Best for: Bond-esque coolness
If you’re after a muscle car feeling in the form of a sports car, the Aston Martin Vantage is the best of the breed.
We dubbed it a “fabulous road car” but was also impressed by its willingness to entertain on a track as demanding as Cadwell Park.
On a twisty rural road, the old-school GT was a treat, thanks to its front-engine, rear-drive setup – and despite being turbocharged, the 656bhp V8 motor sounded even mightier than its predecessor.
There was tactility to its steering and plenty of traction when exiting bends, and the clever traction control system allowed for some fun without getting carried away.
Around Cadwell Park, the gnarly Aston felt as quick as the McLaren, but lacked the body control of its mid-engined competitor.
But while it might not have been able to match the McLaren on agility, the Vantage was more willing to loosen its rear end.
You could fire it into a bend and collect any moments of oversteer without issue.
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