Speed thrills

Ford Mustang GT
The Ford Mustang. Its name alone sends the heart racing and with the return of the 5.0-litre V8, this is one wild ride.

From the moment you catch sight of that snarling front, bulging bonnet and race red paint, all your worries just melt away.

With 19in alloys, pumped up fenders and a muscular rear just some of this car's fine features, it's a full on, in your face brute with more than enough go to match the show. The new glass roof is a great touch which helps to increase its overall quality and looks. But, all that hardly matters when you have 412 horses under the bonnet just waiting to be unleashed.

Strap yourself into the fabulous black leather seats, slip the key into the ignition and awake the monster sitting in front of you.

It sounds angry at first, but that furious V8 pipes down a notch when you stick it in D. Don't be fooled — that is just the calm before the storm. Be sure you're holding on tight to that thick three-spoke steering wheel before you slam the accelerator. The V8 roars while the rear wheels plead for their life, spinning ferociously and leaving a trail of smoke with absolute ease.

This beast will do its level best to try get away from the reins, until you lay off the throttle. With 529Nm of torque, it just wants to go — and it'll keep going until it hits 240kph.

The new 32-valve DOHC motor features twin independent variable camshaft timing with an all-aluminium construction, and it will get you 25mpg on the highway while mated to a smooth shifting six-speed automatic. But remember — it's smiles to the gallon, not miles. For the ultimate bargain thrill, pick up one of these for Dh160,000 or a base model V6 for Dh99,950.

Audi TT RS
Of course there was some tough competition for this award, but as any sportsman knows, competition is a good thing because it means you are forced to raise your own performance.

I must assume Audi looked around at the sportscar market and decided that it had to beat everyone, in every aspect. Driving pleasure? Oh the TT RS has got oodles of that. The five-cylinder engine is all about power from the moment you fire it up. No matter how hard you are driving, it seems it's always willing to deliver more of its 340bhp, and that power is of course delivered via Audi's AWD quattro transmission system. An Audi with a powerful five-pot and quattro transmission? Now where has this middle aged rally enthusiast heard that before?

Does it handle? Of course it does. It's light (1,450kg), has four-wheel drive and a bonnet full of eager power. Oh my goodness does it handle well. Push hard into every corner and it feels taught, balanced and secure. Pick the favourite adjective you use to describe great handling and substitute it for mine. It's a pocket R8 in every respect (0-100kph same as a V8 R8).

The TT RS also scores in the design department. I was never a big fan of the original TT's looks, always thinking it was too well rounded, even, dare I say it, a little plump!

But in my view the latest incarnation of the TT bodywork is much better, and the RS, with its ‘pseudo R8' lower grille, great looking alloys, RS branded brake callipers and the addition of the rear spoiler, is better still.

So it's got power, good looks, great styling cues, and of course, an Audi quality interior. Which, if you know Audi's interiors, you will understand is a very good thing.

But wait, it gets better because (insert drum roll please) it's got a gearstick! A real gearstick, directly connected to a real gearbox! You know, one of those manual gearboxes your Dad told you about?

Bless you Audi for making a proper driver's car — it's a winner.