Ok, it's an obvious and often drawn comparison, but here, in 2009, we have a classic sports car tussle between the all-new, the thouroughly revised and the last-on-the-lot-collectable. Each car conforms closely to a tried and tested formula: two doors, two seats, six cylinders and rear-wheel drive. Imagine, you're in the market, not so much for a daily driver but a second car that can do the commute every now and then, that has to first and foremost appeal to the senses in the realm of driving pleasure. The car has to look good too - equally presentable on a winding country road or cruising the trendiest coastal town waterfronts. Oh, and just for good measure - it needs to hold its own on a trackday or two.
I've always been compelled by this comparison because the similarity ends with the coincidental characteristics mentioned above. Each car exhibits a different mechanical approach to achieving dynamic motoring thrills.
It's a tough choice - so vote and post enthusiastically!
The All New: Nissan 370Z
Nissan's nuggety new 370Z is creating quite a stir in motoring circles, it's a classic sportscar - a tribute to the Nissan Z's of yore. Great proportions and chunky stance make the 370Z look like a serious contender. It makes use of a fizzy, front-mounted V6 coupled to a longitudinally orientated drivetrain powering the rear wheels. Initial driving reviews are very favourable.
The interior is greatly improved with more up-market materials, more cargo space and innovative little throttle-blipping feature called Synchro Rev for perfect down shifts.
The Thoroughly Revised: Porsche Cayman S
The Porsche Cayman S is widely regarded as the most balanced, sharpest and most precisely handling car in its class. Its compact dimensions and concentrated Porsche styling make it the Porsche enthusiasts' default choice in this company but this comes at a premium. The Cayman makes use of a mid-engined flat-six driving the rear wheels - marking it as the most unique approach in this comparison.
Its interior is top notch and driving controls are said to be perfectly weighted and precise to use.
The Collectable: BMW Z4 M Coupé
More than likely totally unavailable brand-new - unless Credit Crunch 2008 left a few late-production models in dealer stock - the Z4 M Coupé represents the end of an era. Shopping around may yield the lucky buyer with one of the most collectable of 21st century cars - a veritable future classic. A notable feature of this car is the incomparable S54 in-line six cylinder engine. It's the last of the naturally aspirated engines in such a configuration for the M Division. And, so what, you ask? Consider that, for almost two decades the M range of in-line six cylinder engines constituted a benchmark for performance engines and you'll see why this is such a significant piece of engineering; the Z4 M Coupe is the last of its kind for a long time.
The rear-wheel drive Z4 M is uncompromisingly stiff and sporty and is its best being flung through smooth, sweeping bends.
The interior is typical of Bangle-era cars featuring the horizontally partitioned dashboard layout with customary BMW feel to the driver's controls. It's well put together albeit rather cosy.
