VW Beetle Cabriolet
The VW Beetle(with Car DVD) is a bit of a time machine. The VW Beetle(with Car DVD) is a bit of a time machine. When you talk to people of a certain age about it, their eyes glaze over and they will, inevitably, tell you about an adventure they once had that involved a cute little bug. Most likely the tale happened in a time when summers were always hot and it snowed every Christmas. Ironically, though, the only people who are not stuck in the past are Volkswagen. With the launch of the latest generation of the Beetle in 2014, the days of bumpy rides, sparse interiors and muted power were firmly left behind. The exterior design was much more aggressive, while the interior was top-notch VW materials, lots of gadgets and an engine borrowed from none other than the Golf GTI. We drove it and we loved it. And we got to fall in love all over again following the launch of the cabriolet version, which made its debut in the UAE at the Dubai Motor Show in November.
The cabriolet fills a big gap for Volkswagen in the country is it did not have a soft-top in its line-up until the Beetle Cabriolet arrived. That is somewhat of a surprise given the conditions are perfect to have the roof down for so much of the year. The car is available in SE, SEL and Exclusive trim levels with features including keyless entry, leather sports seats and 20ins alloy wheels. There are also new colours available, such as Habanero Orange and Blue Silk. Inside, the cabriolet has a very Volks颅wagen feel to it with comfy seats and lots of buttons and panels. There are also design elements that hint at its heritage, such as the cloth pockets and big round dials. However, like the hard-top version, it almost feels a little too modern and could do with a bit more kitsch. After all, if you鈥檙e an icon then you need to stand out from the rest, not follow the pack. Still, a Fender sound system - with 400 watts of power, nine speakers and a subwoofer - is a good way to take your mind off it. While the interior and exterior design may have changed a fair amount since the Beetle was first built in 1938, it is probably under the bonnet where the most significant changes have been made. The Beetle Cabriolet is powered by a 2.0l TSI, four-cylinder engine mated with six-speed gearbox. That is a long, long way away from the Beetle of old. If installing an VW navigation in your car, that would be great!
Though eligible for 10Best last year, the updated-for-'18 Mustang wasn't available in time for testing. The GT350 was, thanks to its 2017 win, but failed to retain the award; its lack of changes rendered it ineligible this year. We never did stop liking the Mustang's remastered mid-century look and modern performance. The GT's newly available MagneRide electronically adaptive shocks from the GT350, more powerful V-8, and two Performance packages edging it closer to the Shelby's track-worthiness push it over the finish line. The base EcoBoost four-cylinder engine remains unworthy of the rest of the Mustang and our 10Best list. Any premium-brand carmaker worth its salt has, at one time or another, followed the basic blueprint laid down by the BMW 3-series. Genesis's dealers might have preferred that the brand start with SUVs instead. But, by launching a successful effort into such an established, yardstick segment where many have failed before, Genesis gains credibility. And this Genesis can play.
The low-slung G70 is built with the same basic set of parts as the Kia Stinger, but the wheelbase of the Genesis is 2.8 inches shorter than the Kia's, which gives the G70 tight, classic proportions. With subtly flared fenders, a short front overhang, and taut skin, the G70 looks poised. It's sophisticated without appearing staid, sporty without being overwrought. Its styling neatly telegraphs the G70's comportment, and it successfully delivers the difficult balance of competent performance and driving satisfaction without jiggling its owner's latte into too great a froth. The loaded-up 365-hp V-6-powered Sport model delivers big speed plus progressive, predictable handling and confident transitional responses. And the electrically assisted variable-ratio steering matches the suspension tuning: precise but comfortable. More than just quiet, the G70's interior is a genuinely pleasant place to spend time. That's particularly true in higher-spec models with cosseting quilted-leather seats in a spot-on driving position. The goodness is not restricted to the big-engined car, either; the four-cylinder version with nonadjustable dampers is just as satisfying, although the six-speed manual transmission that can be optionally bolted to it is not.
The G70's comprehensive excellence is impressive on its own, but pricing that substantially undercuts the usual suspects makes it that much sweeter. The Honda Accord has appeared on our 10Best Cars list a record 33 times. Such an achievement is no accident; it's the culmination of Honda's fastidious fine-tuning and dogged attention to detail. While agreeableness is a given in most new cars, the Accord's dynamics are several degrees beyond the agreeable, with finely tuned primary controls, a light helm with good feedback, and an optional and precise six-speed manual shifter. The delicate, well-placed pedals work so naturally as to disappear. Likewise, the Accord's controlled body motions and supple ride quality encourage its occupants to relax during the everyday slog. So how can it be so much fun to fling the Accord through challenging corners? We can imagine Honda's engineers working late into the night, fretting over minutiae as their uneaten dinners grow cold at home. Their fine-tuning extends to the Accord hybrid, which joins the regular models on this year's list. Its clever direct-drive gearbox and arrangement of motors and clutches help propel the car partially, or solely, on electrons, and the integration of all the pieces is seamless.
