2012 Car Awards: Best Supercar

To be considered a supercar, a car must be fast, quick, and rare. Supercars have the engine located in the rear. In 2011, McLaren released the MP4-12C and Lamborghini released the Aventador, both are exemplary supercars. But once a car hits 240 mph, whether with limiter attached or with the limiter removed, the car reaches hypercar status. But this award is not for the hypercars, this award is for the best supercar to come out in 2012. The best supercar to come out in 2012 is...


Pagani Huayra

 

The Pagani Zonda was not sold in America. However, the Huayra is steet-legal in America.  The Huayra is just amazing. The car has some styling from the Zonda, but there one thing noticeable on the Huayra, gull wing doors. The Huayra has a active aerodynamics. Powering the Huayra is a Mercedes-Benz AMG bi-turbo 6.0L V12 that produces 720 hp and 740 lb-ft of torque. The Huayra goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 230 mph. The Huayra costs $1.3 million dollars, a steep price for an incredible car. The Huayra has power, performance, and styling and is the best supercar to come out in 2012.

If you agree with my choice or think that another car that came out in 2012 deserves this award, please let me know in the comments below.

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First Impression: Porsche 918 Spyder

Ferdinand Porsche developed the first hybrid vehicle, the Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid, in 1898, The car was produced from 1900 to 1905. He founded his own automotive company, Porsche AG in 1931. The Porsche Panamera and the Porsche Cayenne both have hybrid drivetrain options. It is only fitting that Porsche would come out with a supercar powered by a hybrid drivetrain. At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Porsche revealed a concept hybrid powered supercar, the 918 Spyder. The production version of the 918 Spyder was revealed at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The 918 is a two door, rear-mid engine, all wheel drive supercar. The Porsche 918 Spyder will be a limited edition car, with 918 units being built for the 2014 model year.

The Porsche 918 Spyder was present at the December 2014 edition of Houston Cars and Coffee. The 918 shares some styling with the Porsche Carrera GT. Both the Carrera GT and the 918 have the retractable rear wing, targa tops, and similar engine bay covers. The  Plus the front fascia reminds me of the Ferrari 458 Speciale. It looks aggressive and fast.

The 918 is powered by a 608 hp 4.6L V8 gas engine and two electric motors that produce an additional 279 hp. The total power outcome is 887 hp and 940 lb-ft of torque. The 6.8 kW-h lithium ion battery pack allows the 918 to have an all-electric range on 12 miles. The engine is paired with a seven-speed dual clutch automated manual transmission. The 918 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 211 mph. This is one high performing hybrid, but it comes at a steep starting price tag of $845,000. That is a lot of car for a lot of money.

The 918 Spyder has been featured on Top Gear, Jay Leno's Garage, RTL Autowereld, and Auto Esporte. The 918 Spider is playable in Need For Speed: The Run, Real Racing 3, Shift 2: Unleashed, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Need For Speed: Most Wanted, Need For Speed: Rivals, and Gangster: Vegas.

Final Thoughts: This is the hybrid we need along with the McLaren P1 and the LaFerrari. When people think of hybrids, they first think of the Toyota Prius. When people think of full electric cars, they think of Tesla Model S, not the Nissan Leaf. The 918 Spyder is a great car. It has supercar looks, supercar power, supercar performance, but it has a hybrid drivetrain. Cars like the 918 Spider, the P1, and the LaFerrari shows what potential performance hybrid vehicles can have. The 918 Spyder was worth the four year wait. For those who have one are truly lucky.

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First Impression: McLaren P1

McLaren set the standard for performance vehicles with the McLaren F1 in the 1990s with a top speed of 240 mph. It was the first hypercar. Now, McLaren has produced a plug-in hybrid supercar. At the 2012 Paris Motor Show, McLaren debuted the pre-production concept of the P1. McLaren unveiled the production version of the F1 at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. 375 P1s would be made with production starting in October 2013. The McLaren P1 is a rear-mid engine, rear-wheel drive two-door supercar powered by a hybrid drivetrain.

I have seen the P1 at a few car events in the greater Houston area. The P1 does not look like anything on the road. It has a more aggressive look than the McLaren MP4-12C. Like its predecessors, it does have the scissor doors. It also has retractable rear spoiler. The P1 has a very aggressive exterior and an interior that is a big improvement over the MP4-12C. But the selling point of the P1 is its drivetrain and performance.

The McLaren P1 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.8L V8 that produces 727 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque. The McLaren developed electric motor that produces 176 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. The total output is 903 hp and 722 lb-ft of torque. The P1 uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds and has a top speed of 217 mph. But it can also go up to an EPA estimated 19 miles in EV mode. Prices for the P1 start at $1.15 million, but all 375 are spoken for. That is supercar performance from a hybrid drivetrain.

The P1 has been featured on Top Gear, where it was compared to the Porsche 918 and the LaFerrari. It has also made a stop at Jay Leno's Garage. It has also been featured in the Need For Speed, Fifth Gear, and Motorweek. The P1 is playable in Need More Speed, Driveclub, Forza Motorsport 5, Project CARS, Forza Horizon 2, Grid: Autosport, Race Team Manager, Forza Horizon 2 Presents Fast and Furious, Need For Speed: Rivals, Real Racing 3, Asphalt 8: Airborne, Assetto Corsa, Asphalt Nitro, and CSR Racing.

Final Thoughts; Electric cars have the Tesla Roadster and Tesla Model S to set the standard for what an electric car can do. Hybrids had the Toyota Prius as its standard, which got impressive gas mileage at the cost of excitement. It is great to see McLaren make a hybrid, one that is has styling and performance. McLaren pushed the performance limits with the F1 and now McLaren pushes the limits of what one can do with a hybrid drivetrain.

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