As the winter months draw in, performance cars are traditionally hurried into garages, storage units and lock-ups to protect them from the elements.
However, there are a few cars on the market today that needn’t be mollycoddled and can genuinely take whatever the winter can throw at them. Here, we’ve picked out 10 performance cars that you can use throughout winter come rain, shine, sleet or snow.
Audi RS6 Performance
This one’s a bit of a no-brainer. Powered by a turbocharged V8 engine packing 596bhp, it’ll crack 60mph in under four seconds.
However, don’t think you’ll be spiralling off into a hedge when things get slippy, as the RS6 uses Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system, allowing it to find grip no matter how treacherous the conditions. Add to this the RS6’s genuinely practical bodystyle and its better – though not brilliant – fuel economy, and you’ve got an ideal winter wagon.
Range Rover Sport SVR
Of course, anything with a Range Rover badge on the bonnet is already laden with go-anywhere potential, but the Sport SVR adds to this with a tremendous amount of performance.
A supercharged 5.0-litre sends 542bhp to all four wheels, though you still get Range Rover’s Terrain Response off-road system – meaning all that power can be put to good use in all conditions. This does all come at a cost, particularly in fuel economy –22mpg to be exact.
Mercedes-AMG E63S
You’d think that a powerful Mercedes-AMG vehicle would be rear-wheel-drive, and therefore a nightmare on slippery roads. However, the latest E63 has a trick up its sleeve – all-wheel-drive.
This means that it’s far from a handful when the roads get greasy, though there’s still a 4.0-litre V8 to keep things interesting. On top of that, the E63S – available as either a saloon or estate – is impressively practical, with a decent boot and plenty of rear legroom too.
Ariel Nomad
Okay, we understand that you’ll probably need to get quite wrapped up when driving the Ariel Nomad in colder weather, but its all-round usability and incredible performance will more than make up for it.
A 2.4-litre Honda-sourced engine sends drive to all four wheels, while suspension with a huge amount of travel allows the Nomad to handle anything that is thrown at it. A tubular framework also means you’ll look like nothing else on the road.
Ferrari GTC4 Lusso
Available with either a turbocharged V8 or naturally-aspirated V12 engine, the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso is the best option if you’re looking for a car with a prancing horse on the front that can be used in all weathers.
Thankfully, the GTC4 Lusso utilises a clever electronic all-wheel-drive system, meaning that it’ll be able to tackle snow and ice like no other Ferrari can – yet it’ll do so in supreme luxury, as you’d expect with a car from Maranello.
Bentley Bentayga
Yes, it’s quite an ostentatious choice, but you simply cannot fault the way Bentley’s Bentayga can cover ground, be it on- or off-road. It features an opulent interior which, save for a noticeable few switches borrowed from parent company Audi, feels bespoke and well-made.
Of course, it has a lot of performance to offer too. With a turbocharged W12 powering this affair, it’ll hit 60mph in just four seconds before topping out at 187mph.
Volkswagen Golf R
Though the Volkswagen Golf R may not carry the same badge prestige as other cars on this list, it can more than keep its head held high when it comes to performance. The R’s turbocharged petrol engine gives it enough shove to out-drag a lot of current supercars.
Whereas the two-wheel-drive GTI would be spinning its front wheels in poor conditions, the R’s all-wheel-drive system means the fun doesn’t have to stop when the weather turns sour.
BMW M5
Though traditionally rear-wheel-drive, the latest incarnation of the M5 uses complex all-wheel-drive technology to give it huge amounts of traction, while a 4.4-litre V8 means you’ll be able to exploit the system to its fullest at all times.
You are able to lock that system to rear-wheel-drive only, but for the vast majority of the time it’s best left powering all four wheels – particularly in the winter months when traction is king.
Subaru WRX Final Edition
There are few cars with as much all-weather pedigree as the Subaru WRX. With rally history engrained in its make-up, it’s been designed to be able to travel very quickly over the toughest of surfaces and in the worse conditions.
A four-wheel-drive system, as well as rally-inspired suspension, makes the WRX Final Edition hugely capable in all weathers, while large Brembo brakes can effectively bring the whole thing to a stop.
Ford Focus RS
The Ford Focus RS has already made a name for itself as one of the most accomplished hot hatches on sale today, packing a lot of performance into a usable and practical layout. However, it’s also got four-wheel-drive, and this means that it’ll be ideal for tackling the elements in.
When you strip away the performance, you’re left with a genuine five-seater hatchback, so you’ll still be able to bring your friends along and save them from the cold.