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Autoweek Best of the Best semifinalists announced

Ten cars and 10 trucks are in the running for honors as the 2013 Autoweek Best of the Best. Semifinalists will undergo further evaluation by our editors, who will judge the vehicles based on drivetrain, ride quality, handling, exterior, interior design and fun factor. The winner will be announced in the January 7, 2013 issue.

Lotus Evora Sports Racer (2013) first picture

This is the new 2013 Lotus Evora Sport Racer. Available in either standard Evora or supercharged 'S' form, the Sport Racer gets unique paint schemes, a wealth of optional extras thrown in – and a price cut to boot. Usually, less is more with Lotuses.

Driven: BMW i8

When BMW unveiled the Vision EfficientDynamics concept at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, we wrote: "for our money, it's the first time a major carmaker has really attempted to communicate ‘green' technology in an aesthetic sense." Fast-forward five years and we've swapped the show halls of the IAA for a beauty spot on the north-west coast of Scotland. And, while the car's name has changed to i8, our sentiment towards this genre- and era-defining car remains. Admittedly the production car's design execution hasn't received the universal praise of its concept forebears, but, on a remote outpost of the British Isles, a Protonic Blue i8 couldn't look more exotic.