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?

Why does this Mercedes cost $500,000?

2011 Maybach 62 S

 The Maybach isn't the most expensive car in the world, but it is the highest-price line of autos made by Mercedes-Benz. The 62S model of the Maybach — the automaker's answer to the Rolls-Royce and Bentley — costs 8 million Hong Kong dollars (about US$1 million). And that's without extras.But the biggest reason for its high price is the Hong Kong luxury tax, about 50% in this Chinese territory. In the U.S., the car costs about $459,000. Even so, we found that as luxury cars go, the Maybach doesn't offer much beyond what other cars in this category offer, save for a couple of features.