Top Gear: The 50 Greatest Cars of the Past 20 Years
09-14-13, 02:20 PM
#1
Top Gear: The 50 Greatest Cars of the Past 20 Years
Top Gear: The 50 Greatest Cars of the Past 20 Years
If a year is a long time in politics, two decades must be a few lifetimes in the world of cars. The automotive landscape has changed beyond recognition since the first issue of Top Gear magazine thudded onto shelves back in September 1993. Who'd have predicted Ferrari making a 4WD estate - or a hybrid hypercar? Or that 2013's Merc S Class could, effectively, drive itself? Or that Jeremy would still be banging on about how much the hates the 911?
But through it all, Top Gear has been your faithful companion, diligently charting the evolution of cars through insightful writing, stunning photos and a lot of cocking about. OK, mostly the cocking about.
So how to celebrate our 20th anniversary? As no one knew how to bake a cake, we thought we'd keep it simple and crown the greatest car of the last 20 years instead. Unfortunately this simple idea caused a great deal of fighting in the Top Gear office. Tempers run high on these matters. At least two black eyes ensued. At one point, a chair was set on fire.
Thankfully you lot were on hand to help. Over 100,000 of you voted in our online poll, helping us to count down the 50 greatest cars of the past 20 years and crown the winner. And whoever attempted to cast four million votes for the Morris Marina, you've been reported to the authorities.
But through it all, Top Gear has been your faithful companion, diligently charting the evolution of cars through insightful writing, stunning photos and a lot of cocking about. OK, mostly the cocking about.
So how to celebrate our 20th anniversary? As no one knew how to bake a cake, we thought we'd keep it simple and crown the greatest car of the last 20 years instead. Unfortunately this simple idea caused a great deal of fighting in the Top Gear office. Tempers run high on these matters. At least two black eyes ensued. At one point, a chair was set on fire.
Thankfully you lot were on hand to help. Over 100,000 of you voted in our online poll, helping us to count down the 50 greatest cars of the past 20 years and crown the winner. And whoever attempted to cast four million votes for the Morris Marina, you've been reported to the authorities.
___
50. 1994 Audi RS2
What we said then:
"An estate car that out-performs pretty much everything on the road."
49. 2011 Vauxhall Ampera
What we said then:
"An EV without the range anxiety. A green car without the sense of self-righteous anger."
48. 2010 Dacia Duster
What we said then:
"The Duster distills the very essence of motoring. No car in the world offers more freedom for your quid."
47. 2003 Lamborghini Gallardo
What we said then:
"Lambo has always produced great-looking machines, but here 40 years of epic potential has finally been fulfilled."
46. 1998 Honda Integra Type R
What we said then:
"There's an overwhelming sense that this car was built to be brutally caned."
45. 1999 BMW X5
What we said then:
"Its combination of poise and precision would shame many saloons, let alone other 4x4s."
44. 2011 Ferrari FF
What we said then:
"The most un-Ferrari of modern times, but also a stroke of genius."
43. 2005 Mazda MX-5
What we said then:
"The art is in the travelling, the science in the getting there. Only the MX-5 seems to understand that."
42. 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
What we said then:
"You're looking at it, and a few seconds later you're thinking of re-mortgaging your home, selling a kidney, robbing a bank..."
41. 2004 Ford GT
What we said then:
"Burdened with an impossibly glamorous heritage, this is the lowest, sleekest, most staggeringly handsome supercar since the original GT40."
40. 1998 Fiat Multipla
What we said then:
"What else drives so sweetly and is as roomy as a Pickfords van?
39. 2013 Jaguar F-Type V6S
What we said then:
"Sharp and invigorating and full of life and charisma."
38. 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK Black
What we said then:
"A car that achieves the impossible. It could get you to Beijing or bite chunks out of a 911 Turbo on a Welsh B-road."
37. 2012 Toyota GT86
What we said then:
"It's come barrelling in with a big, dirty smile. It's designed for one thing: fun."
36. 1996 Ferrari 550
What we said then:
"You lounge in a sea of power, leathery luxury and Italian magnificence..."
35. 1993 Lancia Delta Integrale Evo III
What we said then:
"A grunty, grippy thing that snouts about the place looking for corners."
34. 1995 BMW 5-Series E39
What we said then:
"A rare combination of sportiness and refinement, like two cars in one..."
33. 1996 Lotus Elise
What we said then:
"Something to be taken out, savoured then popped away until next time."
32. 2004 Porsche Carrera GT
What we said then:
"An all-time great. An object lesson in engineering to rival the Brooklyn Bridge."
31. 2002 Ferrari Enzo
What we said then:
"It requires your brain and eyes to operate at superhuman levels. You pretty much need to be able to time-travel."
30. 2009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage
What we said then:
"Strikes the perfect balance between power and control. It's probably the best car Aston's ever built."
29. 2012 McLaren 12C Spider
What we said then:
"It's like Ron's army took a look at the laws of physics, ummed and said: ‘Yeah, let's not worry about those...'"
28. 2007 Fiat 500
What we said then:
"More than a revival, more than a cash-in. It's a small car that prevents you from longing for a bigger one, a car with soul in spades."
27. 2004 Land Rover Discovery
What we said then:
"Deals with muck and mountains better than any LR before, drives better on-road than any SUV."
26. 2005 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
What we said then:
"When you climb aboard, you realise this is the centre of all things Benz; everything filters down from here."
09-14-13, 02:22 PM
#2
25. 1998 Audi TT
What we said then:
"The TT looks stunning. It's quite clearly one of the best-looking cars in the world."
24. 2003 Bentley Continental GT
What we said then:
"If you want something to take you and three others across continents, there's nothing better on the planet."
23. 1999 Audi A2
What we said then:
"If you've the slightest eye for design, you can't help but be wooed by the A2, the most exotic hatch in town."
22. 1997 Toyota Hilux
What we said then:
"The most indestructible car in the world. When the machines eventually rise up, you know what they'll be driving."
21. 1999 Honda S2000
What we said then:
"One of the most exciting roadsters. You can't appreciate how manic it feels until you're bouncing off the limiter."
20. 2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP-670SV
What we said then:
"Everything a supercar should be: expensive, exclusive, mesmerising and ludicrously, lethally fast."
19. 2012 Range Rover
What we said then:
"The RR can cope with anything. Now more than ever, this is an all-terrain Bentley."
18. 2000 Ariel Atom
What we said then:
"That a miniscule maker has built something on a par with blue-chip supercars is incredible."
17. 1999 Pagani Zonda
What we said then:
"Incredible. There's no production car that can touch it for power, speed, excitement or indeed expense."
16. 1999 Subaru Impreza P1
What we said then:
"Feels like you're attached to some hybrid Lawrence Dallaglio/Linford Christie creation as it rockets you across backroads."
15. 2000 Mitsubishi Evo VI Makinen
What we said then:
"Fast and completely confidence-inspiring. On real-world roads, there's simply nothing quicker."
14. 2012 Ford Fiesta ST
What we said then:
"A blue-collar hero. Every control just sends tingling little signals to your fingertips."
13. 2008 Nissan GT-R
What we said then:
"In short, it's extraordinary. One of the fastest cars ever made, and one of the best we've driven."
12. 2001 Mini Cooper
What we said then:
"Not only a design icon, but a car that makes driving feel like a completely natural activity."
11. 2004 Toyota Prius
What we said then:
"Like a rolling interactive energy-conservation video game. Somehow magical for a vegan's car."
10. 2010 Lexus LFA
What we said then:
"Expensive, over-specified and looks like an evil transformer. The greatest Japanese car? Maybe."
9. 1993 Renault Clio Williams
What we said then:
"A monster, a proper angry little hot hatch that, in so many ways, defines the genre."
8. 1993 Porsche 911 993
What we said then:
"It may have started out as little more than a sporty VW Beetle, but it is now the most complete car on earth."
7. 1998 Ford Focus
What we said then:
"Proof a 5dr hatch can be not just a commodity, but something you enjoy and desire."
6. 1999 BMW 320d
What we said then:
"The best performing, best handling exec car. Justifiable with head and heart."
5. 1996 Porsche Boxster
What we said then:
"Driving position? Perfect. Engine? Perfect. Brakes? Perfect. Gearbox? Perfect. Handling? Perfect."
4. 2009 Ferrari 458
What we said then:
There is nothing to fault. Time spent with this car is time spent with your mouth open and brain readjusting."
3. 2003 Rolls Royce Phantom
What we said then:
"Sublime. A luxury car not so much at the top of the heap as set apart from it."
2. 2005 VW Golf GTI
What we said then:
"There's no other car that does quite so much, quite so well."
1. 2005 Bugatti Veyron
What we said then:
"Nothing prepares you for the shock of the acceleration when you open the throttle and unleash a thousand horses..."
What we said then:
"The TT looks stunning. It's quite clearly one of the best-looking cars in the world."
24. 2003 Bentley Continental GT
What we said then:
"If you want something to take you and three others across continents, there's nothing better on the planet."
23. 1999 Audi A2
What we said then:
"If you've the slightest eye for design, you can't help but be wooed by the A2, the most exotic hatch in town."
22. 1997 Toyota Hilux
What we said then:
"The most indestructible car in the world. When the machines eventually rise up, you know what they'll be driving."
21. 1999 Honda S2000
What we said then:
"One of the most exciting roadsters. You can't appreciate how manic it feels until you're bouncing off the limiter."
20. 2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP-670SV
What we said then:
"Everything a supercar should be: expensive, exclusive, mesmerising and ludicrously, lethally fast."
19. 2012 Range Rover
What we said then:
"The RR can cope with anything. Now more than ever, this is an all-terrain Bentley."
18. 2000 Ariel Atom
What we said then:
"That a miniscule maker has built something on a par with blue-chip supercars is incredible."
17. 1999 Pagani Zonda
What we said then:
"Incredible. There's no production car that can touch it for power, speed, excitement or indeed expense."
16. 1999 Subaru Impreza P1
What we said then:
"Feels like you're attached to some hybrid Lawrence Dallaglio/Linford Christie creation as it rockets you across backroads."
15. 2000 Mitsubishi Evo VI Makinen
What we said then:
"Fast and completely confidence-inspiring. On real-world roads, there's simply nothing quicker."
14. 2012 Ford Fiesta ST
What we said then:
"A blue-collar hero. Every control just sends tingling little signals to your fingertips."
13. 2008 Nissan GT-R
What we said then:
"In short, it's extraordinary. One of the fastest cars ever made, and one of the best we've driven."
12. 2001 Mini Cooper
What we said then:
"Not only a design icon, but a car that makes driving feel like a completely natural activity."
11. 2004 Toyota Prius
What we said then:
"Like a rolling interactive energy-conservation video game. Somehow magical for a vegan's car."
10. 2010 Lexus LFA
What we said then:
"Expensive, over-specified and looks like an evil transformer. The greatest Japanese car? Maybe."
9. 1993 Renault Clio Williams
What we said then:
"A monster, a proper angry little hot hatch that, in so many ways, defines the genre."
8. 1993 Porsche 911 993
What we said then:
"It may have started out as little more than a sporty VW Beetle, but it is now the most complete car on earth."
7. 1998 Ford Focus
What we said then:
"Proof a 5dr hatch can be not just a commodity, but something you enjoy and desire."
6. 1999 BMW 320d
What we said then:
"The best performing, best handling exec car. Justifiable with head and heart."
5. 1996 Porsche Boxster
What we said then:
"Driving position? Perfect. Engine? Perfect. Brakes? Perfect. Gearbox? Perfect. Handling? Perfect."
4. 2009 Ferrari 458
What we said then:
There is nothing to fault. Time spent with this car is time spent with your mouth open and brain readjusting."
3. 2003 Rolls Royce Phantom
What we said then:
"Sublime. A luxury car not so much at the top of the heap as set apart from it."
2. 2005 VW Golf GTI
What we said then:
"There's no other car that does quite so much, quite so well."
1. 2005 Bugatti Veyron
What we said then:
"Nothing prepares you for the shock of the acceleration when you open the throttle and unleash a thousand horses..."
09-14-13, 05:22 PM
#4
, and the last super supra iv is not even on the list . wtf ?
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09-14-13, 08:15 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
as usual an interesting read, but not really very serious as there's so much fail in it for everyone with ones that shouldn't be on there and tons that should be.
i notice a ton of '90s cars, probably when the authors were all gushy and more naive about cars.
i notice a ton of '90s cars, probably when the authors were all gushy and more naive about cars.
09-15-13, 11:35 AM
#11
Out of Warranty
Many are unavailable in the US, most are exotics with pedigree and performance, but the reliability of a glass hammer and the maintenance cost of an Italian mistress. "Greatest" needs some definition here. Which of these can you actually drive on American roads with some assurance you don't run out of money before you run out of gas?
09-15-13, 01:05 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
many were best in their day, but are irrelevant now.
