BMW M3 vs Porsche Cayman S vs Audi S5 vs Vauxhall VXR8

	The combination of brute force and sensible pricing meant we had high hopes for the VXR8

One of the most high-powered showdowns of the year took place in the autumn. The reputation of the new BMW M3 was on the line. It had already lost to Audi’s storming RS4 saloon when the two went head-to-head on the former’s international launch, but could the BMW withstand the challenge of the new Audi S5, Porsche Cayman S and Vauxhall VXR8?

The combination of brute force and sensible pricing meant we had high hopes for the VXR8, but it was found wanting in this talented company. There’s much to admire about its no-nonsense approach, but its jittery suspension, vague steering and weak body control are major drawbacks.

Second and third spots were very closely fought out between the two German four-seater coupés, with the S5 giving the M3 a much harder run for its money than many expected. The Audi is better looking, £10,000 cheaper and a sophisticated, crisp and capable driving machine.

However, what gave the BMW the edge was its more hardcore road manners and epic 4.0-litre V8 powerplant – the M3 simply felt more sporting, although we remain disappointed at the level of driver involvement and limited sense of occasion from the cabin. All the same, there’s no denying that BMW’s flagship 3-Series is enormously fast and technologically advanced.

That wasn’t enough to deny the Cayman victory after two hard days of testing in North Yorkshire, though. Unlike the M3, where the engine dominates proceedings, in the Porsche, all the components work in perfect harmony. The two-seater is quite simply a brilliantly well rounded sports car that’s great fun to drive and good – if expensive – to own and run.