one, a sure hit with the girls but less bling-bling showy. The feisty gearbox needs patience, particularly if you're used to Stepford Wife-type automatics in Hong Kong, but the glint of the Maserati's chrome, the smell and touch of its Poltrona Frau leather and the fist-clenching rasp of that 4.2-litre V8 appeals to me more than the Rolls' glide. The Quattroporte's easier to park, and speaks volumes about its owner's taste and driving skill. It's also my car of the year. Bellissima.