Porsche Cayman
Why it won...
The Porsche Cayman dominates the sports car scenery with unrelenting efficiency. Twice during the course of this year it has faced younger competitors, and twice it has seen off the challenge. The new Lotus Evora and Audi TT RS have both been dispatched with ruthless calm by the German firm’s entry-level coupé.
Thanks to the introduction of fresh direct-injection engines and a sharper new look, with Carrera GT-inspired detailing, the Cayman is better than ever. The mid-engined design provides the car with the ultimate blend of grip, balance and agility, while every control is perfectly weighted and blessed with the kind of feel that few rivals can match.
Whether you decide on the standard 2.9-litre version or the more powerful 3.4-litre Cayman S, you get to savour the same distinctive noise from the flat-six engine, and spend time in one of the smartest interiors around. Plus, the twin boot set-up and large hatchback-style tailgate also provide the car with a welcome dose of practicality.
It’s not all perfect, though. While Porsche’s twin-clutch PDK transmission is incredibly effective, we would choose the conventional transmission every time. The PDK system’s manual controls are counter- intuitive and over-complicated, and it kicks down too easily – robbing drivers of the chance to enjoy the powerplant’s full rev range. In contrast, the manual’s wonderfully mechanical feel adds yet another layer of involvement to the whole experience.
Look beyond this minor blemish, and the Cayman is in rude health. It will take something special to knock it of the top step of the podium this time next year.
Commended
Audi R8
Few models provoke the kind of jaw-dropping reaction the Audi R8 generates everywhere it goes. It has been around for two years now, but the stunning supercar still turns heads like nothing else on the road. Backing up these looks is its breathtaking pace – and the new V10 delivers the kind of neck-snapping performance the Audi’s four-wheel-drive chassis really deserves.
Nissan GT-r
With its twin-clutch transmission, four-wheel drive, twin-turbo V6 engine and trick electronics, the Nissan is a technological tour de force. Colossal straight-line performance, uncompromising looks and an incredibly practical cabin add to the package – and that’s before you consider the amazingly competitive price, which makes its supercar rivals look very expensive.
