I’m at my favorite automotive event of the year: The German Car of the Year event near Frankfurt, Germany. The event involves staying in a beautiful villa for a few days, during which you eat good food, hang out with good people, and spend both days driving whatever cars you want. This year is going to be epic, and if you don’t believe me, just look at this list of cars. Members, I need your help choosing which ones to drive and review!
My friend Jens just picked me up from the Frankfurt airport and drove me to a small town nearby, where dozens of cars are awaiting 40-ish journalists traveling from all over the globe. I’m here early, so I get to drive whatever the hell I please tomorrow, but despite that, things are going to be tight. As such, I need your help prioritizing! Here’s the list of
- Aiways U6
- Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV
- Alfa Romeo Giulia (facelift)
- Audi TT
- Audi TT RS
- BMW Alpina B5 GT (static)
- BMW iX1 xDrive 30
- BMW 750e xDrive
- BMW M2
- DS3 E-Tense
- DS9 (facelift)
- Genesis GV60 (face recognition)
- Genesis GV70 Electrified
- Hyundai Ioniq 6
- Ineos Grenadier
- Kia EV9 (static)
- Lexus RX500h
- Maxus MIFA 9
- Maxus T90 EV
- Mazda CX-60 Diesel
- Mazda MX-5 RF
- MG4
- Microlino
- Mitsubishi Colt (static; remote venue)
- Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE
- Nissan X-Trail e-4ORCE
- Nissan Qashqai e-POWER
- Opel Astra GSe
- Ora Funky Cat
- Ora Next GWM (static)
- Peugeot E-2008
- Peugeot 3008 MHEV
- Peugeot 508 SW PSE
- Polestar 2 (new gen)
- Porsche 911 T
- Porsche Cayenne E-HEV Prototyp
- Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
- Volkswagen ID.3 Facelift
- Volkswagen Polo GTI 25 Years
- Volkswagen T-Cross Facelift (static)
- Volkswagen ID.4 GTX (Performance powertrain, embargo)
- Volkswagen ID.5 GTX (Performance powertrain, embargo)
- Volkswagen ID.7 Limousine (uncovered, static)
- Volkswagen ID.7 Limousine (covered)
- Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB (static)
- Volkswagen Touareg facelift (static)
- prototypes Gentex (Volvo XC90 and Volkswagen Tiguan als tech showcases)
- Audi TT Gen 1
- Audi TT Gen 2
- Mazda MX-5 Gen 1
- Mazda RX8
- Mitsubishi Colt (all gen)
- Toyota Prius Gen 1
- Toyota 2000 GT (static)
- Volkswagen Classic Beetle GSR
- Volkswagen Beetle GSR
What is Diesel Creek doing in Germany?
In your place I would absolutely take the Polo GTI for the fast and little European content and the Ineos just because I’m curious on your take ! The Microlino too for the weirdness.
The “Did I do that” lookin car!
The Microlino…it’s so cute and tiny! And of course, the Volkswagon ID.Buzz. (Does “(static)” mean that you just get to look at it, or does that refer to the suspension?) Wouldn’t mind seeing the Polestar too.
They said, get that Funky Cat
While you’re back in the woods
‘Cause you quit those days and your redneck ways
And an oil change is gonna do it good
I would love to drive the followoing:
Audi TT RS
BMW M2
Mazda MX-5 1st gen ( NA I would assume)
MAxda CX60
I’d need to see the Peugots to understand what they are
I am not a member, so I don’t see a list of anything other than what I see in the comments. I usually live in the US ( Indiana ) and am currently in the Netherlands. We rented a car, and I expected a BMW 1 (what I rented in January), or Audi A3 (what it changed to in May), but this is Sixt, they never have what you want, only the more expensive stuff at a padded price. So I’m in a Lynk & Co. 01. Think Volvo CX40 as a plug in hybrid. I didn’t plan on plugging in anywhere, so I haven’t been able to do that. Driving on the highway is sublime, the adaptive cruise works a treat. Getting into the city sucks, though. It’s just too big for some places. And the gas mileage, while not terrible, gets blown away by the Audi and BMW I wanted. All in all I would give it 6 NL stars, but 10 US stars as it would be perfect for the US.
I’m going to go ahead and say:
1. DS9
2.GWM Ora Funky Cat (maybe with comparison to MG4? Their RRP IS within a couple of hundred AUD from memory)
3. Microlino
4. RX8
1) Microlino
2) Ora Funky Cat
3) Ineos Grenadier
I’d like to see the Tonale, buuuuut, you clearly have to drive the Ora Cat
one more vote for the Ora Cat and Microlino
The Peugeot 508 SW PSE. Just do it. You will be enchanted by the Gallic vibe.
A hybrid with a difference.
Mazda RX8. Its a relatively unique power unit, reasonably priced, and opposite of the i3 for fuel efficiency.
They still make a Mitsubishi Colt? Drive that. Also the VW limousine? Drive that. I’m interested in weird stuff that doesn’t come here, but I get it if you need to take the opportunity to drive a Tonale or M2 or whatever.
1) Ora Funky Cat – Great name, superb looking interior for such a small inexpensive car
2) Microlino – because art!
Audi TT Gen 1
Ora Funky Cat
Ineos Grenedier
Aiways U6
Polestar 2 (new gen)
Whatever that taxi-yellow Hyandai minivan is, license plate # OF PR1030
It kinda depends on where you are going to be able to drive the cars – around town or on unlimited speed autobahn. I personally would go or the autobahn cruisers that you don’t see on this side of the pond – maybe one of the Peugeots and the DS3.
In the new category –
Stuff we dont get in the US
In the heritage category, let’s see how the RX* has held up.
I’m going to put in a vote for the VW Polo GTI. That little car fascinates me given how slow the base model can be.
Polestar has always fascinated me. And, is one of the BMWs the younger sibling of your car? If so, you oughta try it?
Whateverthehell an Ora Funky Cat is, ya kinda gotta drive it. 911T caught my eye-as well as the Polestar2 and the Ionic6
Edit: Ora is Great Wall Motors. The car I like the look of—and, I’ll leave off right there