Ford Focus

The third generation of Ford's epochal family hatchback moves the sector on once more, leaving the compeition feeling very dated.

THE FACTS

Tested: Five-door hatchback with four-cylinder, 1,596cc turbo petrol engine. Six-speed manual transmission, front-wheel drive

Price/on sale: Range starts at £15,995 (as tested £21,245)/March

Power/torque: 148bhp/177lb ft (with 199lb ft overboost)

Top speed: 130mph

Acceleration: 0-62mph in 8.6sec

Fuel economy: 36.7mpg (Urban)

CO2 emissions: 139g/km

VED band: E (£110)

On the stereo: The Boss by James Brown

Verdict: Terrific. Why can't all family hatchbacks be as good to drive as this?

Ferrari FF

The latest Ferrari supercar boasts seating for four, all-weather capability – and 650bhp. Meet the amazing FF. 

THE FACTS 

Ferrari FF
Tested: 6,262cc, 65-degree petrol V12 engine with twin overhead camshafts per bank and four valves per cylinder, driving all four wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission
Price/on sale: From £227,026/RHD sales begin in late September
Power/torque: 651bhp @ 8,000rpm/504lb ft @ 6,000rpm
Top speed: 208mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 3.7sec
Fuel economy: 18.3mpg EU Combined
CO2 emissions: 360g/km
VED band: M (£950 first year, £435 thereafter)
On the stereo: Walking The Dog by Wilko Johnson and the Solid Senders
Verdict: Terrific style, superlative all-weather performance and surprising practicality; an intercontinental getaway car

McLaren MP4-12C 

The new supercar from the British grand prix team is the year's most eagerly anticipated set of wheels. 

THE FACTS
McLaren MP4-12C
Tested: 3.8-litre, 90-degree V8 with chain-driven double-overhead-camshafts per bank, twin MHI turbochargers, seven-speed twin-clutch transmission, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: £168,500/May
Power/torque: 592bhp @ 7,000rpm and 443lb ft @ 3,000rpm
Top speed: 205mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 3.1sec (on optional Pirelli Corsa tyres)
Fuel economy: 24.2mpg (EU Combined)
CO2 emissions: 279g/km
VED band: M (£950 first year, £435 thereafter)
On the stereo: Keep My Motor Running by Roy Orbison
Verdict: Stunning debut for the Woking F1 team. More understated than the competition, but just as able and certainly as fast.

Porsche Cayman

Porsche’s latest Cayman has lost some weight, but still packs a hefty punch and is tons of fun. Andrew English reviews the Cayman R. 

THE FACTS
Tested: two-seat, mid-engined coupé with 3,436cc flat-six-cyl petrol engine. Six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: from £51,728/now
Power/torque: 325bhp @ 7,400rpm/ 273lb ft @ 4,750rpm
Top speed: 175mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 5.0sec
Fuel economy: 29.1mpg (Combined)
CO2 emissions: 228g/km
VED band: L (£750 first year, £425 thereafter)
Verdict: Great chassis made sharper and more focused, but still useable every day. Don't bother with the twin-clutch gearbox

Volkswagen XL1

Volswagen's amazing 300mpg-plus XL1 two-seater diesel/electric hybrid is a supercar where mpg matters more than mph. 

THE FACTS
Volkswagen XL1
Tested: Two-seat, plug-in hybrid, with two-cyl 800cc turbodiesel and 132lb, 5 kWh lithium-ion battery; seven-speed transmission, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: Probably £30,000 to £40,000/2013
Power/torque: engine 47bhp/88.5lb ft, motor 27bhp/74lb ft
Top speed: electronically limited to 99mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 11.9 sec
Fuel economy: 313mpg EU Combined
CO2 emissions: 24g/km
VED band: A £0
On the stereo: The Air That I Breathe by The Hollies
Verdict: Needs a little work, but what a statement supercar for the environment

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

As well as the new V12 Virage, Aston Martin has been busy working on a hardcore 'S' version of its entry-level V8 Vantage. 

THE FACTS
Aston Martin V8 Vantage S
Tested: Two-door, two-seater coupé with 4,735cc, petrol V8, seven-speed Sportshift II gearbox, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: £102,500/now
Power/torque: 430bhp @ 7,300rpm/361lb ft @ 5,000rpm
Top speed: 189mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 4.5sec
Fuel economy: 21.9mpg (Combined)
CO2 emissions: 299g/km
VED band: M (£950 first year, £435 thereafter)
Verdict: Too hardcore to be a daily driver, but for those who can afford to indulge in a weekend toy the Vantage S comes highly recommended.

Aston Martin Virage

A new name and more power for the latest Aston Martin, but is the Virage good enough to justify a £150,000 price tag? 

THE FACTS
Tested: Two-door, two-plus-two coupé with 5,935cc, 60-degree, petrol V12, six-speed automatic transaxle, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: from £150,000/now
Power/torque: 490bhp @ 6,500rpm/420lb ft @ 5,750rpm
Top speed: 186mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 4.6sec
Fuel economy: 12.7mpg (EU Urban), 18.8mpg (Combined)
CO2 emissions: 349g/km
VED band: M (£950 first year, £435 thereafter)
On the stereo: A Man Alone (Ipcress File theme), by John Barry
Verdict: Assured update, or new model? It doesn't matter because the Virage is as good to look at as it is to drive.