evo Car of the Year 2013 - Part 2

The Evo's Car of the Year 2013: A Delightful Madness

This year's contenders for Evo's Car of the Year have been a diverse and exciting bunch, with eight fantastic cars vying for the top spot. From the high-tech wonder of the Ferrari F12 to the raw power of the Porsche GT3, each car has its own unique charms and characteristics that make it special in its own way.

The Ferrari F12 is undoubtedly one of the most madcap cars we've had the pleasure of driving this year. With its killer drivetrain and unhinged engine, it's a real handful to handle - especially on a wet day like today. The steering is too quick for its own good, making it feel like you're constantly fighting to keep the car on course. But that's also part of its charm, as it creates a thrilling sense of engagement and excitement behind the wheel.

The Porsche 911 GT3 is another standout contender this year. Its front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout gives it an agility and responsiveness that's hard to match, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads like these. The steering feels light and responsive, with just enough body roll to make it feel connected to the road. And let's not forget the engine - a screamin' 9,000 RPM powerplant that's just unhinged.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS Black Series is another car that's hard to beat. Its sleek design and luxurious interior make it feel like a million bucks, but its true strength lies in its exceptional performance. The steering is incredibly precise, with just enough feedback to keep you engaged, and the handling is sublime - it's a car that truly feels at home on the road.

The Audi R8 is another contender this year, and one that's garnered a lot of attention from fans and critics alike. Its V10 engine is pure class, with a sound that's both beautiful and intimidating. But while the R8 is undoubtedly an incredible car, it's also a bit of a handful - especially in the wet, when its handling can be a bit slippery.

The Aston Martin Vantage is another car that's won us over this year, despite some criticisms of its automated paddle-shift gearbox. While we'd love to see a manual option come as standard, the Vantage itself is still an incredibly talented driver's car. Its steering is quick and precise, with just enough feedback to keep you engaged, and its handling is sublime - it's a car that feels at home on both road and track.

But not all of this year's contenders have been so successful. The Mini Cooper JCW has been a bit of a disappointment, with too much body roll and understeer making it tricky to drive smoothly. And the Alfa Romeo 4C - while we love its concept and styling - was just unable to match the thrills of the big hitters in our test.

So, which car is Evo's Car of the Year 2013? While it's not been easy to decide, with all eight contenders vying for the top spot, we're now down to a final three. The Porsche 911 GT3, Mercedes-Benz SLS Black Series, and Ferrari F12 have all been incredibly strong contenders, but in the end, there can only be one winner.

And that winner is...the Porsche 911 GT3. While we loved the Ferrari for its sheer madness and excitement, the GT3 ultimately stole our hearts with its exceptional handling and responsiveness. Its front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout gives it an agility and feel that's hard to match, making it a joy to drive on twisty roads like these.

But don't worry, Ferrari fans - the F12 is still a very special car in its own right. With its killer drivetrain and unhinged engine, it's a real handful to handle - especially on a wet day like today. And while we may have preferred the GT3 for its handling and responsiveness, there's no denying that the F12 has a certain je ne sais quoi that sets it apart from the rest.

And so, with all eight contenders having given their best, we can now see which car is Evo's Car of the Year 2013. The Porsche 911 GT3 is our winner, but it's been an incredibly tough decision to make - each and every one of these cars has its own unique charms and characteristics that make it special in its own way.