The best cars I’ve ever driven

Editor-in-chief Fowler picks his favourite models

I DON’T claim to be a hero driver, so I welcome any car that makes me feel like a hero – surely that’s worth paying a substantial amount of money for?

That’s exactly what the McLaren 720S Spider does – it makes me feel like the driver I wish I were. And yes, it does cost a substantial amount of cash – £237,000 at least.

But the 720S Spider is a car with a breadth of ability that’s as breathtaking as its acceleration with launch control on and the throttle pinned to the floor. For the record, 0-60mph flashes by in just 2.8 seconds.

More than that is the way it makes performance accessible to mere mortals, all while keeping you safe. It’s a blend of good old-fashioned engineering nous with up-to-the-minute technology – it’s a Woking miracle.

Other than the obvious – a clever folding carbon-fibre roof that can feature electrochromic glass – the only changes to the coupé version are different doors, glazed flying buttresses at the back and tweaks to the fabulous Bowers and Wilkins sound system for top-down driving. And with the top down and the rear glass lowered, you’re

“The 720S Spider is a car that makes me feel like the driver I wish I were”

a little closer to noise of the 710bhp, 770Nm twin-turbo V8 doing its business. Sure, you’ll get a more intoxicating noise from a Ferrari, but that’s splitting hairs.

You won’t want to be listening to the exhaust all of the time, though; this McLaren can become a refined tourer when you want it to and will even pootle around at low speeds without stuttering like supercars of old.

McLaren took us to Arizona for the 720S Spider launch – a place I know well, with family living close by. The scenery heading north of Scottsdale and out towards Lake Pleasant is truly spectacular. And, once you’re off the highway and heading up into the hills, the McLaren comes into its own. Diving up and down through twists and turns, the sound of the V8 bouncing off the hills around you; roof and windows down and warm air rushing through the cabin – now that really is my idea of automotive heaven.

Others may bemoan the lack of a Porsche or a Ferrari in this list, but for me, British is best. The McLaren 720S is the best performance car I’ve ever driven. It’s fast, flattering and fantastic fun; a real engineering milestone.