40.
Aston Martin Rapide S
Elegant Rapide is essentially a DB9 with
two extra doors, so while the back seats are a bit cramped for luxury travel,
this is still an excellent grand tourer. Under the skin is the DB9’s 6.0-liter
V12, with 550bhp in the new Rapide S. This model has a revised look, although
the larger grille spoils the design. On the road, the Rapide is just as
engaging as Aston’s coupés. And is a supreme high-speed cruiser.
Specs
·
Price: $219,053
·
Engine: 6.0-liter V12
·
Power: 550bhp
·
Torque: 620Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.9secs
·
Top spd: 190mph
39.
Porsche Panamera GTS
While the styling is questionable, there’s
no arguing with the luxurious Panamera saloon’s performance. It uses the same
platform as Porsche’s Cayenne SUV, but matches the brand’s sports car for
driving fun. The line-up ranges from the imminent S E-Hybrid to the 189bhp
Turbo, while 4 WD is also offered. We’d go for the GTS- it’s nearly as fast as
the Turbo, but had crisper rear-drive handling.
Specs
·
Price: $139,763
·
Engine: 4.8-liter V8
·
Power: 434bhp
·
Torque: 520Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.4secs
·
Top spd: 179mph
38. BAC Mono
The Mono gets its name from its single-seat
layout, and the race car feel continues with the space frame chassis, pushrod
suspension and stripped-back cabin with its steering wheel controls. Combine
the 2.3-liter Cosworth engine with the 540kg kerb weight, and you get 0-60mph
in an explosive 2.8seconds. But to truly exploit the razor-sharp handling, you
need to take the Mono on a track.
Specs
·
Price: $123,668
·
Engine: 2.3-liter 4cyl
·
Power: 280bhp
·
Torque: 280Nm
·
0-60mph: 2.8secs
·
Top spd: 170mph
37.
Vauxhall Astra VXR
Hot Vauxhall hatches have always had a
reputation for being more powerful than their class rivals, and the latest
Astra VXR upholds that tradition.
With its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine
delivering 276bhp through the front wheels, the striking three-door could be a
recipe for unruly torque steer. However, the company has managed to rein in
this power with a trick front suspension set up - called HiPerStrut – that’s
sourced from the biggest Insignia VXR.
Yet while the top-of-the range Astra is one
for the best-handling fast cars ever to wear the Vauxhall badge, it still
trails competitors like the Renaultsport Mégane for agility and fun.
Specs
·
Price: $40,515
·
Engine: 2.0-liter 4cyl turbo
·
Power: 276bhp
·
Torque: 400Nm
·
0-60mph: 5.9secs
·
Top spd: 155mph
36.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage S
Constant revision has kept Aston’s smallest
sports car on the pace. Choose between coupé or Roadster and V8 or V12 engines,
plus there are sharper Vantage S models. While the V12 Vantage offers the most
performance, the V8 Vantage S puts a greater focus on enthusiastic driving. The
seven-speed Sportshift auto provides lightning quick changes, and stiff
suspension gives amazing responses.
Specs
·
Price: $151,620
·
Engine: 4.7-liter V8
·
Power: 430bhp
·
Torque: 490Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.5secs
·
Top spd: 190mph
35. Peugeot 208 GTi
Ever since the 205 GTi went out of
production in 1994, Peugeot has been trying to build a hot hatch with the same
handling magic. The 208 GTi doesn’t quite do this, but it still worthy of the
GTi badge. There’s masses of grip and quick turn-in, and while the steering
lacks feedback, the 1.6-liter turbo delivers a slab of midrange power that’s
easy to manage, courtesy of the slick six-speed manual box. We just wish there
was a more distinctive look to set the GTi apart from lesser 208s.
Specs
·
Price: $28,350
·
Engine: 1.6-liter 4cyl turbo
·
Power: 200bhp
·
Torque: 275Nm
·
0-62mph: 6.8secs
·
Top spd: 143mph
34.
Lotus Elise
The Elise has been the mainstay of the
Lotus line-up since it was introduced in 1996. The Series II arrived in 2002,
and sticks to the vision of company founder Colin Chapman by offering
lightweight construction to deliver the purest driving experience possible.
Power comes from a Toyota-sourced 1.6-liter
engine, but as the Elise weighs less than 1,000kg, performance is spirited. You
can carry lots of speed into corners, with the mid-engined layout guaranteeing
great handling balance, while perfectly weighted steering tells you exactly
what’s going on at the front wheels.
Specs
·
Price: $43,575
·
Engine: 1.6-liter 4cyl
·
Power: 134bhp
·
Torque: 160Nm
·
0-62mph: 6.0secs
·
Top spd: 127mph
33.
Audi RS4 Avant
Audi’s first high-performance RS model was
the 1994 RS2 Avant, and this is its spiritual successor. Under the RS4 Avant’s
bonnet is a rev-hungry 444bhp 4.2-liter V8, while the blistered wheel arches,
fat tires and huge mesh grille hint at the estate’s potential. Quattro
four-wheel drive delivers tones of grip although the hi-tech electronic aids
take the edge off driving fun.
Specs
·
Price: $83,288
·
Engine: 4.2-liter V8
·
Power: 444bhp
·
Torque: 430Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.7secs
·
Top spd: 155mph (ltd)
32.
Aston Martin Vanquish
Evolution, not revolution – that’s Aston’s
design ethos. So the latest Vanquish mixes the best bits of the DBS and
exclusive One-77. The 6.0-liter V12 has 555bhp more than in the DBS, at 565bhp,
and a carbon fiber body gives a 1kg weight saving, but the Vanquish drives like
the DBS. And standard adaptive dampers transform it from comfortable GT to
hardcore track car at the push of a button.
Specs
·
Price: $286,620
·
Engine: 6.0-liter V12
·
Power: 565bhp
·
Torque: 620Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.1secs
·
Top spd: 183mph
31.
Jaguar XFR
By fitting the XKR’s supercharged V8 to the
XF, Jaguar has created a thrilling super saloon. The XFR offers aggressive
looks, a rumbling exhaust note and a comfortable cabin, and an eight-speed box
makes exploiting the performance easy, although the car struggles with traction
in the wet. A Speed Pack option adds a body kit and 174mph top speed, while a
more lairy XFR-S (above) arrives later this year.
Specs
·
Price: $98,123
·
Engine: 5.0-liter V8 s’ charged
·
Power: 503bhp
·
Torque: 625Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.7secs
·
Top spd: 155mph
