10 Perfect Cars For A New Year's Day Blast

January 1st, 2013 is much more than just the start of a new year.

Some may have found their fun consuming their own bodyweight in alcohol the night before. But for those waking with a clear head, fresh and early, a different pleasure awaits. And it's a pleasure that can only be found for a few mornings a year - empty roads.

As the country sleeps off the effects of 'one last drink' and a lone few taxis return shameful faces to their homes, the rest of the country is yours to play with.

Any car will do, but what cars should be on your list to break in the new year? Here are ten new motors you'll want at your disposal.

Skoda Citigo

Bear with us - the Citigo is no performance machine, but the smallest Skoda, along with its VW and SEAT cousins, is actually a nimble little fella and surprisingly fun for its miniscule power output and tiny list price. With 60mpg within reach, you'll also be able to drive it all morning - and afternoon - without stopping for fuel.

Renault Twingo RenaultSport

Skoda not hot enough? The Twingo RS might suffice. It's a car that reminds you how hot hatchbacks used to be, before they over-ate at Christmas and put on half a tonne. 130bhp looks pathetic on paper, but gun it and the 1.6-litre engine screams. Few are more fun in the twisties either.

Caterham 7 Classic

Like the Twingo, its 1.4 engine sounds too small to have fun with - but the Caterham 7 Classic is all about weight. 525kg is half that of the MX-5 below - a waif-like car itself. As a result, you'll still hit 60 in 6.5 seconds, and with the roof stowed you won't get closer to the elements without removing your clothes.

Mazda MX-5

The MX-5 is getting on a bit these days, but the formula still works: Light weight, no roof, rear-wheel drive, a revvy engine and brilliant handling. Hot hatches will pass you left, right and centre, but we guarantee that you'll be having more fun.

Toyota GT 86

Undoubtedly the car of 2012, Toyota's tiny sports car reminds us why we love driving in the first place. If you value steering feel, balance and response over outright speed, it's the car for you - what better to explore some empty country roads?

Ford Focus ST

If power does matter, then the 247bhp Focus ST provides a decent hit. Not only is it smack bang in the middle of our perfect power output for UK roads, but its chassis handles those roads pretty well too. Unlike some of the other cars here, it'll also be ideal for the other 364 days of the year, too.

Lotus Elise

British cars should really work on British roads, and the Elise backs up that theory. For purity and purpose, it's one of the best ever. And with no traffic to hold you up, even the basic Elise should cover ground at quite a rate. Remove the fiddly roof to fully appreciate the experience.

BMW M135i

The M135i is a Car Throttle favourite. What's not to like? It's fast, it scurries around corners like a rat in a maze, it's positively bargainous at a touch under thirty grand, and the BMW badge still ranks highly for kudos. What? It's ugly? Well yeah, there is that...

Porsche Cayman R

Another car beloved of #TeamCT. We've driven it and drifted it, but one thing is for sure: it's a thriller on the right roads. The mid-mounted flat-six howls, and leather-lined buckets hold you in place as you demolish the corners. Porsche rarely disappoints, but this is still one of their best.

Ferrari 458

What would you do to get your hands on one of these for that New Year's thrash? With the 458's levels of performance, looks and handling, you'd kick a supermodel out of bed to get your chance at some empty roads. But if you want her to tag along, then you'd best pick the coupe - she probably wouldn't appreciate the extra-breezy Spider.