TOP 10 SECRET WEAPONS

Performance motoring means different things to different people. Obviously we all want a fast car, that’s a gimme – we’re so into the idea that we named a magazine after it, and we’ve stuck with it since the 1980s. It’s a way of life. But the manner in which we celebrate this keenness for quickness out on the road? It’s very different for each and every car fan out there. Flicking through the pages of this magazine, you’ll find yourself amazed (as is true of every issue we’ve ever put out) by the level of attention to detail that modders and tuners put into the finish and presentation of their projects. Every car featured in this mag is a surefire show-stopper, drop-dead gorgeous and as desirable as any off-the-peg supercar.

…but some people like to sneak below the radar. They want to slide through the traffic with nobody suspecting just how much horsepower they’re hiding. And we’re not talking about traditional sleepers here – yes, we all know that things like the Volvo 850 R and the Mercedes-Benz 500E exist as full-fat street-sleepers, Q-cars that weaponise the commute with improbable firepower. But the cult of the sleeper isn’t what it once was, as more and more people become aware of these things. The cat’s out of the bag. So instead, we’ve pulled together a top 10 of the secret weapons – the cars with the capacity to really take people by surprise. The ones that no-one would expect to be quick. If stealthy mischief is the name of the game, here are your main contenders…