MotorMouths

The F12 is the most fun Ferrari in years. Imagine supercar performance, luxury-car accoutrements, and driver’s-car steering. There is probably no other car on earth that combines this level of performance, elegance, drama, and luxury with this much driver involvement.

Ferrari’s HGTE can kick the living daylights out of most any other car on the planet. The handling package simply ensures that the 599 never loses its composure while doing it.

In terms of overall appeal, the Porsche Panamera just can’t compete with the Aston Martin Rapide. In fact, the Maserati Quattroporte’s long-lived reign as the most seductive sedan in the world is over, too.

The 2011 Ferrari 599GTO is louder, faster, more expensive, more involving, and more insane – with almost no cost to comfort and elegance. It makes good drivers very fast; it makes great drivers set world records.

The 911 is a unique combination of driver involvement, luxury, speed, handling, and impeccable build quality. The Turbo adds “muscle car” to that list, with only the slightest of sacrifices to driver involvement.

The SL65 Black Series exists to wear the mantle of the baddest Benz in all the land, and it does so far more proudly than the rather ridiculous SLR.

The Jaguar XJ is luxury without the excess plush. It’s performance without being abrasive. Elegant without being derivative. Modern without being ostentatious. Sinful without being illegal. And now, it’s wrapped in a cover that tells exactly what’s inside.

Added to the list of firsts — Ferrari makes a shooting brake, Ferrari makes a four-wheel-drive car — is the first time Ferrari has ever handed over the keys to a journalist, in the snow, and not been concerned in the least. This is Ferrari’s coolest car in a long, long time.

This M5 has got almost all of the refinement of the current 5-series, all of the tech features, gorgeous styling, and elegant interior. And then it’s got razor-sharp handling and the best steering we’ve seen in a 5-series in a long time, if not ever.

If 40 is the new 30 and Gaga is the new Madonna, then 2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe is the new M3. And that’s just fine. If there’s not a waiting list already, it’s because y’all haven’t driven one yet. (In other words, place your order now.)

The 640i Gran Coupe is a stunning example of how you can take a bunch of off-the-shelf parts, throw caution to the wind, and build a car that’s better than any of the products it’s based on.

In quantifiable terms, the 2012 model is leaps and bounds better than any previous 911. It sounds even better, it rides even better, it feels even better, it’s even more comfortable, better equipped, and it’s far better looking. It is a better car, but it’s not a better 911.