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  1. Five of the most significant cars of 2009
  2. Ford Focus RS, Hottest hatch
  3. Honda Insight, Frugal family car
  4. Lotus Evora, Coolest coupé
  5. Toyota iQ, Tiny tot
  6. Porsche Panamera, Four-door sportscar

Lotus Evora, Coolest coupé

The Britpop war was in full swing when the last truly new Lotus, the Elise, hit showrooms, so it's fitting that Blur will be in the middle of a shock pre-comeback warm-up tour when the Evora goes on sale this year.

A brand as iconic and emotive as Colin Chapman's has to be more careful than most when unveiling a new motor, because not only are expectations high - they're also quite specific; every fan knows what they think a Lotus should be. Fortunately, reaction to the Evora - officially the world's first 2+2 mid-engined coupé - has been positive thus far.

Making a car that will simultaneously provide an Einstein-sharp driving experience with Johnny Vegas-soft touring ability is no small feat, but that's what Lotus claims it has done. We'll find out when we get behind the wheel, but a 3.5-litre V6 engine pushing out 276bhp in a shell weighing just 1,350kg sounds promising.

Mark Nichol