Cayman R is UK’s Best Driver’s Car

The Porsche Cayman R has emerged triumphant in Autocar’s annual Britain’s Best Driver’s Car comparison for 2011. Of the 11 cars on test, it was the Cayman R’s completeness and ruthless efficiency, which stood out for the six judges, no mean feat considering that last year’s winner – the Porsche 911 GT3 RS - was also a contender.

See all the best pics from Britain’s Best Driver’s Car comparison

Watch the Porsche GT3 vs McLaren MP4-12C chase video

The rigorous three-day test took place at Rockingham’s 1.7-mile long Motor Speedway, featuring a fine mix of second, third and fourth-gear corners as well as a plethora of changes in gradient and camber, sometimes mid-bend. To complete testing, we also took to some of the Midland’s most challenging B-roads.

In a well-deserved second place was the light-footed (and one of the cheapest) Caterham Seven Supersport, followed by the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S and the 911 GT3 RS.

Despite the McLaren MP4-12C’s technical brilliance and undoubted pace, speed does not necessarily equal fun, so sixth place was the best it could muster in our testing, one place below the Lotus Evora S.

Editor-at-large Steve Sutcliffe described the winning Cayman R’s steering as “about as sweet as it gets,” while its ride is “150 times better than it has any right to be considering how little body movement there is when you’re really going for it”.

For the full story, see the 12 October edition of Autocar magazine, on sale today.

Read blogs from the judges

Steve Sutcliffe: Jag versus Aston = no contest

Matt Prior: Caterham leaves us in seventh heaven

Matt Saunders: What makes a good handling car?