Performance Car of the Year 2019: The contenders

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…

Alpine A110

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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)

Audi R8 RWS

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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

Audi RS4 Avant

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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

BMW M2 Competition

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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

BMW M5 Competition

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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

Chevrolet Camaro SS

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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

Ford Mustang GT

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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

Hyundai i30 N

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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

Mercedes-AMG GT C

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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

Porsche 911 GT2 RS

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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

Renault Megane RS

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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