FAVOURITES

From the ultimate incarnation of the small hot hatch to supercars and even a bakkie, these are the cars that left an indelible impression this year

01 MERCEDES-AMG C43 COUPÉ 4MATIC 9G-TRONIC STEVE SMITH

This Benz genuinely surprised me. If its 3,0-litre biturbo V6 first impressed in the GLE450 AMG Coupé we tested a few years back, in this 600 kg lighter two-door, it’s an absolute gem that makes for a hugely engaging sportscar. Save R400k and buy this instead of its C63 big brother.

02 MERCEDES-AMG GT R TERENCE STEENKAMP

Pops and cracks so brutal they reverberate through the stiff structure and make you laugh uproariously, fired to the centrally mounted exhaust by a V8 with no trace of lag and monstrous performance. Crucially, however, the polished chassis just about manages to restrain that splendid engine. The GT R represents AMG unfettered and what a glorious thing it is!

03 VW AMAROK DC 3,0 TDI V6 4MOTION HIGHLINE AT NICOL LOUW

On these two pages, you’ll find many fast cars, but for me, this “commercial” vehicle stood out. Yes, it is expensive, but it is powerful, frugal, comfortable and currently the most Suv-like bakkie in our market. The V6 turbodiesel engine in combination with the eight-speed automatic transmission is brilliant, too.

04 AUDI R8 5,2 V10 PLUS QUATTRO GARETH DEAN

Given that I’m far from being a god’s gift to performance driving, this looks like an unconventional choice for me. Yet, the R8’s ability to finely balance everyday usability with eye-widening pace and a dynamic nature that effortlessly tiptoes between thrilling and reassuring has cemented its place as my favourite this year.

05 FORD FIESTA ST200 RYAN BUBEAR

While the CAR garage has welcomed countless examples of far more exotic metal over the past year, few have been able to induce a chuckle quite as readily as the plucky little ST200. Not the obvious choice, but one that certainly stuck in my head. It’s the last of a dying breed, too.

06 ALFA ROMEO GIULIA QUADRIFOGLIO VERDE NIKESH KOOVERJEE

I’m from a generation that never viewed Alfa Romeo as a desirable brand, but the Giulia QV was an eye-opener. Everything, from the Ferrari-derived V6 to the sticky Pirelli Corsa tyres, come together to create a truly visceral and engaging sportscar.

07 LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR S SUDHIR MATAI

The Big Bull stands out for several reasons, one of which is the ease of accessibility of its performance potential. The second is its on-track behaviour; the latter was a complete surprise for a mid-engined V12 supercar. And, finally, just look at it.

08 VW AMAROK DC 3,0 TDI V6 4MOTION HIGHLINE AT PETER PALM

It’s all fine and well to test supercars, but I need a bakkie to do lots of workhorse stuff. To be able to combine this with luxury, massive grunt and a brilliant gearbox means I can have it all.

09 RENAULT CLIO 88 kw TURBO GT-LINE IAN MCLAREN

Manual transmissions are undeniably on the endangered-species list, but this one makes a final hoorah in the form of an excellently precise, shortshifting lever mated with an engine that offers just enough smile-inducing punch, in a chassis that harnesses all that is good about Renault-badged hot hatches.

10 PORSCHE 911 GT3 WILHELM LUTJEHARMS

368 kw and a manual gearbox... My stint in the 991.2 GT3 reminded me why it is so enjoyable to drive a manual sportscar. The sound and the immediacy of the 4,0-litre engine are just two of the highlights from Porsche’s only remaining naturally aspirated 911.