Comparisons

“Same FA24 boxer, same chassis, same six-speed — separated by a suspension tune and a badge.”

“Same 2.0-litre K20C1, same six-speed, same 315 hp — split into the track tool and the tourer.”

“The front-drive scalpel against the all-wheel-drive rally toy — precision versus playfulness.”

“Same K20C1 turbo four, same six-speed, same front-drive recipe — the FK8 is the fake-vented, 20-inch firebrand, the FL5 the grown-up who quietly does everything a bit better.”

“Capability against connection — the coupe that does more versus the roadster that feels more.”

“Sports car against grand tourer: the Supra is the sharper, more serious driver's car, and the Z is the softer, roomier, cheaper one you'd rather live in.”

“The 911 GT3 is the more rounded car, with a double-wishbone front end, a cleaner-sounding flat-six and a ride you can use on the street, while the Cayman GT4 RS puts that same engine's intake next to your head in a lighter, more neutral, more playful chassis.”

“The 911 GT3 is the road car that also laps; the GT3 RS is the same 4.0-litre flat-six handed to the aero department, and it gives up the road to find the lap time.”

“Same EA888 two-litre, same Mk8 shell, two different answers: the GTI is the lighter front-drive car you have to work at, the Golf R is the all-wheel-drive one that simply puts its power down.”

“Two ways to spend the same money on a rear-drive coupe with a stick: the Mustang is the big-hearted 5.0 Coyote V8 with a back seat, and the RZ34 Z is the lighter, sharper-steering twin-turbo that drives more like a sports car.”

“The BRZ is the car you lean on and the MX-5 is the car you listen to: a flat-cornering 2.4-litre boxer coupe with torque and brakes in hand, against a roadster some 400 pounds lighter in which every control feels better.”

“The Civic Type R is a precision instrument and the Elantra N is a hooligan with a heated seat — one rewards you for driving it exactly right, the other makes you laugh whether you do or not.”

“Rear-drive coupe against all-weather sedan: the G87 M2 is the driver's car with the bigger top end; the 8Y RS3 is the five-cylinder, all-wheel-drive point-to-point weapon you can put people in the back of.”

“A roadster you build the day around versus one that just slips into it.”

“The 911 GT3 is an engine you build a weekend around; the Cayman GT4 is the mid-engine car you get comfortable in quickly and can actually live with.”

“The M3 is a sports car that happens to have four doors; the RS5 is a grand tourer that happens to be very fast.”

“Same S58 straight-six, two different temperaments: the G87 M2 is the shorter, rawer, more playful road car; the G82 M4 is the bigger, faster, more planted weapon that wins on pace and composure.”

“A mid-engine junior supercar against the last front-engine V8 pony car with a clutch pedal: the C8 Corvette is the lighter, faster, more serious machine, and the S650 Mustang is the one with a back seat, a six-speed manual and a quad-cam Coyote that pulls to 7,500 rpm.”

“Two BMW straight-sixes, two different briefs: the G87 M2 is the faster, heavier, do-everything coupe; the A90 Supra is the lighter, more playful two-seat sports car.”

“The front-drive driver's car against the all-wheel-drive all-weather hammer — engagement versus civility.”

“The FK8 Civic Type R is the front-drive precision instrument that wins on the stopwatch; the VA WRX STI is the older, rougher all-wheel-drive car that wins through the steering wheel.”

“Same S58 twin-turbo straight-six, two different missions: the M2 is the compact, sharper, far cheaper one; the M3 is the more powerful, more practical, far pricier one.”