Okay, I admit it, I’m in love in with what Ford is doing these days. I like their modern design-language. And I even love the way they drive. The Focus, the Fiesta, the Mustang. And now we have this, the new Mondeo……I mean Fusion. Sure, the nose is very Aston-ish, but since when was that a bad thing? It is THE best looking family sedan on sale right now, no arguments. And unless your boring (read: you care about reliability), or racist, you’d be stupid to pick a Camry or Accord over it. If I had a family I’d buy one. But I don’t, so I won’t, and that’s beside the point.

People have actually asked me what kind of mid-sized sedan they should buy. Seriously, thats how BIG this type of car is, people actually ask someone like ME what kind they should buy. Anyway, I’ve always recommended the new Hyundai Sonata, as I’ve always felt it’s the best complete package. I may have to change my tune now, the Fusion is MUCH more handsome than the Sonata. And I’m almost certain it’ll be the better driver. Plus it comes with a choice of TWO turbo engines! How awesome is that? If you can’t have a high-revving N/A, then boost For The Win as we like to say. You’re just a tune away from more useable power!

So in conclusion? USA USA USA!

I’m sorry, I know all of you out in internet-land hate this car you’re looking at. “It’s ugly!!”. “It’s a Hyundai!!”. Yes I hear you. And yet I still can’t help but love this car. And in my honest (and questionably relevant) opinion, every car enthusiast should at least love the idea of this car, even if you can’t bring yourself to love the car itself.

Before I go on, I guess I should explain what exactly this car is (which you should know, because you’re reading this post.). It’s the new Turbo version of the sort-of still new Hyundai Veloster (a car I’ve admitted to liking a lot). Except in this one, they take the rather lackluster motor and stick in an engine a bit more befitting of a sporty-looking hatchback. The four cylinder engine is boosted to 201 HP and 194 lb-ft of torque, so the go finally matches the show. There are other changes here and there, but let’s be real: the engine and power boost are the real story here.

So, why should you love this little funny looking hatchback. Well, it’s a small sporty quick hatchback! You don’t need anymore reason than that right? You know, “drive a slow car fast, or drive a fast car slow”. I always feel that we as enthusiast have really lost touch with the former. And which is why I also feel that any car company that builds a small, underpowered car that you’d still want to thrash on a great road, deserves praise. Even if that car is a bit weird looking (it’s not ugly, I’m sorry, it’s not).

So there’s this thing going on right now in the Motor City, the Detroit Motor Show. And as expected, many cars are being debuted. And here’s one, a mid-engined AWD supercar. And would you believe, it’s a Honda!? Yeah, the company that killed off great cars like the S2000, and the *real* Civic Si (which is now a joke of a sporty compact). They also killed off the brilliant NSX, well until today. It’s back. Yes, in case you’re a bit thick, this very car is the return of the NSX.

Yes, it’s a concept. But don’t worry, it’s coming. Or so they say. We’ll see, this is Honda after all. And while this concept is a stunning looking thing, I don’t know. For me, it’s missing that certain something. I don’t know, the looks the stats, it just doesn’t wow me. Maybe my tune will change when this thing get’s closer to production, but it just doesn’t wow me in the same way other supercar debutes do. Maybe Honda was just a little to late to the party? The LF-A and GT-R sure think so.

Ladies and gentlemen, rejoice! The beige-ification of the automobile is not here yet, and a huge player in the game is showing you why. Not only do I want this car, but more so than that, I want it to resounding sales success. Here’s why…

If you are any sort of car fan, you’ll know what this car (or i should say “these cars“) is. It is the long-awaited Subieyota. Or is that Toyobaru? Whatever, it’s the joint RWD sports car project between automotive big-shot Toyota and automotive niche-shot Subaru. You might know it as the FT-86, after all the prototypes have been around since 2009. Well Toyota would rather you now call it simply, the 86. Unless you live in Europe, in which case you can call it the GT-86. Or if you live in the USA, you’ll be calling it the (gasp!) Scion FR-S. Oh, and least we forget, Subaru would rather you know it by BRZ. Whatever, I just know it as the car I want, badly.

Now, if you still have no idea what I’m on about, let’s share a bit of details for you. This is a smallish 2+2 coupe, jointly developed by the two Japanese companies for reasons only marketing-types can understand. It’s powered by an all new 2.0L flat-four engine (built by Subaru of course) equipped with a new direct-injection system (at the insistence of Toyota of course), utilizing a six-speed (in either manual form, or automatic if you’re a girlie man) transmission sending power to the rear wheels (as God intended). It produces 200HP and 151 lb-ft of torque, which has caused the internet to go all anger with rage…

And now we get to the main point of my post. I have no idea why so much people feel the need to cry that this car doesn’t have enough power. The people who want a turbo, or want a bigger engine, or anything of that sort, YOU people don’t understand the whole point of why this car exists in the first place. From day 1, Toyota told you what you were getting! It’s in the name! FT-86. Eight-Six, as in hachi-roku. As in, the AE86. This car was never meant to be a new Supra, which I’m under the impression many people thought it would be. It was meant to be the spiritual successor to the 84-87 Corolla Sprinter/Levin-Tureno, better known as the Hachi-Roku. A small, cheap, lightweight, RWD coupe; built not for outright speed and performance, but built for balance. Built for the type of enthusiast who value driving-feel above all else. The type of driver who relishes the belief that driving a slow car fast is a lot more fun than driving a fast car slow. Built for the sort of car-guy who thinks that in this world of GT-Rs and 458s, car enthusiasts are becoming more and more obsessed with cars themselves rather than what the cars are made to do in the first place: be driven.

And that’s why I want, so badly, this car to succeed. I want it to change the way car-enthusiasts think. You don’t need a twin-turbo 500+HP engine and AWD and electronically controlled yaw-sensors to have fun behind the wheel of a car. All you need is a car with balance and feel. A car that makes you happy driving it. A car that puts a smile on your face. A car that can change the monotony of the daily grind. A car that will make you get up off your ass and go out and do what all guys who call themselves car-guys should be doing more often than we do: drive.

That, that is why I will be there on release day, at my local Subaru (or maybe Scion, I havent decided yet) dealership begging my sales guy to work me a deal to trade-off my WRX for one of these. So that when I show people my new BRZ (or FR-S) and they ask me why I gave up my turbo-charged AWD WRX for a small coupe with only 200hp, I can tell them what I told you. And maybe I can change their way of thinking too.

Now I know YOU might think I’m going out on a limb now, but I’ve spent enough time around the 2012 Ford Focus to say that it IS a good car. No, not just good compared to the old car (because that’s a given of course, a really annoying back itch was better than the old USDM Focus), but good compared to the recent cars from Honda and Toyota. I can unequivocally stand here with my hand on my heart and say that I WOULD buy a Focus over a Civic or Corolla. And I’d tell my mom to buy one too.

Now don’t get me wrong, we’re not talking about picking the Focus over an Si Civic of course (that’s what the upcoming Focus ST is for!). But if you’re talking about basic compacts, which most people who don’t know camber from Amber Heard end up buying, then I think the Focus is really the leader of the pack. It’s more interesting than a Toyota Corolla, has a much better interior than a Honda Civic, is better looking than a Chevy Cruze, feels more solid to drive than a Hyundai Elantra, and isn’t as “LOOK AT MEEEE!!!” happy as the Mazda 3. That being said, the Mazda 3 is the better drive hands down. But if you’re looking for the total package, there isn’t much that can top the Focus. And keep in mind, I deal a lot with rentals, which are more often than not the most basic and bare-bones versions you can get of a car. And even THAT Focus is good. I can only imagine how much better one with a few options ticked would be.

And that’s the main reasons I love the Focus so much. It offers so much in a small package, and it has an air of expensive about it. It really does FEEL more expensive than it is, in the way it drives and the way it presents itself. And that’s something none of the competition do for me. I know you’ll probably disregard what i’m saying here anyway and count the Focus out, because the general American public is so pre-dispositioned to think American car = crap. But if I can convince at least one prospective car buyer to stop, take the Japanese-rose-tinted glasses off their face, and check the Focus out, well then I’ll be content with that.

Okay sorry Scion owners, the title may have been a little harsh. But still to think, this is a Scion!

*Note, this article was written for Speedhawaii by me on April 21, 2011.

Well in all fairness, what it actually is is the Toyota FT-86 II concept with a scion badge and a new name. And an even sexier body. The FT-86 II was great, but for some reason I’m just finding this concept drop-dead gorgeous. Seriously, these press photos I’m obliged to use don’t do the car justice (go and look at the press photos from various auto websites if you don’t believe me). All the good stuff from the FT-86 is still there, including a 2.0L flat-four sending power to the rear via a 6-speed transmission.

Too bad when if it reaches production I seriously doubt that insane rear-diffuser and 20 inch wheels (with carbon-ceramic brake discs built into the wheel) won’t make it onto your local Scion lot. We can only hope that the production model will look 70% as good.

Considering of course there IS a production model…

Once again my journeys to the Big Island have enabled me to drive the 2011 Hyundai Genesis 2.0T Coupe some substantial miles over some great roads. And instead of bore you with a long post, I’ll just list things:

LIKES
-Very comfortable over long distances, great budget GT coupe.
-The 2.0L tubor-four makes a pretty good noise, most of the time.
-Surprising amount of nimbleness when the road get’s twisty, never felt like I was out of control (with stability-control turned OFF of course).
-An electronic power steering feel that is not bad, to me. I like the weight of the steering, even if a bit electrically numb on center I’ll admit.
-Yes, it may be a rip-off of numerous designs, but it’s still a great-looking car.

DISLIKES
-Too big, too heavy. You feel both of these factors when you’re really getting on it when the road gets twisty. The chassis CAN handle it, but could stand to benefit from a diet.
-2.0T is really lacking in power. Again, the big weight doesn’t help with this. Can’t comment on the 3.8L V6, never drove one, but I would think a chassis like this at least NEEDS that engine.
-The automatic transmission is really not that good. The 2.0T comes with a 5-Speed auto and while it lets you shift in your own via steering-wheel mounted paddles, the transmission jerks the whole car when you     up/downshift at speed. And it’s a bit slow on the up-shifts. Again, I’ve never driven the 3.8 which I believe comes with a 6-speed auto, so I can’t comment on that trans. I can however tell you that if you at all care about your driving, you’re going to get the manual anyway.
-The interior is still a bit on the cheap side. While it’s no Subaru of course, I still think that the 2011 Mustang has a slightly better interior. And neither can touch the 370Z (which is of course slightly more expensive).

So what are you trying to say here??
Basically, that the Hyundai Genesis coupe is an overall great car, and if you’re looking for a daily-driver two-door RWD GT car, I can’t imagine buying anything else under 30K. The 370Zs too expensive, and the Mustang and Camaro are too…..American (not in a bad way mind you, just that it takes a certain car-fan to love these sorts of car). Of course, if it were my money I’d opt for a 3.8L Track with manual gearbox. The auto is, for all intensive purposes hopeless, and the 2.0T simply lacks the grunt to deal with 3300 lbs of Korean coupe. And sure, this is no Miata or S2000, but then not every car-guy out there could daily drive either of those anyway. So yes, I still feel that the Hyundai GenCoupe is the best budget RWD coupe out there.

Now, if the 5.0 Mustang were a bit cheaper…

I know, I get it. I get this car’s selling point: it’s small and efficient transportation for those young hipsters who live in San Francisco or some other cluttered city. And said hipsters will pay whatever Scion/Toyota asks. But still 16K?? I don’t know, I can’t justify that price when for the same money you can get a Ford Fiesta or Mazda 2. Or hell, you could get a Fiat 500! The 500 is only a tiny bit bigger, but is a bit more useable and has so much more Italian flair. I just don’t get it, but again I know there are those out there who will pay the price for the iQ.

Don’t get me wrong, I do quite like the idea of a really really small car. Just a shame Toyota in their all-knowing ways decided the American market doesn’t need a manual transmission. Ah well, hipsters don’t know how to drive a manual anyway…

So thanks to a recent Top Gear, my burning automotive passion has been ignited once again on a completely irrelevant (to the normal car guy) yet interesting (to the normal car guy) question: If some magical-mystical force said you could only have ONE car, which would it be?

Awhile ago when all the info on the brand new McLaren came to light, I was tempted by the McLarens mind-blowing-ness. Now though, after sitting here and thinking about it for the past couple of weeks after the Top Gear review aired (and yes, I have no life apparently), is my opinion on the MP4-12C any different?

In a word, yes and no. Okay that’s three words but whatever. From all I’ve read and seen about the 12C, it should be the ultimate car for what I want in a car and how I want a car to feel. Precise, balanced, quick, razor-sharp. A laser-edged sword that does the job of going fast better than almost anything on the road. I used to think I preferred loud shouty cars. Ask me this question two years ago and I would have said: “neither, I’ll take a Lamborghini Gallardo thanks”. However, being introduced to the Sunday sport of Autocross has changed my perspective. I now want a car that’s poised, precise, and balanced. Something that handles speed with the clinical emotionlessness of an expert assassin.

I’m sorry, I’m waxing lyrical a bit too much here, but you get the point. The McLaren MP4-12C should be my new ultimate dream car. A car built for outright speed on the track, a tool designed to work with a driver of any skill level. Something even the most ham-fisted, dumb-witted (i.e. ME) driver can blast around a track with relative ease. Logic dictates that this personal battle for my car-soul should be a walk-over in favor of the McLaren…

…but of course it isn’t. For some strange reason, I much prefer the Ferrari here. Sure, in almost every statistical factor the 12C is probably superior. And I will not for one second sit here and say that the McLaren is boring. I still think it is one of the most stunning things on sale today. Probably just as good-looking as the Gallardo. No really. But the 458, I don’t know, there’s just something about it. It’s like that type of girl that looks normal and mundane at first glance, but spend sometime looking at her (and trying not to look like a perv) and you realize she’s actually one of the most beautiful women you’ve ever seen. That’s exactly the way I see the 458. It’s not a drop-dead gorgeous pin-up model Ferraris of old were. But it isn’t trying to be either, and perhaps that why I find it so attractive.
And then we get to the noise. Oh god, the NOISE! I know a lot of you are all hum-dum about the way Ferrari exhausts are acoustically tuned too much. But COME ON! If you can hand-on-heart sit there and tell me the Ferrari sounds horrible because it sounds fake, then well…….what does it matter you can’t right? If I owned one, I’d probably spend half a tank of gas just sitting there revving the engine in my garage daily. Everyone who likes cars can agree that it’s a glorious sound that comes from the triple tailpipes. End.

I know it’s hard for me to justify my choice when I’ve never driven either. They say that most of the passion and soul, yes those ol’ clichés used to describe many a Ferrari of yore, comes out in the way the 458 drives. How can I call the Ferrari more soulful than the McLaren without driving either?
Read, watch, and listen to all there is to see and hear about the 458. That inherent Italian passion just exudes from this car no matter what it’s doing. Even a crappy 360p YouTube video still makes my skin tingle. Makes me want to drive one before I die. It makes me feel happy. The McLaren doesn’t do that. I’m sure if I were to actually drive the 12C my opinion would probably change. But right now here in front of this computer screen, I’d choose the 458 Italia. It’s the car that keeps me up at night.

Now of course, if you OWN either car and would like the chance to help me either change or validate my opinion, I will humbly accept your offer to let me drive either. Purely for the purpose of automotive opinion of course!

You look QUITE sexy in white. And not just any ol’ white, matte white! Yes I know, matte is the new black and already is on the verge of being played out, but come on. Matte paint in general is awesome, and I think matte white is the best of the flat.

So Aventador, in my quite unrealistic dream, I would be ticking the boxes on the order form for the bianco canopus exterior paint with the terra semele + nero ade interior.

….oh sorry, just woke up. Excuse me while I go clean this bianco canopus mess out of my pants.

Hat tip to Autoblog for the pics!