Every year, dozens of new cars are launched to the market, and it’s inevitable that some fall to the wayside. And on other occasions, cars that were lauded get usurped and ultimately cast aside by their own replacement.
This list is dedicated to cars that – for one reason or another – have been under-appreciated by the masses….
Audi R8 V8
While it was quickly joined in the line-up by a headline-grabbing V10, it was the V8-powered R8 that brought Audi to dance in the world of supercars.
Sourcing its 4.2-litre unit from the RS4, the overall package presented by the Audi R8 was impressive from the off, serving as the most liveable supercar since the original Honda NSX.
Skoda Octavia vRS diesel
Currently, Volkswagen Group is pushing out plenty of diesel performance cars under its Audi brand, but sister firm Skoda has producing such products for years.
The Octavia vRS of today is available with either a petrol or diesel engine, and while it is the petrol with the headline-grabbing BHP figures, the torque of the diesel makes for a unique and high-tempo driving experience on twisty roads.
Volkswagen Golf R32 (MkIV)
The R32 is seen by many as the high-water mark for hot Golfs, with its 3.2-litre V6 and all-wheel drive making it one of the most visceral versions of the hatchback.
While the later MkV tends to be the one most fondly remembered thanks to its further refinements, the MkIV was a very impressive car in its own right, with the R32s go-faster bulges adding flavour to the rather dull exterior of the standard Golf.
Ford Mondeo ST220
While it holds nowhere near the prestige of some other fast Fords, the ST220 is one of the more exciting blue oval-badged cars of its era.
Featuring a 223bhp, 3.0-litre V6, it made the right noises, and much to the eternal delight of owners, it can even claim an Aston Martin connection; the 5.9-litre V12 used in the DB9 could be easily traced back to a pair of V6s taken from this car.
Kia Cee’d GT
While Hyundai’s i30 N is seen by many as the moment South Korea put its chips on the table in the hot hatch stakes, it’s Hyundai Motor Company’s other brand that arrived on the scene first.
While the Nurburgring-honed Hyundai is far more of a performance car than the 201bhp Kia, the Cee’d was not a bad car by any stretch, with well-fettled handling and little of the compromise seen in more intense hot hatches.
Porsche 968
The history books are never going to smile that fondly on Porsche’s front-engined experiments in the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. However, it can’t be denied that the cars themselves were good performers, none more so than the 968.
Particularly fetching in Clubsport spec, the 968 was the last of its bloodline, and has consistently been mooted as a refined and fun – if short-lived – front-engined sports car.
Skoda Yeti
At Skoda, the SUV boom has arrived. But, while Kodiaq and Karoq are spear-heading a new era at the Czech firm, the Yeti is the forerunner.
On the market for eight years, the Yeti was never a comprehensive sales smash, but it was relatively practical, capable off-roader with four-wheel drive, and had a quirky look not too far removed from the likes of the Panda 4X4.
Infiniti Q50
There are many words that could be thrown at the soon-to-depart Infiniti brand, Nissan’s answer to Lexus.
While the cars have been rather glued to the forecourt, some of the vehicles have been impressive. The Q50 is the answer to the BMW 3 Series, and it’s capable if unremarkable. However, if you opt for the 328bhp 3.7-litre V6 variant, with an engine from the Nissan 370Z, it becomes rather sporty, and serves as an ideal ‘sleeper’ saloon car.