The end of the year is a time for making lists. So, of course, I have made a list.
Yes, we have our Sgcarmart Car of the Year awards, and there are all sorts of best-of-the-year lists. Here is, however, my own list of some of the things that have been most on my mind this year. A roundup of 2022 that's not just another best-of list.
The car that I'm most sick of talking about: Tesla Model 3
The Model 3 has certainly been dividing opinions throughout 2022 There's no getting around the Tesla hype. And the Model 3 is a good EV - better than you'd expect, not as good as Tesla apologists want it to be. Conversations about the car often struggle to find a middle ground between people who 'don't get it', and people who are all in. The truth probably falls somewhere in between.
But, with Elon busy burning Twitter to the ground and tanking Tesla share prices, who knows where the company will be in five months, let alone five years.
The car that forgot it's 2022: Maserati MC20
The MC20 is refreshingly old-school, bucking just about every 2022 trend It's 2022. Everyone is making yet another SUV and electrifying their model lineup. So of course, Maserati decides that it now wants to make its first ever road-going two-door supercar. Crazy? Absolutely, but the result - the MC20 - is terrific.
Dramatic, exciting, and dripping with old-school vibes, it's a car that bucks every 2022 trend. And while it may not make absolute fiscal sense, you have to give it to Maserati for even daring to do something like this.
The most confusing car name(s): Audi in general, but the e-tron/Q8 e-tron madness specifically
The renamed Q8 e-tron reflects a larger struggle across carmakers to get car names right We've talked about how confusing car names are getting. But Audi in particular seems to want to confuse us more so than most. A petrol Q8 and now electric Q8 e-tron are in fact entirely different cars (with totally different bodies), so of course they now share the same nameplate.
Yes, I get that this is likely a transition phase as models go all electric, so these old nameplates will likely be phased out, but it's still confusing nonetheless.
The this-is-obviously-too-much award: Any high-performance EV variant (AMG/M/RS/Turbo)
Right now, high-performance EVs don't yet differentiate themselves enough Let's be very clear: The respective high-performance EVs from the various German manufacturers are great cars in their own right. I just struggle to see the point. The 'base' models are already so well-executed (and so fast), and these performance variants, at least right now, don't do enough to set themselves apart in a distinct and significant way.
I suspect the next generation of high-performance EVs will be more indicative of the future of such cars.
The best fart award: Audi RS 3
The RS 3 delivers a playful drive and childishly rorty soundtrack - what a treat The RS 3 makes a great sound. A 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine and a rorty exhaust make for a delightfully childish and playful soundtrack. It also certainly helps that the car is really fun to drive now. And as the automotive world goes increasingly electric, it's refreshing that a hot hatch/sedan like the RS 3 still exists - who knows how long more cars like these will persist.
Side note: The worst fart award goes to Julian Kho. IYKYK.
The concept car that desperately needs to be made: Hyundai N Vision 74
If this is the future of green motoring, I'm all in Just look at it. The N Vision 74 is so retro cool, yet somehow also futuristic. The design harkens back to the 70s (it screams Back to the Future), but the technology within is incredibly forward looking (a hydrogen-hybrid powertrain producing 670bhp sounds mad).
And, of course, it's just a concept, but the sheer boldness and ambition from Hyundai bodes well for the future. More cars (and carmakers) should let down their hair and run free.
The most unnecessary technological innovation: Colour-changing BMW iX
Who really needs a colour-changing car? Who needs a colour-changing car? James Bond, perhaps, to evade capture by his enemies, but besides that I cannot fathom any practical and functional purpose of a colour-changing car.
Supposedly, this new technology could "open up new facets for customers to customise future vehicles". Except, of course, this technology already exists. It's called a paint shop.
The hopelessly optimistic award: Anyone who thought COE prices might drop significantly
COE prices will almost certainly continue their upward climb into 2023 Guys, it's just not happening. No really, it's not happening. Don't let occasional dips fool you - COE prices are going to stay high for at least the next year or two.
Given the current limited COE supply and continued increase in demand driven by fleet services, anyone thinking that COE prices might drop is woefully optimistic. Of course, this means car prices will continue to remain achingly high for some time yet. Better to brace yourselves.
The best thing I've reviewed in 2022: BMW CE 04
The CE 04 is my standout vehicle of 2022 There have been so many cars, electric and petrol alike, but of everything I've reviewed this year, the one thing that I most desire, and the one that sticks with me the most, is the BMW CE 04.
It's an electric scooter that's way too expensive, but it represents a model of electric mobility that I can fully get behind. It looks futuristic, it feels premium, it rides fantastically, and it just makes practical sense in so many ways. I want it so bad.
That's a wrap for 2022. Here's to a better 2023, and happy new year everyone!
Yes, we have our Sgcarmart Car of the Year awards, and there are all sorts of best-of-the-year lists. Here is, however, my own list of some of the things that have been most on my mind this year. A roundup of 2022 that's not just another best-of list.
The car that I'm most sick of talking about: Tesla Model 3
But, with Elon busy burning Twitter to the ground and tanking Tesla share prices, who knows where the company will be in five months, let alone five years.
The car that forgot it's 2022: Maserati MC20
Dramatic, exciting, and dripping with old-school vibes, it's a car that bucks every 2022 trend. And while it may not make absolute fiscal sense, you have to give it to Maserati for even daring to do something like this.
The most confusing car name(s): Audi in general, but the e-tron/Q8 e-tron madness specifically
Yes, I get that this is likely a transition phase as models go all electric, so these old nameplates will likely be phased out, but it's still confusing nonetheless.
The this-is-obviously-too-much award: Any high-performance EV variant (AMG/M/RS/Turbo)
I suspect the next generation of high-performance EVs will be more indicative of the future of such cars.
The best fart award: Audi RS 3
Side note: The worst fart award goes to Julian Kho. IYKYK.
The concept car that desperately needs to be made: Hyundai N Vision 74
And, of course, it's just a concept, but the sheer boldness and ambition from Hyundai bodes well for the future. More cars (and carmakers) should let down their hair and run free.
The most unnecessary technological innovation: Colour-changing BMW iX
Supposedly, this new technology could "open up new facets for customers to customise future vehicles". Except, of course, this technology already exists. It's called a paint shop.
The hopelessly optimistic award: Anyone who thought COE prices might drop significantly
Given the current limited COE supply and continued increase in demand driven by fleet services, anyone thinking that COE prices might drop is woefully optimistic. Of course, this means car prices will continue to remain achingly high for some time yet. Better to brace yourselves.
The best thing I've reviewed in 2022: BMW CE 04
It's an electric scooter that's way too expensive, but it represents a model of electric mobility that I can fully get behind. It looks futuristic, it feels premium, it rides fantastically, and it just makes practical sense in so many ways. I want it so bad.
That's a wrap for 2022. Here's to a better 2023, and happy new year everyone!
