Showing posts with label 2011 Car Awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2011 Car Awards. Show all posts

Thursday, April 10, 2014

2011 Car Awards: Best Subcompact

With 2011 over, it is time to look back at the best cars to be released in 2011. I did a list on the worst cars of 2011, now it is time to award the best that came out in 2011, starting with Best Subcompact Car of 2011.


The subcompact is a tough class to judge. Historically, there have been many bad subcompacts, including the Ford Pinto, Chevrolet Vega, and the Yugo. There have also been classic subcompacts like the Austin Mini and the Volkswagen Golf Mk.I GTI. My choice for 2011 Subcompact Car of the year is:

BMW 1M

The standard BMW 1-series is nothing special. It is a smaller version of the 3-series, with similar engines available. BWM's Motorsport division shows how you can make a quality subcompact. Motorsport takes a 1-series body, puts a unique body kit to give it a bigger and wider body. Motorsport then takes the twin-turbocharged 3.0L I6 engine found inthe BMW 335is and Z4sdrive35is. The BMW 1M gets 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and reaches a limited top speed of 155 mph. That is  very quick and very fast for a subcompact. Also, the 1M also handles very well. It is the total package when it comes to subcompacts. However, the base price for the 1M is $47,010. That is a lot for a subcompact. But, there is no other subcompact like the 1M, and that is why I have no problem calling it the best subcompact car of 2011.

Others receiving consideration

Ford Fiesta: It is just stunning to look at. Good performance as well.

Mini Cooper S: Great performance for a subcompact, just not as good as the 1M.

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2011 Car Awards: Best Hybrid

Hybrids has been around since 1899. The first hybrid was the Lohner-Porsche Mixtre. Hybrid vehicles eventually died out by 1917. Now, hybrids are back and the Toyota Prius is the face of the hybrid car. Because of that, some people think that hybrids are slow, dull, and boring. But there is one car that proves hybrids can be fast, stylish, and fun. My choice for the 2011 Hybrid Car of the Year is:



Fisker Karma
Fisker Karma

Car designer Henrik Fisker is responsible for Aston Martin V8 Vantage and BMW Z8, both beautiful cars. Now he has decided to build his own plug-in hybrid. The Fisker Karma is beautiful to look at. The Karma is powered by both a 2.0L turbocharged I4 and 20kW/h lithium ion battery. The total power output is 403 hp and 981 lb-ft of torque. The Karma goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 125 mph. The Karma costs around $100,000 Compared to the Prius, Insight, and Volt, the Karma is fast. With good performance and beautiful styling, the Karma is the best hybrid of 2011. There is one issue though, the Karma was recalled due to potential risk of battery fire caused by leaking coolant.

Other receiving consideration:

Infiniti M35h: It is beautiful and quick, but it was not originally designed as a hybrid.

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2011 Car Awards: Best Electric Vehicle

When gas prices started to rapidly increase, companies were looking for alternative power sources. One alternative power source is electricity. Electric cars have been around since 1899 and were competing with gas-powered cars. When gas-powered cars developed electrical starters, the electric car phased out. Now electric cars are back. The issue with electric car is the range the car would get on one charge. My pick for best electric car gets over 150 miles on one charge and is quicker and faster than the Nissan Leaf. My pick for 2011 Electric Car of the Year is:





Tesla Model S
Tesla has been pushing the limits of what an electric car can do. The Tesla Roadster got over 200 miles on one charge while going from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Now Tesla has started production on the Model S. This electric car is a beautiful four-door sportback. The car can come with either a 40 kwh, 60 kwh, and 85 kwh. The 80 kWh version of the Model S has good performance. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in  5.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 125 mph. It also can also get 300 miles on one charge. The 85 kWh Performance version is even faster. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 130 mph. The 40 kWh version goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of 110 mph. It starts at $49,900. The top of the line 85 kWh Signature Performance starts at $97,900. With the different options, good performance, luxurious interior, and beautiful styling, I have no problem naming the Tesla Model S as my choice for Best Electric Car of 2011. 

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2011 Car Awards: Grand Tourer

Grand tourers are the cars that are luxurious, high-performing, and just great for long road trips. For me, a grand tourer has the engine in the front, two-doors, and a trunk in the rear. Legendary grand tourers include the Ferrari 250 GTO, Aston Martin DB5, Lamborghini 350GT, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. When I look at grand tourers, I look for performance and style. To be considered, the car must have come out in 2011. No Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, Cadillac CTS-V, Aston Martin DBS, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, or Nissan GT-R. My choice for 2011 Grand Tourer of the Year is:



Ferrari FF

The Ferrari FF is like no Ferrari. I applaud Ferrari for trying something new. The FF is the first Ferrari hatchback and the first Ferrari with all-wheel drive. The FF is powered by a 6.3L V12 that produces 651 hp and 504 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 208 mph. It is fast, easy on the eyes, and practical. Drop the rear seats and you get 28 cubic feet of boot capacity. The FF is good on the track, on the road, and for ski trips. Prices for the start around $300,000. With performance, looks, and practicality, The FF is my choice for 2011 Grand Tourer of the Year.

Others getting considerations:

Aston Martin Virage: It is beautiful, but it falls in between the DB9 and DBS. Plus it does not have the practicality or performance that the FF has.

Lexus LFA: This is a beautiful car, but it costs more than the FF and does not perform as well as the FF.

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Wednesday, April 9, 2014

2011 Car Awards: Best Supercar

Supercars are high-performing cars. There have been several great supercars, including the Ferrari F40, Porsche 959, and Lamborghini Diablo. I see supercars and grand tourers as two different classes. Supercars have the engine located behind the driver, where as grand tourers have the engine in the front and a decent size trunk in the rear. To be considered, the car has to have been released in 2011. No second generation models will be considered. The Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Gallardo and its special editions, Audi R8, or Porsche 911 and its variants. The best supercar of 2011 is:



Lamborghini Aventador

This was a tough choice. I could have gone with McLaren MP4-12C, but the Aventador is quicker, faster, more powerful, has a bigger engine, and has an aggressive styling. The McLaren is better looking than the Aventador and is cheaper than the Aventador. When it comes to supercars, speed and power are key. The Aventador has a 6.5L V12 that produces 700 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 217 mph. The McLaren just cannot match the performance of the Aventador. For its power, looks, and performance, the Aventador is my choice for 2011 Supercar of the Year.

The other I considered:

McLaren MP4-12C: It is beautiful and cheaper than the Aventador, but the Aventador is quicker, faster, and more powerful.

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2011 Car Awards: Best Hypercar

Hypercars have been around since the 1990s, when the McLaren F1 was released. To be considered a hypercar, a car must be rare, expensive and hit a top speed of at least 240 mph. The F1 reached a top speed of 242 mph with the limiter off. 2011 saw a few cars that push the limits of what a car can do. My choice for 2011 Hypercar of the Year is:


Hennessey Venom GT

The Hennessey Venom GT is an incredible machine. Hennessey takes a Lotus Exige, extends the body, makes body panels except for the roof and doors out of carbon fiber, and puts a twin-turbocharged 6.2L V8 LS9 engine with 1,200 hp and 1,155 lb-ft of torque in it. The Venom GT goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds (same as a Bugatti Veyron SS and quicker than the Koenigsegg Agera) and can reach a top speed of 275 mph. There will be 29 Venom GTs built. Prices for the Venom GT start at $600,000. The Venom GT attracts large crowds wherever it is. People swarmed the Venom GT when cars like the Rossion Q1, Lamborghini 350GT, Porsche Carrera GT, and Lamborghini Aventador are near by. The car is extremely fast, rare, and a head turner and is my choice for 2011 Hypercar of the Year.

Other I considered:

Koenigsegg Agera/ Koenigsegg Agera R: The Koenigsegg Agera/ Agera R is a very quick car. But the Agera R only goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, 0.4 seconds slower than the Venom GT. Also, the Venom GT is cheaper than the Agera R, making the Venom GT a better value than the Agera R.

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2011 Car Awards: 2011 Car of the Year

2011 was a great year for cars. I did a list on the 8 worst cars of 2011. But in 2011, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg, Hennessey, McLaren, and Lexus all came out with incredible machines. The Mustang got a boost with the Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca and Chevrolet came out with the Camaro ZL1. The BMW 1M showed that small cars can be great performers. With that said, My 2011 Car of the Year is:


Ferrari FF
The Ferrari FF is no ordinary car. The FF is the first Ferrari with four wheel drive. It also has seating for four adults. The FF has a 6.3L V12 that produces 651 hp and 504 lb-ft of torque. The FF goes from 0 to 60 mph 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 208 mph. It is very roomy, has a god size trunk, and can drive fast on any terrain while seating four adults. It is the total package. Some cars maybe faster, but they do not have the practicality that the FF provides. The FF is a practical, high performing grand tourer and is my 2011 Car of the Year.

Others for consideration:

Aston Martin Virage: Beautiful Car

BMW 1M: Great performance in a small car

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1: Incredible performance

Fisker Karma: A hybrid that is not boring

Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca: A muscle car built for the track and not just the drag strip

Hennessey Venom GT: Great hypercar for under $1 million

Koenigsegg Agera R: Very quick and fast

Lamborghini Aventador: Aggressive styling and incredible fast supercar

McLaren MP4-12C: Beautiful, fast, and a great alternative to a Ferrari or a Lamborghini

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