The Aston Martin V8 Vantage: A Joy to Drive?
As our first nominee, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage is a stunning car that has left us speechless. With its hand-built design and production limited to keep things exclusive, this beauty would undoubtedly win our awards program if it were in a beauty contest. But what really matters is how well it drives. We've never been fans of lumbering heavy Aston Martins of old, but this new generation feels much more alive and agile than its predecessors.
When we took the V8 Vantage to the circuit, things only got better. The V8 sounds fantastic, and the car handles with incredible precision. This has to be one of the best systems I've ever driven on a track. It's clear that Aston Martin has really outdone themselves this time around.
In contrast, our second contender was described as "well like this" - a phrase I can only use to express my utter amazement at how incredible it is. This car is without doubt the most amazing road car I've ever had the pleasure of driving. It's the Pagani Zonda F, which is often referred to as the "supperfically perfected" version of the awesomme Zero. It's a supercar that checks all the boxes: easy to drive at slow speeds, fantastically rewarding at high speeds, comfortable, practical, and hugely fast.
The Zonda F is capable of an incredible 214 miles per hour, making it the quickest nominee in our fast car category. Only 40 units will be built, with each one costing nearly $400,000. The carbon work on this car is exquisite, the wheels are made by a NASA parts supplier, and you can even specify ostrich skin for the interior - because why not? It's decadent, mad, and over-the-top, which is exactly why we love it so much.
But in the end, our winner is the BMW M5. This car could easily have appeared in the family car category, what with its four-door saloon body and large boot. However, it also happens to be capable of 200 miles per hour - a feat that few cars can match. We first tested the M5 in the summer, taking it on a trip to the south of France where we delivered a four-man crew and luggage to Pottif. After that, we took up smoking (just kidding - sort of).
The M5 passed its track test with flying colors, setting the longest power slide of the year. We knew this car was something special, so when it came time to race a Formula One car, it was the obvious choice. Both cars had V10 engines and seven-speed gearboxes, but unfortunately for us, the F1 car won easily.
However, the M5 still managed to shine on Fifth Gear, where Mike Newman pushed the car to an incredible 167 miles per hour - setting a blind speed world record in the process. The versatility of this car is astounding, considering its price tag of just $62,000. This is a car that has almost as much power as a Ferrari 575 and yet costs a hundred grand less.
We couldn't be happier with our winner, so we took to the streets to give it an award. With great fanfare, we presented the BMW M5 with the title of "Best Fast Car" - and what a fitting tribute it is.
As for our second-place finisher, the Pagani Zonda F? We couldn't be prouder to have that as our runner-up. We've had the pleasure of meeting Horacio Pagani, the creator of this incredible car, and we can only say that he's done an amazing job. The seven-speed SMG gearbox on this car is something special - it would look great with a second gear, don't you think?
Snake Nest: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at BMW's Manufacturing Process
As part of our coverage of the BMW M5, we had the opportunity to delve into the inner workings of the factory where this car was born. We called it "Snake Nest" - and what a fascinating behind-the-scenes look it turned out to be.
Our researcher took us on a tour of the Munich factory, showing us how the M5 is assembled with precision and care. From the metalworking to the final touches, every step of the process was explained in detail. We even got to see some of the innovative tools and techniques that BMW uses to make sure its cars are always up to par.
The attention to detail on this car is stunning - from the stitching on the seats to the precision-crafted components that go into its engine. This is a car that's built to last, not just for speed, but for style and sophistication as well.
As our researcher explained, the BMW M5 is more than just a car - it's an experience. It's a statement of intent, a symbol of what's possible when innovation meets passion. We couldn't agree more.