If Bruce Wayne were a car, he'd be a Cadillac XLR.

Today I had the distinct pleasure of delivering a Cadillac XLR. With a DOHC 4.6L V8, fully independent suspension, and even A/C equipped seats, this ride is one of luxury. Then you dip into the throttle and learn exactly what the car is willing to do.

Comfortable seats, a retractable hard top, and heads up display (the car's speed is visible on the windshield at all times) make this a road tripper's dream. I found myself digging into the throttle just to hear the ferocious exhaust crackle.

If I were to criticize the Cadillac in any way, it is that the car seems almost too staid in exterior styling. Like Bruce Wayne, it seems mild-mannered. Very few people have experienced the full on craziness that lurks just below the surface, though.

Would I drive a Cadillac XLR? Yes. I'd just have to be on the constant lookout for purple clouds of poison gas from villains.

The 2012 Fiat 500 and other hateful things.

To your standard redneck's world view, no purse should not cost more than your first car. Many people started our driving careers in vehicles that were valued at $500 or less, and by this standard there are far too many purses for sale on the open market that are severely over valued. Here's a picture of a $600 purse:

I know that my sister, as elegant and refined as she is, could easily describe to me what makes the above pictured item vastly superior to a brown paper bag or a good JanSport backpack. I won't pretend to understand the distinction, though. To me, a small but expensive item better have a purpose other than looks.

Which leads me to the following item:

That's a 2012 Fiat 500. Many of you have already made some noise resembling that of the audience to a puppy's first steps. I understand that small cars are very cool right now. Fuel economy is nice, I get it. But that car is $20,000 USD. That's a Toyota Yaris and a Harley Sportster. That's a slightly used Corvette Z06. For $20k, you could get a real car.

Let me explain my distaste for the 500. I picked one up for the local Fiat dealer recently to perform some repair work to the smashed front fender. Snagging the keys, I was drawn into a conversation by the salesman about how I liked the Fiat's looks (I used neutral language; it wouldn't do to lose his business over so small an issue as honesty), whether I'd driven one yet (I have), how much fun they are (I was biting my lip so hard I could taste blood), and how excited the entire United States of America was for the upcoming Abarth edition (the glossiest of lipstick on this pig... er... 500).

I got out the door before my mouth lost the account. Quickly, I dove into the car and pulled the hood from my sweat shirt over my head. This instinctive response was born of the fact that driving these cars (and I've driven enough now that I wear a hooded shirt daily just in case) is so massively embarrassing.

Then the dealer knocked on the window.

He asked why I was wearing my hood. I confessed that the car was, in my eye, a designer purse and that I felt very embarrassed by it.

Our conversation covered all the bases, from why a reverse lockout on a 5 speed manual transmission is stupid and irritating (the 500 has one), how front wheel drive is great for commuting but awful for sportiness (the 500 is FWD), and who exactly the 500 is made for (women).

The dealer seemed saddened by the revelation (he honestly thought straight men liked 500s), but cheerfully reaffirmed when he and I both decided that 500s need not be practical, inexpensive or manly. Fiat 500s are the automotive equivalent of a $600 purse.

If you're reading this, Sister of mine, might I suggest you buy the automatic 500. Actually, I'll shut up. I honestly don't understand these things.

Top Gear loves the Karma too!

Henrik Fisker and Fisker Automotive Group are racking up quite the list of awards this year – and their pile might just about be complete with their latest accolade. The UK’s immensely popular Top Gear TV show just named the Fisker Karma the “Car of the Year” and Top Gear Magazine named the extended range electric vehicle the “Luxury Car of the Year” – an award that has previously been graced upon such high end autos as the Mercedes-Benz CLS Coupe, the Jaguar XJ and the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe. In our recent interview with Henrik Fisker about his groundbreaking luxury design he noted that he just wanted to show the public that green design can be cool, and from the looks of it he is certainly succeeding.

With recent numbers out of the Technischer Üeberwachungs Verein (TÜV) that gave the Karma an impressive 112 mpg rating, it is one of the greenest cars on the road. With a price tag for the basic model at $95,900, this is no family vehicle but a serious sports car with a body of undulating curves that perfectly match its uncanny ability to take a bend in the road. Top Gear writers and TV hosts recognized the car’s driving skills, masterful aesthetic and innovative design with these two well deserved awards.
“Cleverness abounds in the Fisker and adds to the air of intelligent luxury. It works well, it looks good and it must be a genuinely exciting thing to own,” said Charlie Turner, BBC Top Gear magazine editor. “It’s the top-of-the-line spec that features no leather, just textiles and reclaimed wood. And it’s more convincing than it sounds, managing to look, feel and smell premium without any cow peel in it at all,” he added.
In response to the awards Henrik Fisker said, “it is fantastic news that the Karma has won two awards from Top Gear. We realize that we are at the beginning of our journey and awards like this remind us we are on the right road – building enticing green cars that people actually want to own.” Fisker added that he was especially excited that this was a European award for an American-made car, “it’s a triumph that American engineers have designed and engineered this ground breaking car at our global Headquarters in Anaheim, CA and that there is now a new American car option that is bold, beautiful, smart, and environmentally responsible."

Source: http://inhabitat.com/fisker-karma-named-top-car-of-the-year-by-bbcs-top-gear/fisker-car-of-the-year-5/