If it's power, performance and handling you're after, whatever the price, it has got to be one of these hot hatches, supercars or performance coupes, writes Paddy Comyn
PERFORMANCE COUPES
AUDI S5
Price:€85,500
Seats:5
Doors:3
Engines:4.2
CO2:298g/km
The first time we drove this car, at the European launch, it
didn't feel half as special as it did when we got it back to Irish
roads. First, there are the looks, which are simply stunning.
Everywhere you go in the S5, man, woman and child cannot help but
stare. It is truly one of the most beautiful cars on the road.
Then there is the engine - 4.2-litres of V8 power that has
the most delicious grumble. This unit puts out a huge 354bhp of
power and thanks to quattro all-wheel-drive, all this power stays
on the road and this helps to keep you there too. We really can't
wait for the RS5, which is bound to follow - that will be a truly
super coupé.
Porsche Cayman
Price:€78,600-€99,750
Seats:2
Doors:2
Engines:2.7, 3.4
CO2:222g/km - 262g/km
Without doubt one of the finest driver's cars you can buy.
You can choose from two power outputs, the 245bhp 2.7-litre or the
295bhp offered by the 3.4-litre. The Cayman has had some criticism
over its styling, which looks the same from the back as it does
from the front.
However, this is quickly forgotten when you are behind the
wheel. This car responds to your steering inputs as if by
telepathy. There is a still a huge demand for this car so it can
take a while to get one, but the rewards of owning one would be
plentiful. And it does beg the question: with the Cayman this good,
why would you bother with the 911?
BMW M3
Price:€103,900
Seats:5
Doors:3
Engines:4.0
CO2:295g/km
It would be hard to talk about performance coupés
without mentioning the arrival of the new BMWM3.
Following in a long line of M-powered 3-Series, the latest M3
offers the most powerful engine yet - a 4.0-litre V8 putting out
414bhp and 400Nm of torque.
Full to the brim with the latest technology, the new M3 is
not a hard car to drive fast as there is so much working in the
background to keep things tidy. Turn all these off and you will
need to be sure of your abilities.
The M3 doesn't feel top dog any more compared to, say, the
Audi RS4, so you can expect an even more potent version coming on
stream very soon.
Mazda RX-8
Price:€38,995-€46,895
Seats:4
Doors:4
Engines:2.6
CO2:267g/km - 284g/km
The RX-8 kind of breaks the rules of the coupé class by
having four doors and four proper seats, but it is not just the
practical packaging that makes the RX-8 appealing.
The 2.6-litre rotary engine can be chosen with either 192bhp
or 231bhp and this freerevving engine puts down the power through
the rear wheels. The rotary engine makes an impressive noise but it
sure likes petrol and oil, both of which it seems to consume with
wanton abandon. The RX-8 offers good value for money too, with high
levels of standard equipment.
Nissan 350Z
Price:€58,495
Seats:2
Doors:3
Engines:3.5
CO2:280g/km
Even though it has been around now for a while, the 350Z is
still one of the best coupés on the road and offers one of the
most thrilling driving experiences going.
This is a true muscle car, with a throbbing V6 putting 313bhp
through the rear wheels, pushing the car to 100km/h in just 5.7
seconds and on to a top speed of 250km/h. The handling is sublime.
You really feel as if you are driving this car, it responds to
every flick of the steering wheel. The only real drawback is the
interior plastics.
SUPER CARS
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Price:€170,000-€200,000
Seats:2
Doors:2
Engines:4.2 V8
CO2:358g/km - 360g/km
Aston Martin's entry-level car is a masterpiece. The AMV8
gave Aston Martin a greater audience, thanks to its delightful
380bhp 4.3-litre V8 engine, breathtaking styling, light body and
reasonably accessible price tag.
This is a very user-friendly supercar and beautifully made.
At low speeds you could be in any car, so muted is the experience,
but stamp your foot down and dial up 4,000-plus rpm and that
exquisite V8 barks into life.
The AMV8 weighs 200kg less than the larger DB9 and feels more
agile, thanks to a shorter wheelbase and an engine mounted behind
the front axle. Oh and did we mention that it is stunning to look
at?
Porsche 911
Price:€132,750-€219,000
Seats:2
Doors:2
Engines:3.6, 3.8
CO2:266g/km - 328g/km
Now in its sixth generation, the 911 is the best supercar
because it really has it all. Not only has Porsche had decades of
practice to get the car that defies the laws of physics (engine and
power from the back shouldn't work) just right, but it is also a
high performance car that you can use every day if you want to.
With a 911 you get an exhilarating experience, from the delicious
grumble of the engines, to the steering which is close to perfect
in terms of feeling and feedback.
The balance of this car is amazing and with clever aids to
keep things well behaved, the car is easier to pilot than ever. The
fact that you can drive this car anywhere without too much fuss
makes it a real winner. You can choose from rear-wheel drive or
all-wheel drive, with power ranging from 325bhp in the Carrera, to
530bhp in the GT2.
Ferrari F430
Price:€270,000-€300,000+
Seats:2
Doors:2
Engines:4.3 V8
CO2:420g/km
We fell for the charms of the F430 after an extended run in the car this summer. There really is little to touch it terms of true sense of occasion and, when it comes to an engine, the 4.2-litre V8 that sits under the stunning body is a masterpiece.
Ferrari has just added a Scuderia version which includes carbon fibre, less weight and carbon brakes among its changes. Both of these cars offer sublime performance, a fondness for attention and a dramatic thirst for fuel. 0-100km/h takes just 3.9 seconds and the top speed is 315km/h. This is actually a surprisingly easy car to drive, so the notion of a everyday Ferrari is not so daft after all.
BMW M5
Price:€140,000
Seats:5
Doors:4/5
Engines:5.0 V10
CO2:357g/km
If you want to own a supercar, but don't want to change your
lifestyle or give your children up for adoption, then the closest
you can get with four doors and four seats (for now anyway) is the
BMW M5, and it costs a whole lot less than some of its rivals.
Offering a blistering 507bhp from the vocal 5.0-litre V10,
the M5 is an incredible machine that is as practical and
comfortable as any regular 5-Series. We prefer it to the M6, which
feels just that little bit too bonkers at times.
Lamborghini Gallardo
Price:€240,000-€260,000
Seats:2
Doors:2
Engines:5.0
CO2:400g/km
Powered by a 5.0-litre V10 engine putting out 500bhp and with
an advanced aluminium spaceframe body, the Gallardo is an
amazing-looking car and surprisingly easy to drive. It takes a mere
4.3 seconds to go from 0-100km/h and top speed is 310km/h. The
all-wheel-drive Gallardo is pretty easy to pilot and has simply
amazing grip, which is handy when you are dealing with this sort of
power.
HOT HATCHES
Ford Focus ST
Price:€35,495-€36,095
Seats:5
Doors:3/5
Engines:2.5
CO2:224g/km
If you are after a hot hatchback, then we reckon this is the
best of them. Coming in at under €36,000, the ST comes with a
2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo unit that puts out 225bhp and 320Nm
of torque, and this means it is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h
in just 6.8 seconds.
Because it is based on the Focus, the layout will be very
familiar and while the cabin could feel a little better, it is
still well put together. The beauty of this car is just how easy it
is to drive, whether you are in town or on a racetrack.
It has a brilliant split personality. So many of these type
of cars are too bone-shaking because of their hard ride, but the
Focus manages to be comfortable under normal driving conditions and
poised when you push it hard. The engine is a masterpiece,
sounding great and offering loads of pulling power. It might not
hold its value as well as a Volkswagen Golf GTi, but for us it is a
better car.
Volkswagen Golf GTi
Price:€35,610-€38,205
Seats:5
Doors:3/5
Engines:2.0
CO2:188g/km - 189g/km
When Volkswagen produced this latest GTi it returned to form
with a bang. It comes as a three or five-door and has a choice of
six-speed manual or doubleclutch sequential DSG. The latter
transmission is really superb, managing to get the GTi to 100km/h
faster than the manual gearbox can manage.
Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre, turbocharged, FSI engine
that delivers 200bhp and 280Nm of torque, and this engine is
incredibly flexible. Expect VW to be back with a 230bhp facelifted
version soon.
Renault Clio 197
Price:€32,000
Seats:5
Doors:3
Engines:2.0
CO2:199g/km
This is without doubt one of the best hot hatchbacks you can
buy. Power comes from a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre 16-value
engine that puts out 197bhp.
Power goes through the front wheels via a six-speed manual
gearbox and it can sprint to 100km/h in a mere 6.9 seconds. The
styling of the car is suitably pumped up. This is a fun car to
drive, feeling like a go-kart for adults with very little
understeer.
However, you need to work this car hard to get the best out
of it and that can feel a little tiresome.
Mini Cooper S
Price:€29,650
Seats:4
Doors:3
Engines:1.6
CO2:165g/km
This second-generation of the Cooper S is one of the most
entertaining cars to drive. The old engine has been replaced by a
turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, so power has increased to 175bhp,
but it does feel like it has lost some of its punch. The six-speed
manual gearbox is precise and it has brilliant handling.
There is so much grip and even when you do slide it is always
controlled and is tempered by the ESP.
Opel Corsa OPC
Price:€28,995
Seats:5
Doors:3
Engines:1.6
CO2:190g/km
The Corsa OPC offers some of the best performance for money.
It gets an impressive 192bhp from the turbocharged 1.6-litre
engine, and offers a perfect mix of supermini nimbleness and
outrageous performance. The extra power is well managed by the
little Corsa and it is a hoot to drive, but on the downside could
do with a little more steering feel. Performance is impressive,
with 0-100km/h taking just 7.2 seconds.