Didn't seem that long ago that motor shows were deeply gloomy affairs with wall-to-wall hybrids and a distinct awkwardness about celebrating speed and luxury. The
Geneva show
back in March demonstrated, emphatically, fast cars are back on the agenda. PH doesn't do motor shows, but if we did, etc... Over a couple of days we saw the launch of two track-focused Aston Martins, the second generation Audi R8 and RS3, a new turbocharged Ferrari Berlinetta, the long-awaited Civic Type R, the super hardcore Lamborghini Aventador SV, Lotus's reborn Evora 400, the McLaren 675LT, Porsche Cayman GT4 and 911 GT3 RS, a new Clio Trophy ... and a six-wheeled, V8-powered Land Rover Defender built in Bradford. In the months that followed we got to drive them. Picking our personal favourites out of that lot alone proved challenging...
McLaren 675LT
Tough one this. I've huge admiration for the
MX-5
for keeping it real but at the other end of the spectrum the
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
was predictably immense and the
Cayman GT4
brilliant also. I only drove it a couple of weeks ago and in the pouring rain but I loved the
Zenos E10 R
too. The final choice, however, is between two McLarens -
570S
675LT
. I've got to go with the latter because it's to me the definition of a modern supercar, forward looking and potent enough to be in a different league from anything that's gone before but still honest to the fundamental requirements of the breed. Namely looks to stop traffic, a driving experience that
thrills at any speed
. And novelty doors. The LT is, for me, the moment McLaren really found its feet. The most impressive thing isn't the outright performance, dizzying as it is. It's the feedback and communication that makes it enjoyable even at just a fraction of the speeds its capable of and far more fun than the Italian rivals. (
Porsche Cayman GT4
I still have a picture from the trip computer of my evening with a
Cayman GT4
. Across an hour back and forth on the B660 I covered 49 miles and averaged 12.6mpg. I only stopped to put more fuel in, eat something terrible from the petrol station and continue driving. You've heard so much about why the GT4 is brilliant that I won't repeat it here, but what I will add is that the car is easily as good as the specification, the reviews and the
currentused values
would suggest. It's sublime. Let's hope it encourages the GT division to create more cars with a similar mindset. One day I will own one, though with some now being offered above six figures it could be a while! If you are in any position to drive, own or even see one, you must. (
Ariel Nomad
The list of excellent performance cars launched this year makes choosing just one feel slightly intimidating. At least, it did until I rephrased Dan's question to "which car did I have the most fun driving?" and the winner was suddenly clear. The
Ariel Nomad
might be little more than a jacked-up Atom with tougher suspension and more rollover protection, but it's an absolute hoot, a shouldn't-work mash up that categorically does. It's not as fast or agile as an Atom on tarmac, but it's still pretty damn good, especially on comedy low-grip off-road rubber. And what's not to like about a car you can throttle steer to lurid angles without ever brushing a speed limit? In the mud it's genuinely remarkable, a British Baja Bug, and proof that lightweight construction, good ground clearance and lots of power is a far more entertaining way to attack the wilderness than low-range gears and locked differentials. I loved it. (
Yamaha YZF-R1M
There have been a few standout bikes of 2015. Kawasaki's supercharged H2 and H2R models brought totally unrestrained performance while Ducati's 1299 Panigale should have been unrideable but was in actual fact the firm's most refined superbike to date, thanks to an incredible electronics package. I wanted to hate the hipster-pleasing Ducati Scrambler, but it is a lovely bike, and the
Yamaha Tracer
was bang on the money in terms of performance, practicality and price. However my favourite bike has to be the
Yamaha YZF-R1M
R1 fan
anyway, but the R1M is absolutely stunning in every single way. (
Land Rover Defender Heritage
67 years later and this is the last of the
Land Rover Defender
. The 2,000,000th special edition Land Rover recently
sold for £400,000
in aid of charity. The winning formula? Fitting in wherever it goes.Take it green laning or down the high-street and smiles and waves will follow.
Merely climbing into it makes it feel like an anachronism amongst all the hi-tech goodies we have come to expect for modern day cars but I wouldn't have it any other way. Driving through central London is generally quite an ordeal. In the Heritage, not only did I get a great leg workout fighting the heavy clutch, but people were generally happy to see an 'old-timer' mincing round with the Range Rovers and Porsches. The replacement has a lot to live up to. (Nik Attard)
1 / 6