Sometimes cars confound your expectations. You think you know what to expect, and generally this holds true, but every once in a while you also get pleasantly surprised. Set aside below are a motley bunch of cars driven over the past year or so, that have all proved to be surprisingly fun to drive.
First up, straight off the bat, the Skoda Kushaq and VW Taigun twins. You’d think the 1.0 TSi would feel a bit wheezy and out of breath, but no. Not only does it have enough grunt to put a smile on your face, it has tenacious grip, telegraphs information clearly though the wheel and has such good body control and poise, you naturally want to attack roads like you are on a rally stage. The 1.5 TSI feels a bit softer at the front, but the 150hp engine is so good, it more than makes up.
The other big surprise: Hyundai’s i20 N-Line. Yes, you are always whipping the engine, but the solidly located steering rack feels so good, the car feels happy when you corner it hard, and then instead of falling apart when you up the pace, it seems to love being given the cane. The WRC experience sure has helped, but it needs a manual and a larger engine.
Up next, Audi’s RS5; especially on a drenched road. The set-up is stiff and it takes no prisoners when it comes to the ride. But it delivers so much grip and confidence even in the wet, it’s a dream. Yes, the steering is ‘wooden’ and that downgrades the experience a bit, but unlike other Audis, it rotates beautifully, has huge grip and doesn’t always want to go straight.
Next up, a pair of Mercs, none of them from AMG. The GLA 220d up first. Still remember driving this SUV around a set of corners in Karjat and going WOW. What an epic diesel. And that twin clutch gearbox is quick. Super quick. The GLA rolls in corners and that is often the limiting factor, but it also has plenty of grip, points nicely into corners and seems happy to play along.
Up next, an even bigger surprise. A 5.3m-long car that drives like something half its size: Merc’s S-Class. Now, a lot of this is down to the rear wheel steering, which ‘virtually’ shortens the wheelbase and makes it feel more agile. But rear wheel steering isn’t something new, or unique. It’s just that Merc has added some new hardware and nailed the set-up, so now it drives with the fluidity of something the size of a C-Class.
The last car shouldn’t be a surprise at all. But considering where it sits in the range and its stated objective of being a comfortable GT, Ferrari’s Roma is just mad. First up, it just drenches you in confidence. Then it continuously goads you into going faster, and finally, when you are juicing it for all you are worth, it comes right back and says, “Go faster, I’m here, right with you.” Crazy.
Have you been surprised by any other car that turned out to be great fun to drive? Let us know in the comments below.
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