New 542bhp Porsche Panamera Turbo S

This new Turbo S model is the fastest, most powerful variant of the Porsche Panamera yet.

The twin-turbo 4.8-litre V8 super-saloon has had a power hike over the Turbo model on which it is based, from 493bhp to 542bhp, taking it beyond its Mercedes S63 AMG (518bhp) and BMW 760Li (537bhp) rivals. The Turbo S’s top speed is 191mph, 3mph higher than the standard Turbo, while its 3.8sec 0-62mph time makes it quicker than a 911 GT3 RS (4.0sec).

See the official pics of the Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Porsche engineers have fitted titanium-aluminium turbine wheels to the turbochargers and revised the engine control management of the Turbo S to boost power and performance. Torque is also up in the S over the standard Turbo, from 510lb ft to 553lb ft when driven in Sport and Sport Plus modes, and up to 590lb ft is available with an overboost function.

These increases have been made without sacrificing economy, which stays at 24.6mpg combined, due to the lighter weight and lower inertia of the turbine and compressor wheel in the turbochargers.

Full road test of the Porsche Panamera Turbo

Several dynamic systems are offered as standard on the Turbo S. Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control boosts cornering stability, while Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus works with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential to apply a variable torque split to the rear wheels for greater traction and agility. A Sport Chrono Package Turbo revises suspension and engine controls for a more “sporting” drive in Sport Plus mode.

Styling changes include new 20-inch Turbo II wheels, a sports exhaust and a two-tone leather interior. The Turbo S goes in sale in June, priced from £122,623, a near £20k hike over the standard Turbo.

Ferrari FF 6.3 V12

The FF is a car you’d happily drive serious distances in

Next to the 599 GTB perhaps it doesn’t feel quite so insanely ballistic in the lower gears

The 450-litre boot easily swallowed all of our camera and video equipment

The 651bhp 6.3-litre V12 engine is a development of the one used in the Enzo and 599 GTB

Like the 458, much of the FF's controls are contained on its steering wheel

The interior is comfortable and spacious and the packaging is very successful

On our seven-hour test drive, three people remained in comfort throughout

Ferrari FF 6.3 V12

Price: £227,026; 0-62mph: 3.7sec; Top Speed: 208mph; Engine: V12, 6262cc, petrol; Power: 651bhp at 8000rpm; Torque: 504lb ft at 6000rpm; Economy: 18.3mpg; CO2: 360g/km; Transmission: 7-spd dual clutch transmission (rear axle) + 2spd (front axle)

Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 CGI BlueEfficiency

Enthusiast drivers would be forgiven for having mentally docked the Mercedes SLK under ‘humdrum boulevard special’. And it’s true that the first SLK (back in 1996) was known more for its revolutionary folding hard top than for its abilities on winding roads.

This, third generation, model is again more of a tourer than a sports car, but Mercedes is promising a much greater emphasis on agility. Described as being ‘70 per cent all-new’ the SLK uses the same base platform as before, adding slightly increased width and claimed improved rigidity, partly thanks to a fibre-reinforced rear bulkhead.

The more aggressive SL-style exterior gets an aluminium bonnet and aluminium wings. The SLS-style interior is relatively plain, but clear and well screwed together. Although there’s a raft of sophisticated extras available (including a Reactolite-style glass roof panel option, adaptive damping, a variable rate steering rack and Torque Vectoring Brakes), there’s a strong argument that this base model could be the best SLK of the new line-up.

See pics of the Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 CGI BlueEfficiency

What’s it like?
Most impressive is the new 1.8-litre turbocharged engine. Equipped with a very sophisticated high pressure injection system and twin balancer shafts, it gives a remarkably tractable and diesel-like response, delivering its significant maximum torque from just 1800rpm to 4600rpm. Indeed, this flat torque delivery means that changing up as the engine approaches the redline can result in a most unexpected surge of acceleration as the motor spins back down into the very punchy mid-range.

It’s seems pretty frugal, too. According to the trip computer, this manual SLK200 was about twice as economical as the V6-engined, autobox, SLK350 I drove on the same demanding mountain roads. And, in truth, it didn’t feel significantly slower.

The new SLK now has quicker steering and this model, rolling on standard-issue steel springs and dampers, was decently agile in that typically restrained Mercedes way. The driver needs to put some effort in to extract the best from it, pushing the car hard into bends. But it’s pretty easy to place and resists understeer well.

Should I buy one?
This is a very pleasant machine. It’s an enthusiastic, compact, neat handling and brisk all-weather roadster with a particularly impressive and punchy four-cylinder engine. It’s also well-made and as capable of tackling a mountain road as it is happy to bowl down to the shops. It’s not for serious enthusiasts, but it’s easy to see the attraction.

Mercedes-Benz SLK 200 BlueEfficiency
Price: £29,970; Top speed: 149mph; 0-62mph: 7.3sec; Economy: 44mpg; Co2: 149g/kml; Kerbweight: 1435kg; Engine type: 4cyls turbopetrol, 1796cc; Power: 181bhp; Torque: 200lb ft at 1800-4600rpm; Gearbox: 7-speed manual