Performance Car Of The Year 2011 16-11

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_half_width","fid":"83670","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"85","width":"127"}}]]16. Aston Martin Virage£149,995 | 186mph | 0-62 in 4.6secs | 490bhp

How do you improve on perfection? Heres's how. The DB9 is one of the most stylish coupes in the world, but the new Virage ups the visual ante. With more power and a tweaked chassis, it's also better to drive than its cousin. Techinically, it sits between the DB9 and the flagship DBS in the line-up, but we think it hits the sweet spot as the most talented V12 in Aston's coupe range.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_half_width","fid":"83671","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"85","width":"127"}}]]15. Audi R8 GT£145,645 | 199mph | 0-62 in 3.6secs | 552bhp

Take a former Auto Express Performance Car Of The Year winner. Add power, poise and rigidity, then remove weight. If you think this sounds like the perfect performance car recipe, you’d be right; the R8 GT is an incredible piece of engineering. It combines four-wheel-drive quattro technology with an automated manual gearbox which can shift ratios in one-tenth of a second. And its lowered suspension means it devours corners with relish. Only a couple of things sour the taste. Its limited production run of 33 UK cars and sold-out status make it truly exclusive, and a price tag of £145,645 ensures it is a hefty step up from the standard V10.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_half_width","fid":"83672","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"85","width":"127"}}]]14. Mercedes CLS 63 AMG£80,645 | 155mph| 0-62 in 4.4secs | 518bhp

You have to hand it to Mercedes – its AMG tuning division is on a roll. In the past, its cars were famed for their dragster pace and V8 and V12 soundtracks, but its latest models have lots of dynamic finesse. On the evidence of the new CLS, AMG isn’t about to change its approach and its thunderous engine, sharp responses and staggering grip levels make this a hugely capable four-seater express.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_half_width","fid":"83673","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"85","width":"127"}}]]13. Maserati GranTurismo MC£110,045 | 187mph | 0-62 in 4.6secs | 490bhp

Italian car makers know how to get the supercar juices flowing. The standard GranTurismo S is one of the most desirable coupes around, but the MC Stradale is even more focused and dramatic. It beat the Jaguar XKR-S in a recent test, but finishes behind it here on account of its more single-minded approach. But if you want the fastest GranTurismo yet, look no further.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_half_width","fid":"83674","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"85","width":"127"}}]]12. Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0£128,466 | 193mph | 0-62 in 3.8secs | 493bhp

The history of the 911 is littered with cars that have enthusiasts in raptures, and the GT3 RS 4.0 is the latest. It was conceived as a farewell to the 997 and the immediacy and precision of its controls are matched only by its superb performance and grip. Why isn’t it higher in our countdown? The answer is simple, as the 4.0 is too exclusive. All 40 cars destined for the UK have already been sold.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_half_width","fid":"83681","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","height":"85","width":"127"}}]]11. BMW 1M Coupe£40,020 | 155mph | 0-62 in 4.9secs | 335bhp

What a way to sign off! The last hurrah for the outgoing 1 Series is something to savour. Shoe-horning a twin-turbo straight-six into the engine bay of BMW’s smallest car was always going to cause fireworks, and the 1M Coupe doesn’t disappoint. The simple formula includes a traditional manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive, so this is a pure driver’s car. Its talented chassis and powerful engine come clothed in one of the most dramatic bodies we’ve seen all year; those flared wheelarches give the car a mean, pumped up appearance. So why didn’t the 1M Coupe make our top 10? Well, only 450 will be sold in the UK, and most were bought before it went on sale.