20.
Nissan GT-R
In Japan, the GT-R is revered as the
nation’s ultimate sports car, and the raft of hi-tech electronics makes it a
car for the PlayStation generation. Press the right buttons, and it can launch
from 0-62mph in less than three seconds, while an array of sensors means the
four-wheel-drive system keeps the big two-ton coupe stuck to the road whatever
the weather.
Specs
·
Price: $114,915
·
Engine: 3.8 V6 twin-turbo
·
Power: 542bhp
·
Torque: 630Nm
·
0-62mph: 2.8 secs
·
Top spd: 196mph
19.
Renaultsport Mégane Cup
Not many hot hatches come close to the
Renaultsport Mégane for handling thrills. It has the looks to go with it, too,
thanks to a sporty body kit and black 18-inch alloy wheels, while Recaro seats
are fitted as standard. The combination of light weight, an agile chassis,
sharp Brembo brakes and punchy, 2.0-liter turbo engine means you’ll be eager to
find the twistiest back roads possible.
Specs
·
Price: $37,883
·
Engine: 2.0-liter 4cyl turbo
·
Power: 265bhp
·
Torque: 361Nm
·
0-62mph: 6.0 secs
·
Top spd: 158mph
18.
Audi R8 V8 Coupé
It’s been around for over six years now,
but the R8’s appeal remains undimmed. The stunning two-seater still turn heads
wherever it goes, while the driving experience is every bit as memorable. At
the top of the range is the Lamborghini-engined V10, which will crack 200mph.
Yet we’d go for the V8 – it’s nearly as fast and delivers an equally
spine-tingling soundtrack.
Specs
·
Price: $139,065
·
Engine: 4.2-liter V8
·
Power: 424bhp
·
Torque: 430Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.3 secs
·
Top spd: 186mph
17.
Pagani Huayra
If you asked a schoolboy to draw a
supercar, it’d look like the Huayra. Incredibly, this Pagani is even more
remarkable to drive than it is to look at. The Mercedes AMG twin-turbo
6.0-liter V12 delivers ferocious acceleration, while automatic aerodynamic
flaps at the rear help keep the car on the road. And given its size, the Pagani
is surprisingly agile.
Specs
·
Price: $1,200,000
·
Engine: 6.0 V12 twin-turbo
·
Power: 720bhp
·
Torque: 1,000Nm
·
0-62mph: 3.3 secs
·
Top spd: 224mph
16.
Subaru BRZ
Subaru is famous for rally-bred
four-wheel-drive saloons, but the brand’s latest model follows a much simpler
recipe. As with its Toyota GT 86 cousin, the BRZ has a traditional
rear-wheel-drive layout, and a modest 197bhp boxer engine. It’s fun at any speed,
with hugely entertaining handling and that characterful engine. But it’s not
quite as much fun as the Toyota.
Specs
·
Price: $37,493
·
Engine: 2.0-liter flat 4cyl
·
Power: 197bhp
·
Torque: 205Nm
·
0-62mph: 7.6 secs
·
Top spd: 140mph
15.
Mercedes SLS AMG GT
You know the SLS is going to be special the
moment you open one of its attention-grabbing gullwing doors – a nod to the
famous fifties 300SL. Yet while some of the styling cues are rooted in the
past, the rest is bang up to date. Hiding under the long bonnet is one of
Mercedes’ thunderous hand-built V8 engines, which is coupled to a seven-speed
twin-clutch gearbox to deliver breathtaking performance. And while the SLS
looks bulky on the outside, its rear-wheel-drive chassis provides agile and
entertaining handling. Yet it’s expensive, but few cars at any price offer this
much drama.
Specs
·
Price: $247,545
·
Engine: 6.2-liter V8
·
Power: 583bhp
·
Torque: 650Nm
·
0-62mph: 3.7 secs
·
Top spd: 199mph
14.
Ford Focus ST
Ford has a long tradition for delivering
performance cars for the man on the street – and the latest Focus ST is no
exception. A body kit and 18-inch alloys leave you in no doubt about the car’s
performance potential, while under the bonnet is a 247bhp 2.0-liter petrol
engine, which delivers thumping performance and a growling soundtrack. Yet it’s
the beautifully weighted controls and agility that mark this car out as special
– and as is the case with all fast Fords, the thrills don’s come with big
bills, as prices start at just $ 32,993.
Specs
·
Price: $32,993
·
Engine: 2.0-liter 4cyl turbo
·
Power: 247bhp
·
Torque: 339Nm
·
0-62mph: 6.5 secs
·
Top spd: 154mph
13.
MINI JCW GP Works II
If you like your hot hatch thrills raw,
book no further than the MINI JCW GP Works. With its tuned 215hph 1.6-liter
turbo, uprated chassis, beefed-up brakes and stripped- out interior, the
second-generation GP is pretty intense. When the Kumho tires are cold, it can
snap into wayward over steer. But once warm, the race-inspired rubber provides
staggering grip.
Specs
·
Price: $43,185
·
Engine: 1.6-liter 4cyl turbo
·
Power: 215bhp
·
Torque: 280Nm
·
0-62mph: 6.3 secs
·
Top spd: 150mph
12.
McLaren 12C Spider
When the multiple Formula One Champion set
out to build a Ferrari-beating supercar, the results were always going to be
explosive. And the12C’s 616bhp twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 leaves your
head-spinning as soon as you press the throttle. Fortunately, the car has the
grip, poise and agility to match its performance, while its hi-tech driver aids
flatter you into thinking you’re Jenson Button.
Specs
·
Price: $293,250
·
Engine: 3.8-liter V6 turbo
·
Power: 616bhp
·
Torque: 600Nm
·
0-62mph: 3.1 secs
·
Top spd: 207mph
11.
BMW M135i
Could the M135i be one of the hot hatch
bargains of the decade? On paper, its $45,832 price seems steep, but for that
money you get a 316bhp straight-six, agile rear-wheel-drive dandling and BMW M
division pedigree. Performance is of course spectacular, but it’s the engaging,
adjustable chassis that really impresses, always encouraging you to take the
long route home.
Specs
·
Price: $45,833
·
Engine: 3.0-liter 6cyl turbo
·
Power: 316bhp
·
Torque: 450Nm
·
0-62mph: 4.9 secs
·
Top spd: 155mph
