Alpine A110
Is there a better new car that sums up the spirit of the best fun car than the Alpine A110? We’ll wait… That’s why it’s a multiple winner. The A110’s advantage is low weight – it’s far lighter than the majority of sports cars out there so it wrings surprising performance out of its 1.8-litre engine. It’s not even that thirsty, making an early morning blast for the hell of it less of a financial burden than in most rivals.
But you don’t choose a car like this for the sensible stuff. It’s how it deals with the twisty stuff that really matters. The Alpine A110 excels in this area with steering that’s always streaming little messages to your fingertips, surprising compliance over challenging surfaces and an addictively adjustable handling balance.
You don’t have to push as hard or travel as fast as you would in a Porsche Cayman to feel like you’re involved in the driving experience. Don’t get us wrong the A110 is anything but slow, but its narrower tyres and lesser heft means you can enjoy it more at saner speeds. The best news of all, though, is the Alpine A110 is best when you keep it simple and buy the entry-level model – don’t buy an S or an R if you want to experience this car at its best.
Read our full Alpine A110 review
- To celebrate the 2024 Parkers New Car Awards, we’ve partnered up with Smart Home Chargers to give one of you the chance to WIN £1,000 cash. Simply follow this link for your chance to win!
Based on a 43-year-old male the Alpine A110 would cost £728.00 to insure.
*Insurance quotes are from mustard.co.uk and are based on a 43-year-old, employed married male living in Stowmarket with nine-years’ NCD and no claims or convictions. Insurance quotes will vary depending on individual circumstances.
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There’s more to it than just its handling and straight-line speed, though; BMW’s compact performance coupe manages to be quiet and comfortable when you’re not pushing on, meaning it can do double duty as both a cruiser and a bruiser. It is admittedly not quite as evocative or raw as the previous M2, though, and its high price will be a stumbling block for some.
Read our full BMW M2 review
Ford Ranger Raptor
Best fun car is a pickup? It nearly was. New for 2023, the second-generation Raptor was massively enhanced by a powerful V6 petrol engine, a host of completely over-the-top suspension upgrades and a more luxurious cabin. Now, it’s closer than ever to a trophy truck when you’re driving off-road, but it also improves on the previous model’s famed comfort levels on the tarmac.
Don’t be fooled by its appearance, though. The Raptor is not a workhorse. That fancy off-road suspension severely limits its carrying capacity and that posh leather-lined interior wasn’t designed to spend its life covered in cement dust and paint. This is an aspirational vehicle designed for lifestyle buyers who don’t mind attracting attention wherever they go. And we can’t help but love it.
Read the full Ford Ranger Raptor review
