David Thomson and Richard Bosselman ease into 2020 by looking back at the cars from the year just past that left a real impression. Having considered small, medium, large and luxury cars last weekend, this time they turn to their environmental, sporting, offroad and overall favourites.
DAVID'S PICKS
Environmental: Hyundai Kona EV
A future test of the Tesla Model 3 may change my thinking, but for now the Kona EV stands apart in my mind as the only (relatively) affordable new EV able to cover 400km of South Island motoring on a single battery charge. Impressive real-world range is combined with a pleasing driving dynamic too.
Sport: Mercedes AMG C43 Cabriolet
Whether the priority is out-and-out performance or wind-in-your-hair adventuring, the AMG-trimmed C43 version of Mercedes’ C-Class cabriolet covers the vital bases with aplomb. Its 287kW/520Nm biturbo 3.0-litre V6 provides ample punch, and the cabin is an absolute delight, especially for roof-down motoring.
Offroad: Toyota Fortuner
When Namibian village kids spot a white Toyota Fortuner they wave, knowing the occupants will almost certainly be self-driving tourists. No surprise then, that a trusty white Fortuner was my set of wheels for 4000km of African adventuring, nor that it has earned a cherished place in my motoring memory bank as a result.
Overall: Jaguar I-Pace
World, European and New Zealand Car of the Year honours are just three of the many motoring awards that have accrued to Jaguar’s all-electric I-Pace in the past year.
While spacious and luxuriously appointed inside, it’s the eye-catching exterior styling and first-rate performance and handling that do most to set the I-Pace apart from the growing premium electric vehicle pack.
Range wise, I-Pace is marching ahead; late last year Jaguar announced that the experience gained in EV motor sport, as well as efficiency data gleaned from those I-Pace cars already on the road, has enabled a software change extending its range by 5% to a standard EPA figure of 396 km. Real world results may differ, but this upgrade (downloadable by your dealer) evidences a vehicle at and advancing the technological leading edge.
RICHARD'S PICKS
Environmental: EVs in General
Electric cars aren’t exempt from Green-shaming, yet in respect to overall impact on the environment, including manufacturing and disposal, energy source, the impact of disposal and recycling, and emissions associated with electricity production they stack up. And, lest you forget, any kind of car-making has its environmental downside. So, this one for any EV.
Sport: Ford Mustang Bullitt
A Mustang GT 390 Fastback driven by Frank Bullitt harries a Dodge Charger 440 down the jagged hills of San Francisco. Yeah, it was only 10 minutes and the rest of the movie is awful. But it’s given us the Mustang Bullitt, a car of exceptional calibre due to all sorts of refinements to the standard Mustang treatment.
Off road: Holden Colorado Rox
It’s the one Colorado only Holden would dare build. In a build run of just that. One. Built to wow the national Field Days, the Rox is an ultimate trophy truck, breathtaking for its sheer audacity — and, perhaps, the development price. Daft for town, dynamic in the country. Awesome overall.
Overall: Audi e-tron
Until we happen across Planet Petrol, driving is inescapably going electric.
Audi’s e-tron is a deeply impressive first tilt into an oil-eschewing world; not just on the performance of its drivetrain but also the look and feel. Ergonomics, refinement, ambience . . . just measured on these alone, it is the best Audi sold here. That it also nails the fundamental practicalities of its type is also impressive. EVs that can tow are rare and it also breaks ground in making possible realistic soft off-roading.
Despite carrying significant weight the kick-off is good, overall progress is as swift as it is silent and having everything heavy under the floor allows it to entertain a regal lounging aura that suits.
In the here and now, as a technology template car, it is easily good enough to rattle the smart folk in Freemont, California.
