RE: PH 2016 - Our favourite cars and bikes
Saturday 24th December 2016
You'll be able to read elsewhere which of the cars we drove attracted the most attention from you guys. Here we make our personal choices as to the cars or bikes that most rocked our world in 2016. Share yours in the comments thread below!
Porsche 718 Cayman S
Let's have it! Flak jacket on but I absolutely love the 718 Boxsters and Caymans. I love the fact they're so controversial and, ultimately, so misunderstood. People, this is a £50K mid-engined sports car with a 350hp engine and available with a six-speed manual driving the rear wheels through a limited-slip diff. It has possibly the best inherent balance, the best chassis, the best steering and the best control weights of any modern sports car. It's as inspiring on the daily grind as it is on a B-road or track. And you're moaning that it sounds dull? Read up on that engine before you climb on your soapbox because this is no hatchback hand-me-down. It's brimming with technical intrigue, packs a huge mid-range punch, sings to the redline and has inertia-free throttle response we've never enjoyed before in a turbo four.
(Dan Trent)
Audi RS6 Performance
From the moment I first drove Dan's Range Rover Sport SVR I was blown away. It was just an epic blend of performance, drama and practicality and I immediately started making claims of it being my 'daily driver' if I won the lottery. And then I drove the latest Audi RS6Performance. Faster, more practical, better looking and (definitely) more subtle, it had the SVR covered off in every respect aside from noise. But even then it wasn't by much and it still sounds phenomenal. It then went on to show just how capable it was on track at Blyton Park up against some unlikely competition. I know what I'll be buying if I win the lottery; I'll have mine in dark grey, covered in road grime and de-badged please.
(James Drake)
Triumph T120 range
It is hard to pick out a favourite bike of 2016 - there have been some excellent models but none have been really that outstanding. The Yamaha Tracer 700 and Suzuki SV650 are very worthy, the Yamaha XSR models and Triumph T100 Bonnevilles fun and fresh looking, while the Yamaha MT-10 is completely bonkers and brilliantly priced. If I had to heap praise on a group of bikes though, it would be the Triumph T120 model range. As well as being beautifully designed with a staggering amount of attention to detail, the Thruxton R and Thruxton ride fantastically while the Bonneville is perfect for its target market. More importantly, however, the T120 engine is a fantastic base for Triumph to expand upon in the future with models such as the exquisitely styled Bobber only the start.
(Jon Urry)
Andy Palmer's Aston Martin V8 Vantage
In a year of awesome new cars my personal highlight was 36 years old. While I was hugely flattered to be invited to have a drive in Aston boss Andy Palmer's personal 1980 V8 Vantage, fresh from a very expensive Works service, I expected it to be little more than a gentle photography trundle. Not so. Palmer - who was sitting in the passenger seat - ordered me to give his pride and joy the whole can of beans. The revelation was just how fast and lashed down the big Aston feels, even four decades on. With more than 400hp it's still properly quick and with a soundtrack that combines old-fashioned induction roar with some proper V8 fury. I love the fact this car could outgun almost all of its supercar contemporaries while having four seats and a full complement of wood and leather. Rest assured, Aston's future is in the hands of a man with his heart in the right place.
(Mike Duff)
BMW M2
Hands up, the M2 isn't the most thrilling car I've driven all year; that's probably the stripy 911 or a supercharged Caterham. However, for combining so many appealing elements - brawny straight-six, engaging handling and pugnacious good looks - it's the car that has impressed me most. Less favourable reviews are starting to funnel in now though, so it may be an interesting car to revisit. Still, at a realistic (i.e. sub-£50K) price point, I don't think there's anything else launched this year that I'd prefer as an everyday fast car. It's mega. A CS could be something really special, too.
(Matt Bird)
Ford Focus RS
The Ford Focus RS has been 2016's Marmite car. People either loved it or hated it, with seemingly no middle ground. Blue Oval fans simply brushed off flaws as quirks whilst everyone else was ready to argue why any other hot hatch is better and that Drift Mode is merely a gimmick. It may not be the most comfortable car for a long journey (as discovered on our trip to Wales Rally GB), the steering tends to self-centre a little aggressively, the seating position (with the optional seats, granted) is too high and it doesn't always feel as quick as first thought. However, when we drove it on another trip to Wales and had some proper roads to drive on the way to Anglesey, it provided heaps of fun and noise, with the steering coming into its own and making the drive feel immersive. Every time I drive it I accept the back ache for the grin on my face, and that is why the Focus RS is my car of the year.
(Nikolai Attard)
PH 2016 - Our favourite cars and bikes
Personal reflections on our favourite cars and bikes of 2016 from the PH team
Let's have it! Flak jacket on but I absolutely love the 718 Boxsters and Caymans. I love the fact they're so controversial and, ultimately, so misunderstood. People, this is a £50K mid-engined sports car with a 350hp engine and available with a six-speed manual driving the rear wheels through a limited-slip diff. It has possibly the best inherent balance, the best chassis, the best steering and the best control weights of any modern sports car. It's as inspiring on the daily grind as it is on a B-road or track. And you're moaning that it sounds dull? Read up on that engine before you climb on your soapbox because this is no hatchback hand-me-down. It's brimming with technical intrigue, packs a huge mid-range punch, sings to the redline and has inertia-free throttle response we've never enjoyed before in a turbo four.
(Dan Trent)
From the moment I first drove Dan's Range Rover Sport SVR I was blown away. It was just an epic blend of performance, drama and practicality and I immediately started making claims of it being my 'daily driver' if I won the lottery. And then I drove the latest Audi RS6Performance. Faster, more practical, better looking and (definitely) more subtle, it had the SVR covered off in every respect aside from noise. But even then it wasn't by much and it still sounds phenomenal. It then went on to show just how capable it was on track at Blyton Park up against some unlikely competition. I know what I'll be buying if I win the lottery; I'll have mine in dark grey, covered in road grime and de-badged please.
(James Drake)
It is hard to pick out a favourite bike of 2016 - there have been some excellent models but none have been really that outstanding. The Yamaha Tracer 700 and Suzuki SV650 are very worthy, the Yamaha XSR models and Triumph T100 Bonnevilles fun and fresh looking, while the Yamaha MT-10 is completely bonkers and brilliantly priced. If I had to heap praise on a group of bikes though, it would be the Triumph T120 model range. As well as being beautifully designed with a staggering amount of attention to detail, the Thruxton R and Thruxton ride fantastically while the Bonneville is perfect for its target market. More importantly, however, the T120 engine is a fantastic base for Triumph to expand upon in the future with models such as the exquisitely styled Bobber only the start.
(Jon Urry)
In a year of awesome new cars my personal highlight was 36 years old. While I was hugely flattered to be invited to have a drive in Aston boss Andy Palmer's personal 1980 V8 Vantage, fresh from a very expensive Works service, I expected it to be little more than a gentle photography trundle. Not so. Palmer - who was sitting in the passenger seat - ordered me to give his pride and joy the whole can of beans. The revelation was just how fast and lashed down the big Aston feels, even four decades on. With more than 400hp it's still properly quick and with a soundtrack that combines old-fashioned induction roar with some proper V8 fury. I love the fact this car could outgun almost all of its supercar contemporaries while having four seats and a full complement of wood and leather. Rest assured, Aston's future is in the hands of a man with his heart in the right place.
(Mike Duff)
Hands up, the M2 isn't the most thrilling car I've driven all year; that's probably the stripy 911 or a supercharged Caterham. However, for combining so many appealing elements - brawny straight-six, engaging handling and pugnacious good looks - it's the car that has impressed me most. Less favourable reviews are starting to funnel in now though, so it may be an interesting car to revisit. Still, at a realistic (i.e. sub-£50K) price point, I don't think there's anything else launched this year that I'd prefer as an everyday fast car. It's mega. A CS could be something really special, too.
(Matt Bird)
The Ford Focus RS has been 2016's Marmite car. People either loved it or hated it, with seemingly no middle ground. Blue Oval fans simply brushed off flaws as quirks whilst everyone else was ready to argue why any other hot hatch is better and that Drift Mode is merely a gimmick. It may not be the most comfortable car for a long journey (as discovered on our trip to Wales Rally GB), the steering tends to self-centre a little aggressively, the seating position (with the optional seats, granted) is too high and it doesn't always feel as quick as first thought. However, when we drove it on another trip to Wales and had some proper roads to drive on the way to Anglesey, it provided heaps of fun and noise, with the steering coming into its own and making the drive feel immersive. Every time I drive it I accept the back ache for the grin on my face, and that is why the Focus RS is my car of the year.
(Nikolai Attard)
Discussion
I am afraid that Dan Trent's statements about the 718S are only partially true
Of course it has a fantastic chassis.
However the sound issue is only one of a number of problems with this new turbo-charged engine
Much more important , is the turbo lag
To suggest that it is lag -free , by saying that it has an inertia-free throttle response , is simply untrue
the 718S , which I tested quite extensively before plumping for one of the very last new 981S cars on sale in the UK , also has what I call ''run on '', by which I mean that on lifting off the accelerator pedal , the car continues to run on , rather than to immediately start to decelerate
I found this very disconcerting
The 6 cylinder normally aspirated engine also send a different vibration pattern into the cockpit, compared to the 4 cylinder tubro engine , and this is discernable to the driver....which is another reason for me to favour the 981S
No one is saying that the 718S is a bad car , far from it , but what it lacks is significant subjective improvements over its predecessor , and so cannot be a 2016 favourite FOR ME
And this is coming from someone who adored his 4 cylinder turbo-charged Porsche for 14 years (944 turbo )
Of course it has a fantastic chassis.
However the sound issue is only one of a number of problems with this new turbo-charged engine
Much more important , is the turbo lag
To suggest that it is lag -free , by saying that it has an inertia-free throttle response , is simply untrue
the 718S , which I tested quite extensively before plumping for one of the very last new 981S cars on sale in the UK , also has what I call ''run on '', by which I mean that on lifting off the accelerator pedal , the car continues to run on , rather than to immediately start to decelerate
I found this very disconcerting
The 6 cylinder normally aspirated engine also send a different vibration pattern into the cockpit, compared to the 4 cylinder tubro engine , and this is discernable to the driver....which is another reason for me to favour the 981S
No one is saying that the 718S is a bad car , far from it , but what it lacks is significant subjective improvements over its predecessor , and so cannot be a 2016 favourite FOR ME
And this is coming from someone who adored his 4 cylinder turbo-charged Porsche for 14 years (944 turbo )
carspath said:
I am afraid that Dan Trent's statements about the 718S are only partially true
Of course it has a fantastic chassis.
However the sound issue is only one of a number of problems with this new turbo-charged engine
Much more important , is the turbo lag
To suggest that it is lag -free , by saying that it has an inertia-free throttle response , is simply untrue
the 718S , which I tested quite extensively before plumping for one of the very last new 981S cars on sale in the UK , also has what I call ''run on '', by which I mean that on lifting off the accelerator pedal , the car continues to run on , rather than to immediately start to decelerate
I found this very disconcerting
The 6 cylinder normally aspirated engine also send a different vibration pattern into the cockpit, compared to the 4 cylinder tubro engine , and this is discernable to the driver....which is another reason for me to favour the 981S
No one is saying that the 718S is a bad car , far from it , but what it lacks is significant subjective improvements over its predecessor , and so cannot be a 2016 favourite FOR ME
And this is coming from someone who adored his 4 cylinder turbo-charged Porsche for 14 years (944 turbo )
Thanks for this mini-review. Very helpful. Particularly the comment about "run on". I know exactly what you mean. We have an RS4 (B7) and a Polo (2015). The latter has "run on" which means that every time I approach lights or a junction I am on the brakes. The RS4 simply requires a change down of gear as the engine slows the car down - I use the brakes to drive around the bends . I can't stand "run on" - but it seems that car manufacturers are building this in to all modern cars now - I assume to save fuel?? It certainly requires a different style of driving and explains why you see brake lights so frequently applied these days. I wonder how many more times you will need to change the pads and discs on a 718 compared to the 981?Of course it has a fantastic chassis.
However the sound issue is only one of a number of problems with this new turbo-charged engine
Much more important , is the turbo lag
To suggest that it is lag -free , by saying that it has an inertia-free throttle response , is simply untrue
the 718S , which I tested quite extensively before plumping for one of the very last new 981S cars on sale in the UK , also has what I call ''run on '', by which I mean that on lifting off the accelerator pedal , the car continues to run on , rather than to immediately start to decelerate
I found this very disconcerting
The 6 cylinder normally aspirated engine also send a different vibration pattern into the cockpit, compared to the 4 cylinder tubro engine , and this is discernable to the driver....which is another reason for me to favour the 981S
No one is saying that the 718S is a bad car , far from it , but what it lacks is significant subjective improvements over its predecessor , and so cannot be a 2016 favourite FOR ME
And this is coming from someone who adored his 4 cylinder turbo-charged Porsche for 14 years (944 turbo )
If it wasn't already clear the choices in these articles are personal ones and therefore entirely possible within the team there would be differing opinions. Believe it or not I don't run an entirely totalitarian regime and I thought it would be fun to give the opposing voices within even our small group equal air time! A pretty honest reflection of how the 718 cars divide opinion across PH full stop I thought and both arguments were made in these stories with equal passion and belief! You're free to choose which you agree with too...
And if I'm being picky Matt's issue with the M2 was a specific feature (the rev matching system) and not the car as a whole. I think you'll find the opinion on that car pretty unanimous!
Cheers!
Dan
And if I'm being picky Matt's issue with the M2 was a specific feature (the rev matching system) and not the car as a whole. I think you'll find the opinion on that car pretty unanimous!
Cheers!
Dan
t journalism reports earlier this year. I don't even visit the homepage anymore. Dear Dan,
With respect to the above, "It has possibly the best inherent balance, the best chassis, the best steering and the best control weights of any modern sports car".
You need to look closer to home to find something that actually fits your assertion. Hethel has the answer, not Stuttgart.
HTH.
HMBB.
With respect to the above, "It has possibly the best inherent balance, the best chassis, the best steering and the best control weights of any modern sports car".
You need to look closer to home to find something that actually fits your assertion. Hethel has the answer, not Stuttgart.
HTH.
HMBB.
jm28 said:
P.Griffin said:
To have the Cayman and M2 in both "Favourites" and "Disappointments" is a touch ridiculous.
It's almost like different people have different opinions...
jm28 said:
P.Griffin said:
To have the Cayman and M2 in both "Favourites" and "Disappointments" is a touch ridiculous.
It's almost like different people have different opinions...Edited by P.Griffin on Thursday 22 December 16:06
Oddball RS said:
Yes I get your point there, but you would think that such polar published views from the same site is a little naff wouldn't you, you would have thought they could agree magnanimously what belongs at both end of the spectrum, if you can't it belongs in the middle surely?
I know what you mean but I don't think it really works like that. Everything is subjective and both articles highlight reasons why some people like it and why some don't. I don't have a problem with this as I think it stimulates discussion. The views may come from the same site but from different people. I know Top Gear/The Grand Tour are more for entertainment purposes, but how often have we seen Clarkson/Hammond/May disagree on the best car out of the 3 they have? It doesn't come across as naff, just different opinions.
Not the best example but hopefully you know what I mean.
P.Griffin said:
jm28 said:
P.Griffin said:
To have the Cayman and M2 in both "Favourites" and "Disappointments" is a touch ridiculous.
It's almost like different people have different opinions...
I've driven the 718 Boxster's....loved them. Such a fantastic steer that I never even thought about what noise it was making, didn't think about the way the electric steering has been criticised. Was just immersed in the way it steered, went, stopped.
I'd be quite happy with a basic manual 2.0 Boxster that I could just drive the wheels off.
I'd be quite happy with a basic manual 2.0 Boxster that I could just drive the wheels off.
ogrodz said:
carspath said:
I am afraid that Dan Trent's statements about the 718S are only partially true
Of course it has a fantastic chassis.
However the sound issue is only one of a number of problems with this new turbo-charged engine
Much more important , is the turbo lag
To suggest that it is lag -free , by saying that it has an inertia-free throttle response , is simply untrue
the 718S , which I tested quite extensively before plumping for one of the very last new 981S cars on sale in the UK , also has what I call ''run on '', by which I mean that on lifting off the accelerator pedal , the car continues to run on , rather than to immediately start to decelerate
I found this very disconcerting
The 6 cylinder normally aspirated engine also send a different vibration pattern into the cockpit, compared to the 4 cylinder tubro engine , and this is discernable to the driver....which is another reason for me to favour the 981S
No one is saying that the 718S is a bad car , far from it , but what it lacks is significant subjective improvements over its predecessor , and so cannot be a 2016 favourite FOR ME
And this is coming from someone who adored his 4 cylinder turbo-charged Porsche for 14 years (944 turbo )
Thanks for this mini-review. Very helpful. Particularly the comment about "run on". I know exactly what you mean. We have an RS4 (B7) and a Polo (2015). The latter has "run on" which means that every time I approach lights or a junction I am on the brakes. The RS4 simply requires a change down of gear as the engine slows the car down - I use the brakes to drive around the bends . I can't stand "run on" - but it seems that car manufacturers are building this in to all modern cars now - I assume to save fuel?? It certainly requires a different style of driving and explains why you see brake lights so frequently applied these days. I wonder how many more times you will need to change the pads and discs on a 718 compared to the 981?Of course it has a fantastic chassis.
However the sound issue is only one of a number of problems with this new turbo-charged engine
Much more important , is the turbo lag
To suggest that it is lag -free , by saying that it has an inertia-free throttle response , is simply untrue
the 718S , which I tested quite extensively before plumping for one of the very last new 981S cars on sale in the UK , also has what I call ''run on '', by which I mean that on lifting off the accelerator pedal , the car continues to run on , rather than to immediately start to decelerate
I found this very disconcerting
The 6 cylinder normally aspirated engine also send a different vibration pattern into the cockpit, compared to the 4 cylinder tubro engine , and this is discernable to the driver....which is another reason for me to favour the 981S
No one is saying that the 718S is a bad car , far from it , but what it lacks is significant subjective improvements over its predecessor , and so cannot be a 2016 favourite FOR ME
And this is coming from someone who adored his 4 cylinder turbo-charged Porsche for 14 years (944 turbo )
The first is 'coasting'. I did recall that a lot of recent gearboxes have a coast function (many ZF boxes, e.g. 8HP50 as fitted into BMWs have this), whereby the drivetrain disconnects on the over-run, letting the car coast further - so what might be perceived as 'run-on', could just be an absence of engine braking, rather than any actual forcing from the engine. Coming from large capacity N/A or turbodiesels with strong engine braking, a coasting function will feel quite pronounced (for example, stepping from a N/A 981 to a 718). Porsche mention on their website that the 718 has this feature: http://www.porsche.com/uk/models/718/718-cayman/dr...
Porsche said:
A coasting function becomes available where the situation allows. The engine is decoupled from the transmission to avoid deceleration caused by engine braking. In this way, optimum use is made of the vehicle’s momentum, enabling it to coast for longer distances.
Secondly, you get an effect on-throttle with turbocharged engines, whereby when reducing (but not completely lifting off) the throttle angle during a range when boost levels are rising, the car accelerates at a similar or greater rate - this could be the 'run-on' that's being talked about. The response of the car feels disconnected to the users input, as lifting off doesn't immediately (but will after a moment) slow the car, due to the inherent lag in the system. Combine a boosty engine with a coasting gearbox (like, erm, a 718!?!) and you've got a perfect storm (in a teacup) of very different over-run behaviour to an older N/A engine driving a simpler transmission.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff