Supercars

Supercars are very fast cars almost always with good performance all round. These supercars are fabulous. Supercars are generally in regular production, even though only one, five or 20 may be made each week.

If you want to save up to buy a supercar, you can expect to be able to get a new supercar in one or two years time - this is not the case with most exotic supercars, which may no longer be in production. In fact, you may find there is a three-year waiting list for the supercar or fast car of your choice.

Most fast cars look and behave almost like racing sports cars. Real supercars have superb roadholding, powerful engines, slick gearboxes and excellent brakes.

Supercars and very fast cars do everything well, down to the detail of holding you in the seat when you corner very, very fast. The fastest are designed to give masses of downforce at speed, which increases the speed at which they can corner - sometimes to 2g.

Some cars may seem to be supercars owing to the large engine and masses of power, but they may lack the handling, steering, braking or aerodynamics that are essential in any supercar. Put 800 bhp into a sleek looking car without getting the aerodynamics right, and it could take off and flip over at high speed. You've got to have the whole package, and not all companies that aspire to make supercars can achieve the whole supercar package.

Few supercars offer much in the way of comfort over rough surfaces, and they usually have some drawbacks - maybe when you're getting into or out of your supercar you'll be thinking how much easier it is in a regular sedan.

Supercars breeze up to 150 mph, although many have limiters to prevent them going faster than 155 mph. Most will be good for 170 mph, and will have startling acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of less than 5 seconds. We use the 0-60 mph time as a cut-off point when deciding whether to include a new car as a supercar. Top speed is not so relevant these days because many supercars are limited by the makers to 155 mph.

The Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo are good examples of supercars. Both are made in limited numbers, and both are have aluminum structures, although of different types. They have top speeds of around 190 mph and take about 4 seconds to get to 60 mph.

Some smaller supercars, like the Noble M400, can be surprisingly quick despite having only 425 bhp on tap. The M400 can get to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, and 100 mph in less than 9 seconds. But a supercar does not need a top speed of 190 mph to be a really enjoyable supercar - it is all about the fun of driving fast. A car with less than 300 bhp and a top speed of less than 150 mph can be a supercar - so long as it performs well on sporty roads.

Some supercars nudge at the exotic supercar door, but a few production cars do make it into our exotic car section. All supercars are brilliant, fast cars and fun to drive!