Ferrari 458 Italia

As the summer draws to a close, one very special road test provides the highlight of the Auto Express calendar. 

Our Performance Car of the Year test (Issue 1,134) is one of the most highly respected shoot-outs in the world and is a must-win for any manufacturer serious about being known as a maker of the ultimate driver’s car.

In 2010, we had no shortage of mouthwatering metal to put in the laps at our Anglesey test circuit. Everything from SEATs to Subarus and BMWs to Bentleys had made the trip to north Wales, and any of our 20 contenders could have emerged victorious. But one model turned out to be so special that the entire road test team was unanimous in its verdict.

While it might seem a cliché to crown a Ferrari as our champ, the 458 Italia really is a special car. Redefining our expectations of prancing horse models, it serves up a mind-blowing mix of scarcely believable pace, jaw-dropping styling and 21st century supercar handling. No rival comes close for providing the sort of driving experience you will never forget every single time you get behind the wheel.