As the year draws to a close, it is time for us to come up with the ’10 best cars of the year’ list. Quite a few iconic cars in the automotive world went out of production and replaced by next generation successors, making 2014 particularly an interesting year. Some highly anticipated cars were finally unveiled; some already successful models were upgraded; overall, it’s been a good year for the automobile industry. Here is our pick of the 10 best cars of 2014 listed in no specific order.
We start with the most refined car that made its debut this year. Mercedes at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show introduced the model that comes with a twin-turbocharged V12 engine and some exclusive tech goodies. If you are looking to pick up an S-Class with tons of power, you need not opt for the 2015 S65 AMG, as the Mercedes S600 is a rocketship. The 6.0L bi-turbo V12 produces 523hp helping the car propel from 0-60mph in just 4.5 seconds. Being the top-end S-Class model, the Mercedes S600 gets a comprehensive list of standard features.
Why do we love it? The V12-powered Mercedes S600 is the best all-round car of 2014 we could think of as it packs brute performance of a sportscar in the body of one of the best luxury limos on sale in the market currently.
Price – The 2015 Mercedes S600 went on sale earlier this year with a starting price of $166,900.
Next up is the car that replaced the Mercedes SLS AMG GT that went out of production at the end of last year. With this new supercar, the German automaker introduced their new nomenclature. There is no mention of ‘Benz’ in the name, which has been replaced by AMG. Other than that, the most noticeable thing about the Mercedes-AMG GT is its resemblance with its predecessor. Though it’s an all new car, but it rather appears like an improved design of the SLS AMG GT. For starters, the gullwing doors are gone, which have been replaced by normal doors. Nevertheless, the Mercedes-AMG GT looks simply stunning. It is powered by a turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine. The standard GT gets meaty 456 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. The performance figures released by the company claims that it can sprint to 60 miles per hour in 3.9 seconds and carry on to an electronically limited top speed of 189 mph. On the other hand, the GT S makes 503 hp and 479 pound-feet to reach 60 in an estimated 3.7 seconds all the way to a limit of 193 mph.
Why do we love it? Mercedes has made massive improvements with the AMG GT. Not only does it look great from the outside, the interiors are very impressive. The Mercedes-AMG GT has the Porsche 911 firmly in its sight and has all the firepower to it edge ahead of its competition.
Price – The supercar is available to order now in the UK with a starting price of £97,195 ($151,500 approx).
The British automaker has been aggressively expanding its line-up of supercars. Though the ‘P1’ firmly holds on to the title of being the superstar of its range, the new McLaren 650S is the perfect option for someone who doesn’t want a hardcore hypercar in their garage. Launched at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the McLaren 650S is slotted between the MP4-12C and the hypercar P1, but quite surprisingly the design of the supercar is also a mash-up between the two existing offerings by McLaren. The McLaren 650S sports the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 that powers the MP4-12C. It now churns out 650PS or 641hp. Torque has also been increased from 442lb ft to 500lb ft, delivered between 3,000-7,000rpm. Thanks to the added horses, the 650S goes from 0-62mph in 3sec and from 0-124mph in 8.4sec, which is very impressive.
Why do we love it? It was launched in both convertible as well as coupe versions at the Geneva Motor Show. The McLaren MP4-12C is a great supercar, but somehow it never managed to attain the popularity it deserves and its design is to be blamed for it. The McLaren 650S however has a more attractive design and a lot of the deficiencies have been taken care of by the automaker. As mentioned before, if the McLaren P1 is too hardcore for you, the 650S is just the perfect option.
Price – The starting price of the McLaren 650S is $280,225.
Last year in December, Lamborghini announced that the production line for their most successful model Gallardo had stopped for good and teased the replacement supercar. Lamborghini Huracan finally arrived in 2014 after long wait and it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The design of the Huracan is a blend of the outgoing Gallardo and the Lamborghini Aventador, but many design elements are fresh and look good. The exterior styling of Huracan isn’t as mad as the Aventador, nevertheless, like most of the other Lamborghinis, it is a head turner. It is powered by familiar 5.2-liter V10 engine that produces 610hp along with 480 lb-ft of torque. It can go from 0-62mph (100km/h) in just 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 202mph.
Why do we love it? The Lamborghini Gallardo was with us for 10 long years and it was time that the Italian brand gave it a dignified farewell. Being the most successful model, Lamborghini Huracan had some big shoes to fill in and boy it didn’t disappoint.
Price – Lamborghini has a base price of $241,945.
