Hold on tight as we present 100 fast
cars with the feel good factor
If you’re in the market for a car that can
put a smile on your face, you’ve never had it so good. From hot super minis and
fire breathing SUVs to nimble coupés and 200mph-plus hyper cars, there’s a
performance model out there to suit nearly every taste.
So we’ve compiled a list of the Top 100
Fast Fun cars on sale today. We’ve included every sporty model on the market,
and where there’s more than one engine, trim or body style available, we’ve
picked our ‘sweet spot’ in the range in terms of pure enjoyment.
You’ll also find our impressions from
behind the heel of the cars that matter, too, plus fast facts on the past
masters and the battle to hold the title of world’s fastest production car. So
buckle up and enjoy the ride, as we race through our top 100.
100.
Mercedes G63 AMG
The G-Wagen is the original Mercedes 4x4.
It was launched in 1979, while tuning division AMG has worked its magic on the
off-roader since 1999. Brick-worked aerodynamics peg back the G63’s
performance, but its 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 gives 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds –
still better than many sports cars.
Specs
·
Price: $184,763
·
Engine: 55 V8 twin-turbo
·
Power: 544bhp
·
Torque: 760Nm
·
0-62mph: 5.4 secs
·
Top spd: 130mph
99.
Hyundai Veloster Turbo SE
There’s been a coupé in the Hyundai line-up
since 1990. The original Scoupé was based on the dull Pony hatchback, but the
last Coupé SIII was a fun, front-drive sports car. Its successor, the Veloster,
handles just as tidily, while a 183bhp 1.6-liter engine makes the top-spec
Turbo SE a smooth performer. It doesn’t look as sharp as the SIII, but the
Veloster’s a lot more practical.
Specs
·
Price: $31,974
·
Engine: 1.6-liter 4cyl turbo
·
Power: 183bhp
·
Torque: 265Nm
·
0-62mph: 8.4 secs
·
Top spd: 133mph
98.
Smart ForTwo Brabus
The tiny ForTwo isn’t an obvious
performance model, but the Brabus stands out from the standard city car with
its sporty looks. There’s a chunky bodykit and Brabus’ familiar Monoblock
wheels, and buyers can personalize the ForTwo with a variety of options.
However, the turbocharged three-cylinder
under the boot floor is only good for 95mph, the car’s ride is firm and the
semi-automatic gearbox makes for frustrating progress. If you want a smoother
drive and zero emissions, an ElectricDrive Brabus is on the way.
Specs
·
Price: $23,063
·
Engine: 1.0-liter 3cyl turbo
·
Power: 102bhp
·
Torque: 147Nm
·
0-62mph: 8.9 secs
·
Top spd: 95mph
97.
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
The Corvette ZR1 is a bit of a handful for
UK roads, especially as it’s only available in left-hand drive. It uses a
supercharged V8 to cover 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and hit a 205mph top speed,
although the chassis struggles to rein in the engine’s 638bhp. A
seventh-generation model arrives next year. It will be called the Stingray,
reviving a popular name from the Corvette’s past.
Specs
·
Price: $159,000
·
Engine: 6.2 V8 supercharged
·
Power: 638bhp
·
Torque: 819Nm
·
0-60mph: 3.7 secs
·
Top spd: 205 mph
96.
Vauxhall Insignia VXR SS
There was a time when a four-door
performance car meant a Subaru Impreza or a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, but
four-wheel drive and a 321bhp turbo V6 have transformed the mundane Insignia
from repmobile to super saloon. A 0-60mph time of 5.6 seconds is impressive,
and the VXR SuperSport model has no speed limiter, so it can hit 170mph. The
cabin is well built and packed with kit.
Specs
·
Price: $45,030
·
Engine: 2.8-liter V6 turbo
·
Power: 321bhp
·
Torque: 435Nm
·
0-60mph: 5.6 secs
·
Top spd: 155mph (ltd)
95.
Caparo T1
If you want a Formula One car for the road,
look no further than the Caparo T1. With carbon fiber construction, a 575bhp
3.5-liter V8 and motorsport inspired double wishbone suspension; this 470kg
flier covers 0-60mph in less than 2.5 seconds. Even more impressive, however,
is the fact that it can generate up to 3g of lateral grip, thanks to the huge
amount of down force from the front rear wings. Trouble is, you’ll need a race
track to achieve the high speeds required to get those wings working properly.
Specs
·
Price: $316,500
·
Engine: 3.5-liter V8
·
Power: 575bhp
·
Torque: 420Nm
·
0-60mph: 2.5 secs
·
Top spd: 200mph (ltd)
94.
Volvo S60 T6 R-Design
Germany doesn’t have the exclusive rights
to performance saloons, as the Volvo S60 T6 proves. The in line turbo six packs
a lunch, while power is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic box.
However, you’ll have to look elsewhere for handling finesse. There’s plenty of
grip, but not much feedback through the controls. If you want to go faster, a
Polestar performance pack boosts power to 329bhp.
Specs
·
Price: $60,998
·
Engine: 3.0-liter straight-six turbo
·
Power: 304bhp
·
Torque: 440Nm
·
0-60mph: 5.9 secs
·
Top spd: 155mph (ltd)
93.
Nissan 370Z GT
In 1969, Nissan introduced a revolutionary
sports coupé, the 240Z, and its DNA can still be found in the company’s current
two-door. The 370Z has lost some of the magic that made its predecessor, the
350Z, such as engaging car to drive, but its 3.7-liter V6 still packs a
rear-wheel-drive punch. A 370Z Nismo, with sports exhaust, an extra 16bhp and
uprated suspension, arrives later this summer.
Specs
·
Price: $47,993
·
Engine: 3.7-liter V6
·
Power: 323bhp
·
Torque: 363Nm
·
0-62mph: 5.3 secs
·
Top spd: 155mph (ltd)
92.
Volkswagen Polo GTI
The Polo GTI features lowered suspension
and delivers 178bhp from its 1.4-liter turbo and supercharged engine. However,
lifeless steering, a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox and poor traction make
it uninspiring to drive. Much better is the Polo Blue GT, which can be had with
a manual box. It’s nearly as sharp to drive and uses cylinder deactivation to
return claimed economy of 62.1mpg.
Specs
·
Price: $29,355
·
Engine: 1.4-liter 4cyl turbo
·
Power: 178bhp
·
Torque: 185Nm
·
0-60mph: 6.9 secs
·
Top spd: 142mph
91.
Morgan Plus 8
Britain’s oldest sports car is still going
strong. Morgan continues to handcraft each model just as it did in the
thirties, but there’s now a nod to modern technology under the swooping
bodywork.
The Plus 8 uses the same aluminum chassis
as the Aero 8 coupé, and has a BMW-sourced 4.8-liter V8.
Modern wheels and semi-slick tyres help keep the Morgan on the straight and
narrow. But while it’s a fabulous cruiser, it’s deeply flawed when you press
on, with lots of chassis flex and no driver aids.
Specs
·
Price: $127,800
·
Engine: 4.8-liter V8
·
Power: 367bhp
·
Torque: 490Nm
·
0-60mph: 45 secs
·
Top spd: 155mph
