In one mega group-test Evo sees which is the best road-racer model out of the Porsche 911 GT3, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage, the Audi R8 V10 and the Corvette ZR1. While describing this test as determining the most “hard-core” model, the introduction doesn’t really specify the criteria.

In fact, after a look at the engine specs and details, the Corvette is pegged as one of the more interesting models due to its very fast engine. But if you were to explain from the beginning that by “road-racing” you mean vehicles that can go fast elegantly, corner well, and give an overall fast but assured driving experience, you’d probably understand that the ZR1 is not quite in the league of the others (although some accusations of bias were levelled at Evo in the comments).

After an initial drive, Evo says:

Later we lunch on burgers, chips and chocolate milk from the cabin next to the Döttinger-Höhe petrol station and swap opinions. We’re divided over the GT3’s centre-locking wheels, Johns Barker and Hayman unconvinced by them, Ollie and I loving them. (The two Johns reckon age has given them taste; Ollie and I think their eyesight must be going.) We all agree that the Porsche’s gearshift can be a little baulky, though. The Aston is impressing hugely, with everyone saying how much more it gives you over the V8. And as Barker comments, ‘It’s only when you check the speedo that you realise how bloody fast you’re going, which is the ultimate compliment, really.’ Ollie says the ZR1 ‘makes everything else feel slow, but is so crude’. ‘Bonkers,’ says Hayman even more succinctly.

The ZR1 is pretty much already out of contention, but it’s hard to know which of the other three will come off tops. The Porsche was initially written off as being too underpowered to compete, but if you’re a classic sports car afficionado, you’d know this is taking for granted Porsche precision, style and technology.

Evo tester Henry Catchpole says:

Having driven it last month, I know how good the Porsche is. I drove the Aston last month as well, so I know how good that is too. Both are five star cars. Both are challenging for top spot along with the Audi. I won’t be happy going to sleep tonight without a proper back-to-back drive between the V12 and the GT3.

So we can see that the R8 V10, either through being excluded a little or literally because it just doesn’t quite cut it, is not really a final contender to be number one. Which leaves us the Porsche 911 GT3 and the Aston Martin V12 Vantage. With the classicism of driving pleasure focus combined with modern technology, Porsche once again outshines the rest. The conclusion is:

The Corvette crashed in the 24 Hours and, metaphorically at least, it crashed and burned in this test too. You can’t help but love that engine and if you think that driving fast should feel like permanently wrestling an accident, then you just might love the ZR1. But if you want a good Corvette, buy a Z06 and save yourself £54,000.

And if you want an R8 (and why wouldn’t you?) then you can save yourself money there too by buying a ‘basic’ one that looks identical to the V10 but has two fewer cylinders. Unlike the Corvette, this isn’t because the V10 is a flawed car – far from it – but where the standard R8 has an almost Lotus Elise-like delicacy to it, the V10 seems to just sit a bit more heavily on the road and is therefore slightly less magical. Of course, the upside of the V10 is access to that fantastic engine, but it would have been nice if Audi hadn’t relied entirely on an extra 100bhp and a different soundtrack to differentiate it.

However, where Audi and Chevrolet have disappointed in their attempts to improve on their smaller-engined models (albeit to wildly varying degrees), Aston has struck gold. In a way the V12 Vantage is the car we always hoped the V8 would be, with a decent ride, proper performance and engaging handling. When you add this to classic Aston lines, it’s a fantastic car. ‘This is clearly the best Aston the company has ever made for people like us,’ says JB. ‘Money no object I’d have it over the Porsche. Maybe.’

Maybe. Arguments were put forward that the new GT3 is now too fast, too grippy and too brutal. Barker suggested that Porsche should have designed it with the same power as the previous generation car but with less weight. And we nodded. But every time anyone came back from a drive in the GT3 they would just get out of the car smiling and shaking their head. You simply can’t deny this 911 its victory. It is wonderful. If you want the ultimate road racer, the car that will turn any road into your own personal Targa Florio and make you long, day and night, for your next stint behind the wheel, then you need a GT3.

For the full gallery of pics and further comments, see the Evo review.

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