The 2014 Automotive Achievement Awards

Sharp December 22, 2014

In a lot of ways these are tough times for die-hard car fans. As the 21^st century wears on, the types of machines we grew up idolizing—big, fast, angular, tire-shredding beasts that guzzle fuel and spit out tarmac are fewer and fewer. But as hybrids, crossovers and—heaven forbid—self-driving machines take up more and more of the spotlight, it might seem as though the era of the glorious automobile is coming to a close. But we’re here to say that this is definitely not the case.

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Best Example of Better Late Than Never

Jaguar E-Type Lightweight

It’s taken Jaguar over 50 years to finish the production run of 18 aluminum bodied E-Type lightweights. The final six cars are being hand-built by master craftsmen at Jaguar’s old Browns Lane factory now. If you want one, it’ll cost about $1.8 million. Luckily you’ve had time to save up.

Most Convincing Reason to Buy A Lexus

Lexus RC F

Lexus is a noted builder of large, soft, luxury sedans. At this, they are very skilled. Once, Lexus did hint that they were capable of something more. Much more. The hint came in the form of the 2011 LF-A supercar, a limited-production coupe with a screaming V10 engine—the polar opposite of those large, soft sedans.

Now Lexus seems poised to permanently expand its oeuvre. The RC coupe is a classic GT: two doors, front-mounted engine and rear- or all-wheel drive. The luxury is still there, but with some newfound performance courtesy of a 306-horsepower V6 motor and an eight-speed automatic. The highlight of the line is the German-coupe-rivaling RC-F with a naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 and 467 hp, a car befitting an adjective we never thought we’d apply to a Lexus: sexy.

Dieter Rams Award for Minimalism

Audi TT

The original TT will go down as design icon—the car the put Audi on the map. The TT was an instrument of real change, altering car design forever. It ticks every one of Dieter Rams’ Principles of Good Design: useful, aesthetic, honest, pure, simple. The original TT was minimalism in motion, Bauhaus on wheels.

This third generation model picks up where its two predecessors left off. The exterior design is merely evolutionary, but under the skin performance and handling are vastly improved. The TT gains a lighter, stiffer chassis and a choice of turbocharged engines with either 230 or 310 horsepower.

Now, finally, the TT finally has the performance to back up its looks.

Greatest Achievement Despite an Unpronounceable Name

Volkswagen Touareg

Yes, it’s been around since 2003 and no we still don’t know how to pronounce it. The newest model is as capable as a Hummer, but with a Bentley-worthy level of refinement.

Cars on Film:

Best Car-As-Character in a Film: Tom Hardy’s BMW X5 in Locke

Not since David Hasselhoff and KITT have man and machine been so dependent on each other to advance a storyline. In Locke, however, the car doesn’t do most of the acting.

Special Achievement in Making Everyone Jealous

Ferrari F12 TRS

There were many spectacular cars launched this year, but this one captured our imaginations and desires like no other. It is a 730-horsepower, roofless F12 Berlinetta made in-house at Ferrari for 10 of its most prized and deeply pocketed customers. Meant to celebrate 60 years of Ferrari in the USA, it combines open top driving with the inimitable soundtrack of a naturally-aspirated V12 engine , perfect for the California coastline. It’s priced at roughly $3.6 million, which seems fair for the stuff dreams are made of.

The Best of a Dying Breed

Aston Martin V12 Vantage S

Thanks to tightening emission regulations the naturally-aspirated V12 engine is an endangered species. This Aston’s effortlessly blistering acceleration and thunderous soundtrack reminds us just why we love these motors so much.

Most Likely to Top Every Car Editor’s Wish List

BMW M3

Mineral Grey paint, beige interior, adaptive suspension, six-speed manual. Please send to attention of The Automotive Department, Sharp Magazine, Toronto.

Unicorn Award

Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio Concept

Just six Sergios will be built and they’ll cost upwards of $3 million each. That means your chances of spotting Bigfoot are higher than glimpsing one of these in the wild.

Most Compelling Evidence Detroit Has Gone Off The Deep End

Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat

1 Charger Hellcat @ 707 hp = 6.5 Nissan Micras @ 109 hp

Best-Dressed Sedan

Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Edition

With custom Zegna upholstery, a bespoke luggage set and a burly biturbo V6, this limited-to-100 edition is the automotive equivalent of a finely tailored suit. Speaking of which, it also comes with a bolt of Zegna fabric so your tailor can make you a suit to match your Maserati.

Achievement in Breaking Records We Didn’t Know Existed

Range Rover Sport SVR

This 542 horsepower monster just set a new lap record for SUVs on the Nurburgring: 8 minutes, 14 seconds. That’s faster than a last-generation Porsche 911 Carrera.

Best Opulence to Doors Ratio

Rolls Royce Wraith

Two doors. 624 hp. Positively regal.

Cars on Film:

Best Use of a Ferrari California: The Counselor

Cameron Diaz dry-humping the windshield of Javier Bardem’s convertible was undeniably the best part of this otherwise terrible movie. It’s also the only time we’ve ever enjoyed the sight of a Ferrari California.

Cars On Film:

Worst Crime Against a Lamborghini Countach

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Quaalude-addled drive home in The Wolf of Wall Street. Ouch.

The Only in Japan Award

Toyota Land Cruiser 70

On the occasion of (what would have been) its 30th anniversary, Toyota is putting the Land Cruiser 70—in all of its nerdy, boxy, 1980s glory—back into production, for Japanese customers only.

In Memoriam

Bertone
Italian design house Bertone declared bankruptcy after more than 100 years. The roads will be a more boring place because of it. Here are our favourite Bertone designs:

1. 1966 Lamborghini Miura

2. 1970 Alfa Romeo Montreal

3. 1972 Lancia Stratos HF

4. 1974 Lamborghini Countach

5. 2013 Aston Martin Bertone Jet

The class of 2014 has us convinced that the kinds of cars we love—fast, big, angry, sleek, unrepentant—are not dying out at all. The opposite is happening: today, automobiles are more exciting than ever. From the race-ready Porsche GT3 RS, to the stunning Aston Lagonda to the brutal Dodge Charger Hellcat, there are more fun cars to drive now than at any time in history. We can’t wait for 2015.