SLIDESHOW
Oddball fast cars you’ve (probably) forgotten all about
From the Golf GTI to the Fiesta ST, some fast cars are household names. But there are many unusual, unexpected and left-field choices that get overlooked in the rush of most enthusiasts to own one of the more obvious choices. So here’s our hurrah to the oddballs, however good, bad or indifferent they might be.
ALISDAIR SUTTIE
Daihatsu Cuore Avanzato TR-XX R4 1998
When the world was going crazy for road-going versions of World Rally Championship cars like the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru Impreza, Daihatsu offered this as its take on the theme. However, it was more a product of the fertile kei car market in Japan than stage victories in the WRC. This tiny Cuore had 4WD and a turbo engine like its more illustrious compatriots, but with 659cc on hand it was somewhat less powerful. The four-cylinder engine corralled 64bhp to offer 0-60mph in 8.5sec and, if you were brave, it could crack 101mph. Not much – but the way the Cuore had to be driven hard made it surprisingly entertaining. It seems just nine were sold in the UK. None is on the road today, but three are SORN: come back, please.