When BMW's `M' stands for mockery

John LeBlanc

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

Worst: BMW X6M

Of the more than 100 new vehicles I drove this year, I have to admit none could outdo last year's Dodge Nitro for outright ineptness.

But then, perhaps thinking that it was concerned about a repeat award, Chrysler didn't make one of its four-cylinder Sebring sedan's available for me to try out.

No worries. There was still one car I tested this year that stood out for all the wrong reasons.

If not the "Worst Car of the Year," then BMW's new X6 M gets the nod as "The Most Irrelevant Car of the Year."

Now, I'm on record as saying that despite its built-in idiocy (according to its maker, it's a four-seat Sports Activity Coupé), the cooking $65,600 X6 xDrive35i is one of the best-handling vehicles out there–for an SUV!

But then BMW decided to crank up the X6's lack of pragmatism to 11 by making it one of the first (the other is the X5 M) BMW SUVs to wear the celebrated M badge.

You know, from the German automaker's in-house performance brand that brought us legendary driving machines like the M3 and M5?

For 23 per cent more than a 400 hp $80,900 X6 xDrive50i, you get 11 per cent more power in the M version, and some other M trinkets and gee-gaws.

All of which can't hide the fact the X6 is still a tall, über-heavy vehicle that will never, ever lap a racetrack in competition, as BMW's PR people had us do at Road Atlanta.

Fun? In a perverse way, yes.

But relevant? Er, not so much.

Best: Volkswagen Golf

With only 500 samples slated for its two-year production, the Lexus LF-A super car was the most exclusive car I had the good fortune to drive this year.

The most outrageous? The Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder.

The Nissan 370Z was the most fun. And the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon gave me the most hope that we Ontario taxpayers will get some of our money back out from Government Motors.

But the 2010 Volkswagen Golf was the best car (based on overall competency, value-for-money and market relevancy) I drove.

Between $20,000 and $30,000, here's a car that does it all.

For starters, you get a choice of either three- or five-door hatchbacks or a full-on station wagon.

All possess a practical, roomy and luxurious cabin that wouldn't look out of place in a $10,000 more expensive Audi. As in, say, the A3, that shares the Golf's platform and engines.

From the solid closing doors to its grown-up seats to the soft-touch plastics and chrome trim, to the tight shut lines on its exterior body panels, everything about the Golf signifies VW's renewed emphasis on quality.

Second, VW offers the Golf in three distinct personalities.

You'll find a smooth and relaxed 170 hp, five-cylinder gas version; fuel-sipping 140 hp, turbo-diesel; or fun-to-drive, 200 hp turbocharged GTI.

With the new diesel and GTI, you can also opt for a sophisticated dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Plus, it's German.

So, the VW's chassis is a better compromise between out-and-out handling prowess and ride comfort compared to its chief rival, the Mazda3.

Of course, for about the same money, I hear there are a few '09 Chrysler Sebrings still available.

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