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Autos

Driven in 2011

Whether you like the curved silhouette, quiet grace and low-slung stance of the full-size hatchback, or find the car's profile and abrupt rear end excessive, awkward and dominantly avant-garde, it's likely you'll always give this Audi a second glance. Full review

Whether you like the curved silhouette, quiet grace and low-slung stance of the full-size hatchback, or find the car’s profile and abrupt rear end excessive, awkward and dominantly avant-garde, it’s likely you’ll always give this Audi a second glance. Full review   (Jeff Amlotte / Los Angeles Times)

2011 saw Times auto critics behind the wheel of sedans, luxury cars, sports cars, SUVs, the odd truck, small cars , green cars, minivans, convertibles (it is southern California after all, even a golf cart. Click through to see what they drove and read their full impressions. Driving gloves optional.

2012 Audi A6

There is much to laud about the 2012 Audi A6. It does nearly everything well, better than most of its peers, and does it in a more quiet and humble manner than its attention-grabbing kin. Full review  (Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP/Getty Images)

2012 Porsche 911

Sports cars: How does the all-new Porsche 911 Carrera S drive? Very well, actually. The biggest change from the car’s predecessor is efficiency and growth. Its base transmission is the world’s first seven-speed manual transmission for a car. Or you can go for Porsche’s optional and improved dual-clutch automatic transmission. Inside, the car takes quantum leap forward. First Look  (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)

2012 Porsche Cayman R

The Porsche Cayman R is easily one of the most raw, honest and condensed Porsches available. It’s an homage, an oratorio to the days when sports cars were loud, uncompromisingly carnal articulations of testosterone that bullied you into driving fast and dramatically. Full review  (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)

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2012 Lotus Evora S

Despite founder Colin Chapman’s credo: “Simplify, then add lightness” the company recently complicated, then reduced lightness in its latest product, the 2011 Evora S. Spend more than 60 seconds driving the S and you realize the irony is only compounded by the fact that in doing so, Lotus has created its most well-rounded vehicle yet. Full review  (David Undercoffler / Los Angeles Times)

2012 Fiat 500

Overall, the Fiat 500 is a stylish, well-priced addition to the increasingly crowded subcompact space. It isn’t perfect, but it is a great value that demonstrates that a lack of funds doesn’t have to mean dowdy design and limp performance. Full review  (Don Kelsen / Los Angeles Times)

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