The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
TOP 5 SPORTS CARS
Our inside sources tell us EV plans have been parked
GIANT TEST WINNER
1 PORSCHE 911
THE GOOD: Exquisite blend of power, accuracy, excitement, style and usability, and new GTS integrates hybrid beautifully
THE BAD: You have to look down to #3 in this category to see the affordable performance Porsche; the most basic 911 is now priced in six figures in the UK, at £103,700
THE UGLY: It keeps getting bigger and heavier
THE ONE TO BUY:That basic Carrera is ace, and it’s hard to imagine you’ll regret it for a minute. But if you want more power and more trickery then Porsche has plenty of ways to take more of your money
GIANT TEST WINNER
2 ARIEL ATOM
THE GOOD: A beautiful object as well as a thrilling drive; think of it as a modernised Lotus Seven crossed with a high-end sports bike
THE BAD: You’ll need bike-style wet-weather gear if it’s raining. And at least £40k – this is an expensive toy, if a captivating one
THE UGLY: The 4R is even more bonkers
THE ONE TO BUY: Do you really need the 350bhp optional power upgrade?
GIANT TEST WINNER
3 PORSCHE 718 CAYMAN/BOXSTER
THE GOOD: Sublime handling; surprising practicality
THE BAD: Less characterful than an Alpine; a boringly obvious choice (but not one bit boring to drive)
THE UGLY: Flat-four versions sound like a VW Beetle in a duet with Eeyore
THE ONE TO BUY:GT4 RS the most thrilling, Spyder is ace, but flat-six GTS 4.0 is a cut-price GT4 at £75,300
4 LOTUS EMIRA
THE GOOD: The first new combustion Lotus in years is fantastically well resolved. Usable, desirable and thrilling
THE BAD: Harder work to live with than a Cayman
THE UGLY: The last petrol Lotus – just as the company gets the financial stability to build on its brilliance
THE ONE TO BUY: Recently revised line-up now consists of Turbo SE (AMG four-cylinder) and Toyota-engined V6
5 ALPINE A110
THE GOOD: The perfectly formed antidote to a world of excess; a modern classic in every sense of the term
THE BAD: Two boots, neither big, and not much oddment storage inside
THE UGLY: ‘R’ is 34kg lighter – some effort – but also more than £90k. Too much
THE ONE TO BUY:A110 S adds handling poise for £68,170 but £55,160 base A110 is all you need; enjoy it before it goes electric
PCM (per calendar month) figures are typical prices for PCP (personal contract purchase) deals available at the time of writing. For guidance only