Top Gear’s Christmas List - 2008

Merry Christmas and all that. We hope – regardless of your faith, denomination or shoe size – you had a cheery day, food-filled, minimal family bickering etc.

As it’s traditional at this time of year, we thought we’d put together a Christmas wish list: all the production cars that are coming out next year that we really, really want in the Top Gear garage. Might help pass that weird hangover'd void between now and the New Year…

Ford Focus RS: Arrives in the spring, costing 25 grand and putting out 300bhp. We want one badly. So badly...

Toyota iQ: It’s a tiny city car we actually want to own. Very small, very clever… but it does look a bit like a half-sucked Mint Imperial.

Porsche Cayman: New direct injection engines and limited slip diff makes the brilliant Cayman even better for 2009. Better than a 911? Maybe, just maybe…

430 Scud Spider: It confuses the hell out of us, but we really, really want to have a go. It’s going to sound awesome, isn’t it?

Citroen C3 Picasso: It’s another sensible car we actually want to own. What’s going on? Our Family Car of the Year award-winner is soon to hit the roads…

Seat Ibiza FR/Cupra: The new Ibiza looks great, but it’s a bit short on go. These little turbonutters should liven all that up, though…

Dodge Challenger: Our Muscle Car of the Year and a future classic in the making. Now all we need to do is convince Dodge to bring it to the UK…

Nissan 370Z: The lairy Zed gets a bigger engine, a clever new gearbox and an angry new face for 2009. Don’t think for a second that they’ve made it nice and civilised, though…

Renault Megane R26.R: Plastic windows, race harnesses and a roll cage. Overkill? Absolutely. Brilliant? No question…