What Autoblog is Thankful For in 2012

There's plenty of reasons to be thankful this year, but I'm particularly thankful for the manual transmission. Even though dual clutch gearboxes are getting better and better (and indeed, there are some applications where I prefer them) I'm glad that some automakers are still committed to offering three pedals.

In fact, I'm excited to hear that the take rate for manuals actually increased earlier this year, even if it was only a temporary blip. The slow death of the manual transmission is likely inevitable due to cost and regulatory issues, but for the moment, we're seeing the seeds of a tiny renaissance. Porsche has given us a newly developed seven-speed 'box and BMW is understood to be working on one, too. In fact, BMW has already gone out of its way to put manuals in Stateside models that don't even get them in their home market. For diehard tripedalists like me, that's reason enough to pause and give thanks before carving up the holiday's sacrificial bird.

– Chris Paukert, Executive Editor

Photo: Copyright 2012 Drew Phillips / AOL

If you want to start an argument in the virtual halls of Autoblog, bring up Elon Musk. The polarizing leader of both Tesla Motors and SpaceX (as well as co-founder of PayPal) just rubs a few of us the wrong way, and yet others think that what he's done with his fledgling automaker is monumentally important. I'm in the latter camp because, as I see it, Tesla is the only company to have built and sold an all-electric vehicle that can take the place of its gas-powered counterpart without compromise. Tesla has yet to prove its business case is viable in the long run, but while the jury's out on that, we've witnessed some incredible advancements in electric vehicle technology. The latest of which, the Model S, receiving near universal critical acclaim. My gut tells me that regardless of gas prices or government legislation, Elon Musk envisions an EV future that he intends to make reality. With the passing of Steve Jobs last year, I'm thankful the world still has people with such powerful wills to move us forward whether we like it or not.

– John Neff, Editor-in-Chief

Photo: Nicholas Kamm / AFP / Getty

I'm going to be really lame here and reiterate what I said in this exact post two years ago. But I don't care. Because I am wholly, truly, madly, deeply, unabashedly in love with and thankful for the hot hatchback.

Perhaps it was conducting our recent comparison test between the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen GTI that reminded me just how much I love these little cars, but the more I think about it, there really a single type of automobile that I love more than the small, turbocharged hatchback. They're immensely functional, hilariously fun to drive and every last one of them has the sort of tiny-tough appearance that just makes me giggle.

Things are only going to get better for the hot hatch segment, too. Ford brought the Focus ST to our shores for 2013, and the smaller Fiesta ST is right around the corner. Chevrolet gave us the Sonic RS earlier this year (okay, it's not all that hot), and Mini has brought back the awesome (and expensive) John Cooper Works GP. Segment stalwarts like the Subaru WRX, Mazdaspeed3 and Volkswagen GTI all have new versions in the works, too.

So, long live the hot hatches. They'll always be Number One in my book.

– Steven J. Ewing, Senior Editor and Test Fleet Manager

Photo: Copyright 2012 Chris Amos / AOL