OPENERS CAR Selection 2012 | Yasuhisa Shimashita

2012's Top 5 Cars for OPENERS CAR Readers

OPENERS CAR Selection 2012: Yasuhisa Shimashita Edition

The OPENERS CAR editorial team asked six writers who shaped OPENERS CAR in 2012 to reflect on the year and select five cars that OPENERS readers should pay attention to. Yasuhisa Shimashita presents his five picks for enjoying cars even more!

Text by SHIMASHITA Yasuhisa

We Want You to Drive and Enjoy Even More Great Cars

I had expected 2012 to be a banner year for Japanese cars. That was my hope a year ago. Indeed, the first half of the year saw the arrival of several impressive models, such as the Toyota 86 & Subaru BRZ, and the Mazda CX-5,Lexus GSbut I feel the momentum waned in the latter half of the year.

Instead, imported cars truly captured our attention. The new arrivals in 2012 were all highly capable and genuinely appealing. Four out of the five cars I selected are imports, but there were many other notable models,BMW 3 Series McLaren MP4-12C Mercedes-Benz SL Porsche Boxster Bentley Continental GT V8and so on. Many cars left a strong impression. Furthermore, models slated for introduction to Japan in 2013 includethe new Volkswagen Golf, and the newRange Rovercannot be overlooked.

As a Japanese person, I naturally want to support Japanese cars, but looking back, I was reminded anew of the significant gaps in their technology, ambition, design sensibility, and presentation skills. From a user's perspective, of course, the expansion of choices for good cars is truly welcome...

The media reports that young people are losing interest in cars. And indeed, that is undoubtedly the case. However, I believe it's unrealistic to expect them to be drawn in immediately. Instead, if we, the car-loving generation, enjoy choosing cars and savor our lives with cars even more, perhaps that will spark in them a realization that 'cars might actually be fun?'

This has become rather serious, but I sincerely hope that OPENERS readers, with your exceptional antennae for fashion and lifestyle, will drive and enjoy even more great cars in 2013.

Yasuhisa Shimashita's Top 5 Picks for OPENERS Readers in 2012

Range Rover Evoque
Range Rover Evoque

Putting logic aside, it's simply cool. Isn't that enough value for the Evoque? Rather than just a smaller Range Rover, its design, which blends traditional motifs with a lightness suited to its size and the essence of the current era, is a work of art that modern cars can achieve. And it's not just about looks; the way it subtly conveys its Range Rover lineage in its driving feel is also superb. As a car that symbolizes 2012, it's an indispensable presence.

Lexus GS
Lexus GS

While I had sensed a change in Lexus, which previously had a somewhat uninspired driving feel, starting around the appearance of the CT200h, the driving performance of the new GS still exceeded my expectations. Frankly, if I had to choose one car in this segment, I would pick this GS over the E-Class or 5 Series, especially the F SPORT with the LDH (Lexus Dynamic Handling system). Just like fashion, there are few Japanese cars one can choose with such pride, but they exist. I'd love to see people drive these with style.

Volkswagen up!
Volkswagen up!

The brilliance of the up! has been discussed in many places, but what I want to emphasize here is the joy of driving. Its chassis is incredibly solid, yet it's not as rigid as the Golf or Polo; the up! is remarkably supple. This makes for a truly pleasant driving experience. I'm relieved to hear that the much-discussed 5-speed ASG is considered far superior to CVTs that are difficult to control. It's one of the few cars where smallness and simplicity look stylish. I'm sure owning one will bring a change to your lifestyle.

Porsche 911
Porsche 911

When driven, it's unmistakably a 911, yet all the previous drawbacks have been resolved. Visually, it's still undeniably a 911, but it has become significantly more elegant, enhancing its presence as a super sports car. The 911 has undergone a truly remarkable model change. Even if chosen in the same way as before, it elevates the driver to a higher level. Or perhaps, it has become a car that does just that.

BMW 523d BluePerformance
BMW 523d BluePerformance

In 2012, BMW launched six new diesel models in the Japanese market. Among them, this is my favorite. The vibrations and noise that I noticed in the 3 Series and X3, which share the same engine, are barely perceptible here, allowing you to savor the torque-rich performance. Moreover, the ride comfort is exceptionally smooth, offering supreme relaxation. If I had a car like this in my garage, I'd be tempted to go on long road trips frequently. You can experience a different side of the performance-oriented BMW.