The Best Cars of 2011 So Far

The Best Cars of 2011 So Far

 

Ford Focus

The third generation of Ford's epochal family hatchback moves the sector on once more, leaving the compeition feeling very dated.

THE FACTS

Tested: Five-door hatchback with four-cylinder, 1,596cc turbo petrol engine. Six-speed manual transmission, front-wheel drive

Price/on sale: Range starts at £15,995 (as tested £21,245)/March

Power/torque: 148bhp/177lb ft (with 199lb ft overboost)

Top speed: 130mph

Acceleration: 0-62mph in 8.6sec

Fuel economy: 36.7mpg (Urban)

CO2 emissions: 139g/km

VED band: E (£110)

On the stereo: The Boss by James Brown

Verdict: Terrific. Why can't all family hatchbacks be as good to drive as this?

Ferrari FF

The latest Ferrari supercar boasts seating for four, all-weather capability – and 650bhp. Meet the amazing FF. 

THE FACTS 

Ferrari FF
Tested: 6,262cc, 65-degree petrol V12 engine with twin overhead camshafts per bank and four valves per cylinder, driving all four wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission
Price/on sale: From £227,026/RHD sales begin in late September
Power/torque: 651bhp @ 8,000rpm/504lb ft @ 6,000rpm
Top speed: 208mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 3.7sec
Fuel economy: 18.3mpg EU Combined
CO2 emissions: 360g/km
VED band: M (£950 first year, £435 thereafter)
On the stereo: Walking The Dog by Wilko Johnson and the Solid Senders
Verdict: Terrific style, superlative all-weather performance and surprising practicality; an intercontinental getaway car

McLaren MP4-12C 

The new supercar from the British grand prix team is the year's most eagerly anticipated set of wheels. 

THE FACTS
McLaren MP4-12C
Tested: 3.8-litre, 90-degree V8 with chain-driven double-overhead-camshafts per bank, twin MHI turbochargers, seven-speed twin-clutch transmission, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: £168,500/May
Power/torque: 592bhp @ 7,000rpm and 443lb ft @ 3,000rpm
Top speed: 205mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 3.1sec (on optional Pirelli Corsa tyres)
Fuel economy: 24.2mpg (EU Combined)
CO2 emissions: 279g/km
VED band: M (£950 first year, £435 thereafter)
On the stereo: Keep My Motor Running by Roy Orbison
Verdict: Stunning debut for the Woking F1 team. More understated than the competition, but just as able and certainly as fast.

Porsche Cayman

Porsche’s latest Cayman has lost some weight, but still packs a hefty punch and is tons of fun. Andrew English reviews the Cayman R. 

THE FACTS
Tested: two-seat, mid-engined coupé with 3,436cc flat-six-cyl petrol engine. Six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: from £51,728/now
Power/torque: 325bhp @ 7,400rpm/ 273lb ft @ 4,750rpm
Top speed: 175mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 5.0sec
Fuel economy: 29.1mpg (Combined)
CO2 emissions: 228g/km
VED band: L (£750 first year, £425 thereafter)
Verdict: Great chassis made sharper and more focused, but still useable every day. Don't bother with the twin-clutch gearbox

Volkswagen XL1

Volswagen's amazing 300mpg-plus XL1 two-seater diesel/electric hybrid is a supercar where mpg matters more than mph. 

THE FACTS
Volkswagen XL1
Tested: Two-seat, plug-in hybrid, with two-cyl 800cc turbodiesel and 132lb, 5 kWh lithium-ion battery; seven-speed transmission, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: Probably £30,000 to £40,000/2013
Power/torque: engine 47bhp/88.5lb ft, motor 27bhp/74lb ft
Top speed: electronically limited to 99mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 11.9 sec
Fuel economy: 313mpg EU Combined
CO2 emissions: 24g/km
VED band: A £0
On the stereo: The Air That I Breathe by The Hollies
Verdict: Needs a little work, but what a statement supercar for the environment

Audi A6

The all-new Audi A6 is packed with technology, but it's the executive car's refinement and build quality that really impress.

THE FACTS
Audi A6 2.0 TDI SE
Tested: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, six-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive
Price/on sale: From £30,145/now (first deliveries April)
Power/torque: 175bhp @ 4,200rpm/280lb ft @ 1,750-2,500rpm
Top speed: 141mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 8.7sec
Fuel economy: 57.7mpg (EU Combined)
CO2 emissions: 129g/km
VED band: D (free for first year, £90 per year thereafter)
Verdict: Outstanding build quality, quiet and extremely competent but do you really need all that tech? 

Mercedes-Benz SLK

Does the latest version of Mercedes’ popular SLK roadster retain the model’s feelgood factor? 

THE FACTS
Mercedes-Benz SLK
Tested: 1,796cc, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, six-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: from £29,970 (£33,970 as tested)/June
Power/torque: 184bhp @ 5,250rpm/199lb ft @ 1,800rpm
Top speed: 149mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 6.4 sec
Fuel economy: 31.7mpg (EU Urban)
CO2 emissions: 158g/km
VED band: G (£155)
Verdict: Assured redesign on a deservedly popular sports car. Just don’t go overboard on the engines or options list, though.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

As well as the new V12 Virage, Aston Martin has been busy working on a hardcore 'S' version of its entry-level V8 Vantage. 

THE FACTS
Aston Martin V8 Vantage S
Tested: Two-door, two-seater coupé with 4,735cc, petrol V8, seven-speed Sportshift II gearbox, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: £102,500/now
Power/torque: 430bhp @ 7,300rpm/361lb ft @ 5,000rpm
Top speed: 189mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 4.5sec
Fuel economy: 21.9mpg (Combined)
CO2 emissions: 299g/km
VED band: M (£950 first year, £435 thereafter)
Verdict: Too hardcore to be a daily driver, but for those who can afford to indulge in a weekend toy the Vantage S comes highly recommended.

Hyundai i10 Blue

Hyundai's popular i10 gets a mid-life makeover and two new engines, helping it stay at the top of the city car class - for now. 

THE FACTS
Hyundai i10 Blue
Tested: 998cc, three-cylinder petrol, five-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive
Price/on sale: £9,195/now
Power/torque: 68bhp @ 6,200rpm/ 70lb ft @ 3,500rpm
Top speed: 93mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 14.8sec
Fuel economy: 67.3mpg (Combined)
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
VED band: A (£0)
Verdict: Mild makeover and new three-cylinder engine keep the i10 at the top of its class for now. But Kia's soon to be launched Picanto with its seven-year warranty could change all that.

Toyota Verso S

The Verso-S is Toyota's bid to attract older buyers who value comfort, economy and reliability. 

THE FACTS
Toyota Verso S
Tested: 1.33-litre, four-cylinder petrol, Multidrive CVT transmission, front-wheel drive
Price/on sale: From £14,645/March
Power/torque: 98bhp @ 6,000rpm/92lb ft @ 4,000rpm
Top speed: 103mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 13.7 sec
Fuel economy: 45.6mpg (EU Urban)
CO2 emissions: 120g/km
VED band: C (£0 first year, £30 thereafter)
On the stereo: When I’m 64 by The Beatles
Verdict: Quite pleasant to drive, practical and economical, it’s just a shame about bump absorption and the Motability market.

Aston Martin Virage

A new name and more power for the latest Aston Martin, but is the Virage good enough to justify a £150,000 price tag? 

THE FACTS
Tested: Two-door, two-plus-two coupé with 5,935cc, 60-degree, petrol V12, six-speed automatic transaxle, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: from £150,000/now
Power/torque: 490bhp @ 6,500rpm/420lb ft @ 5,750rpm
Top speed: 186mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 4.6sec
Fuel economy: 12.7mpg (EU Urban), 18.8mpg (Combined)
CO2 emissions: 349g/km
VED band: M (£950 first year, £435 thereafter)
On the stereo: A Man Alone (Ipcress File theme), by John Barry
Verdict: Assured update, or new model? It doesn't matter because the Virage is as good to look at as it is to drive.

Peugeot 508

Peugeot's good form continues with the new 508 hatch and estate, a family car that's good enough to take on Ford's Mondeo. 

THE FACTS
Peugeot 508 1.6 HDI
Tested: 1,560cc, four-cylinder turbodiesel, six-speed electronically controlled transmission, front-wheel drive
Price/on sale: from £18,150 to £28,750 (£20,750 as tested)/ April
Power/torque: 110bhp/270lb ft
Top speed: 122mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 11.9 sec
Fuel economy: 55.4mpg EU Urban
CO2 emissions: 109g/km
VED band: B (£0 first year, £20 thereafter)
On the stereo: Money for Nothing by Dire Straits
Verdict: A handsome, fine-driving big saloon, but the SW estate has all the panache

BMW X3

The previous X3 wasn't BMW's finest car. This new version, which is being sold on its eco-credentials and premium build quality, fixes that and moves straight to the top of its class.  

THE FACTS
BMW X3 20dxDrive
Tested: 1,995cc diesel four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel drive
Price/on sale: £30,490/now
Power/torque: 184bhp @ 4,000rpm/280lb ft @ 1,750-2,750rpm
Top speed: 131mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 8.5 sec
Fuel economy: 42.2mpg (EU Urban) and 50.4mpg (Combined)
CO2 emissions: 149g/km
VED band: F (£125 first year)
Verdict: The latest X3 is so grown up that it leaves you wondering what on earth an X5 could do that could be so much better.

MG6 1.8T Fastback

The new MG6 has been a long time coming. Now it's finally here was it worth the wait? 

THE FACTS
MG6 1.8T Fastback
Tested: 1796cc, 4-cylinder turbo, DOHC, 16 valves, five-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive
Price/on sale: from £15,495/now
Power/torque: 158bhp @ 5,500rpm/159lb/ft @ 1,750-4,500rpm
Top speed: 120mph (limited)
Acceleration: 0-60mph in 8.4sec
Fuel economy: 35.6mpg (EU Combined)
CO2 emissions: 184g/km
VED band: I (£300 first year, £200 thereafter)
Verdict: Quiet and refined cruiser with a controlled ride, but some aspects of the cabin let it down and it really needs a diesel option

Honda Jazz Hybrid

Honda's popular Jazz gets hybrid power, making it Britain's cheapest and smallest family hybrid hatchback. 

THE FACTS
Honda Jazz i-VTEC HX IMA Hybrid
Tested: Five-door hatchback, with four-cyl 1,339cc, petrol engine and permanent magnet motor, with 0.6kWh nickel-metal-hydride battery
Price/on sale: Range starts at £15,995 (£18,435 as tested)/ February 1
Power/torque: Engine: 87bhp/89lb ft, Motor: 10kW/58lb ft
Top speed: 109mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 12.3 sec
Fuel economy: 61.4mpg EU Urban
CO2 emissions: 104g/km
VED band: B (£0 first year then £10)
On the stereo: Dreamin’ by Les Rythmes Digitales
Verdict: Highly impressive debut, but so it should be at an extra £1,500

Honda Jazz Hybrid

Honda's popular Jazz gets hybrid power, making it Britain's cheapest and smallest family hybrid hatchback. 

THE FACTS
Honda Jazz i-VTEC HX IMA Hybrid
Tested: Five-door hatchback, with four-cyl 1,339cc, petrol engine and permanent magnet motor, with 0.6kWh nickel-metal-hydride battery
Price/on sale: Range starts at £15,995 (£18,435 as tested)/ February 1
Power/torque: Engine: 87bhp/89lb ft, Motor: 10kW/58lb ft
Top speed: 109mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 12.3 sec
Fuel economy: 61.4mpg EU Urban
CO2 emissions: 104g/km
VED band: B (£0 first year then £10)
On the stereo: Dreamin’ by Les Rythmes Digitales
Verdict: Highly impressive debut, but so it should be at an extra £1,500
Source:Telegraph