50 best road tests of 2011: 31-35

Ferrari 458 Italia vs McLaren MP4-12C
Blyton Park Driving Centre, Lincs (June)

Ferrari vs McLaren: We’re used to it in Formula One races, but this was different. We were on UK roads in the companies’ latest supercars.

When developing its first road car since the F1, McLaren had to face a huge setback before anyone had even taken the wheel. Ferrari had unleashed its most advanced and arguably best all-round car ever: the 458 Italia.

We put the two most lusted-after cars of 2011 head-to-head, and found the MP4-12C faster, lighter and more economical. Yet that didn’t make it more fun. When it comes to enjoying every day as if it’s your last, Ferrari’s mighty V8 stunner had the edge. The prancing horse had beaten the Brit newcomer in its own back yard.

Tester's notes
Ross Pinnock, Road test editor

We had been waiting for the arrival of the McLaren MP4-12C like excited kids at Christmas, but this is one test I didn’t think was going to happen. It recreated what we normally see played out on the world’s grand prix circuits on Sunday afternoons. Only this time, we would get to drive, and decide the outcome – and that causes car makers like Ferrari and McLaren to get very nervous.

Simply arranging the test was a stressful exercise, as both firms are canny operators and incredibly protective of their cars. I didn’t think it would happen until I’d actually driven the MP4-12C out of the gate of McLaren’s stunning HQ in Woking, Surrey.

After a whole day of intensive back-to-back driving, the verdict was close, but breaking the news to McLaren that the MP4-12C finished second was one of the least enjoyable phone calls I made all year. The Brit proved to be faster against the clock and very comfortable, but it simply didn’t put a smile on our faces like the charismatic 458.

Company cars made simple
February

Being handed the keys to a new company car is a dream come true for many drivers, yet making the wrong choice of car can put a serious dent in your pay packet. Company car tax rates range from small change to more than £1,000 per month.

We examined the top choices in four key price brackets to help you make the most of your cash in the company market.

The winners ranged from Nissan’s zero-emission (and therefore zero road tax) Leaf to BMW’s high-performance diesel family hauler, the 535d GT.

Test top 10s
Most powerful cars tested in 2011

Audi A8 vs rivals
Castle Howard, North Yorkshire (March)

Living in the lap of luxury doesn’t come cheap. Prices at the top end of the saloon car market are stratospherically high, but so are customer expectations. With this in mind, Audi put its full engineering weight behind producing the latest-generation A8.

Anything less than excellence would be a failure, and we assembled two tough rivals to push the new car to the limit: the Mercedes S-Class and Jaguar XJ. Each takes a different approach to luxury cars, with the Merc aiming to offer a first-class experience whether you are driving or being driven, and the Jag focusing on making the person behind the wheel feel as engaged and entertained as possible.

The new A8 fell somewhere between the two, and took second place in the test. Yet again it was Mercedes’ superb S-Class which finished on the top of the podium.

Tester's notes
Lesley Harris, Road tester

It's always great to escape from London, but it’s even more enjoyable with three luxury saloons to test. To welcome the arrival of the new Audi A8 3.0 TDI the team headed north, to Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, with the class-leading Mercedes S350 CDI and dynamic Jaguar XJ 3.0d Portfolio.

The North Yorkshire Moors provided the most fantastic driving roads and were the perfect place for testing the trio’s comfort and handling ability. And even though the weather was as dull as dishwater, the stunning scenery kept snapper Mike Bailie happy. 

The imposing stately home used as the backdrop for our main image took me straight back to 1981 as the TV series Brideshead Revisited, starring the dashing Antony Andrews and Jeremy Irons, was shot there. It was compulsive viewing in the Harris household.

Tyre tracks on the beautiful lawns were a no-no, so we parked the cars for the header shot under the watchful eyes of Castle Howard staff.

Chrysler Ypsilon and Delta
Longcross test track, Chobham, Surrey (October)

Living the American dream with an Italian twist! That’s the best way to describe Chrysler’s latest models, which are rebadged versions of Lancia’s continental hatchbacks.

Thanks to parent company Fiat’s plan to quickly reinvigorate the Chrysler brand, we had two fresh models wearing the US badge to test in October.

Unfortunately both the Ypsilon and the Delta fell short of the mark when compared to the VW Polo and SEAT’s Leon respectively.

Peugeot RCZ vs Renaultsport Mégane
Longcross test track, Chobham, Surrey (February)

Two French cars, but two completely different approaches... Peugeot’s Audi TT-inspired RCZ provides head-turning looks to go with its fine chassis and punchy engines, while the Renaultsport Megane opts instead for a traditional hot hatch set-up to tempt thrill seekers.

Neither model disappointed from behind the wheel, although it was the Peugeot that left us feeling more special.