Reflecting back on 2012’s great cars
We’re not sure where the companies got the will, but these new cars sure found their way in 2012.
Where did 2012 go? Wasn’t it just July? Of 1997?
Well, the end of the year means it’s time to reflect back on some of the great cars that were introduced during the calendar year of 2012.
PORSCHE BOXSTER
Sometimes, less is more, and nowhere is that more true than with the redesigned 2013 Porsche Boxster, a simple but spectacular sports car. Slightly longer, wider and more powerful, the Boxster is an utterly nimble sports car, one that delivers a superior driving experience. In fact, the new Boxster is so good that it’s now a legitimate alternative to the much pricier 911 series.
SHELBY GT500
While the Boxster is all about finesse, the 2013 Shelby GT500 is the other end of the hammer. The blunt end that you smash stuff with. Ya, that end. The only number anyone cares about is 662, which is the horsepower level of course. For Ford to produce this car for one year only – the 2014 Mustang/Shelby will be on an all-new platform – speaks volumes about how much the Blue Oval Boys want to win the muscle-car war against Chevrolet’s Camaro ZL1. That $62,000 buys a car – with a back seat – capable of 320 km/h is mind-boggling.
CADILLAC ATS
Up until now, the phrase “BMW-fighter” has really just been a slogan or a label or an outright pipe dream. In fact BMW has probably grown weary of hearing it. Lots of pretenders and posturing, but nothing of real substance. The new Cadillac ATS, however, is something entirely different and a game-changer in the marketplace. In terms of handling, the ATS already is a match for the 3-Series BMW, but would benefit from more power under the hood. Light, quick and fun to drive, the ATS is really good right of the box and will only get better going forward.
FORD FUSION
Let’s be honest: midsize family sedans are the automotive equivalent of Stepford wives: competent, capable and utterly conformist. But the 2013 Fusion shatters that convention with a bold design that owes more to Jaguar or Aston Martin than it does to Ford. Add in a family of fuel-efficient gasoline and hybrid powerplants and the result is a car that truly stands out in its class.
HYUNDAI VELOSTER TURBO
Don’t let anyone fool you: there’s still a lot to be said for cheap thrills, and the Hyundai Veloster Turbo delivers a lot of fun for not much money. Funky but chic, the Veloster Turbo definitely stands out in a crowd, and now that it has a 201-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it can certainly get out of its own way. Lots of value here.
HONDA ACCORD
When Honda’s redesign of the Civic didn’t make buyers swoon, there were fears the automaker had lost its mojo. Fortunately, the 2013 Accord proves that’s not the case at all. Honda has managed to slightly reduce the size of the Accord, add a host of useful high-tech features and retain the basic goodness that has made this car so popular. The only downside – and it’s a minor quibble – is the styling is very conservative. For the first time, a Sport model is available.
INFINITI JX
Although it’s hardly a high-performance vehicle, Infiniti’s newest luxury tall wagon is an alluring blend of high-tech features, well-equipped interior and practical dimensions. In short, it feels like a premium sedan with nearly as much versatility as a minivan. For a tall wagon, the JX is very attractive and the interior truly is impressive, despite merely average power from its 3.5-litre V6. The real key here is that there
BUICK REGAL GS
Buick is doing its damnedest to shake off its reputation as the Official Car of Seniors. A good case in point is the 270horsepower Regal GS, which is a superb performance sedan that’s actually available with a manual transmission. Even better, though, is the news that Buick is bringing back the Grand National (GN) and GNX nameplates… soon.
DODGE DART
The Dart is as important for what it represents as what it actually is: a good first step back to relevance for the Dodge nameplate and a good first offspring of the Dodge-Fiat marriage. The front-wheel-drive compact Dart sedan is based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and is a solid effort. Our last test Dart came with the tiny 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder right out of the Fiat 500 Abarth. If you think a four-cylinder can’t sound snotty, you really need to hear it. Awesome.
FORD FOCUS ST
For decades, the Volkswagen GTI has ruled the hot hatch category pretty much by itself. Not anymore. The Focus ST is a fantastic example of how to make a small car engaging and fun to drive. The Focus ST is quite quick and it handles properly. Well done, Ford.