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FEATURES
December 8, 2014
OPENERS CAR Selection 2012
OPENERS CAR Readers' Top 5 Cars of 2012
OPENERS CAR Selection 2012
The OPENERS CAR editorial team, under the title "OPENERS CAR Selection 2012," asked six writers—Tatsuya Otani, Fumio Ogawa, Yasuhiko Kawamura, Tatsuya Kushima, Yasuhisa Shimoshita, and Toshihito Watanabe—to look back on 2012 and select five cars they would recommend to OPENERS readers. Among the cars chosen, the following eight models received multiple votes.
Volkswagen up! | Volkswagen up!
The only choice! (Fumio Ogawa)
A compact car that guarantees no regrets (Tatsuya Otani)
This year's first prize winner (Toshihito Watanabe)
It's bound to change your lifestyle ( Yasuhisa Shimoshita)
BMW 3 Series | BMW 3 Series
A product lineup with no compromises (Toshihito Watanabe)
I take my hat off to its perfection! (Yasuhiko Kawamura)
BMW 320d BluePerformance |
BMW 320d BluePerformance
Range Rover Evoque | Range Rover Evoque
I think it's a revolution in design (Tatsuya Kushima)
A revolutionary that shattered previous SUV values (Yasuhiko Kawamura)
Not just about looks (Yasuhisa Shimoshita)
McLaren MP4-12C | McLaren MP4-12C
A supercar like this is probably unprecedented in history (Tatsuya Otani)
Full of originality (Tatsuya Kushima)
Porsche 911 | Porsche 911
It exudes intelligence (Tatsuya Kushima)
It elevates the driver to a higher level (Yasuhisa Shimoshita)
Porsche Boxster | Porsche Boxster
A masterful, ambitious refresh (Toshihito Watanabe)
The most flawless sports car in the world (Yasuhiko Kawamura)
Lexus GS | Lexus GS
A driver's car that responds to your every command (Yasuhiko Kawamura)
I wish people would drive something like this with style (Yasuhisa Shimoshita)
How Was 2012?
What kind of year was 2012 for the automotive industry? And why were these five cars chosen? Each of the six writers reflects on their 2012.
To Tatsuya Otani's Feature
I view 2012 as a year that brought bright prospects for the future of automobiles.
• Volkswagen up!
• Mazda CX-5
• BMW 320d
• Lamborghini Aventador
• McLaren MP4-12C
To Fumio Ogawa's Feature
There were many exhilarating models that seemed to blow away any lingering gloom.
• Audi A1 Sportback
• Volkswagen up!
• BMW M5
• Toyota 86
• Citroën DS4
To Yasuhiko Kawamura's Feature
I sincerely hope Japanese cars will win back a higher presence in 2013!
• Range Rover Evoque
• BMW 3 Series
• Honda CR-Z
• Lexus GS
• Porsche Boxster
To Tatsuya Kushima's Feature
Personally, I was drawn to "ECO + Sports."
• Range Rover Evoque
• BMW 320d
• Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
• McLaren MP4-12C
• Bentley Continental
To Yasuhisa Shimoshita's Feature
I want people to drive more and more "good cars" and enjoy them.
• Range Rover Evoque
• Lexus GS
• Volkswagen up!
• Porsche 911
• BMW 523d BluePerformance
To Toshihito Watanabe's Feature
It's deeply moving that diesel has completely gained acceptance.
• Volkswagen up!
• Subaru Impreza
• BMW 3 Series
• Porsche Boxster
• Lexus LS