EVO magazine's 100 Greatest Drivers' Cars Countdown

[mikeyb]

Countdown 100-91

From Ferrari to Ford to Lotus, from 250 GTO to Focus RS to 340R, we count down the 100 most inspiring cars to drive from the last 50 years. Will yours be on the list?



100 TOYOTA MR2 MK1
Go on, let your imagination rip. its a baby Ferrari 328. Well, no it isnt. But if you like the feel of a well-sorted mid-engined chassis and the sound of an urgent multi-cam engine less than a foot from your head, the first generation MR2 is just the ticket. Its zippy, economical, comfortable, fairly refined and loves to go sideways in the wet. Whats not to like?

Two little-known facts about the MR2. The chassis development team included racing god Dan Gurney. And in France they dropped the 2 because MR2 sounded like merde.

Layout: Mid-engine, rear-drive Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1587cc Power: 124bhp Top speed: 121mph 0-60mph: 8.9sec Years: 1984 -89



99 FORD PUMA 1.7
Forget the hairdresser associations and Fiesta underpinnings (actually a big plus). Plain fact is, the Puma is one of the worlds most underrated drivers cars, delivering seat-of-the-pants finesse and drivetrain sweetness that are usually the preserve of far more exotic machinery. If you cant have fun on a twisty road in this car see a doctor. The only Ford coupe that ever really nailed it.

Layout: Front-engine, front-drive Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1679cc Power: 123bhp Top speed: 122mph 0-60: 8.6sec Years: 1997-02



98 VOLKSWAGEN CORRADO VR6
By bunging a massaged version of the wonderful 2.8 V6 from the Golf VR6 into the prettier, lighter Corrado coupe, VW created an instant, Porsche 944-eating, classic. There was something about the shape and size, a leanness that hinted at keen responses and exceptional performance. It was no illusion. The Corrado flew to 60mph in 6.4sec and handled more engagingly than many rear-drive rivals.

Layout: Front-engine, front-drive Engine: V6, 2861cc Power: 190bhp Top speed: 143mph 0-60: 6.2sec Years: 1992-96



97 FORD SIERRA COSWORTH
Flying the flag for all Sierra Cossies, the four-door four-wheel-drive Sapphire feels a bit crude today the interior was cheap and plasticky even in the early 90s despite leather Recaros but an unmolested one still has a certain cool, and more to the point delivers an unadulterated hit of honest turbocharged thrust combined with secure but totally engaging handling. A true working class hero.

Layout: Front-engine, 4wd Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1993cc, turbo Power: 220bhp Top speed: 144mph 0-60: 6.6sec Years: 1990-93



96 TVR CERBERA SPEED SIX
Less raw and savage than the earlier Cerberas, the Speed Six is nevertheless constructed from the right stuff and, so long as you dont take too many liberties, will happily blow any junior-to-middle-ranking Ferrari into the weeds. Question is, just how brave are you feeling? Fast and uncompromisingly furious, prepare for the oversteer and it might just be the thrill of your life.

Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: In-line 6-cyl, 3966cc Power: 350bhp Top speed: 170mph 0-60: 5.0sec Years: 1998-04



95 JAGUAR XKR
The XKR presents a compelling argument for being the best pound-for-pound GT in the real world. Its combination of genuine luxury, continent-traversing speed, whispering noise levels and pile-driver punch between 100mph and 150mph is a bit special. And its chassis always manages to strike an uncanny balance between precision and pliancy that makes the miles melt engagingly away.

Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: V8, 5000cc Power: 503bhp Top speed: 155mph 0-60: 4.6sec Years: 2009-



94 BMW E60 M5
You can treat the M5 as a luxury saloon or you can run down an F430. Its not just the 500bhp V10 but the way any type of tarmac is dispatched without a barrage of bumps and tyre roar. And when the need arises, it can call on reserves of grip that seem surreal in such a bulky car. While it never feels truly nimble, neither do you ever get the impression it wont rise to the occasion.

Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: V10, 4999cc Power: 500bhp Top speed: 155mph 0-60: 4.7sec Years: 2005-



93 FERRARI F355 F1 BERLINETTA
An urgently needed return to form after the woeful 348, the 355 introduced five valves per cylinder to Ferraris stalwart V8, not to mention dry sump lubrication, titanium conrods and six-speed gearbox. It is also significant for being the first Ferrari to be offered with the F1-derived paddle controlled electronic shift system. Arguably, never has such a blend of Pininfarina beauty, scintillating V8 music and exquisite handling been poured into an entry-level Ferrari.

Layout: Mid-engine, rear-drive Engine: V8, 3496cc Power: 375bhp Top speed: 183mph 0-60: 4.7sec Years: 1997-99

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</td></tr></tr></tbody></table>92 ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH S
If the regular Vanquish had a problem it was that its V12 engine didn't have the shove huge and cleanly delivered as it was to match the scalp-tingling magnificence of the sound it made. The more muscular and tautly-suspended S takes care of that, the 60bhp hike in output rendering the momentum of the big cars mass during a sustained banzai charge less obvious. The beefier brakes that come with the optional Sports Dynamic Pack are a must-have, too. A truly convincing Aston supercar.

Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: V12, 5935cc Power: 520bhp Top speed: 200mph 0-60: 4.9sec Years: 2005-07



91 BUGATTI EB110
The real point about the conceptual forerunner of the Veyron wasnt its speed (fast but not that fast) but its outstanding usability. Not until the Honda NSX was there a supercar so user-friendly and exploitable. A contemporary of the XJ220, it doesnt go or corner as hard, but it ends up being faster point-to-point because its performance is so much more useable. Extraordinary in every way.

Layout: Mid-engine, 4wd Engine: V12, 3500cc, quad-turbo Power: 552bhp Top speed: 212mph 0-60: 3.4sec Years: 1991-95

 

[JCell]

i needs more

 

[mikeyb]

100 Greatest Drivers' Cars Countdown 90-81

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September 2009

90 FORD ESCORT COSWORTH
Everything that was good about the Sierra Cossie condensed into a more compact, agile and accelerative all-drive package. Straight-line speed isnt a match for todays Focus RS but turbo-massaged torque and all-drive traction still endow it with formidable cross-country pace. Chassis balance on the limit is superb and theres no torque steer, however hard you stamp on the throttle.

Layout: Front-engine, 4wd Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1993cc, turbo Power: 227bhp Top speed: 143mph 0-60: 5.8sec Years: 1992-96





89 VW GOLF GTI (MK1 & 2)
The mk1 GTI changed our world in the late-70s, and the mk2 of 1984 simply refined the concept (alas, the lardier mk3 rather lost the plot). Its not really quick, but its a perfectly judged package: punchy, rev-happy 16-valve engine; a chassis that blends keenness and agility with a degree of suppleness, and all wrapped up in a timeless and perfectly proportioned hatchback body. The definitive GTI.

Layout: Front-engine, front-drive Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1781cc Power: 112bhp Top speed: 112mph 0-60: 8.1sec Years: 1979-84


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</td></tr></tr></tbody></table>88 JAGUAR XJ220
Jaguars only supercar was briefly the worlds fastest, and its raw-sounding but awesomely potent twin-turbo V6 still delivers an absolute haymaker of accelerative punch. Okay, its too wide for threading down your average back-road, but then most supercars are. Find the right road, however, and the XJ220 rewards with precise steering and a benignly adjustable handling balance.

Layout: Mid-engine, rear-drive Engine: V6, 3498cc, twin-turbo Power: 542bhp Top speed: 213mph 0-60: 3.7sec Years: 1992-94





87 VAUXHALL VX220
The VX220 has never quite had the same cachet as its Lotus siblings-under-the-skin, partly due to its slightly workaday Ecotec four-pot motor, but it fully deserves its own entry in our evo 100. Its that broad-tracked chassis fluent, fussless way of stringing together combinations of bends. And in turbocharged form it really can convince you that youre driving a junior supercar.



Layout: Mid-engine, rear-drive Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 2198cc Power: 145bhp Top speed: 136mph 0-60: 5.6sec Years: 2000-04





86 NISSAN 350Z
The 350Z and its 370Z successor is a genuine character, and a bit of a throwback. A thumping great normally aspirated V6 engine, manual gearbox, two seats and rear-wheel drive. Not the last word in refinement, but thats kind of the point. Its a hairy-arsed drivers car in the best possible way, with a real propensity for power-induced oversteer rare qualities these days, mores the pity. 370Z brings Synchro Rev Control to the party perfectly timed throttle-blips when you downshift. You can turn it off

Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: V6 3498cc Power: 276bhp Top speed: 155mph 0-60: 6.1sec Years: 2003-06





85 AUDI QUATTRO
The Ur-Quattros combo of four-wheel drive and turbocharging might seem old hat today, but in 1980 it was a sensation, and the years have done little to diminish its powers, especially if you drive one of the later 20v cars (or even better, a Sport). The engines got real soul, and of course theres bags of all-weather traction, while the pace of the thing feels barely dimmed. A true original.

Layout: Front-engine, 4wd Engine: In-line 5-cyl, 2226cc, turbo Power: 220bhp Top speed: 143mph 0-60: 6.2sec Years: 1980-91





84 LANCIA INTEGRALE
The car that eclipsed the Quattro, both on the road and WRC stage, the Integrale is the five-door hatchback with supercar levels of charisma. Power delivery is conspicuously turbocharged real lag followed by a sweet rush of force-fed hurry-up while the chassis, pliant and almost soft by todays standards, manages to combine tiptoe agility with prodigious four-square grip. Still so desirable.


Layout: Front-engine, 4wd Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1995cc, turbo Power: 215bhp Top speed: 137mph 0-60: 6.4sec Years: 1988-93





83 ASTON V8 VANTAGE N400
The pert V8 Vantage is one of our favourite Astons and in limited-edition N400 form (to celebrate success in the Ring 24hrs) it fully realises its potential. Its taut, tight, precision-damped; a touch more responsive, the feedback more detailed. The robotised paddle-shift manual feels intuitive, and the bigger hit from the mildly reworked 4.3-litre V8 is accompanied by the full Brian Blessed. Glorious.


Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: V8, 4281cc Power: 400bhp Top speed: 177mph 0-60: 4.9sec Years: 2007-08





82 BMW E34 M5
A handsome, sharply cut saloon from an era when BMW M-cars were truly made of the right stuff. Few four-doors have ever offered such wonderfully pure interaction every move telegraphed, beautifully balanced and supremely indulgent. Honestly, just how many luxury four-seaters give you the option of exiting a roundabout with 30 yards of opposite lock, straight-six howling?

Layout: Mid-engine, rear-drive Engine: In-line 6-cyl, 3795cc Power: 340bhp Top speed: 155mph 0-60: 5.9sec Years: 1992-95





81 BUGATTI VEYRON
Awesome speed, awesome grip, awesome composure (in the dry, at least. Veyrons dont like the wet). And it's all so absurdly accessible, in a way you'd never dream possible from looking at the bare stats. For a car that weighs 2022kg it feels unfathomably manageable, gripping, changing direction and stopping with a sense of unlimited resolve that gives you a huge shot of confidence.
So why doesnt it finish higher? Because beyond the speed and the crushing ability, it lacks the kind of detailed interaction that fully engages the senses and slowly gets right under your skin. That doesnt make it any less of an event. Its just that you tend to remember the car rather than the drive

Layout: Mid-engine, 4wd Engine: W16, 7993cc, quad-turbo Power: 1000bhp Top speed: 253mph 0-60: 2.8sec Years: 2005-

 

[RX]

sub.

 

[CantCMe]

TVR...always wanted to drive one of those!!

 

[CantCMe]

More Mikey!!!!!

 

[mikeyb]

100 Greatest Drivers' Cars Countdown 80-71



80 FORD ESCORT RS2000
Rear-drive Escorts are easy to understand, and utterly faithful with simple suspension and sublime steering. Add a super-slick gearchange and light weight and you have the ideal old-school entertainer, as any 1970s rally driver will tell you. The mk1 saw the crude but undoubtedly torquey 2-litre engine replace the highly-strung dohc 1.6 from the RS1600 for pace without pain. Valuable today, a joy forever. The mk2 version (shown here) had the iconic slanting nose and quad headlamps.



Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1993cc Power: 110bhp Top speed: 110mph 0-60: 8.9sec Years: 1975-80





79 FERRARI 612 SCAGLIETTI
Its huge: 16ft long, 6ft 5in wide. Its heavy: 1840kg. Few would call it beautiful. But the 612 is the incredible shrinking car, its epic V12 shrugging off the mass with a saxophonic wail, its steering precise and quick once past the rubberiness, the nose hooking into corners, the tail powering through as the F1 paddle-shift disguises the forces at work below. Curiously addictive.


Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: V12, 5748cc Power: 533bhp Top speed: 199mph 0-60: 4.3sec Years: 2003-



78 LANCIA FULVIA HF
Along with the Cooper S, a 1960s powerhouse of front-wheel-drive fun, with a snorty, revvy, narrow-angle V4, five gears and discs all round. Feels nose-heavy at low speeds; becomes fabulously poised at speed as understeer vanishes and feel floods through the steering. Its wonderfully benign when you lift off, astonishingly adhesive for its time. No wonder it kept winning rallies.

Layout: Front-engine, front-drive Engine: V4, 1584cc Power: 115bhp Top speed: 112mph 0-60: 9.2sec Years: 1968-72



77 WIESMANN GT MF5
Its the quality of intereaction between driver and machine that gets under your skin. The savagely loud BMW M5 V10 is real edge-of-madness stuff. As is the acceleration it unleashes in such a light car. The Wiesmann feels fantastically nimble and, mostly thanks to its terrific body control, is dynamite to hustle down a challenging road. The way it feels both sharp and supple is very classy.



Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: V10, 4999cc Power: 500bhp Top speed: 193mph 0-60: 3.8sec Years: 2007-



76 MINI COOPER S
The mk1 version of the New Mini is our choice. Its not as BMW as Germany would have you believe, being engineered almost entirely in the UK. The supercharger, whining like the original Minis geartrain, is the making of the crude Chrysler-descended four-pot, and gives the Mini the muscle to match its chuckability and directness. Mini GP version is a total hoot, and both are somehow purer than todays S.

Layout: Front-engine, front-drive Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1598cc, supercharged Power: 163bhp Top speed: 135mph 0-60: 7.1sec Years: 2001-06



75 PEUGEOT 106 RALLYE
God, what a laugh a tiny terror with a manically revvy 1.3, seemingly no weight, absolutely no luxuries and a tail waggier than a puppy-dogs. Aim at bend, brake, chuck at corner, catch tail in an instant, revel in the sheer immediacy of the thing. Every learner driver should have a lesson in a Rallye, preferably a mk1 because its lighter. Makes todays 500 Abarth seem stolid.


Layout: Front-engine, front-drive Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1294cc Power: 100bhp Top speed: 118mph 0-60: 9.3sec Years: 1994-96



74 BMW E39 M5
Musclepower massively enhanced over the previous, straight-six M5, with V8 power installed to create an addictively understated hot-rod. Glorious sound, sublimely driftable handling, a proper manual gearbox, and you can take the whole family with you for the ride. Most people wouldnt even know what it is, so you can be discreet with your indulgences too.

Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: V8, 4941cc Power: 400bhp Top speed: 155mph 0-60: 4.9sec Years: 1999-03



73 PORSCHE 959
It looks a strange mutant today but this, with the F40, was the state of the mid-80s supercar art. Twin sequential turbos, four-wheel drive with electronic torque-split and active dampers make it a technofest of efficiency; all the 911 virtues of traction and pointability with none of the vices. Well, thats the theory; in reality its not as well composed nor as tactile as more recent generations of 911s. Still massively quick, of course, easily as fast as a modern Turbo but maybe that cleverness gets in the way of real thrills.

Layout: Rear-engine, 4wd Engine: Flat-6, 2850cc, twin-turbo Power: 450bhp Top speed: 197mph 0-60: 3.7sec Years: 1987-90



72 TVR TUSCAN MK2
This is the post-2005 Tuscan with minor tweaks to calm the chassis, but its still an engagingly fierce beast with an explosive straight-six engine and massive oversteer potential. Power is easy to modulate, the gearshift is meaty, the steering is ultra-quick but smooth in its responses. The Tuscan is about sound, vision (its almost surreal, outside and in), thrust and feel. A heady mix. And a special mention for the Convertible, which felt almost like an updated Griffith, it was that good.


Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: In-line 6-cyl, 3996cc Power: 400bhp Top speed: 185mph 0-60: 4.0sec Years: 2005-07



71 MCLAREN F1
Still the most single-minded, uncompromising supercar ever built, and blessed with almost certainly the greatest engine ever fitted to a road car. Gordon Murray, hater of excess weight, lover of efficiency and creator of the F1, said at the time that it was the best drivers car ever. Its not quite the steerings too heavy, the brakes too dead-feeling, and it can be quite an intimidating car to drive quickly. But with 627bhp to hurtle a ton, a perfectly central driving position and minimal dimensions, it is still an utterly fabulous thing.


Layout: Mid-engine, rear-drive Engine: V12, 6064cc Power: 627bhp Top speed: 240mph 0-60: 3.2sec Years: 1994-98

 

[JCell]

where is the zonda? top 3?

 

[mikeyb]

Countdown 70-61



70 NISSAN SKYLINE R33 GT-R
Slightly softer-edged and less aggressive than the subsequent R34, and none the worse for that, the R33 Skyline takes no prisoners. Considerable raw power drives a chassis that shares many characteristics with the current GT-R. Through a compelling mixture of prodigious push and PlayStation-esque all-drive chassis wizardry, it conjures blinding cross-country pace.



Layout: Front-engine, 4wd engine: In-line 6-cyl, 2568cc, turbo Power: 276bhp Top speed: 155mph 0-60: 5.4sec Years: 1997-99



69 KOENIGSEGG CCX
Full-bore acceleration in second and third is a torque and fury fest that would lay waste to a Murcilago LP-640. Phenomenal brakes, too. The chassis has mighty grip and good basic balance but its trickier. You dont have to dig too deeply into your reserves of car control to snap the tail back from a small slide but drifting isnt advisable. One of the most exciting cars a great deal of money can buy.

Layout: Mid-engine, rear-drive engine: V8, 4700cc, s/c Power: 806bhp Top speed: 241mph 0-60: 3.9sec Years: 2006-



68 TVR SAGARIS
That the Sagaris has eye-watering acceleration is no surprise. The quality of its chassis, on the other hand, is. The Sagaris is actually less sensitive to camber changes under braking than the T-350 its based on, and less physical effort is required to hustle it along a poorly surfaced country road. Yet the ride, although a little harsher and more obvious, hasnt fallen apart. With the Sagaris, TVR nailed it.


Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: In-line 6-cyl, 3996cc Power: 406bhp Top speed: 185mph 0-60: 3.7sec Years: 2005-07



67 MINI COOPER S
The original 60s Cooper S would no longer be considered fast against the clock but, subjectively, it feels as if its running on Tabasco. Theres a sense that there is no lost motion between your hands and the front wheels. The ride is hopeless, the driving position worse, but the Coopers hair-trigger sensitivity to small steering inputs cant be matched by todays front drivers. Modest grip but massive fun.



Layout: Front-engine, front-drive Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1071cc Power: 70bhp Top speed: 99mph 0-60: 13sec Years: 1963-64





66 FERRARI 250 GTO
This is where Ferrari got serious about road cars. The 250 GTO upped the ante on all fronts, but especially performance, handling and, well its impossible to ignore, drop-dead gorgeousness. Designed to win races, the GTO packed a 3-litre V12, an all-syncro 5-speed gearbox and disc brakes all round. It did win, too, taking its class at Le Mans in 62 and the Nrburgring in 63 among others.



Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: V12, 2953cc Power: 300bhp Top speed: 170mph 0-60: 6.0sec Years: 1962-64



65 PORSCHE 993 GT2
Representing the 993 iteration of the 911, the GT2 weighs just 1290kg, 210kg less than the contemporary all-drive Turbo. So its seriously quick, wth 0-60 in 3.9sec. But its the way the GT2 marries the light, responsive feel of the RS with Turbo-plus-afterburner grunt thats so delicious and compelling. Its both extreme and addictive. You marvel at the speed but you revel in the feel of the thing.



Layout: Rear-engine, rear-drive Engine: Flat-six, 3600cc, twin-turbo Power: 430bhp Top speed: 184mph 0-60: 3.9sec Years: 1996-99



64 AUDI RS4
It isnt so much the way the RS4 hits its savage accelerative stride as the way it sustains it gear after gear huge, linear thrust meets an intoxicating V8 bellow from the exhausts. Impressive, too, the way the RS4 carries speed through bends, and with so little roll. It steers precisely but isnt edgy. For once, the 4wd isnt intrusive, it just seems to extend the reach of the remarkable performance.


Layout: Front-engine, 4wd Engine: V8, 4163cc Power: 414bhp Top speed: 155mph 0-60: 4.5sec Years: 2006-08





63 PEUGEOT 306 RALLYE
The combined force of the 306 Rallyes simplicity, handling, ride, slick six-speed gearbox and zesty engine far outweigh its few shortcomings. As an everyday proposition, its fast, fun and, thanks to a great ride and decent refinement, easy to live with. But its also one of the great drives, irrespective of price. Six-speed zip with attitude meets a front-drive chassis of extraordinary quality. Brilliant.


Layout: Front-engine, front-drive Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1998cc Power: 167bhp Top speed: 137mph 0-60: 6.9sec Years: 1998-99





62 BMW E92 M3
Its the sheer depth of the M3s talent thats so remarkable. Its point-to-point pace is dazzling but, more than that, it makes the process feel special. Partly its down to the free-revving fury of its V8. But its also the accurate, agile, finely balanced and biddable chassis. Faint echos of the original (E30) M3s precisely adjustable cornering balance can be detected. And if calling the angles with the tail seems a bit gratuitous, the M3s body control is so remarkably flab-free, its hard not to indulge.



Layout: Front-engine, rear-drive Engine: V8, 3999cc Power: 414bhp Top speed: 155mph 0-60: 4.8sec Years: 2007-





61 RENAULTSPORT CLIO 200 CUP
Its when the road starts asking questions that would cool the pace of lesser hatches that the Clio 200 Cup comes into its own, remaining unfazed and continuing to cover the ground at an astonishing lick while maintaining a fine balance between sheer speed and throttle-induced entertainment. The now genuinely punchy Renault has a lithe, sinewy athleticism and a renewed sense of fun.

Layout: Front-engine, front-drive Engine: In-line 4-cyl, 1998cc Power: 197bhp Top speed: 141mph 0-60: 6.6sec Years: 2009-

 

[CWPspeed3]

wow with some of the cars listed in that top section I cant wait to see whats coming up.

 

[ms6acton]

nice list, but need MOAR!!! love the cogsworths

 

[CantCMe]

wow with some of the cars listed in that top section I cant wait to see whats coming up.

+1...the 993 GT2 came in at #65?!

 

[CantCMe]

Where's the rest?!?!

 

[sanblaster]

mikey is with a customer.

 

[genericuser]

I still love the original MR2's.

 

[mikeyb]

Where's the rest?!?!

Ike, hold your horses.

mikey is with a customer.

I was with a customer while posting these...

 

[CantCMe]

soo impatient (evil)

 

[JCell]

bumpers...

 

[CTt3P5]

E39 M5 = one effin sweet family hauler

 

[CantCMe]

still waiting (evil)