Volkswagen Scirocco GT

If you’re surprised by how far down the Scirocco finished, so were we – but it goes to show how strong the competition was at this year’s high-performance knees-up. In this company, 15th is no disgrace and doesn’t paint the full picture.

The car is supremely accomplished cross-country, where it delivers impressive pace, superb handling and a smooth ride. Yet the Scirocco lost ground on the circuit because it doesn’t engage with the driver at the limit on the same level as some rivals. Its steering lacks tactility and weight, while the suppleness that works so well on bumpy roads means it doesn’t have the ultra-tight body control needed for hard track work. What’s more, the ESP cannot be switched off.

The flat-sounding 2.0-litre turbo is another disappointment as it lacks the aural charm of the Golf GTI, which shares the same unit. Tellingly, though, the Scirocco keys were the most jealously guarded when it came to the five-hour trip home...

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