AN ODE TO THE SPORTS CAR

As this automotive icon drives off into the sunset, Audi’s final version of the iconic TT may be the best one ever

- Nkosiyati Khumalo

I LOVE SUVS, I DO. That feeling of being able to run over just about anything, with a full load of passengers and cargo along for the ride, is crazy fun. Today, they exist in every flavour, ride height and configuration; with the arrival of the folding-top Range Rover Evoque, followed by the upcoming VW T-Roc Cabrio, I know the rules have well and truly gone out the window. Even as the “utility” portion of their nomenclature grows less and less true-to-reality with some models, the sales numbers prove that the more automakers build them, the more we buy them.

But, no matter what shapes the auto industry throws our way over the next few years, I don’t think any car lover will ever lose their affection for a sexy, low-slung sports car. This is an arena where hearts and other organs drive purchasing decisions more than budgets and reasoning. Here, practicality moves to the bottom of the priority list, giving way instead to terrific handling, adrenaline-boosting power, and lookback-at-it design.