Top Sports Car
1.Audi TT
There's more to the Audi TT than just sharp styling. That bold front grille conceals a range of turbocharged engines that offer impressive power, while the diesels boast low running costs. Driver involvement is better than ever, with precise steering and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit putting you in the centre of the action. Choose the ‘Ultra’ diesel model if you’re after ultimate economy, the 395bhp TT RS if you’ve deep pockets and want a junior supercar, or the punchy 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine for something in between. Adding Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system will give you an extra dose of reassuring grip for about £1,500, while another popular option is the groundbreaking Virtual Cockpit. This replaces the dashboard dials with a 12.3-inch colour screen, which makes using the sat nav, for example, a far more enjoyable and modern experience. A stylish, high-quality interior allied with much improved ride quality make long journeys easy, too. This is the best TT ever – never has sports-coupe motoring looked so easy
2.Porsche 718 Cayman
The legendary Porsche 911 has long featured in top 10 sports-car lists, but is in real danger of being upstaged by its talented baby brother – the 718 Cayman coupe. With its mid-engine layout and instantaneous responses, it practically begs you to take advantage of its fantastic engine. Porsche came in for a bit of stick when it replaced the old Boxster’s six-cylinder engine with the turbocharged four-cylinder offering of the 718 model. The truth is, Porsche purists may have a legitimate – if slight – gripe, but the rest of us can marvel at the fact the 718 Boxster is roughly as economical as a Vauxhall Insignia with a 1.8-litre petrol engine. Although it costs less than a 911, the 718 Cayman is still expensive, especially if you start ticking some of the long list of options, but it really is one of the very best driver’s cars you can buy
3.Audi R8
Sitting at the head of the Audi range, the V10-engined R8 coupe is a showcase for the company’s cutting-edge technology. You can really sense that behind the wheel, with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit providing vital statistics to allow you make the best of a 532bhp engine shared with Lamborghini – and which offers a staggering 602bhp in the R8 Plus model. Offering more performance than most of us could ever hope to use, the R8 also has aerodynamically honed good looks that just add to the appeal. What’s really impressive is just how easy the R8 is to use: it encourages fast driving, sure, but the combination of standard four-wheel drive and the latest safety systems lead to a very reassuring experience, so the car’s power can be easily put down on the road. Excellent seats, pitch-perfect interior quality and one of the most evocative engine notes around seal what’s an incredibly attractive (if expensive) prospect.
4.BMW 2 Series
The 2 Series offers all the hallmarks of traditional BMW driver appeal, distilled into a more compact and affordable package than the bigger 4 Series. A wide choice of engines offers any blend of economy and power you could want, with the formidable BMW M2 at the top of the range boasting 365bhp and suitably aggressive styling. It goes without saying that the M2 is a blast to drive, but even the less exotic models can put a broad smile on your face, while the 218d returns around 65mpg. It’s a direct rival to the Audi TT above, and both should be driven if you’re shopping at this price range. The BMW can count rear-wheel drive in its favour, although the TT’s interior has the 2 Series beaten when it comes to aesthetic swishness. If you want four-wheel drive, go for BMW’s xDrive setup, but be aware this can only be added to the 220d.
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