It's that time of year for looking back and digesting what's occurred in the previous 12 months; here we take a look at the biggest roadtests of 2014 as published on PH. Now, to be clear on this, the selection process for the top 10 you're about to read is based purely on the number of reads the story got as calculated by the tech hamsters after some extensive behind the scenes number crunching. So if you don't like the selection ... it's not our fault!
Last year threw up something of a shock result too, the Mercedes A45 AMG attracting more reads than the 991 GT3, Alfa Romeo 4C and Audi RS6. This year's result is perhaps slightly less of a surprise, though saying that just look what it beat! It's also a more diverse field, only BMW getting two cars in the final 10 and a spread of hot hatches, hypercars, sports saloons and ... an SUV.
Read on and we'll look forward to bringing you more PH verdicts on the cars that matter to the likes of us in 2015.
Audi S1
Ice was on the agenda in Sweden for the first Audi S1 test but an unseasonably warm winter put paid to those plans. Nevertheless, the smallest fast Audi impressed on slushy roads and a greasy circuit with its burly performance, accomplished ride and great agility. The kerbweight and price were certainly higher than hoped for but the verdict was unequivocally positive: "We can't wait to try one in the UK". It delivered on wet and bumpy
British roads too
, proving to some extent that Audi can make fast cars that work over here. Sneaking into the top ten ahead of cars like the Morgan Plus 8 Speedster, Tesla Model S and McLaren 650S would suggest PH always has time for a pocket rocket.
Volkswagen Golf R
Has there been a more fiercely debated 'real-world' car in 2014 than the VW Golf R? Praised by some as the best fast Golf ever, Dan's review was less effusive: "Ultimately the kind of pace the Golf is capable of delivering should be a life affirming 'hell yeah', not a shrugged 'so what'." Speed and composure were there in abundance but the Golf appeared to be lacking a little in the excitement stakes. That hasn't stopped them being snapped up by many though, a few no doubt helped by, er, competitive lease deals...
Next year PH will be running a Golf R as a long-termer, giving it a real chance to edge into everyone's affections. Can it succeed?
Porsche Macan
Yep, it's here. The Porsche that every PHer knew was coming but didn't want to face. Or do the read figures suggest different? It was less than 4,000 views off the Huracan so whether the views were to fuel resentment or from genuine interest there can be no doubting the attraction. Predictably enough it was another excellent Porsche product, our review praising its "dynamic fortitude" in particular. It certainly wasn't flawless however, and the Turbo's price pitches it against some exceptionally talented non-SUV rivals. Still, you sense Porsche won't be able to build Macans quick enough to satisfy demand. With 240 comments and counting, the smallest Porsche SUV is certainly one PHers are keen to discuss!
BMW M235i
A nice riposte to the Porsche you might argue. A six-cylinder, rear-wheel drive, manual (alright, auto on the launch) BMW coupe should be popular on PistonHeads, shouldn't it? The car itself lived up to expectations, moving on the already impressive M135i thanks to more palatable styling and sharper dynamics. Furthermore, what with BMW M not always on top form of late, to find an engaging and rewarding car at the very bottom of the hierarchy was pleasing. The final opinion? "A superb overall package, if not quite perfect. It is the best non-M car that BMW makes."
Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4
Expected the Lambo higher up? Us too actually. Of course 2014 was the year of the hybrid hypercar (more on that shortly) but as Lamborghini's most popular model, the Gallardo replacement was always going to be significant. And for the most part the Huracan delivered. It was absurdly fast in the best Lamborghini tradition, the new dual-clutch transmission was (mostly) excellent and its on-road manners were beyond reproach. As an everyday supercar it excelled. Only on the track was the Huracan left wanting, optional Dynamic Steering doing a good job of unnerving the driver and the inherent understeer doing little to entertain. Still, improvements will surely follow in this car's lifetime to put it on a par with the best McLaren and Ferrari have to offer. And would you just look at it?!
BMW M3/M4
The second BMW in the top ten and a massively important car for PH. There are plenty of fans and owners amongst the staff and readership, reflected in the story attracting nearly 500 comments. There's a UK review to follow soon to establish whether its superb performance in Portugal can be replicated over here. The first turbocharged M3 had a huge amount of expectation around it but the review was in no doubt to its talents: "Out where it matters, frankly, we're having a ball". The sound is a bit odd and the steering could be better but the overall verdict on the M3 and M4 was a resoundingly positive. And yet on reader views it's been beaten by another sports saloon...
Subaru WRX STI
Yes, the WRX STI has recorded more views than the M3 and as such beats the BMW into our roadtest top four. It may not be quite as 'all-new' as Subaru proclaims but that didn't stop it being superb fun out on a Swedish country road. The same old Imprez... WRX gripes remain but the traits that enamoured the Subaru to so many are there too: a great gearbox, revvy engine and an involving 4WD chassis. As Dan concluded, it may well just be a "committed few" that appreciate the latest STI but they will find much to be impressed by with the new car.
Ferrari LaFerrari
Thought it would be a straight fight between the McLaren and TheFerrari? Us too but you'll see it's a Brit one-two in the PH roadtest rankings. In the Ferrari's defence, being published in May gave it less time to accrue reads than the top pair but there we are. In the final rankings the Ferrari was less than 5,000 views behind the F-Type in second despite the Jaguar being published in January.
And what a car the LaFerrari was and is. That glorious, epic V12 gave it further emotional pull over the McLaren and Harris eventually discovered the same superb balance as found in lesser Ferraris. Only with better steering. Sounds like quite the combination!
Jaguar F-Type Coupe
"This is the British sports car I've been dreaming of for years. It's a little brash, very fast and looks so good people will buy it regardless of how it drives.
"Luckily for them, it happens to be a riot. I want one." That was Harris's verdict on the F-Type coupe, one vindicated by Dan after giving it a thorough Nurburgring pasting too. The F-Type is so good (and has presumably proved so popular) because it covers all the bases. We all knew it had subjective appeal on a screen but it more than delivered as a drivers' car too; fast, capable and involving with an apparently insatiable demand for oversteer.
Next year sees a manual and an all-wheel drive option join the F-Type range. Who would bet against that ranking highly in the 2015 roadtest review?
McLaren P1
Was this result ever in doubt? Unlike last year's shock winner, it was almost guaranteed that the P1 would romp to victory in 2014. It would have been fascinating to witness a direct comparison between both this and the Ferrari if they had been published at the same time but, as it stands, the McLaren is miles ahead. It has recorded over 98,000 views since February 11. To put that into perspective, the Jaguar in second has mustered 66,000 having been published in January.
Furthermore, that's 98,000 views of an exceptionally detailed review. It was 3,000 words of P1 fascination consumed by an awful lot of people. Just goes to show that the best stories will be read wherever they are published. You won't be surprised therefore to also learn that the video story received more views than the WRX STI in fourth place. In the year of the hybrid hypercar it is the McLaren that has ruled on PH. Will there be another McLaren here in 2015? There's a preview of next year coming soon; place your bets now!
1 / 11