30.
Lamborghini Aventador
Nothing screams excess more than a
Lamborghini, but the Aventador has the big numbers to back up its extravagant
looks. The 6.5-liter V12 produces 700bhp and 890mph in 2.9 seconds, and on to a
top speed of 217 mph. There’s more to the Aventador than this, however. Carbon
fiber construction, pushrod suspension, electronically controlled four-wheel
drive and a paddle-operated gearbox with 50-millisecond shifts ensure it drives
as dramatically as it looks.
Specs
·
Price: $390,060
·
Engine: 6.5-liter V12
·
Power: 700bhp
·
Torque: 890Nm
·
0-62mph: 2.9secs
·
Top spd: 217mph
29.
Mercedes SL63 AMG
Adding the AMG badge transforms the luxury
two-seater SL into a fire-breathing sports car. The 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8
delivers knockout performance, but this is backed up by surprising agile
handling for such a heavy car. Adaptive dampers, a sweet-shifting seven-speed
auto gearbox and hi-tech traction control systems give the SL63 the ability to
lap a track as quickly as Porsche 911.
Specs
·
Price: $166,178
·
Engine: 5.5 V8 twin-turbo
·
Power: 564bhp
·
Torque: 900Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.2secs
·
Top spd: 186mph
28.
Maserati GranTurismo Sport
Here’s proof that the Brits don’t have a
monopoly on grand touring coupés. The Maserati GranTurismo has bags of
character and stonking power from its Ferrari-sourced V8. The hardcore MC
Stradale (left) is a Porsche 911 chaser, with uprated suspension, carbon
ceramic brakes and a superfast paddle shift gearbox. However, we’d go for the
GranTurismo Sport – it’s nearly as fast as the MC, but is that little bit more
comfortable.
Specs
·
Price: $168,000
·
Engine: 4.7-liter V8
·
Power: 454bhp
·
Torque: 520Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.5secs
·
Top spd: 188mph
27. Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupé
The front-engined, rear-drive two-seater
MX-5 delivers unadulterated driving fun. It has just enough power to keep
things exciting, and the handling balance makes it great to drive on twisty
roads. Go for the 2.0-liter car with a sex-speed, manual box for the most
entertaining drive, while the Roadster Coupé (above) has and electric folding
hard top that makes it as comfortable as any coupé.
Specs
·
Price: $34,643
·
Engine: 2.0-liter 4cyl
·
Power: 158bhp
·
Torque: 188Nm
·
0-62mph: 7.9secs
·
Top spd: 136mph
26.
Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
Bugatti’s engineering tour de force, the
Veyron, is still making headlines. The Super Sport model uses a 1,183bhp
version of Bugatti’s 8.0-liter quad-turbo W16 to deliver a record-breaking top
speed of 268mph. With the same engine, the Grand SportVitesse is the fastest
roadster, hitting a ‘mere’ 254mph. The car’s straight-line pace is matched by
mega four-wheel-drive grip.
Specs
·
Price: $2,353,476
·
Engine: 8.0 W16 quad-turbo
·
Power: 1,183bhp
·
Torque: 1,500Nm
·
0-62mph: 2.5 secs
·
Top spd: 268mph
25.
BMW M3 Coupé Comp. Pack
It’s nearing the end of its life, but the
M3 is still hugely entertaining. The 4.0-liter V8 has lots of low-down power,
and if revved all the way to its 8,400rpm red line it’ll keep up with a Porsche
911. If buying the coupé, upgrade to the Competition Pack. This adds a carbon
fiber roof and lightweight 19-inch alloys, plus under-the-skin tweaks, such as
adaptive dampers and revised stability control.
Specs
·
Price: $82,418
·
Engine: 4.0-liter V8
·
Power: 420bhp
·
Torque: 400Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.8secs
·
Top spd: 155mph (ltd)
24.
Ariel Atom 3.5
The Ariel Atom is all about driving fun. A
bare cockpit and the running gear is of motorsport quality. The Atom 3.5 uses
the 2.0-liter engine from the Civic Type R, but it’s still good for 0-60mph in
3.3 seconds. If that’s not fast enough, there’s always a 270bhp Mugen model, or
even the winged 500bhp V8 for an eye-watering $187,500.
Specs
·
Price: $45,894
·
Engine: 2.0-liter 4cyl
·
Power: 245bhp
·
Torque: 210Nm
·
0-60mph: 3.3 secs
·
Top spd: 143mph
23.
Mercedes C63 AMG
Whether you go for the coupé, saloon or
estate, the C63 has one of the most powerful, not to mention tuneful, engines
on the market. At it does 0-62mph in a supercar-rivaling 4.5 seconds. The C63
is just as talented in corners, too, especially the coupé. And if you want a touring
car for the road, the Black Series coupé has the performance to match its race
car looks.
Specs
·
Price: $85,448
·
Engine: 6.2-liter V8
·
Power: 457bhp
·
Torque: 600Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.5secs
·
Top spd: 155mph
22.
Suzuki Swift Sport
The Swift Sport is one of the best-kept
secrets in the hot hatch class. A revvy 1.6-liter engine and light weight mean
it’s a blest to drive on a country road. The engine’s 134bhp output is one of
the smallest in our countdown, but the crisp six-speed gearbox means it’s easy
to use, and the agile chassis will always put a smile on your face. It’s also
one of the more cost-effective cars on our list.
Specs
·
Price: $20,624
·
Engine: 1.6-liter 4cyl
·
Power: 134bhp
·
Torque: 160Nm
·
0-62mph: 8.7 secs
·
Top spd: 121mph
21.
MINI Cooper JCW
Any MINI is entertaining to drive, but the
flagship John Cooper Works model delivers punchy performance to go with its
agile chassis. The 1.6-liter turbo form the Cooper S has been tweaked to
produce 211bhp. This power is easily accessible, thanks to the positive
gearshift and instant throttle response. A trick differential helps put the
power on the road, while stiff suspension delivers limpet-like grip in corners.
The JCW isn’t exclusively a hatch, either – it’s offered in racy Coupé and Roadster
guises, or even as a Convertible or Clubman estate.
Specs
·
Price: $33,690
·
Engine: 1.6-liter 4cyl turbo
·
Power: 211bhp
·
Torque: 280Nm
·
0-62mph: 6.6 secs
·
Top spd: 148mph
