GT HIGHLY COMMENDED

IF YOU VISUALISE YOURSELF spearing across the Continent with Monaco the target, it’s not hard to imagine you’re behind the wheel of a Ferrari. Maranello has been a GT master ever since the Daytona first started shrinking long distances in 1968. Today it’s the GTC4 Lusso (below) that flies the fast four-seater flag for Ferrari, with a choice of naturally aspirated V12 or twin-turbo V8 under the long, long bonnet. In reality there’s virtually nothing between the two for outright performance, but when you’re paying this much for the privilege you might as well go the whole hog (or horse), and stump up for that glorious, howling V12. The V12 also gets fourwheel drive, so it can do the annual ski-run to the Alps, too.

We were sorely tempted by the luscious Lexus LC500 (below), which looks like it has driven straight off a show stand and is powered by an achingly good 5-litre V8. But the ride is just too firm for a true GT. The same is true of the Aston Martin DB11, which looks and sounds the part but is dynamically patchy. JD