M
MOEJOE
Guest
http://automotive.speedtv.com/article/autos-winners-and-losers-of-2011
Winners and losers, every automotive year has them, with cars or technology that either make the grade with critics and consumers or fall short for whatever reason.
Here’s a short list of those that made it and those that didn’t:
Winner: Chevy Camaro ZL1 – Chevrolet rolled out the most powerful production Camaro ever, powered by a 555-horsepower aluminum V8.
Loser: Honda Civic – A cheapened interior and softened drivability cause critics to pile on with the negatives, including Consumer Reports which removed Civic from its recommended list.
Winner: Volkswagen Beetle – VW performs a complete makeover on its retro coupe, addressing longstanding complaints and removing much of its terminal cutesiness.
Loser: Saab – The slow, dismal demise of this Swedish enthusiast brand was sad to watch as attempts to resuscitate were blocked at every turn.
Winner: Porsche 911 – The iconic German sports car returns yet again completely updated but still keeping the faith with its 1960s roots.
Loser: Fiat 500 – Despite charming retro styling and fun drivability, Fiat’s first re-entry to the U.S. market falls flat. Blame is placed on the car being launched without the dealer network to support it.
Winner: Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Ford reaches deep into its past and produces the rebirth of a storied muscle car, not just in appearance but in performance.
Loser: MyFord Touch – An attempt to enhance driver interface with a suite of electronic features instead winds up being confusing and distracting, and sent back to the drawing board.
Winner: Hyundai Veloster – The South Korean automaker stays on top of its game with a sparkling new compact rated at 40 mpg on the highway, and with a third door on the passenger side for backseat access.
Loser: Chevrolet Volt – The modern world’s first extended-range electric car gets a tepid reception from consumers as well as two incidents with battery fires after crash tests. Chevy brass also takes a beating for its tardy revelation of the battery-fire issue.
i>Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. SPEED.com fans can email Bob Golfen at [email protected]
Winners and losers, every automotive year has them, with cars or technology that either make the grade with critics and consumers or fall short for whatever reason.
Here’s a short list of those that made it and those that didn’t:
Winner: Chevy Camaro ZL1 – Chevrolet rolled out the most powerful production Camaro ever, powered by a 555-horsepower aluminum V8.
Loser: Honda Civic – A cheapened interior and softened drivability cause critics to pile on with the negatives, including Consumer Reports which removed Civic from its recommended list.
Winner: Volkswagen Beetle – VW performs a complete makeover on its retro coupe, addressing longstanding complaints and removing much of its terminal cutesiness.
Loser: Saab – The slow, dismal demise of this Swedish enthusiast brand was sad to watch as attempts to resuscitate were blocked at every turn.
Winner: Porsche 911 – The iconic German sports car returns yet again completely updated but still keeping the faith with its 1960s roots.
Loser: Fiat 500 – Despite charming retro styling and fun drivability, Fiat’s first re-entry to the U.S. market falls flat. Blame is placed on the car being launched without the dealer network to support it.
Winner: Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Ford reaches deep into its past and produces the rebirth of a storied muscle car, not just in appearance but in performance.
Loser: MyFord Touch – An attempt to enhance driver interface with a suite of electronic features instead winds up being confusing and distracting, and sent back to the drawing board.
Winner: Hyundai Veloster – The South Korean automaker stays on top of its game with a sparkling new compact rated at 40 mpg on the highway, and with a third door on the passenger side for backseat access.
Loser: Chevrolet Volt – The modern world’s first extended-range electric car gets a tepid reception from consumers as well as two incidents with battery fires after crash tests. Chevy brass also takes a beating for its tardy revelation of the battery-fire issue.
i>Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. SPEED.com fans can email Bob Golfen at [email protected]
