Given how bleak the future of fast cars looked not that long ago, to have had a year full of such exceptional cars was all the more satisfying. Since January we've witnessed the return of fast Hondas, the latest V8 supersaloon from AMG, rear-wheel drive Lamborghinis, track-focused McLarens and so much more. It's looking damn good for 2016 too, but we'll come to that later in the festive break.
For now it's time to reflect on 2015's highlights, the cars and reviews you have been most interested in over the past 12 months. This top ten is selected purely on page views alone; there is no subjective element, so if your favourite doesn't feature then it's certainly not our decision!
In fact it's probably worth pointing out two very notable cars that didn't make the final shortlist. The new Audi R8 could do no better than 11th place, while the Porsche Cayman GT4 was left languishing down in 13th position in our most read stories of the year. As one of 2015's most eagerly anticipated cars that came as something of a surprise. But there are plenty more to follow in the final ten...
Mercedes-AMG C63
Could the new C63 and its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 replicate the magnificent fury of the old car's 6.2? That was the question on everyone's mind when the first drives of the AMG C63 took place. As it turned out the engine was a superb take on the downsized V8, the rest of the car cloaking it in a more mature and more complex AMG product. It's a slightly different AMG to before but one that still pulls at the heartstrings like little else.
Our number 10 story this year is in fact the UK drive of the C63, where the car proved itself just as adept as on the original launch in Portugal. Who wouldn't fancy an estate for the UK?
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport
Sneaking in just a few votes ahead of the C63 is the Golf GTI Clubsport, launched at the same Portimao track a few months later. This was a surprise appearance for us in fact, the story having only been published on November 29. There's clearly a lot of interest in the Golf GTI!
As both the story and the comments alluded to though, the Clubsport moniker is slightly misleading; a Megane Trophy-R this is not! Instead the Golf is a welcome step on from the standard GTI, adding extra polish to every area and creating a finely honed hot hatch. It's also enough to make the R look a bit flat...
BMW 340i
Well if the Golf is a small surprise in the list, this is a huge one! Sure, this non-M flagship was a welcome addition to the facelifted 3 Series range, but to see it rank so highly wasn't expected.
The most significant change for the 340i - new name aside - was the 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six, a modular unit that is effectively two 318i three-cylinders put together. Our writer Richard Aucock rated it very highly, describing the engine as "Even more non-turbo in feel than the M3" with "beautifully linear" torque delivery. In the UK it will always remain a niche choice but it was reassuring to find such a talented model at the top of the 3 Series range. It's clearly one you care about too!
Alfa 4C
Now here is a car we most definitely expected to be in the top most read of 2015. Since its conception, the 4C has been a car that's massively excited PH. The styling was jaw-dropping, the launch first drives were positive... then the car simply didn't work in the UK. An Italian spec model struggled on B-roads against an old Exige, and sadly the UK car in our comeback story fared little better. Nervous, fidgety and strangely uncommunicative, it simply didn't flow on the roads which characterise Britain. More frustratingly, it feels like just a few simple tweaks away from being far better.
Anyway, the combination of the badge, those looks and the hype meant this story was always going to generate plenty of views. Comments too, with 375 posted on this one story. Let's see how the Giulia gets on...
Jaguar XE S
Arguably the most important mainstream car of the year, the Jaguar XE proved worth the pre-launch posturing and torturous marketing. It has brought together all that's so good about modern Jaguars, including fine dynamics and sharp styling, to make a truly competitive compact executive saloon.
Though the majority of XEs will be sold with the new Ingenium diesels, our test focused on the 3.0-litre supercharged V6. This is PistonHeads after all. Though rather out of its depth on track, it proved capable and good fun. Bring on the SVR!
Subaru WRX STI vs. Audi S3 saloon
Yes, Audi S3 versus WRX STI is our fifth most popular story, comfortably ahead of the Jaguar. In hindsight though, its success probably shouldn't be so unexpected. A bewinged Subaru has been part of the fast car scene for ages, with many owners and fans on PistonHeads. With its territory apparently being invaded by a German interloper, there was always going to be plenty of interest.
Anyone who immediately dismissed the Audi was in for a shock, the S3 proving to be rapid, composed and easily good enough to step up to the Subaru comparison. The STI proved the old methods could still entertain very well though. It was a fascinating comparison, one that eventually boiled down to price and - wouldn't you know it - image.
Ferrari 488GTB
It says something of how broad the PH interest is that the 488 is the only genuine supercar to feature in the top ten. That means there's no GT3 RS, Aventador SV or McLaren 570S in the final reckoning. Interesting...
The 488 was a hugely important car for Ferrari. The California T may have been the first Ferrari to use a downsized turbo V8 but the 488 was the first mid-engined berlinetta to do so, one of the key models. It had to follow the incredible 458 V8 as well - no easy task.
But the verdict was unequivocally positive, Dan saying "though the whole package impresses it's the sheer giddy speed of the 488 that sticks with you long after you've hung up the keys." Throw that speed in with a stunning gearbox, magnificent dynamics and clever tech and you're left with a truly excellent supercar.
BMW M135i facelift
Yes, £30K BMW attracts more views on PistonHeads than £200K Ferrari V8. The BMW was on the homepage a few weeks longer but that's still some result.
This wasn't even a major overhaul for BMW's hot rod hatch, the tweaks focused on styling, technology and efficiency. But then that 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six never needed much changing; it now has another 5hp but the revvy, sonorous character remained unchanged. It was the best part of the car too, the dynamics sadly unable to quite match the highs of the powertrain. But it's still a fast and intriguing car, one that makes upcoming BMW M2 all the more exciting
Honda Civic Type R
How important to PH was the Honda Civic Type R in 2015? Look at the list of the cars it has beaten to third place: AMG C63, R8 V10, Cayman GT4, 488 GTB, the M135i for crying out loud (!). A car in demand then.
Fortunately the car delivered on its hype and prolonged gestation, the Civic Type R thrilling with its outrageous speed, superb gearbox and unflappable composure. It was a different Type R to previous models but a hugely exciting hot hatch, one that proved itself over in the UK as well.
Yes, the looks may not appeal to all and it's certainly more expensive than before, but this was a great return for the Type R badge. Good work Honda! How about another NSX-R?
Cosworth GT86
Now this is a turn up. Not only is it surprising to see a modified version of a three year-old car at number one, it's even more of a shock to see it so far ahead. The final reckoning wasn't even close. Incredible. We can only guess it's been picked up by an owners' club or similar. That or one person has been pressing F5 a hell of a lot...
Anyway, the car itself was well worth the attention. The supercharger kit and associated mods retained so much of what we loved about the standard GT86 while making it quite a bit faster. It proved what we all suspected, that the little Toyota coupe was the perfect base for tuning to fully exploit the potential of. It also strengthened the idea that the Internet can't get enough of the GT86; the Cosworth is our 2015 roadtest of the year!
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