CN's cars we most want to drive in 2011

Low capacity, high output fuel savers top the list of anticipated drives in 2011

Cars we most want to drive this year

As most of our expectations were met in the year that was, a few specks on the horizon beckon us onward in 2011. Of interest, the growing number of eco-friendly offerings spawns our curiosity with tempting turbos, delectable diesels and enticing electric vehicles topping the list... And of course the occasional supercar!

Mike Sinclair - Editor in Chief
In keeping with my nomination of a vintage year for Aussie builders (see Car games  Companies to watch in 2011), my most desired drives are: Holden's turbo 1.4 Cruze and Ford's TDI Territory and turbo four Falcon...

In the fantasy realm McLaren's new car would scratch the supercar itch for 2011 methinks; but I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to scare myself witless in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS... Closer to the real world, I have a penchant to get behind the wheel of the upcoming BMW 1 Series M Coupe. Is it, as 'sold', a true M car? And is it, as 'advertised' a worthy descendant of the original E30 M3? Can't wait to find out...


Ken Gratton - News Editor
Curiosity has got the better of me and I'm looking forward to the EcoBoost Falcon -- just to see whether Ford can actually deliver on promises that the four-cylinder large car will provide adequate power without straying from the path of fuel frugality that has led Ford to this product. Furthermore, can the EcoBoost engine improve on the Falcon's already decent cornering dynamics and ride quality, as an outcome of re-distributing the car's weight?


Melissa McCormick - Production Editor
Nissan GTR MY2011. More power, updated interior, less weight, better brakes... Everything needed to stand by Mizuno's demand for an improvement in the GTR's "thrill factor". After such a long wait for the 2007 release it seems like only yesterday we were treated to the previous model. But I'm not complaining...


Feann Torr - Staff Journalist
It's a coin toss between the Nissan LEAF electric car and the Renault Megane RS 250. And I'm inclined to go with the Renault Megane. The new Nissan LEAF promises electric transport with a lot more interior room than the i-MiEV, but on the other hand the Renault Megane RS 250 has a G-force meter. And it looks cooler.


Matt Brogan - Staff Journalist
Call me lame, I mean of all the cars we could drive this may not seem anything to get excited about, but I'm really looking forward to driving the Nissan LEAF. From colleagues reports it really does sound like a big step forward in how a more environmentally friendly car should be. By all accounts LEAF drives much like a petrol car and (finally) boasts the same levels of accommodation and practicality (not to mention a better range) as any same-sized hatch.

Having spent a little time at the wheel of our all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV, several Priuses (or is that Priores), Honda's two hybrid offerings (Civic Hybrid and Insight) and any number of low output diesels, the Nissan product is high on my list of green car must drives. Perhaps my eagerness to jump behind the wheel is premature, Nissan have previously said the LEAF won't arrive until 2012. But I have a feeling we could be in for a surprise come Q4 2011. Let's see how close I am.


Joshua Dowling - Contributing Writer
Easy: BMW 1 Series M!

As I write this, I'm in Tokyo with the boss. An hour ago, the editor-in-chief and I were standing near the baggage carousel waiting for our luggage to turn up. I drew a deep breath (I didn't want to breathe on him too much as we'd just stepped off the plane and I'm sure I could still taste whatever it was we ate shortly after takeoff from Sydney) and asked: "If there is one car launch I can attend next year, if for some reason you are ill, tired or busy, I would give my pelvis to drive the new BMW 1 Series M".

My request was quickly met with a dismissive grin and a shake of the head: "Good on ya... As if that's going happen."

So, if ever there was a sign that this car will be one of the hits of 2011, this is it. Basically, it's the poor man's BMW M3 -- or should that be the thinking man's M3? Editors around the world are already clearing out there diaries waiting for the BMW invite to lob. I know one editor who hasn't made a single appointment all year in case it clashes.

Meanwhile, I'm in Tokyo carrying bags for my fearless leader, from plane, to bus, to train. Up hills too... And wiping his brow whenever his master requires it... And complimenting him on his dashing good looks...

I'm not giving up. Wish me luck.


Michael Taylor- International Correspondent
Lamborghini's Murcielago replacement. And I've already driven it!

Or maybe McLaren's new car...

It will need to be very, very good...


Gautam Sharma - International Correspondent
I've seen McLaren's new MP4-12C in the metal and talked at length to some of the key Mac personnel (including chief crayon wielder Frank Stephenson), and all that now remains is to drive it in anger.

The new Mac is packed with clever technology, including a light, strong carbon-fibre tub, as well as myriad other innovative weight-saving and airflow management measures, and it's been engineered "from inside out" in the quest to make it a supreme driver's car.

One would expect nothing less, given the brains behind it, but I'm keen to see whether the MP4's promised dynamic capabilities come with a real feel-good factor. In short, I'd like to glean for myself whether there's enough charisma to complement the impressive numbers that I've no doubt the car is capable of posting.


Jeremy Bass - Green Motoring Writer
I'm driving one of them now, being in possession of a Focus RS over the Christmas break. Shortly to come is a comp-spec M3 and sometime hence a new Benz CL.

More importantly my green car brief, I'm looking forward to the i-MiEV and Nissan's LEAF.

With just an overnighter with an i-MiEV to my name, I look forward to an extended stay, because there's clearly a lot more to it than a protein-enhanced golf buggy. What was clear from my time with it is that while it's easy and pleasant to drive and requires virtually no adaptive effort for those migrating from conventional vehicles, comparing EVs with IC and even hybrid counterparts is like putting apples up against soap.

They need to be gauged on a whole new set of evaluative criteria, over more than a night. My lockup garage awaits...


Mike McCarthy - Contributing Writer
The supersmall T.25 city car tops my wish-list. To most eyes it is far from the best looking thing on wheels, let alone the most exciting, however, this intriguing project is the most intelligent concept/design/manufacturing package for yonks, or maybe ever.


Barely 2.5m long and just 1.3m wide, three T.25s can occupy a regular parallel parking space (nose or tail to the kerb). The exceptionally tight (6m) turning circle makes snug parking and deft manoeuvring a doddle. And like another of designer Gordon Murray's masterpieces, the McLaren F1 supercar, the T.25 has a central driver's seat. Behind are two roomier than usual and easily removable passenger seats, or up to 720 litres cargo capacity.

Thanks to the layout and the clever (if controversial) tilt-forward front canopy, access to the interior is easier than with conventional doors, particular when parked close to other things.

Using the rear-mounted one-litre engine from the Smart ForTwo, the diminutive T.25 weighs just 550kg or so. The performance is nippy and the fuel consumption outstanding. A battery powered version known as T.27 is also under development.

The T.25's debut public outing was an alternate-car event contested over 80km of public roads. The T.25 won class honours with just 2.9L/100km. Murray calculates 2.2L/100km for an equivalent diesel T.25.

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