Ferrari 458 Italia v McLaren MP4-12C

Ferrari - The newest of the new - the current rivalry between the McLaren MP4-12C and the Ferrari 48 Italia has all the makings of a classic: an established player of unquestioned pedigree, facing off against a fine young upstart.

Ferrari

McLaren - Extra frisson is added by Ferrari and McLaren's Formula One opposition, of course, but the real twist comes when the 12C found itself losing out in almost every twin test - despite having more power. This isn't over yet.

Mitsubishi Evo v Subaru WXR STi

Mitsubishi - Another classic battle born from competition - Subaru and Mitsubishi have been going toe-to-toe on rally stages for years now. This has been great news for us petrolheads, since the rival road cars are amongst the most thrilling around.

Mitsubishi Evo

 Subaru - The days of rally dominance may be over, as rally legislations now favour smaller hatchbacks, but you can still pick your favourite on the road. The Evo is generally edgier, the Subaru more supple, both are explosive - your choice.

Subaru WXR STi

Lamborghini Countach v Ferrari Testarossa

Lamborghini - Moving away from racetrack and rally stages and onto the bedroom wall - is there a more classic 80s motoring rivalry than this? The Ferrari Testarossa and the Lamborghini Countach - both paragons of outrageous (and outmoded) style.

Lamborghini Countach

 Ferrari - The Countach is actually a child of the 70s, with the Testarossa arriving an entire decade later on - but both are mid-engined, both have 12 cylinders and both continue to turn heads today

Ferrari Testarossa

BMW M3 (E30) v Mercedes 190 Cosworth

BMW - The E30 generation BMW M3 is regarded as one of the all-time classic M cars, with beautifully focused rear-wheel-drive handling and a soulful four-cylinder engine producing up to 241hp in road-going Sport Evolution form.

BMW M3 (E30)

 Mercedes-Benz - The Mercedes 190 2.3 16v Cosworth is less well-known and less powerful (235hp at its Evo II max) but the M3's archrival on track. Both were homologation models for German touring car racing, and either would find a spot in our dream garage.

Mercedes 190 Cosworth

Jaguar XKR-S v Aston Martin V8 Vantage

The similarity in appearance between some Jaguar and Aston Martin sports car models is a long-standing joke, but until very recently Aston kept its distance through prestige and premium. Now though, there's the Jaguar XKR-S. 

Jaguar XKR-S

 Aston Martin - Jaguar's 550hp track-honed beastie will give a 911 GT3 a hard time, but arguably it lacks the visual grace of its closest price rival in the Aston range - the V8 Vantage. However, it whups it for power. New handling packs for the Aston upgrade the driving experience. 

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Ford Mondeo v Vauxhall Insignia

Ford - Slowing the pace just a little, it's time to revisit that classic rivalry of the rep mobiles - Ford verses Vauxhall. At one time it was all about the Sierra and the Cavalier, nowadays it's the Mondeo and the Insignia. 

Ford Mondeo

Vauxhall - Both are - genuinely - very good cars, with excellent overall quality, stacks of space inside and an engaging driving experience. We'd be quite happy pedalling either. Sadly these days everyone wants an Audi A4 or BMW 3 Series instead. 

Vauxhall Insignia

Volkswagen Golf GTI v Peugeot 205 GTI

Volkswagen - The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the granddaddy of all hot hatchbacks, but when the mk2 version came along in 1983 it was clear rival carmakers wanted a piece of the action - not least Peugeot with its GTI version of the 205. 

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Peugeot - Both are considered outright classics now, and if you can find an unmolested example of either going for a reasonable price you should snap it up. 

Peugeot 205 GTI

MINI v Audi A1

MINI - And finally, these two may be cute, but they're certainly serious rivals. It took a long time for a major premium rival to come along and challenge the MINI, but Audi's A1 has taken up the fight with aplomb. 

MINI

Audi - It's not that we're saying the Fiat 500 and Citroën DS3 are also-rans, but really only Audi has the clout to do this battle justice. Pick the MINI if you prefer the best driving fun, the A1 if you hanker after a more serious image. 

Audi A1

Mercedes E63 AMG v BMW M5

Mercedes-Benz and BMW - We've just driven the refreshed Mercedes E63 AMG - which now comes with two turbochargers and an AMG Performance package that can take the fight right to the forthcoming BMW M5. Which got us to thinking - what other great rivalries are there in the automotive world? Limiting the selection to specific models we've come up with 10 tussles that any fight promoter would be happy to bill.

Mercedes E63 AMG and BMW M5