The year has come to a close and we have once again prepared such a small balance article for you, our readers. As you probably already guessed, it will once again be a selection of the ten most successful novelties from each of our editors. And despite the fact that the number of actively writing editors has decreased slightly since last year, I believe that our selection will at least interest you this year. And believe me, we will be happy if you tell us your ten picks for the slowly ending year 2014 here under the article or on our Facebook page.
Five-meter SUVs with a luxurious interior and a majestic appearance are not necessarily produced only by premium German automakers. Evidence is, for example, the latest generation of the Cadillac Escalade, which is studded with modern electronics, premium materials and, above all, has a 6.2-liter eight-cylinder gasoline engine under the hood.
Even this year, I must not miss a supersport in my selection, what more – this Swedish beast is the world's first megasport! The five-liter eight-cylinder produces exactly 1 MW of power, which is enough for a maximum speed of 440 km/h and a sprint to 400 km/h in 20 seconds! Are you interested? Bad luck – all six produced pieces were already sold out at the premiere in Geneva.
Are you also annoyed by the wave of downsizing and dual-clutch automatics in sports cars? Then, just like me, your heart must have literally jumped at the premiere of the modernized Polo GTI. The 18-speed TSI took the place of the 14-speed TSI, and the DSG dual-clutch automatic was replaced by a six-speed manual (however, the automatic remains an optional extra). It is almost surprising that they decided to do something like this in the otherwise conservative "Fauvé".
7. Renault Twingo
Rear engine and rear wheel drive? No, I'm not really describing the latest generation Porsche 911 here, but the urban specialist from Renault. In the order of the third generation, the Twinga has returned to its roots after a generational hiatus – it has an original design, is excellent in handling, the price won't break the bank and it has a large number of smart solutions.
6. Jeep Renegade
The fashion wave of small SUVs, I confess , did not catch me at all. Until this year's motor show, I looked at cars of this category not completely skeptically, but at least unbiased. But then Jeep came with the Renegade model, which is small but incredibly capable and has the design of the brand's classic models like candy. The ideal combination for a weekly meandering through crowded cities and a weekend rampage in the forest.
Three out of four readers stop at this point and begin to suspect me of blindness or dementia. Yes, the Pajero has been on the market for the eighth season, but this year it received its last facelift. Why all the fuss? According to behind-the-scenes information, the next generation will no longer be so capable in the field, it will lose its angular body and get a hybrid system. And that's exactly why the subtle facelift has a very strong place in my ranking.
4. GRMN Mark X
The big sedan from Toyota only recently premiered and almost immediately secured a place in the rankings in my eyes. You won't find many sedans with an atmospheric six-cylinder engine under the hood, rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission.
716 horses from a supercharged eight-cylinder HEMI is already a real greaser. Dodge knows this, and maybe that's why this power unit got the characteristic name Hellcat. You probably won't do much in Spa with this coupe, but you'll be a god on Route 66.
2. Renault Mégane RS 275 Trophy-R
The conceptual successor to the ultimate Mégane RS R26.R was launched in June as the fastest front-wheel drive ever on the famous Nordschleife. Since then, the "toad mouse" has been at war with the Seat Leon Cupra 280 over whether the Mégane is serial or not. True, it lacks a radio, air conditioning, rear seats or sound insulation, but thanks to the 250-unit series, the French hot-hatch has homologation. And Seat is still second…
Thank goodness Daihatsu has finally swayed them to produce a second generation kei roadster Copen and once again it's worth it. A pocket roadster oozes simplicity, but it must be a blast to drive. As a bonus, you get a turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a power of 64 horsepower, from which a competent modifier can easily get even more…
Source: Daihatsu, Renault, Toyota, Mitsubishi, Dodge, Jeep, Cadillac, Koenigsegg, Volkswagen
