ISSUE 1,871 FOR all of the amazing drives I had this year, my highlight boiled down to a choice between two. Although I’m unlikely to ever drive something as expensive or as powerful as the £2million, 2,000bhp Lotus Evija again, there’s something about a V12 Ferrari that’s impossible to overlook. That’s especially true if it’s being driven, roof-off and, unlike the Evija, not near Norwich, but along the stunning Atlantic roads of Portugal.
The 12Cilindri Spider is simply a divine performance car, because of its incredible looks, unbelievable Grand Tourer credentials (its ride comfort is spookily good considering the roadholding), but most of all, that engine.
It’s hard to know what is more special: the performance offered up by the 6.5-litre V12, or the spine-tingling noise it makes when using all…