2011 Car Awards: 2011 Car of the Year

2011 was a great year for cars. I did a list on the 8 worst cars of 2011. But in 2011, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg, Hennessey, McLaren, and Lexus all came out with incredible machines. The Mustang got a boost with the Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca and Chevrolet came out with the Camaro ZL1. The BMW 1M showed that small cars can be great performers. With that said, My 2011 Car of the Year is:

2011 Car Awards: Best Hypercar

Hypercars have been around since the 1990s, when the McLaren F1 was released. To be considered a hypercar, a car must be rare, expensive and hit a top speed of at least 240 mph. The F1 reached a top speed of 242 mph with the limiter off. 2011 saw a few cars that push the limits of what a car can do. My choice for 2011 Hypercar of the Year is:

Top Gear US Season 2 Episode 7 "Beating Tanner"

First Impression: Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale

2011 Car Awards: Best Supercar

Supercars are high-performing cars. There have been several great supercars, including the Ferrari F40, Porsche 959, and Lamborghini Diablo. I see supercars and grand tourers as two different classes. Supercars have the engine located behind the driver, where as grand tourers have the engine in the front and a decent size trunk in the rear. To be considered, the car has to have been released in 2011. No second generation models will be considered. The Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Gallardo and its special editions, Audi R8, or Porsche 911 and its variants. The best supercar of 2011 is:

2011 Car Awards: Grand Tourer

Grand tourers are the cars that are luxurious, high-performing, and just great for long road trips. For me, a grand tourer has the engine in the front, two-doors, and a trunk in the rear. Legendary grand tourers include the Ferrari 250 GTO, Aston Martin DB5, Lamborghini 350GT, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing. When I look at grand tourers, I look for performance and style. To be considered, the car must have come out in 2011. No Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1, Cadillac CTS-V, Aston Martin DBS, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, or Nissan GT-R. My choice for 2011 Grand Tourer of the Year is:

2011 Car Awards: Best Electric Vehicle

When gas prices started to rapidly increase, companies were looking for alternative power sources. One alternative power source is electricity. Electric cars have been around since 1899 and were competing with gas-powered cars. When gas-powered cars developed electrical starters, the electric car phased out. Now electric cars are back. The issue with electric car is the range the car would get on one charge. My pick for best electric car gets over 150 miles on one charge and is quicker and faster than the Nissan Leaf. My pick for 2011 Electric Car of the Year is:

2011 Car Awards: Best Hybrid

Hybrids has been around since 1899. The first hybrid was the Lohner-Porsche Mixtre. Hybrid vehicles eventually died out by 1917. Now, hybrids are back and the Toyota Prius is the face of the hybrid car. Because of that, some people think that hybrids are slow, dull, and boring. But there is one car that proves hybrids can be fast, stylish, and fun. My choice for the 2011 Hybrid Car of the Year is:

2011 Car Awards: Best Subcompact

With 2011 over, it is time to look back at the best cars to be released in 2011. I did a list on the worst cars of 2011, now it is time to award the best that came out in 2011, starting with Best Subcompact Car of 2011.

First Impression: Noble M400

First Impression: Spyker C8 Spyder

Auto Countdown: Worst Cars of 2011