This is where Lang Lang becomes the culling field. To survive here requires real depth of ability against the COTY criteria, and for the following 14 contenders, their best wasn't enough. Here's why...

For the final seven, surviving the proving-ground pounding is cause for cautious optimism. Now comes the chance to shine in the real world. Time to hit the road...

And then there were three. Plenty of heated debate has preceded their selection, but for the finalists from BMW, Holden and Toyota, the final fire of the judgement blow-torch beckons