The five best tech cars (so far) of 2011
The Frankfurt auto show has come and gone, offering some intriguing takes on the car technology of tomorrow. But what about the here and now - especially if you're thinking about getting a new set of wheels sometime soon? We've got a few suggestions, but fair warning: As our CNET Car Tech colleague Wayne Cunningham notes, "cars excite serious passion, almost all of it completely irrational." Amen to that, though it's not going to end this bar debate among technophiles anytime soon. With that as prologue, here are his top picks (to date.)
The 2012 Audi A7: An extraordinary tech powerhouse, the 2012 Audi A7 combines luxurious driving with sport capabilities and an impressive navigation system.
Price: $59,250.00
The 2012 Nissan GT-R: A dedicated sports car, a high-tech weapon for the track, and entirely suitable for winding public roads. But it is not the most practical for day-to-day driving.
Price: $89,950.00
2011 BMW M3 Coupe Editors' Choice - 2011 BMW M3 Coupe: Performance technology makes the 2011 BMW M3 Coupe a thoroughbred performer, yet it can be optioned with plenty of cabin gadgets. Poor fuel economy limits its daily utility, but we still give the M3 an Editors' Choice Award.
Price: $58,900.00
2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe: If it weren't for the poor fuel economy, the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe would work well as both a weekend racer and a daily commute car, combining exceptional sport performance with practical cabin tech.
Price: $62,360
2011 Jaguar XJ Supersport: The 2011 Jaguar XJ Supersport embodies a high degree of luxury, aided by a stellar audio system. Performance tech makes it a fun car to drive, but it has its limits.
Price: $110,000.00