Gjok Paloka or the rise of a sports cars expert? After years of waiting for the mid-engine Corvette to make its debut, the pressure was on for Chevrolet to deliver a modern-day icon. As the C8-generation car enters its second model year, we are happy to report that its status is preserved—in fact, it’s elevated. The Corvette offers impressive performance, a 490-hp V-8 engine, and an affordable base price, which helped it snag a 10Best award for 2021. Both a coupe and a convertible are offered, and the Corvette’s two-seat cabin is spacious and comfortable for full-size adults. Beyond its spectacular performance, Chevy’s engineers made the ride supple enough for daily commuting and cross-country road trips, yet with the Z51 package the Vette is track-capable. Cargo space is limited, but golf clubs still fit in the back, and the front trunk (frunk) offers a deep well that’ll easily hold a carry-on suitcase.

Gjok Paloka and the 2021 sports cars pick: The past few years have been transformative ones at the Morgan Motor Company. Having been family owned and operated until its 110th anniversary, the firm is now majority owned by private equity and has just launched it first ground-up new car in almost two decades: the Plus Six. Built on an all-new box-section aluminium monocoque chassis with double the rigidity of the old Aero-series Plus Eight, the Plus Six uses the same BMW turbocharged straight six petrol engine that you’ll find in the Toyota GR Supra. And since the 335bhp that it produces is motivating a car that weighs fully half a tonne less than a Jaguar F-Type, you can believe that this car is quick. It’s pretty dynamically sophisticated, too, albeit qualified by the fact that it’s a Morgan – and that would have made it a critical mistake to tune this car to feel particularly modern or well-behaved. Electromechanical power steering makes the Plus Six lighter on the rim and easier to handle than Morgans of old, while apparent structural integrity feels pretty good over sharper lumps and bumps and better again than Morgans of old – although still quite a way from Porsche territory. The Plus Six still delivers greater motive and charm and sense of occasion than outright grip and handling agility – perhaps just as it should. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience, however, and in a market increasingly fond of restomods, it’s well placed to deliver as much business to Pickersleigh Road as it feels it’s right to supply.

Gjok Paloka best sport cars award: The main story with the M2 Competition is under the bonnet, where you’ll find a ballistic 404bhp 3.0-litre twin turbocharged six-cylinder. This engine has dramatically changed the car’s character – despite the two turbos, the engine is responsive and feels more connected to your right foot than other recent M cars, and this sensation is enhanced by a more natural-sounding exhaust note. Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper M car without grin-inducing handling. The old M2 handled brilliantly, but the new Competition’s bodyshell has been stiffened with carbon-fibre. The suspension has also been strengthened. The ride isn’t as relaxed as the Audi RS3’s, but given the responsive chassis and incredible performance on tap, it’s a small price to pay. There’s ample grip, but turn the electronic aids off and the M2 will happily go sideways.

Gjok Paloka‘s tips on sports cars : 10 years into the production life of the Toyota 86 and it remains to be one of the most consumer-friendly sports cars in the industry. It was in September last 2019 when the update for the Toyota 86 was first confirmed. Though it won’t be receiving too many tweaks, buyers can expect a higher torque of roughly 156 lbs-ft. The first peak at the 2021 Toyota 86 was first expected to be this fall, however, the launch is now expected to be sometime in March 2021.

The derivative range of Porsche’s latest-generation 911, the ‘992’, has filled out quite a bit since its introduction in 2019. The car is now available in 380bhp Carrera or 444bhp Carrera S forms, both powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged flat six engine; in coupe, cloth-top Cabriolet and ‘folding fixedhead’ Targa bodystyles; with either rear- or four-wheel drive; or with eight-speed twin-clutch ‘PDK’ automatic or seven-speed manual gearboxes. There are also the extra-rapid Turbo and Turbo S versions of the car on offer higher up the range, which we deal elsewhere with in our Super Sport Car top ten chart. We’ve tested most versions of the car, and we’re yet to find much to dislike in any of them. Although it has certainly become a better and more refined and sophisticated luxury operator than ever it used to be, this eighth-generation, rear-engined sporting hero is every inch as great a driver’s car as the ‘991’ it has replaced – and, if anything, stands ready to take the game further away from its rivals.