The 560bhp BMW M5 had to be in this list really, didn't it? Something of an icon when it comes to sports saloons and now in its 900th iteration (probably), it's still widely regarded as one of, if not the best muscly saloon money can buy. 

We're still mourning the old ST's roaring 2.5-litre Volvo engine, but 247bhp from the new two-litre 'Ecoboost' one does help the healing process just a bit. We like. 

We were torn between this and the Range Rover Sport to represent crazy-SUVs, but the clearly mad G 63 did just win. With 544bhp pumped through the chassis of a car that once rivalled the Land Rover Defender for speed, the G 63 truly is a wolf in sheep farmer's clothing. 

Ok, so 130-something BHP isn't enough to set the world alight – in fact it's barely enough to move a Ford Mondeo – but in the light and buzzy Swift it's plenty to have fun. One of the most overlooked 'warm' hatches on sale. We love it. 

The Octavia vRS is another one of our favourites. Again, just under 200bhp isn't a massive amount of power, but with so much sportiness for the price of a diesel Passat, who cares!