Best car reviews of 2016, part 22

All the best reviews and first drives from the year that was, including the Peugeot 308 GTi, AMG E63 S, 2018 Commodore prototype and MX-5 Cup edition.

2016 Peugeot 308 GTi

Where the Ford Focus RS was all about redefining the hot hatch genre, the Peugeot 308 GTi worked hard on refining the formula. With only a 1.6-litre turbo four cylinder powering the front wheels, the 200kW GTi 270 variant is nevertheless an absolute weapon. Match the fantastic powerplant with a manual gearbox, a featherweight chassis and whopping great brakes, and you’ll be king of the mountain in no time.

2017 Mercedes-AMG E63 S

Ford and Holden won’t be building high-powered V8 saloons in Australia anymore, but that doesn’t mean we our seemingly insatiable appetite for that recipe will evaporate. Mercedes-AMG came to the rescue with the unhinged 450 twin-turbo V8 E63 S. Four wheel drive, the ability to harass supercars, and a drift mode. Yes please!

2018 Holden Commodore prototype

No other review in 2016 caused quite a stir, or was anywhere near as important, as this one. Our hands-on test of a 65-percent finished 2018 Holden Commodore prototype. If the fact it has no manual, no rear-drive, and no V8 engine wasn’t controversial enough, then get this: we liked it! Make sure to read the full review to prepare for the first foreign Commodore since 1978.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Cup edition

The other end of the racecar spectrum to the AMG GT GT3 which kicked off part one of this series, the Mazda MX-5 Cup car gave us big thrills and an even bigger smile. Alex’s first attempt at driving the car occurred in the teeming rain, but once the track dried out, he was able to get his teeth sunk in to the stripped-out racer and make use of its slick rubber. Make sure to watch the accompanying video to see just how quick this little roadster can be.