COTY 2012

[JayT]

Afternoon!

As 2012 draws to a close, with no new (significant) arrivals until next year. What is your car of the year? We already know what a few magazines picked, but for me it is this:

Pagani Zonda 760RS





It is perfection in my eyes - Pagani introduce a limited edition model and example like no other car maker. Again, this is bieng marketed to be the last road-going Zonda just like the Cinque was meant to be, but with the attention shifting to the Huayra, it may actually be true this time. I love the attention of the matching carbon fibre weave and that glorious sound of the V12. It must be utterly amazing to drive and experience - Harry Metcalfe is a very lucky man to be allowed to drive it, so is Lewis Hamilton who has also ordered one - but with a manual gearbox. That would be an exciting car indeed. The video which I have linked below is well worth the twelve minutes of your time.

Harry Metcalfe - EVO Diaries

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Some others that were also worth a mention this year: Toyota GT86 & BMW M135i.

What is your COTY then?

[louiebaby]

I haven't driven one, but I could see it being a possibility for me in the near future. It's the Toyota GT86. I'm so glad they took the plunge and built a light, RWD coupé without too much power or tyre-age.

I hope it's a sales success.

[David87]

Not very performance-orientated, but it is just bloody marvellous and 100% gets my vote:

[Pints]

^^^ Good shout for the GT86.

Here's one in BRZ guise.

[JayT]

David87 said:

Not very performance-orientated, but it is just bloody marvellous and 100% gets my vote:

I have yet to warm to the L405 - nose is strange from most angles. I do like the rear though.

Nice variety so far though, keep 'em coming.

[Ekona]

New Boxster for me. The best affordable sports car available got even better. Even in 2.7 guise with standard suspension on the 20" wheels it still flows on the worst roads better than it has any right to, and now it looks the part too.

New Rangie is a good shout too, albeit not my cup of tea.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Ekona said:

New Boxster for me. The best affordable sports car available got even better.

An excellent choice, Sir.

No need to splash your cash on the expensive options - base car is very good indeed, especially with the bigger engine!

[v8will]

M135i, a car that seems to punch far above it's weight in terms of price and performance, almost makes a full blown M look a bit unnecessary IMHO. I actually quite like how it looks as well.

[Kaizer]

David87 said:

Not very performance-orientated, but it is just bloody marvellous and 100% gets my vote:

Its not on sale yet is it?

[famfarrow]

For me its the Ford Shelby GT500. In 2012 the fact that a mainstream manufacturer is producing a car of such ridiculous nature, with warranty is fantastic. The king of Old School muscle cars- the last as well I believe, with the advent of the new global mustang and loss of a live rear axle in the future.

For being utterly mental in an age of eco boxes/green worries/ downsizing, holding two fingers up, knowing its flaws and being proud of it.


I know its a picture of a Super Snake- but its just such a good picture!!

[MarkRSi]

JayT said:

David87 said:

Not very performance-orientated, but it is just bloody marvellous and 100% gets my vote:

I have yet to warm to the L405 - nose is strange from most angles. I do like the rear though.

Nice variety so far though, keep 'em coming.

Does the new Range Rover do anything new/better compared to the old one? Asides from looking a bit more 'blingy'? (I do like Land Rovers, I miss my old Discovery )

If we're going to include minor revisions, and ignoring last years 'Trophy', of the cars I've driven this year I'd vote for this

[JayT]

Great suggestions coming through, and much variety.

It just shows, I think 2012 has actually been a good year for the car industry.

[anonymous-user]

David87 said:

Not very performance-orientated, but it is just bloody marvellous and 100% gets my vote:

a bit of a status symbol joke like a new hummer.

for me ford focus 1l just for tech

[Mr Viking]

new Morgan, for being silly and something different to what all other car makers do

[DanielSan]

Ekona said:

New Boxster for me. The best affordable sports car available got even better. .

Never been a huge Boxster fan, but the new one does look superb.

[Fun Bus]

David87 said:

Not very performance-orientated, but it is just bloody marvellous and 100% gets my vote:

Kaizer said:

Its not on sale yet is it?

First customer cars due very early 2013 I believe.

MarkRSi said:

Does the new Range Rover do anything new/better compared to the old one? Asides from looking a bit more 'blingy'?

It's completely new and a huge advancement on the outgoing car.

[fatboy b]

famfarrow said:

For me its the Ford Shelby GT500. In 2012 the fact that a mainstream manufacturer is producing a car of such ridiculous nature, with warranty is fantastic. The king of Old School muscle cars- the last as well I believe, with the advent of the new global mustang and loss of a live rear axle in the future.

For being utterly mental in an age of eco boxes/green worries/ downsizing, holding two fingers up, knowing its flaws and being proud of it.


I know its a picture of a Super Snake- but its just such a good picture!!

Good grief. My eyes.

Ford have done it again haven't they. They finally got a car looking good, then go and give to Halfords for a make-over. Happened with the last generation Mustang too. Just looks shiit.

[famfarrow]

Yes I thought that would happen the SS is an aquired taste. The above image is a GT500 from Ford, the Super Snake in Red above has had extra work done by Shelby so not a Ford model as such.


Taken at Le Mans Classic this year

[louiebaby]

Mr Viking said:

new Morgan, for being silly and something different to what all other car makers do

Wasn't this launched at the 2011 Geneva Motorshow, where I gave everyone a massive laugh by trying to fit in it...

[paulw123]

Zonda 760RS gets my vote too. With Lewis Hamilton spec manual gearbox