Today on The Top Ten Auto Show the team take a look at the top ten best tarmas thrashing, corner hugging Performance cars of 2002, basing their final descision on pure sales figures and features.
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Don't forget to subscribe to our channel and hit the notification bell so you never miss a video!
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Enjoyed this video? Don't forget to LIKE and SHARE the video and get involved with our community by leaving a COMMENT below the video!
Check out what else our channel has to offer and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to Men & Motors for more classic car and motorbike content! Why not? It is free after all!
Our website: http://menandmotors.com/
---- Social Media ----
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/menandmotors/
Instagram: @menandmotorstv
Twitter: @menandmotorstv
If you have any questions, e-mail us at talk@menandmotors.com
© Men and Motors - One Media iP 2023
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MotorTranscript
00:00 [Music]
00:27 Hello, this is Dave Lee Travis welcoming you to the final program of the Top Ten Auto Show.
00:32 Each week we give you the Men & Motors Top Ten Countdown for a particular class of car,
00:37 with the judging being carried out by the Top Ten Auto Show Expert Panel,
00:41 which includes editors of the major motoring magazines.
00:44 And this week we're going out with a bang as we give you the Top Ten
00:48 tarmac-thrashing, corner-hugging performance cars of the year.
00:52 So let's start the countdown at number ten.
00:55 [Music]
00:58 In at number ten this year is the Honda Accord Type R.
01:01 For all of you who thought that Hondas were purely the transport of old men
01:05 to get them to and from the bowling green, well think again,
01:08 as the Accord Type R is every bit worthy of its place in this year's Top Ten.
01:13 You only need to look at the performance stats to see that this is one Honda that means business.
01:18 0-60 in just over seven seconds and on to a top whack of 140 miles an hour.
01:24 However, it's not just speed that makes this car so great,
01:27 it's the way in which its performance is genuinely usable.
01:31 At any speed the chassis is composed and responsive, yet without being annoyingly firm,
01:36 and despite being front-wheel drive, there's an impressive amount of traction.
01:40 [Music]
01:45 The car is at its most exciting though when you bang your foot right down.
01:49 The Accord's 2.2 litre revs ridiculously high, at over 6,000 revs it really comes alive
01:55 with an engine note that is motoring music.
01:58 [Music]
02:02 Let's now take a look at the manufacturer's facts and figures for the Honda Accord Type R.
02:07 [Music]
02:28 You may be surprised that it only made 10th slot, so let's see how our expert panel scored the Honda.
02:34 [Music]
02:43 In 10th place then, with an average percentage of 65, the Honda Accord Type R.
02:48 [Music]
02:52 Taking 9th slot this year is another car from Honda's performance stable.
02:56 This time it's the Civic Type R.
02:58 Whilst the Civic, like the Accord we've just seen, is a great all-round performer,
03:02 its greatest feature is its engine.
03:05 It uses the same variable valve timing technology as the rest of the VTEC range of engines,
03:10 yet, if anything, it's much easier to reap the performance on the Civic
03:13 as the power kicks in much lower down in the rev range.
03:17 Although Ford, Alfa and VW have recently introduced models that seriously challenge the Civic's crown
03:22 as one of the best hot hatches of all time, you'd be hard-pressed to fault the drive of the Type R.
03:27 Although there are no electronic driver aids fitted to the car, it's still a remarkably easy and rewarding car to drive
03:33 and it won't throw you into a hedge at the first sign of trouble.
03:36 On the equipment front, the Civic isn't as packed with goodies as many of its rivals,
03:40 but it is built with impeccable precision and, in the long run,
03:44 it'll probably hold its value better than many of the competition's cars.
03:47 Here are those all-important facts and figures for the Civic Type R.
03:51 [Music]
04:11 And from manufacturers' figures to those of our expert panel,
04:14 as we see how they've marked the Honda in the top ten categories.
04:18 [Music]
04:26 With an average score of 67%, the Honda Civic Type R takes this year's ninth position.
04:32 [Music]
04:36 In at this year's eighth place is a Mondeo.
04:39 Yes, that's right, the rep's favourite makes it into the top ten performance cars,
04:43 but this is certainly a Mondeo with a bit of a difference.
04:46 It's the ST220.
04:48 Take one superbly built and fine-handling Mondeo saloon,
04:51 add a menacing body kit and huge 18-inch wheels,
04:55 and then give it life with 217 brake horsepower, a 3-litre V6,
05:00 and you have the high-performance ST220.
05:04 For what's quite a large car, out on the road, the ST220 is remarkably nimble and chuckable,
05:09 as it remains well-behaved on all but the roughest of road surfaces.
05:13 However, like all of the cars we've seen so far this week, the Mondeo is front-wheel drive,
05:18 hence the standard fitment of traction control to keep everything on the straight and narrow.
05:23 For what is a great car inside and out and on the road,
05:26 the Mondeo's biggest drawback is its running costs.
05:29 That engine is very thirsty and will cost you a packet at the pumps.
05:33 Also, when you come to sell your ST220 in a few years' time,
05:36 be prepared for a big loss, as this type of vehicle typically depreciates very heavily,
05:41 especially when you compare it to similar-performing Mercs and BMWs.
05:45 But let's forget boring things like running costs, as we take a look at the performance figures for the ST220.
05:51 Performance figures for the ST220
06:17 We know it's in eighth place, but here's how our expert panel have marked the Mondeo ST220.
06:23 With an average percentage of 68, the Mondeo ST220 takes this year's eighth place.
06:42 Straight in at this year's number seven is one of the newest cars on the block, the MINI Cooper S.
06:47 Although, strictly speaking, the new MINI isn't very new anymore,
06:51 it still creates excitement and turns heads when out on the road,
06:55 and the Cooper S is certainly the most exciting car of the bunch.
06:58 It uses the same 1.6-litre engine as the other two MINI variants,
07:02 only with the addition of a supercharger.
07:05 This means that 60 comes up in under eight seconds,
07:08 and roads permitting, it will go on to 126 miles an hour.
07:13 But though the MINI will happily cruise along the motorway,
07:16 its forte is using its go-kart-like handling on twisty country roads and negotiating around city traffic.
07:22 It really is a joy to drive, and after just a few minutes you realise that BMW have done a fantastic job
07:28 in recreating the exhilarating handling of the old MINI,
07:31 with, of course, incorporation of all the developments that modern motoring demands.
07:35 Traction control and ABS are standard, as is speed-sensitive power steering.
07:40 Let's check out those statistics then, for the Cooper S.
08:04 We know it's in at number seven, but let's see how our expert panel scored the car in the five Top Ten Auto Show categories.
08:11 With an average percentage of 69, the MINI Cooper S.
08:24 Just failing to make the top five in this year's chart is the Ford Focus ST170.
08:33 Yes, there are cars in this Top Ten that are quicker to 60 and have a higher top speed,
08:38 but for a front-wheel-drive performance car, the ST170 is a pretty impressive piece of kit.
08:44 We all know that the basic Focus is a highly acclaimed car for its ride and handling,
08:49 and the ST170 adds to this package by providing a few tweaks here and there,
08:53 and of course, a 170-brake, horsepower, 2.0-litre engine.
08:57 It's no fire-breather, but it does give the Focus a new lease of life,
09:01 and it encourages you to drive the Focus harder, which is, after all, why you would buy this specification of car.
09:07 Although the engine needs lots of revs to get the best performance, the rest of the car is very refined,
09:13 and even at high speed, there is little in the way of road and wind noise, just the reassuring thrum of that 2.0-litre engine.
09:19 As you'd expect with such a performance variant, the Focus ST170 comes with ABS and traction control as standard,
09:27 as well as a full set of airbags. In fact, the ST is the only Focus in the range to get side airbags as standard equipment,
09:34 suggesting then that with the extra power, you're more likely to stuff your car into a hedge.
09:39 Here then are those facts and figures for the Focus ST170.
09:44 [Music]
10:03 And to see why the car didn't make the top five, here are the panel's marks for the sporty Ford.
10:09 [Music]
10:18 With an average percentage of 70 then, the Focus ST170 takes sixth place.
10:23 [Music]
10:27 We're into the top five now, and if you thought the Cooper S would be the smallest performance car in our top ten,
10:33 VW are here to prove you wrong with their Lupo GTI.
10:37 Now, the first thing you'll notice about the Lupo when you look at it up close is how solid it feels.
10:42 You may think that being the runt of the VW range, the quality and finish wouldn't be up to scratch,
10:47 but it's every bit as well put together as a Golf or Passat.
10:50 Even when you close one of the Lupo's tiny doors, there's a reassuring clunk of quality.
10:55 The interior, too, feels like it would last longer than most lumps of granite,
10:59 though some may say it's too sombre for a car wearing the GTI badge.
11:04 The chassis is brilliantly set up, and the steering is such that you really feel involved in the drive,
11:09 and even at more moderate speeds, you can have fun in the Lupo.
11:12 You just can't have fun in it parked in a lay-by with your girlfriend.
11:16 It's too small for even that.
11:19 Here, then, are the stats and figures for VW's pocket rocket.
11:22 [Music]
11:41 We know it made the top five, but here's how our panel scored the car in the five categories.
11:46 [Music]
11:55 With an average percentage of 71, the Lupo is this year's fifth-place car.
12:00 Well, that's it for part one of this year's top ten performance cars.
12:04 Join me after the break when we'll be revealing the top four tarmac-tearing motors.
12:09 [Music]
12:15 Hello, and welcome back to the Top Ten Auto Show,
12:18 where this week we're running down the top ten performance cars of the year.
12:22 We're into the top four now, so get set for a hike in the horsepower figures.
12:26 [Music]
12:30 In at number four is the biggest car in our top ten,
12:33 and that's big in size, big in price, and big in the horsepower department,
12:38 the huge 52,000-pound BMW M5 packs a whopping 400 horsepower from its 5-litre V8.
12:46 Now, I know what you're thinking.
12:48 Surely such a big car with so much power can only show its strength hurtling down the autobahn with five executives on board.
12:55 Well, whilst the M5 will do this without so much as a blip of the throttle,
12:59 you'll be staggered by how much this car enjoys being driven hard on twisty, undulating country roads.
13:05 It's awesome!
13:06 And the more you drive the M5, the smaller it seems to get, and the more your confidence in the car will grow.
13:12 The suspension setup is near perfect, as it is with most of today's BMWs,
13:17 so the car never wallows or loses its composure even when being pushed hard on the toughest of road surfaces.
13:23 But, as you'd expect, there are numerous electronic safety devices to step in and help you keep control
13:29 if you do get a little overzealous with the loud pedal, which, believe me, is loud.
13:34 So, let's take a look at the specifications for the BMW M5.
13:38 We know it's in fourth spot, but here's how the men and motors panel have marked the Beemer.
14:04 [Music]
14:12 In fourth place, then, with an average percentage of 75, the BMW M5.
14:17 We're into the top three now, and in third place, it's yet another BMW.
14:25 This time, the M5's smaller brother, the M3.
14:28 Now, performance-wise, both cars are similar, though the smaller 3 Series gets you to 60 a shade quicker than the M5.
14:35 But, though the M5 is a very nimble car, the M3 takes this a stage further.
14:40 Slip inside those figure-hugging leather sports seats, take in the quality and refinement of the cabin,
14:46 fire up the 350-horsepower straight-six, and straightaway you feel part of the car.
14:52 Plant your right foot down hard, and the M3 will leap away with alarming speed.
14:57 Assuming, of course, you have the traction control on.
15:00 Switch it off and repeat the process, and you'll be spitting gravel for half a mile.
15:04 But, whatever the speed and whatever the revs, the M3 wants to go, and go, and go.
15:11 Yet, despite its speed and power, the M3 always feels drivable,
15:15 with fabulous feedback through the chassis and the steering wheel, without ever becoming too jarring.
15:20 For a car with such quality and performance, the 40 grand price tag doesn't seem too outrageous,
15:26 especially when there are cars out there with lesser performance for double the cost.
15:30 Here's those all-important stats for the M3.
15:55 We know it's in the top three, but here's how our expert panel have scored the car.
16:00 With an average percentage, then, of 76, the BMW M3 is this year's third place.
16:15 So, what's in it, too?
16:17 It's this, the legendary Subaru Impreza.
16:24 Now, ever since the original Impreza hit the UK in the early '90s,
16:28 it's wowed driving enthusiasts with its awesome four-wheel drive, cornering ability, and monstrous acceleration.
16:34 And it's certainly one of those cars that, if you do get the chance to drive one, jump at it.
16:38 It's also very practical, seating four adults with ease and having a great boot space.
16:43 Now, at first, you may be put off by the Impreza's quirky looks and fairly uninspiring cabin,
16:49 but don't let it fool you, as once out on the road, you'll be amazed how quickly this car can be driven.
16:55 This is the first car in our top ten to use a turbocharger, and boy, do you feel it.
17:00 When you hit the accelerator pedal, there's a slight delay while the turbo spins up to speed,
17:04 and then all hell lets loose as the car surges forward,
17:08 and you soon realise why the car has rally-style seats fitted as standard.
17:12 Now, unlike the two Beamers we've just seen, the Impreza isn't finished off with the best in engineering precision.
17:18 It doesn't feel as solid as a block of stone, and around town, the ride isn't as comfortable, but hang on.
17:24 It costs just over 21 grand for the WRX model, making the M3 almost twice as expensive.
17:31 In anyone's book, that makes the Impreza Turbo a supercar bargain.
17:35 [Music]
17:57 It missed out on the first place by just 2% in the end.
18:01 Here's how our panel marked the Impreza.
18:05 [Music]
18:17 So, if the Impreza didn't win, what did?
18:20 We'll find out shortly, but first, here's a recap of the nine cars from ten to two.
18:25 [Music]
18:28 In at ten this year is the Honda Accord Type R.
18:32 At number nine, another Honda R-Type, the Civic.
18:35 Taking eighth place is the Mondeo ST220.
18:40 This year's seventh spot goes to the Mini Cooper S.
18:44 In sixth place is the Ford Focus ST170.
18:48 On to the top five, and in fifth is the VW Lupo GTI.
18:53 At number four is the BMW M5.
18:56 Making it to number three this year is the BMW M3.
19:00 And in second place is the Subaru Impreza Turbo.
19:04 [Music]
19:07 Which means that this year's top ten performance car is the awesome Mitsubishi Evo 7.
19:14 Now, if you're a really big rally fan, and you always wanted a rally car of your own,
19:19 the Mitsubishi Evo 7 is about as close as you can get without shelling out half a million quid for an original WRC car.
19:27 You only need to look at the Evo with its huge spoilers and splitters,
19:31 big bore exhaust, and menacing bonnet vents to know that this is a serious piece of performance kit.
19:36 Under that vented bonnet, like the Subaru, there's a two-liter turbocharged engine.
19:41 Only this time it produces a huge 280 horsepower.
19:45 Now, that amount of power in a car that weighs the same as a Mondeo is going to result in staggering performance.
19:51 And from the off, the Evo is a staggering car to drive.
19:54 Like the Subaru, it's willing to leap forward in any gear, yet, if possible, it's even more aggressive than the Impreza.
20:01 It also allows you to attack corners at speeds you wouldn't dare try in any other car, even the Subaru.
20:07 And with the help of its active yaw control and switchable differential settings,
20:11 this really is a rally computer game brought to life.
20:14 On the inside of the Evo, whilst everything is well put together,
20:17 you can see that interior styling isn't the main criteria with this car.
20:21 Functional is the word, and it is an improvement on the last model Evo.
20:26 But aside from those rally seats, alloy pedals, and mono steering wheel,
20:30 don't expect too many whistles and bells, as this car lets its performance do the talking,
20:34 and not the list of stamped equipment.
20:37 So, whilst I go and convince the missus that it really should be our next family car,
20:42 here are the stats for the Evo.
20:44 We know it's the winning car, but what aspects of it did our panel particularly like?
21:07 Here's how they scored the car.
21:10 Hi, this is Gary Shewfield, and I am the Director of Program at Guarani Men and Motors,
21:14 and I'm here with Eguchi on the Mitsubishi stand.
21:17 Mitsubishi have won in our Top 10 Awards the top performance car, which is this wonderful Evo 7.
21:23 This is for you.
21:24 OK.
21:25 Well, thank you very much.
21:27 Thank you.
21:28 And I'm going to give you a little bit of a tour of the Evo.
21:31 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
21:35 So, the interior is a bit more of a rally car than a rally car.
21:39 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
21:44 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
21:48 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
21:52 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
21:56 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
22:00 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
22:04 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
22:08 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
22:12 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
22:16 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
22:20 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
22:24 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
22:28 So, I'm going to start with the interior, which is a bit more of a car show than a rally car.
22:32 [MUSIC]