We’ve polled people from Maine to California, and they all come up with the same answer: The sharpest, sexiest, hottest vehicle of this past year is … the Dodge Nitro!
Well, if enough people think it’s the best-looking, that will make it so. That’s how the Mercedes E-Class Coupe got to the top. In May it was reported that
the German publication AUTO BILD asked its readers to vote for the best looking car in each of five categories, with the prerequisite being that all of the vehicles must have made their debut in the last year. Then, some 100,000 readers responded, voting the 2010
0 E-Class Coupe winner in the “Coupe and Cabriolet” category and bestowing the 2010 E-Class sedan with top honors in the overall ranking. Based on this highly scientific, one-hundred percent definitive study, Daimler arrived at the only conclusion that one could derive from a study of this type: that the E-Class business saloon [sedan] is “the most attractive new car in the world.”
Well, the cars shown here, excepting the Nitro, are my choice, my taste, and so there. The E-Coupe is just above. You decide.
The Germans are surely producing prettier cars than they have in years past. BMW’s new Z4 is a big improvement on the older version. I want one.
There has been much hoopla about the new Jaguar XJ, and I’ve looked at some photos and video. I think they missed the boat on this one. The downmarket XF is better looking and still a great performance sedan. I saw one in New York a couple of months ago, and it’s even better looking in the flesh.
In the same vein, we’ve heard much about the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, including its $300,000 pricetag. For that kind of change, it better be good looking. Alfa has also produced the MiTo (above), which may be the world’s best-looking small car.
Okay, you ask, why no American cars? ‘Cause most of them are just plain ugly. Everyone says the Fusion is the best looking U.S. hybrid. If so, that speaks volumes about how lackluster our cars are. The Mondeo (above), on which the Fusion was based, is much better looking, but Ford dumbed the design down, for reasons best known to them.
But we still like the Corvette, especially the Grand Sport version.
And finally the Mazda CX-9 crossover, which is a really sharp design for a medium-size crossover, beautifully executed. My nephew has one, and it makes his former 2006 Volvo look like something out of a World War II motor pool.
Hyundai Motor Co. today began receiving orders for the long wheelbase edition of its most luxurious car, the EQUUS.The stretch edition offers several upgraded features from the normal sedan version, including differentiated exterior designs and longer overall length. The engine and other functions have been reinforced to attain first-class performance, safety, comfort and convenience.With the comfort of passengers at the forefront of its design principle, the EQUUS Limousine, as it is named in Korea, offers passengers unparalleled levels of interior volume. The vehicle's length is longer than major competitors by as much as 310 mm, with backseat legroom as much as 376 mm longer, as well.To differentiate it from the EQUUS sedan, the stretch version is equipped with an exclusive horizontal cross-bar radiator grille with an emblem in the center. Thus, the exterior image exudes an impression of strength and confidence, in line with the vehicle's elegant image.EQUUS Limousine comes with a choice of two sophisticated engines: The Lambda 3.8L engine and the Tau 5.0L engine. The Tau 5.0 engine, applied to the stretch version for the first time, is a reinforced version of the Tau 4.6L engine that won the 2009 Ward's 10 Best Engines award.With a maximum output of 400ps and a peak torque rating of 51.0kg, the stretch version outperforms its competitors, such as the Lexus LS460L and Mercedes S500L by 20ps and 12ps, respectively.The power-driven footrest, the world's first, along with Rear Seat Leg Support, Relax Posture Control and Massage System function, allows passengers the most comfortable driving experience found today.The price for the long wheelbase edition EQUUS ranges from 135 million won to 146 million won (approximately US$113,000 to US$122,180, based on today's currency exchange rates).Additionally, Hyundai has successfully developed a bulletproof version of the long wheelbase EQUUS and has donated three units to the Blue House (the Korean Presidential Residence). Hyundai is the first Korean company - and one of a handful worldwide - to develop a bulletproof car with its own technology.
