The EVO eCoty Dream Garage. Part Two

After half-filling our fantasy garage with the first decade of eCoty winners, the time has come to full up the other half, with the cars that have taken the prestigious award over the last decade.

If you missed the first part of this dream garage, you can catch up here. If you're up to speed, pour a brew and join me on this hunt through the classifieds, for the cars heaped with praise, from the minds of those who have put pen to paper at EVO magazine over the years.

2009: Lotus Evora

2009 and EVO choose their first homegrown winner, the Lotus Evora.

The Evora was released by Lotus in 2009 as a more long-legged, creature-comfort-filled option to their line-up which, at the point, consisted of the paired-back Elise and Exige models (we won't speak of the awkward, reborn Europa, that was quietly culled in 2010).

Where the Elise and Exige were for back-road blasts and track-days, the Evora, with it's plusher cabin materials and extra insulation, was meant as a more day to day, long-distance Lotus.

When driven hard however, the Evora could still perform the Lotus magic of confidence inspiring handling and adjustability. The Evora giving drivers the best of both world, something that didn't go unnoticed by the guys at EVO.

Lotus have never been a volume seller (certainly not as much as they would like to be) but I have been able to find an Evora for sale on the island of Ireland. This one is a much later car than the 2009 car that won eCoty, but that only means it's an improved variant of what was already an excellent package. Unfortunately it's an auto, a manual would be preferred, but it's here, and I want as many Irish cars as possible.

2010: Porsche 911 GT3 RS 997.2

New decade and normal service resumed, the eCoty winner is a Porsche, but what a Porsche, arguably the greatest Porsche, the 997.2 GT3 RS.

The 997 GT3 RS is probably the most collectively celebrated driver's car in modern times. The 997 911 was a great base to start from and when the GT3 RS arrived, everyone who experienced it was blown away.

When the 997.2 face-lift came to be in 2010, no one believed Porsche could improve on the recipe, but improve they did. Chassis revisions weren't massive, but a strengthened shell and increased spring and damper rates increased the precision and tactility. But the biggest update came in the flat-six engine.

The legendary Metzger unit was bored out from 3.6 to 3.8 litres, increasing power to 450bhp and an induction howl like no other. The RS was and is stunning, so much so, it beat a certain Ferrari 458 in the 2010 eCoty standings.

There are no gen 2 GT3 RSs for sale in Ireland and you're hardly spoiled for choice in the UK too. The RS's hero status has caused a lot of cars to stay with owners, realising what a special a car they have in their custodianship. Of the few for sale, most are LHD imports or, surprisingly, the limited-run-out 4.0 model, which carries a massive premium.

Anyway, we want the 3.8 eCoty winner, and this RHD white Clubsport packaged car will do just nicely. Well any GT3 RS would do nicely, let's be honest.

2011: Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

No, this is not a joke, another Porsche wins eCoty and essentially the same car as the previous year.

Saying that is a bit unjust. Yes, the 4.0 is an evolution of the 3.8 997.2 GT3 RS, but Porsche's motor-sport arm were let lose to create the ultimate iteration of what is arguably the greatest driver's car ever produced.

The Metzger motor was now bored out to 4.0 litres and using internals from the GT3 RSR race-car, which brought power to 493bhp and a redline that allowed the flat-six to scream to 8250rpm.

Chassis revisions were pushed as far as was possible, while maintaining the RS's road-worthiness and the aerodynamics were increased for ultimate high-speed stability.

Although there were only 600 4.0s produced, there are a surprising few for sale, albeit none in Ireland. It being such a special car, they do carry a premium over the "standard" RS.

Seeing as our 3.8 car is white, I've chosen this black 4.0, which is absolutely stunning. It's as near as makes no difference, half a million quid, which makes it nearly five times more than a 3.8. Is it five times the car, well...probably not, but this is a fantasy garage and we want it and to be honest, if the Lotto numbers come in, price be damned!

2012: Lotus Exige & Pagani Huayra

2012 sees EVO have a tie for the top prize at eCoty. No, they're weren't just being incredibly indecisive, they do have an actual scoring system, to try and curtail the subjective decision decision making as much as is possible.

So two cars scored the same number of points in 2012. Two cars from very different ends of the spectrum, yet go about their business in quite similar ways. Both, light-weight, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive.

The Series 3 saw the biggest change to the Exige formula, separating it further from it's stablemate, the Elise. So gone was the four-cylinder engine, replaced by a V6. Which meant increased performance, but Lotus, being the gurus that they are, brought the chassis in line with the power-plant and the Exige punched above it's (light) weight.

The Huayra was the replacement for the legendary Zonda from Pagani. A hard act to follow, the Zonda a previous winner of eCoty back in 2001. The naturally aspirated V12 was replaced by a turbo-charged unit, which brought a huge leap in performance. But the biggest innovation Pagani brought in for this new car was active aerodynamics. Parts of the car's bodywork would move in tandem with driver input to make the car as aerodynamically stable as it possible from corner to corner.

Some would say the Lotus is the real winner, creating an experience the equal of the Pagani for a fraction of the price, but Pagani's effort is equally as impressive, creating such a massively powerful hyper-car that has the ability to tussle with a light weight sports-car on a B-Road.

Unsurprisingly, neither car are available for sale in Ireland, but the UK gives us options, well for the Lotus at least. This Exige in Combat Grey is drool-worthy.

For the Pagani, we've had to venture to Hong Kong again, like our NSX earlier in this list, but it means we get a RHD car, which will help at the McDonalds drive-thru, although the gull-wing doors might be an issue.

2013: Porsche 911 GT3 991.1

Guess who's back, back again. Yep, Porsche, back in their natural habitat of top spot at eCoty. This time around it's the gold medal for the new 991 generation GT3.

Despite the very controversial absence of a manual gearbox, the 991 GT3 being PDK only, the dynamic ability of the GT3 on the road saw off the opposition, most notably, Ferrari's F12.

A first for a GT3, the 991 had a rear-wheel steering, which gives the impression of the car having a shorter wheelbase when cornering at speed, which made the 991 GT3 a formidable machine in the handling stakes.

Thankfully, we do have a couple of 991 GT3s to choose from in Ireland. Some prefer their GT3 Porsche's in lairy colours, but this 2015 car looks stunning in Agate Grey, plus it's packed with extras. Yum-Yum.

2014: 458 Speciale

Like the 997 GT3 RS, the Ferrari 458 Speciale is arguably the greatest Ferrari of the modern-era. The base car, the 458 Italia was an incredible car in it's own right, but the Speciale took the berlinetta Ferrari and brought it to unparalleled heights.

The 458 Italia lost out to the GT3 RS in 2010, but the Speciale took a clean sweep in 2014, getting unanimous votes. The lightened car, had forged internals from the 458 Challenge Car, taking the mid-ship 4.5 litre V8 to new levels of responsiveness and performance.

The Speciale produced 597bhp at a scarcely believable 9000rpm. A fitting swan-song for the naturally aspirated Ferrari V8 engine. It was mated to a chassis that was so exploitable, it beggared belief, thanks in part to the wizardry of Ferrari's background electronics that seamlessly worked with the physical hardware. But also, when brave enough to switch the manettino to 'CST OFF', the Speciale could be grabbed by the scruff and fired down a road with confidence.

The 458 Speciale is another car you'll be hard pushed to find for sale in Ireland, but the UK does often have several on the market. Finding the one for you can be a difficult task, with the level of customisation available to Ferrari buyers, two cars are rarely identical, but that means on the used market, there might not be the one available to your exacting tastes.

My main criteria was, I didn't want a red one, because I prefer Ferraris when they're not red.

I almost went for a yellow one, which is quite "look at me", which I know is pretty unavoidable in a Ferrari, regardless of colour. I settled however, on this Nero Daytona (that's black to you & I) with gold wheels and stripes. Not exactly how I would have spec'd my car, but as I say, it's hard to find the perfect one.

Now if James May ever sells his...

2015: Porsche Cayman GT4 981

It was only a matter of time before we had another Porsche. Look, we all know they make incredible drivers cars, so it's no surprise. Now however, it's time for the 911's baby brother to shine, with the Cayman taking it's first gold-medal.

2015's winner was no regular Cayman though, it was the GT4, the first Cayman to be fettled by Porsche Motorsport. It's also arguably the car the Cayman should always have been, but Porsche didn't want it to steal the limelight from the flagship 911.

Making it a limited numbers car and a stripped back and focused car, allowed it to become a reality, especially now with the 911 Carrera had become more of a GT car and the GT3 moving even further up the performance ladder.

The GT4 received the 3.8 litre engine from the 911 Carrera S, and the entire front assembly from the GT3. Along with it being stripped off unnecessary weight and chassis dynamics honed by Porsche Motorsport, it was always going to be a winner.

Thankfully we can get ourselves an Irish car. This GT4 is in a tasteful spec. Some may think a hundred grand for a Cayman is a lot, but they just don't understand. Plus limited run Porsche products never lose value.

2016: Porsche 911R

Here we go again. The Porker from Stuttgart leads the rest of them home once more. This one truly is special though. The 911R is the perfect 911 for those who care too much about 911s. Which, let's face it, is the majority of people who love driving.

The 911R is a light-weight, wide-body car, with the engine from the GT3 RS, but without the 'in your face' rear wing. Most importantly though, Porsche mated that fabulous 4.0 litre engine to a six-speed manual gearbox, something that had been denied to us in the 991 GT3 and GT3 RS.

To top off the 991R's hero status, it was a limited run car, a swan song to the 991 generation 911, with just 991 made (see what they did there).

With such a sought after machine and small build numbers, finding an R for sale in Ireland is not to be. I managed to find one for sale in the UK and it's a glorious spec. It pays homage to the original 60s 911R, and it's even signed by Porsche Motorsport boss, Andreas Preuninger. Oh yes please!

2017: Mclaren 720S

The first Mclaren to win eCoty, with the 675LT just missing out in 2015 to the Cayman GT4 (goes to show how good that is). Still, not bad for a company who had until this point, only been producing cars for five years.

The 720S brought a new 4.0 V8 to the brand, everything previous using the same 3.8. It also ushered in a now 'Monocage' carbon tub that was stronger and lighter. The 720S performed the magic Mclaren is now famed for, incredible ride quality and ease of use when you're not pushing it; and performance that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end when you are.

The 720S also brought a new design language to Mclaren, most notably the 'socket' headlights, that channeled air through them to aid the aerodynamics. It was a controversial look, that didn't win everyone over. Plus, with what some see as Mclaren producing too many cars too quickly, the 720S has the strange honour of being an eCoty winner that has suffered massive depreciation.

Still, what that means is they are more attainable to the second-hand buyer. Sadly, no Irish cars for sale, but they are plentiful in the UK. I've chosen this Launch Edition car, mostly because I like the spec, but, this three year old, award winning Mclaren, with only 4000 miles, has lost over £120k off it's original price. Funny World.

2018: Mclaren 600LT

Two years on the trot, McLaren are on a role. Whereas the Long-Tail "Super Series" Mclaren, the 675LT failed to take the eCoty crown in 2015, the "Sports Series" car, the 600LT managed to take the top prize.

Based on the 570S, the 600LT is it's lightened, tightened, more focused variant. The reason why many believe the 600LT to be so worthy, is it has a playfulness and character that some felt had been lacking from previous Mclaren products. This, even despite the fact it was using the "old" 3.8 litre V8 which had since been superseded by the 4.0 in the 720S. The 3.8 in the 600LT had motorsport internals, and thanks to top mounted exhausts, shoots flames.

Again, Mclarens are rare commodities in Ireland, but the stock in the UK is plentiful. I've chosen this example for our garage as it's Papaya Orange, as is the Mclaren way (ok technically it's Myan Orange, but let's not get caught up on tiny details) It also has the carbon bucket seats from the Senna, which I feel are a must.

2019: Porsche Cayman GT4 718

The last entry into our dream garage and would you believe it, it's a Porsche. The latest and greatest Cayman GT4.

Some have argued the 718 GT4, on a subjective level, isn't as sweet as the previous 981 generation, but on a objective level, it can't be argued that the flagship Cayman has been improved in almost every area.

The recipe remained the same. Carrera S engine, this time the 4.0 litre. GT3 mechanicals and dynamics honed by Porsche Motorsport. The 718 GT4 was more powerful, dynamically more focused and quicker around a track. Fulfilling it's brief and then some.

The only real significant difference with this GT4 compared to the last, is it's not a limited run car and still on sale today, so rather than find one in the classified, why not go the Porsche configurator and spec your own? My one is pictured above.

So that's it, we've filled our Evo Car of the Year Dream Garage and what a selection we have, even if some will sniff at the amount of Porsches taking up space. We'll leave room however, as the next addition to the series is only a few months away!