One variant that stands out...

[The Wookie]

Rawwr said:

If only they'd actually made it

That's a cracker, shows how totally unfulfilled the standard model's potential is!

[5705]

Mercedes 500E (W124)

[roverspeed]

Definitely the Escort Cosworth, MG ZT V8's and the clios are doing it for me.

They weren't just another model with sligtly more power etc etc.

On another note, I got playing with the Audi configuration tool on their website, you can opt for Audi Exclusive carpets for the Q7, a £1.5k option!!!!!

[SooperDan]

I feel dirty saying this but... Insignia VXR

[MrKipling43]

Shirly?




And

[The Wookie]

SooperDan said:

I feel dirty saying this but... Insignia VXR

You know what, I saw (and heard) one of these in the queue for the QE2 bridge a couple of weeks ago and thought to myself that actually that looks pretty good.

I then punched myself in the face for appreciating an actual Vauxhall, not even a rebadged sister brand car.

[Alex]

Delta Integrale. The basic Delta was nothing special.

[deeen]

kambites said:

I think the Mondeo starts at about 1500kg.

My vote goes to something like the Rover 75 V8; the Clio V6; or anything else where someone has turned a mass-produced FWD car into a silly RWD thing.

Oh yes, and the Renault 5 mid-engined!

[LuS1fer]

The mid-engined Renault 5 Turbo 2 predated the Clio V6:


The Renault 5 GT turbo was always special as it was 7.5 seconds to 60, very focused and even had different torsion-bar rear suspension to the rest of the range:

[MrKipling43]

Also like to nominate the BMW M3 saloon. Probably one of the most special special versions of a car. It's actually DIFFERENT to the lesser versions. Not just tweaked bumpers and big wheels, or eve flared arches. It has the whole front end of the coupe, which is different to the saloon.

I LOVE BMW for that.




It really sets the car apart. No fake versions of this!

[LuS1fer]

I agree on the M3 but wouldn't be able to tell a saloon and coupe apart anyway as they all look "BMW-flavour".

The Lotus Sunbeam and Chevette HS/R are also good candidates but my favourite was always the HP Droop Snoot Firenza which made me salivate as a teenager.

[deeen]

MrKipling43 said:

Shirly?

Disappointed - I was expecting the second photo to be an XJ 220

[MrKipling43]

doogz said:

Just me that thinks the saloon is fugly as hell then?

I don't think it's that bad, but more than anything I admire BMW for going old-school by making the top bks model actually different to the rest of the range instead of sticking on some big alloys and a new front bumper.

@deeen Boo, and indeed, yah.

[LuS1fer]

MrKipling43 said:

I don't think it's that bad, but more than anything I admire BMW for going old-school by making the top bks model actually different to the rest of the range instead of sticking on some big alloys and a new front bumper.

@deeen Boo, and indeed, yah.

Surely the Audi RS4 is a good example of being different from everything else too?

[sebhaque]

How has this not been mentioned yet?



I really, really want a 1M

[Eighteeteewhy]

sebhaque said:

How has this not been mentioned yet?



I really, really want a 1M

Almost as much as me

This is my contrabution...

From this....


To this...

Edited by Eighteeteewhy on Wednesday 4th January 16:39

Edited by Eighteeteewhy on Wednesday 4th January 16:40

[Blim_bug]

Nominate the VW New Beetle RSi - 4 wheel drive and 6 speed box vs. the normal VW New beetle (front wheel drive and max engine size of 2.5 v5).

Can't get much further from the original variant and any excuse to post a pic of my car:

[TaRD]

Either I've misunderstood the OP or the answer is the Civic Type R, especially the old shape.

[Tyre Tread]

Daihatsu Charade...



















GTti

[Small Car]

Subaru Forester STi? From a boring farmer wagon to something really quite fun!