The Best Coupes Of The Last 25 Years

Coupes have always put style and driving enjoyment ahead of boring, outright practicality. The very best combine exotic looks with the kind of performance and character that makes every journey feel like an occasion.

The past 25 years have given us everything from compact rear-wheel-drive bruisers to V10-powered supercars and limited-run Italian works of art. Narrowing them down was never going to be easy, but here’s seven that deserve to be remembered among the very best.

Lexus LFA

The LFA was unlike anything Lexus had built before, with its carbon-fibre construction, beautifully detailed interior and striking design making it look and feel dramatic. But it was the engine that turned it into a modern icon.

Its naturally aspirated 4.8-litre V10 produced 560PS and revved to 9,000rpm, delivering one of the finest soundtracks ever heard from a road car. Lexus built just 500 examples, and while its price attracted criticism when new, the LFA is now widely recognised as one of the most special cars ever made.

Porsche Cayman GT4

The original Cayman GT4 finally gave Porsche’s mid-engined sports car the serious GT treatment fans had been waiting for. It combined the Cayman’s beautifully balanced chassis with a more aggressive appearance and hardware borrowed from the beloved 911 GT3.

Behind the driver sat a naturally aspirated 3.8-litre flat-six, paired exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. It was fast enough to feel special without chasing ridiculous power figures, and proved that the smaller Cayman could be every bit as exciting as a 911.

BMW 1M Coupe

The BMW 1M Coupe was created using a relatively simple collection of existing M-car parts, but the result became one of the most desirable BMWs of the modern era. Its aggressive wheelarches and compact proportions gave it the appearance of a scaled-down muscle car.

Its twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six produced 340bhp and drove the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. It could reach 62mph in 4.9 seconds, but its playful handling mattered far more than the numbers.

Audi R8

The original Audi R8 proved that the company responsible for sensible executive saloons and practical estates could also build a proper supercar. In fact, its low-slung shape and distinctive side blades still look fresh nearly two decades after it first appeared.

Early cars used a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8, while the later boasted a 5.2-litre V10 - while both could be ordered with a wonderfully mechanical gated manual gearbox. What’s more, quattro four-wheel drive made the R8 far easier to use every day than many of its rivals.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage

The idea behind the original V12 Vantage was to take Aston Martin’s smallest car and fit it with the company’s largest engine. The result looked muscular without losing that Aston elegance.

Its beefy, 5.9-litre naturally aspirated V12 gave 510bhp and was paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. Sure, it was heavier and less delicate than the V8 model, but the huge engine, compact body and thunderous soundtrack gave it a character few modern sports cars could match.

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Few cars produced during the past 25 years can match the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione for sheer beauty. Its flowing bodywork drew heavily on Alfa’s past without feeling retro, while the carbon-fibre body and limited production run made it a genuine cult icon.

Underneath was a 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 and, though not the sharpest or most polished supercar of its era, few were as dramatic to look at or listen to.

Mercedes-Benz CLK63 AMG Black Series

The CLK63 AMG Black Series looked like a regular Mercedes coupe that had spent several months in a touring-car paddock. Its huge wheelarches, aggressive bumpers and fixed rear wing transformed the relatively restrained CLK into something far more intimidating.

With a tasty 6.2-litre V8 that produced 507bhp, adjustable suspension, upgraded brakes and extensive chassis changes, it was far more focused than the standard CLK63. Furthermore, the rear seats were removed and the ride was uncompromising - adding to the sense that this was one of AMG’s wildest creations.