Top Picks of 2023: Editors’ Choice by Joel Stocksdale

This past year I had the joy of participating in some amazing automotive adventures. The year saw me enjoying exhilarating drives in breathtaking locations, while also fulfilling some long-awaited goals. Join me as I share with you my top experiences from the year.

First up, I had the incredible opportunity to drive the BRZ tS and WRX TR in Sicily, tracing the famous Targo Florio driving route. The experience was an unforgettable whirlwind of a trip, showing just how perfect these Super Subarus are for any sporty driving.

Another highlight of the year was visiting the Daikoku PA in Tokyo, a must for any car enthusiast. It was my favorite memory of the year, with a parade of great cars and a priceless encounter with a fellow car-loving friend.

During my time in Tokyo, I had the unique opportunity to test Toyota’s manual EV prototype for the first time. The experience was truly mind-blowing, offering a convincing feel of a six-speed manual internal combustion car. Despite the practical implications, I enjoyed this innovative technological feat.

Toyota also introduced me to the Neo Steer Prototype, a fully hand-controlled vehicle. It was impressive and seemed to be a great option for people with limited leg mobility. Moreover, my experience with the fast-ratio steer-by-wire technology left me quite impressed.

In the realm of gaming, ‘Hot Wheels Unleashed 2’ was my favorite racing game of the year. I highly recommend it for any gaming enthusiast.

Moving on, Toyota unveiled the impressive EPU, an electric pickup that I am eagerly awaiting to arrive in the market. It’s high on my list of vehicles I want Toyota to build.

The design inspirations behind the VW ID. GTI, particularly the lines connecting it to an Oldsmobile, intrigued me. It’s even more exciting to know that this model is confirmed for production.

Driving the Audi R8 Quattro around Laguna Seca, even if for just two laps, was a thrilling experience that I won’t forget. This unforgettable driving experience gave me the opportunity to chase a multiple Le Mans champion around a world-renowned track.

Next up, McPherson College’s entry at Pebble Beach that secured the second position in its class made me proud as an alumnus of the college. The hard work that went into that car and the accolade were truly deserving.

I also came across the opportunity to see the 1965 Apollo GT from ‘The Love Bug’ being auctioned. The car is a piece of movie history and brought back nostalgic memories from one of my all-time favorite movies.

The 2023 VW Jetta turned out to be a delightful discovery. Despite the shrinking options for affordable and fun cars, the Jetta with a manual transmission impressed me with its cheerful and refined performance, dispelling the notion of a budget machine.

Lastly, I got to know the Hyundai Ioniq 6 at an auto show and fell in love with its design details. This showed me how the car stands out amongst the E-GMP cars. Through experiences like this, aspiring automotive professionals and enthusiasts can learn and grow in the automotive industry.