Performance COTY
Gallery 12
It’s PCOTY time, and that means MOTOR is testing some of the best metal of the last 12-or-so months and finding out which comes out on top.
This year’s Performance Car of the Year field has a couple of notable differences from previous years – the first being that it’s the first time in basically forever that an Australian car hasn’t been present. No surprises there.
The second major difference is that it’s the first year in a little while we’ve allowed more than one car per manufacturer to show up – normally we make them pick their best.
Anyway, without further ado…
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A total newcomer to PCOTY, but our experiences so far have been promising.
2018 Alpine A110 specs: Engine: 1798cc inline-4, DOHC, 16v, turbocharged Power: 185kW at 6000rpm Torque: 320Nm at 2000-5000rpm Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Weight: 1103kg Price: $106,500 (Australian Premiere Edition)
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Audi’s limited-edition rear-drive V10 supercar. An oversteer lover’s dream.
2018 Audi R8 RWS specs: Engine: 5204cc V10, DOHC, 40v Power: 397kW @ 7800rpm Torque: 540Nm @ 6500rpm Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Weight: 1590kg Price: $299,500
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The super wagon from the country that does them best.
2018 Audi RS4 Avant specs: Engine: 2894cc V6, DOHC, 24v, twin-turbo Power: 331kW @ 5700-6700rpm Torque: 600Nm @ 1900-5000rpm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Weight: 1715kg Price: $152,900
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The brashest version of the smallest M car. More power, more carbon, more noise.
2018 BMW M2 Competition specs: Engine: 2979cc inline-6, DOHC, 24v, twin-turbo Power: 302kW @ 5250-7000rpm Torque: 550Nm @ 2350-5200rpm Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Weight: 1550kg Price: $99,900
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The sleeper sedan in an executive suit – but now that suit gives a little more of the muscle away.
2018 BMW M5 Competition specs: Engine: 4395cc V8, DOHC, 32v, twin-turbo Power: 460kW @ 6000rpm Torque: 750Nm @ 1800-5800rpm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Weight: 1865kg Price: $229,900
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HSV’s right-hand drive Camaro is finally here, and just in time to undertake the ultimate test.
2018 Chevrolet Camaro SS specs: Engine: 6162cc V8, OHV, 16v Power: 339kW @ 6000rpm Torque: 617Nm @ 4600rpm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Weight: 1710kg Price: $85,990
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Australia’s favourite sports car, but is it the best? Sales figures don’t matter at PCOTY.
2018 Ford Mustang GT specs: Engine: 5038cc V8, DOHC, 32v Power: 339kW @ 7000rpm Torque: 556Nm @ 4600rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual Weight: 1732kg Price: $62,990
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We’ve had one as a long termer for a while now, but how will Hyundai’s first proper hot hatch hold up in the big leagues?
2018 Hyundai i30 N specs: Engine: 1998cc inline-4, DOHC, 16v, turbo Power: 202kW @ 6000rpm Torque: 353Nm @ 1450-4700rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual Weight: 1509kg Price: $39,990
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Affalterbach’s ‘C’ comes in just below the GT R. Its brutally-muscular V8 must impress the judges for a shot.
2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C specs: Engine: 3982cc V8, DOHC, 32v, twin-turbo Power: 410kW @ 5750-6750rpm Torque: 680Nm @ 1900-5500rpm Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Weight: 1625kg Price: $316,500
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The former ‘Ring King and Porsche’s poster child of the moment. Will it follow the 911 tradition of taking the PCOTY win?
2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS specs: Engine: 3800cc flat-six, DOHC, 24v, twin-turbo Power: 515kW @ 7000rpm Torque: 750Nm @ 2500-4500rpm Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Weight: 1470kg Price: $645,400
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The new version of the hot Megane has no Civic Type R to contend with here, but a Hyundai might get in its way.
2018 Renault Megane RS 280 Cup specs: Engine: 1798cc inline-4, DOHC, 16v, turbo Power: 205kW @ 6000rpm Torque: 390Nm @ 2400-4800rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual Weight: 1430kg Price: $44,990
