28
Dec 2011
2011: My year in cars
Car journalists always get asked what car they would buy. Car journalists find this question impossible, as they tend to drive several new cars every month - and few, if any, are poor.
Some are great, some are classics, some are curios, some are just photos I like.
Here's a few cars that stood out for me over the course of the year.
The Kangoo ZE's international launch in Portugal. I think if I was going to buy one I'd take the Kangoo over the Fluence. Impressive cars in their own right.
Volvo V70 in the Highlands. A great people-and-thing mover.
A car that nearly ended me. A dab of oppo was most definitely required on a treacherous, wet corner in Hertfordshire.
The Skoda Yeti is 'a car'.
Pretty much the last word in luxury cars without spending a hundred grand.
The DS3 is a great car. The DS4 isn't quite the equal of its smaller badge sibling. You can watch my Citroen DS4 review here.
The Cruze is another tick against Chevrolet's name. Not mind-blowing, but quietly competent. Read my Chevy Cruze review.
I spent a day ragging supercars around Estoril, courtesy of Michelin. I didn't get to drive the SLS but was rattled around in it by a pro driver, who said the SLS was 'funny'.
The Range Rover Sport is a controversial car - but an undeniably great one. Watch my Range Rover Sport video review.
I was there the day Renault smashed the FWD record for the Nordschleife, in this very car. I took the Cup version around a little later, with only a slightly slower time.
Driving a monster truck over police cars, courtesy of Chevrolet. Amazing fun.
From the sublime to the, well, smaller. Ultra-cheap motoring still exists. Thy name is Spark.
The new Focus is quite the revelation in its sector. At least it was back in January. The rest have caught up quickly, but the new Focus was still impressive first up.
I got to take out a Sierra from Ford's heritage collection too. I liked it immensely, more than the Focus. That's more of a reflection on my personal preference though.
A cool-looking car, but I miss the big butt on the old Megane.
A very capable all-round crossover SUV. Kia caught up very, very quickly.
My beloved Puma. Like a comfortable old pair of slippers.
I like the new Mondeo. I just happen to like this picture even more.
The last press trip I'll get in a Saab? It looks likely. The 9-3 Convertible had some lovely touches, but felt its age.
A car to have a hell of a lot of fun with, but I felt it would be savage amusement after a few thousand miles.
Old X3 - unrefined, ugly. New X3 - brilliant. That is all.
An absolutely stunning car - one to fall in love with.
Renault has gone to great lengths to make the Fluence ZE as normal a car as it can be. A smart move, in my opinion, but we'll see whether it pay off.
A faithful old workhorse, the old Focus is still a smart car several years on from its launch.
A cavernous, smart, comfortable car. Modern Volvos are simply great.
The new Korando was quite a surprise. If Ssangyong can follow the Kia blueprint they'll surprise a lot more.
I wanted to see if I could make the Rodius beautiful. I failed.