We bring you 2008’s most epic test. We’ve agonised, whittled down and eventually settled on the 16 cars that have impressed us most over the last year. The first ten are all what we describe as ‘real world’ cars – those that most of us could imagine owning one day without needing to marry for money or short-sell shares in Volkswagen. We’re in Wales for this part.

The winner from Wales then leaps across to Part 2 and joins our top six surreal-world cars and blasts across to France. The old pit straight at Reims is our starting point, the spectacular Mont Ventoux is our final destination. At the end of it all, one car will be crowned  champion and stand aloft the windy mountain’s blustery summit. David Vivian is your scribe with his head in the clouds.

For the winner and full story, see this month's copy, evo issue 125, on sale Wednesday 12 November.