Ford has two cars within Jeremy Clarkson's Star Cars, the Mustang and New RS Focus are both part of the list.

The all-new Ford Focus RS and Ford Mustang 5.0-litre V8 GT feature in “Jeremy’s Star Cars” – a rundown of Jeremy Clarkson’s top 10 drives of the past year, revealed this week in The Sunday Times (14^th August).

Ford was the only manufacturer to have two entries in the top 10 list, reflecting the success of Ford’s performance vehicles in recent years, following the recent launch of the right-hand-drive Mustang, and the exciting four-wheel-drive Focus RS.

“With the new Focus RS, you know that after about 100 yards [of driving it] that Ford has created something very special.” said Clarkson “Its 345bhp is enough to provide a meaty shove in the back when you accelerate and a growly 40-a-day rumble from under the bonnet.”

Since the first ever right-hand-drive Mustang launched in 2015, orders have reached over 4,000, and Clarkson has recognised why 70 per cent of these have been for the Ford Mustang 5.0-litre V8 GT: “Incredibly, this 410bhp, 155mph American icon costs less than I paid for a Volkswagen Golf GTI. This is a machine that wants to turn its tyres into smoke and go round every corner sideways. You’ve seen the film Bullitt. Well, it’s that.”

Suzuki takes the title of best Compact Crossover in The Sunday Times Top 100 cars 2016.

Suzuki GB PLC would like to share some very good news for its Vitara model as it has been voted the winner of the compact crossover category in The Sunday Times Top 100 cars of 2016. 

Launched in the UK nine months ago, the Vitara was tested by their editorial team against some very strong competition from four different brands with one costing over £16,000 more for its lowest priced derivative.

The Sunday Times comments: “Squint — hard — and you might mistake the new Vitara for a Range Rover Evoque. That’s because Suzuki’s crossover has morphed from a cheap and cheerful off-roader into a primped, well-equipped vehicle that’s top of its class. This has a lot to do with the low starting price.”

Vitara SZ4 is available from £13,999 and standard equipment for all models is comprehensive and includes seven airbags, alloy wheels, DAB Radio with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control with speed limiter, auto air conditioning and front and rear electric windows.  Suzuki’s latest ALLGRIP four wheel drive technology is available as an option.

The most recent addition to the range is the new S model which provides a more sporting and dynamic character to the Vitara line up. The new S is the first Suzuki to utilise new BOOSTERJET technology engine which, in Vitara, is a 140PS 1.4-litre Direct Injection turbocharged unit (DITC). 

This new engine has compact dimensions and offers 220Nm of torque available from just 1,500rpm through to 4,000rpm.  CO₂  emissions are 127g/km and just one gramme higher for the optional six speed automatic transmission.

Suzuki also scored well in the warm hatchbacks category with its popular Swift Sport model. First launched in the UK in January 2012, the Sport again impressed the team who commented:  “This might look slow on paper and in the metal too, but get in and you won’t want to release the steering wheel. 

The Swift’s non-turbocharged 1.6-litre engine is a gem: smooth, revvy and full of heart. The car grips tenaciously, steers with energy and the subtle go-faster tweaks mean nobody else is likely to realise the fun you’re having, particularly if you opt for the five-door version. The three-door is a sub-£14,000 bargain”.

The Porsche 911 has won The Sunday Times Drivers Car Of The Year in the Top 100 list.

• New generation of benchmark sports coupe wins The Sunday Times Driving ‘Car of the Year’

The New Year might be just six days young, but the Porsche 911 has already been hailed by The Sunday Times Driving editorial team as its top car of 2016.

Based on verdicts from the newspaper’s top 100 cars driven in the past year, the latest generation of the iconic coupe from Stuttgart inspired the judges to comment: “In the updated 911 Carrera S, Porsche has taken a great car and made it better. 

Quicker than the version it replaces, the new 911 is also more powerful more of the time…it’s comfortable on long journeys, sure-footed on B-roads and in the wet and more fun than a summer’s worth of rollercoaster rides…”

In addition to scooping the top award, the 911 also placed first in the Sports Car category. Furthermore, the Boxster Spyder, Cayman coupe, and the Macan compact SUV each received commendations in their respective categories.

The Driving supplement is a popular part of the authoritative Sunday Times newspaper, and also is accessible via the driving.co.uk website.

For over 50 years, the Porsche 911 has been acclaimed as one of the world’s benchmark sports cars. With such illustrious history, the introduction of a new model is always highly anticipated and the latest generation unveiled last September at the Frankfurt Motor Show is no exception.

The new 911 Carrera

The core appeal of the rear-mounted, flat-six engine in the 911 and its characteristic sporting driving experience resonate with owners and enthusiasts alike. This reputation for responsive and dynamic performance, forged both on the road and race track, coupled with unparalleled everyday usability, underpins the unstinting appeal of the 911.

A key factor in the success of the 911 since its debut in 1963 is that Porsche engineers work hard to ensure it remains relevant in changing times. In this spirit, highlights of the latest model include innovative twin-turbocharged, 3.0-litre flat-six engines, an advanced chassis with an even greater spread between performance and comfort, and a new infotainment system. 

With the benefit of more than four decades of experience with turbocharging – in both motor racing and production sports cars – the new engines in the new 911 Carrera set benchmarks in terms of performance, driving pleasure and efficiency, and position the sports car to extend its iconic status ever ahead into the future.

The completely new engine generation with twin turbocharging now featured in the 911 Carrera has raised power, efficiency and also intensified the emotional driving experience. As is typical of the 911, at the rear of the Carrera lies a 3.0-litre flat-six engine, developing 370 hp (272 kW). 

The Carrera S now delivers 420 hp (309 kW). In both cases this represents a power boost of 20 hp (15 kW) over the prior model. The 911 Carrera S produces more horsepower courtesy of turbochargers with modified turbine compressors, a specific exhaust system and tuned engine management.

The new Porsche engines are characterised by significantly increased torque (60 Nm in each case), and with maximum torque of 450 Nm and 500 Nm respectively delivered constantly from 1,700 rpm up to 5,000 rpm in both cases, thus ensuring responsive performance. 

At the same time, with a maximum engine speed of 7,500 rpm the new generation clearly exceeds the top revs of conventional turbo engines – and, of course, both are underscored by the typical sonorous Porsche flat-six engine sound.

Every new 911 generation boasts enhanced performance and efficiency compared with their predecessors. The 911 Carrera Coupé with Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) and Sport Chrono Package sprints from zero to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds – making it two tenths of a second faster than its predecessor. 

The 911 Carrera S with PDK and Sport Chrono Package achieves this benchmark in just 3.9 seconds (also 0.2 secs swifter). This means that it is the first 911 in the Carrera family to undercut the magic four second mark. 

And the top speeds of both models have also increased further: the 911 Carrera now has a top speed of 183 mph (an increase of 4 mph), while the 911 Carrera S now reaches 191 mph (an increase of 3 mph).

The Porsche 911 has always balanced performance and efficiency, sportiness and everyday usability. The new engines further extend the span of these apparent contradictions. 

Depending on the model, the 911 is now almost 12 per cent more efficient. The 911 Carrera with PDK transmission returns 38.2 mpg Combined (an increase of 3.8 mpg), while the 911 Carrera S with PDK consumes 36.7 mpg Combined (an increase of 4.2 mpg).

In terms of emissions, this translates to 169 g/km CO₂ for the Carrera PDK and 174 g/km CO₂ for the Carrera S PDK – placing both these models in Band H for the purposes of vehicle excise duty.

The new option of rear-axle steering, available on the Carrera S models for the first time, extends further the range of dynamic virtuosity. The benchmark fastest lap time around the North Loop of the Nürburgring is ten seconds faster than before.

Many exterior features of the 911 Carrera have been visually refined: these include new headlights with four-point daytime running lights, handles inset to the door panel without recess covers, a redesigned engine lid with vertical louvres and new tail lights – including the now characteristic four-point brake light Porsche motif. 

Inside, a new Porsche Communication Management with an enhanced multi-touch display console offers a considerably expanded range of functions and greatly simplified operation.

The new generation 911 range is now on sale in the UK and Ireland priced from £76,412 (€129,713 in Ireland). The line-up comprises Carrera, Carrera S, all-wheel drive Carrera 4/4S models, the open-roofed Targa and the emphatic Turbo and Turbo S derivatives.

Each new car customer is also able to explore the potential of their new car by participating in a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone. 

40 years' turbo experience in motorsport and series production

At Porsche, innovations and developments that have proved themselves under extreme racing conditions always benefit production models, too. Testing in motorsport in particular ensures the performance and resilience of new engines for production sports cars. In the development of turbocharged six-cylinder ‘boxer’ engines Porsche can therefore look back on more than 40 years' experience.

For example, turbocharging with a bypass valve was first used in 1972 in the 917/10 racing car before entering series production two years later in 1974, in the first 911 Turbo. In 1974, charge air cooling was also first introduced in the 917/10. In 1977, this technology then celebrated its premiere in the 911 Turbo 3.3-litre. 

Further milestones in the development of turbo engines include sequential turbocharging with two consecutive turbos (for the first time in the 959 supercar), twin-turbocharging with two parallel turbos (for the first time in the 911 Turbo, Type 993) and adjustable intake valves (for the first time in the 911 Turbo, Type 996).

The Kia Sorento has been names as The Sunday Times Best Large Crossover in it's Top 100 list.

• Sorento named winner in large crossover category
• Praised for space, practicality, seven seats and competitive price
• EU6 diesel engine and all-wheel drive as standard, priced from £28,795 

The Kia Sorento has been named the winner of the Large Crossover category in The Sunday Times Top 100 Cars. The list was published on January 3 2016 and details the top 100 cars as judged by the editorial team at The Sunday Times Driving.

Praised for its versatility as a seven-seat family car, styling and towing ability, the Sorento beat serious competition to the top spot, such as the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Porsche Macan, Mazda CX-5 and new Renault Kadjar.

Complimenting the Kia Sorento, the editorial team at the Sunday Times commented: “It seats seven, has four-wheel drive and a powerful diesel unit, the prices start on the right side of £30,000. If you’re looking for a family workhorse, the new Sorento has the basics covered, whether it’s providing plenty of space for the children or towing a caravan.”

The new Kia Sorento, which launched in the UK last April, came from a celebrated line of previous generations stretching back to 2002 and has proven popular with a diverse range of customers here in the UK and globally. Now in its third generation, the Sorento is more equipped, refined, stylish and technologically advanced than ever before.

The Sorento is powered by a smooth and refined EU6 2.2 turbodiesel engine that produces as little as 149g/km tailpipe emissions and can deliver 49.6mpg (combined). 

With seven seats as standard across the line-up, the Sorento is practical for families as well as those that occasionally need to carry more people – when the back seats are not in use they fold flat into the floor allowing for greater boot space.

All models have a new, permanent, intelligent all-wheel drive system ready to tackle the rough stuff; manual versions of the Sorento are capable of towing 2,500kg – useful for those that need a vehicle capable of towing a caravan.

The Sorento is on sale at Kia’s 188 dealerships across the UK with prices starting from just £28,795.

The Fiat 500 takes Best City car in The Sunday Times Top 100 cars list 2015.

• FIAT 500 wins its category in the prestigious and influential Sunday Times Top 100 Cars 2016
• Judges praised the FIAT 500 for its charming looks, spirited driving characteristics and new technologies
• The FIAT 124 Spider is also named in The Sunday Times list of most eagerly awaited models of 2016

The new FIAT 500 has won the City Car category in the Sunday Times Top 100 Cars 2016 awards. Benefiting from 1,900 revisions, all designed to enhance the ownership experience and refine its inimitable style, the new FIAT 500 has been well received by the preeminent experts at The Sunday Times.

Columnist Giles Smith wrote, following the FIAT 500’s launch in Turin in July, “People love this car as hard as they’ve loved pretty much anything on four wheels in the 21st century,” while Jeremy Clarkson described it as "a hoot” when he test drove the car in the UK in November.

The judges noted that the new FIAT 500 is “still charming enough buyers to make it one of Britain’s bestselling cars,” complimenting its appearance, its new touch-screen technology and broader colour palette, not to mention its “…youthful enthusiasm in turns and the fun, lively 0.9-litre TwinAir engine, both of which bring joy to city driving.”

The new FIAT 124 Spider was also named by The Sunday Times as one of most eagerly awaited models of 2016.

Commenting on the win, Sebastiano Fedrigo, head of brand FIAT UK, said, “We’re delighted to kick off 2016 with a category win in the prestigious and influential Sunday Times Top 100 Cars. 

It’s wonderful that the experts appreciate the enhancements that we made to our iconic city car, which were introduced to keep the FIAT 500 ahead of the pack in terms of connectivity and technological features while also evolving its unmistakable style and broadening its appeal even further.”

The new FIAT 500 went on sale in the UK in September with revised exterior style including new bumpers, front and rear light systems and new colour options. Cabin comfort was also enhanced, headlined by the new Uconnect infotainment systems with optional DAB and TomTom satellite navigation. 

The engine range offers more efficiency and eco-friendliness for 2016 and there are even more personalisation possibilities thanks to a new range of expressive Second Skins.

Prices for the FIAT 500 TwinAir 85hp start at just £13,065 OTR, with prices for the FIAT 500 starting from just £10,890 OTR for the 1.2 litre Pop. The FIAT 124 Spider will launch in the UK in the second half of 2016.

The MINI Hatch has taken the Best Supermini category in the Sunday Times Top 100 cars list.

• MINI Hatch awarded best Supermini in The Sunday Times Top 100 Cars
• Engine technology, comfort and style praised by judges 

It’s a New Year and a new win for MINI, as the British brand is named best Supermini in The Sunday Times Top 100 Cars of 2016. 

Fending off stiff competition in its category, the MINI Hatch was commended by The Sunday Times judges for its hi-tech engines coupled with its refined ride, road noise and comfort.

MINI Hatch’s build quality was also praised, with the judges commenting: “MINI has not lost its touch when it comes to creating a cabin that’s distinctive, luxurious and stylish.'

MINI 3-door Hatch starts from £13,935 and, with more space than ever before, has been finished to an even higher standard. First-for-class features such as LED headlamps and Emergency Calling (E-Call), as well as a suite of advanced three and four-cylinder engines ensures that it will stay ahead of its rivals for years to come.

Its larger sibling, the MINI 5-door joined the range in September 2014 and has been a runaway success since launch. As well as sporting two extra rear doors, the MINI 5-door has improved legroom, a practical third rear seat and larger boot.

The Skoda Superb Estate has taken the Best Large Estate category in the Sunday Times Top 100 cars list.

• Superb Estate named Best Large Estate in The Sunday Times Top 100 Cars list
• Space, practicality and value highlighted as unbeatable qualities
• Fabia, Citigo and Octavia Estate also highly recommended by judging team
• Latest title adds to growing list of industry accolades for new Superb

The ŠKODA Superb has welcomed in the new year with yet another accolade from the motoring press. The Sunday Times has named the Superb Estate as the Best Large Estate car on the market as part of its annual Top 100 Cars special.

Seeing off considerably more expensive competition to take the top spot, the Superb impressed the judging panel with its elegant design, sector-best practicality and incredible value for money. 

Comprising writers and reviewers from The Sunday Times Driving supplement and website, the judging team chose the 2.0 TDI 150PS SE L Executive as its pick of the range.

ŠKODA also performed strongly in other categories in the supplement, with top three recommendations for Fabia and Octavia Estate in the Supermini and Mid-size Estate sectors plus a top five finish for Citigo in the City Car sector.

Commenting on the Superb’s win, The Sunday Times judging panel said: “If you want maximum carrying capacity for minimum cash, this is where you need to be looking. If your priority is a huge boot, the Superb will also appeal, as it can stow the same amount of baggage as the Mercedes E-Class – a hefty 1,950 litres.”

Focusing on the Superb’s value for money, the judges added: “Prices for this ŠKODA start at less than  £20,000. You can upgrade to a version with more toys and muscle by spending a little more than £25,000, but that’s still small beer for something so capable.”

Duncan Movassaghi, Brand Director for ŠKODA UK said: “We’re delighted that The Sunday Times has recognised the Superb Estate for its incredible all-round ability. It’s a very special car that embodies everything we strive for at ŠKODA – powerful design, unbeatable practicality and great value.”

The new Superb was launched in the UK last September, and has already collected a number of high-profile industry awards. These include Auto Express Family Car of the Year, Scottish Estate Car of the Year andCarBuyer Best Estate Car 2015. Prices for the Superb Hatch start at £18,640, while the Estate range starts from £19,840.

The Sunday Times has named the MX-5 as the Best Roadster and Spider catagory winner.

• All-new Mazda MX-5 takes Best Roadster and Spider category in The Sunday Times Top 100 Cars.
• Latest in a growing list of prestigious awards for the all-new Mazda MX-5.
• Award judged by the editorial team behind The Sunday Times Driving.

The all-new Mazda MX-5 has been named the winner of the Roadsters and Spiders category in ‘The Sunday Times Top 100 Cars’. Judged by the editorial team of the Sunday Times Driving motoring supplement, this annual feature names the top 100 cars on sale.

Commenting on the MX-5’s win, The Sunday Times Driving said “in a market obsessed by huge power outputs, the MX-5 makes a refreshing change. It produces just 129bhp from its entry-level 1.5-litre engine, but Mazda’s engineers have obsessively pared weight back to a lean 1,050kg. On the road the MX-5 changes direction like a featherweight boxer, revs freely and allows you to use all the power without troubling the traction control.”

With rear-wheel drive, perfect 50:50 weight distribution, plus more comfort and technology than ever before, the all-new Mazda MX-5 is offered with a choice of two SKYACTIV-G petrol engines. 

Having gone on sale in the UK in the summer, the fourth-generation of Mazda’s iconic roadster has already won a place in the hearts of driving enthusiasts, thanks to its lightweight design, sleek cabin, beautifully engineered mechanicals and balanced handling.

With nine models across five trim levels, the all-new Mazda MX-5 has reaffirmed Mazda’s dominance of the affordable sports car sector. 

Maintaining the driver-focused ethos that has made the Mazda MX-5 the best-selling two-seater sports car of all time, the engineering philosophy behind the all-new MX-5 has allowed Mazda to retain the agility, fun and engagement that has always defined the MX-5, while at the same time meeting ever-increasing safety and efficiency requirements, alongside improved refinement. 

The lightest MX-5 since the iconic original, the all-new Mazda MX-5 is shorter, lower and wider than the outgoing car, with the smallest overhangs and lowest centre of gravity yet.

These dynamic proportions combined with Mazda’s KODO: Soul of Motion design philosophy ensure that the all-new Mazda MX-5’s styling reflects its focus on driving pleasure in an unmistakably contemporary and dynamic way.

Featuring Mazda’s award-winning SKYACTIV technology, the all-new MX-5’s ultra-efficient lightweight petrol engines deliver new levels of performance and economy.  

Across the range the all-new Mazda MX-5 features alloy wheels, LED headlights, a leather steering wheel, plus a lightweight and sleek fabric hood.  SE-L models add LED daytime running lights, climate control air-conditioning, DAB radio, Bluetooth^®and cruise control, plus Mazda’s MZD-Connect connectivity and infotainment system with 7-inch Colour touch-screen display and Multimedia Commander.

SE-L models with the 2.0-litre 160ps engine are distinguished by 17-inch Gunmetal alloy wheels and piano black door mirrors, and benefit from a strut tower bar and limited slip differential. Step up to Sport trim and both the 1.5 and 2.0-litre cars feature rain sensing wipers, rear parking sensors, smart keyless entry, Premium Bose^®Surround-Sound and heated leather seats. 

With the 1.5-litre engine, Sport trim MX-5’s come with 16-inch Gunmetal alloy wheels and piano black door mirrors. Sport models with the 2.0-litre 160ps engine benefit from a dynamic set-up that includes Sports suspension featuring Bilstein dampers, a limited slip differential and strut tower bar, while visually, they are marked out by their 17-inch Bright alloy wheels and body coloured mirrors.

Jeremy Thomson, Mazda Motors UK Managing Director “When it was launched in 1990, the 115ps Mk1 MX-5 cost £14,249 (equal to £31,687 in today’s money), yet 25 years later with vastly more standard equipment, the all-new Mazda MX-5 costs from £18,495, meaning more than ever, the Mazda MX-5 sets the benchmark as the one of the world’s best and most affordable sports cars. 

We’re delighted that The Sunday Times has recognised that our engineers have created an all-new sports car that incorporates modern safety and superb efficiency with the value for money and driver focused enjoyment the original MX-5 was famed for.”