Unleashing the horses: Five thoroughbred lease cars to gallop past the competition
The Cheltenham Festival is in full flow, which means only one thing – four days of world-class racing at the iconic Gloucestershire racecourse. With Gold Cup Day just around the corner, it got us thinking about the intrinsic link that cars have with those majestic equine beasts.
After all, the car essentially replaced the horse and carriage. Originating from an era when horses truly powered the world, the term “horsepower” is the most obvious link between the two.
In fact it’s still one of the most common ways of measuring the might of modern vehicles. But just which lease cars offer the most in 2024? Here’s five cars that would make even the most spirited racehorse look on in envy.
Porsche Taycan Turbo S– 751hp
Leading the pack is the mighty Porsche Taycan Turbo S – a model that’s been a real trailblazer when it comes to providing electrified performance motoring. All Turbo S models feature a dual-motor set-up providing a whopping 751hp.
If that’s not quite enough, if you want to wait a while the refreshed Taycan will be available with an astonishing 1,108hp – admittedly not at all times. The revised Turbo GT model will sit at the top of the line-up, and from the look of things it’ll be available in colours that will make jockey’s jerseys pale in comparison.
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BMW M5 – 625hp
The BMW M5 is a true icon, and in its latest iteration it unleashes a staggering 625hp from a twin-turbo V8 engine. This sleek saloon still offers a shaper drive than many of its immediate rivals, while remaining as practical and under-the-radar as more mundane 5 Series models – not something easy to pull off.
Whether you’re on a twisty road or sitting on the motorway, the M5 flatters the driver and has enough pace to worry almost everything else on the road – 0-62mph takes just 3.3 seconds, while it’ll happily gallop up to a top speed of 190mph if you opt for the M Pro pack.
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Jaguar F Type R75 – 575hp
The Jaguar F Type is one of the most elegant sports cars to come from the brand since the fabled E-Type of the 1960s. It offers a blend of British craftsmanship and brutish power. Propelled by a supercharged V8 engine producing 575hp, this British brute accelerates with effortless grace and formidable force.
The R75 was created to celebrate 75 years of Jaguar sports cars, and will be the last of the potent petrol-powered Jaguars. With its distinctive styling and refined interior, the F Type R75 offers a thrilling driving experience that captivates the senses.
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Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifolglio – 505hp
Embodying the spirit of Italian race cars of old, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio remains one of the most stunning car designs of modern times. But even though it’s been around a while, don’t think it’s any less impressive.
Beneath those curvaceous lines sits a throaty 2.9-litre V6 engine derived from Ferrari (the ultimate prancing horse) and delivers an exhilarating 505 horsepower. With precise handling and a raucous exhaust note, the Giulia Quadrifoglio exudes charisma on and off the track.
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Ford Mustang 5.0 Dark Horse – 500hp
The quintessential American muscle car, the Ford Mustang 5.0 Dark Horse pays homage to its legendary lineage with a ferocious 500 horsepower V8 engine. The Mustang, named after the wild horse, has an exceptionally appropriate emblem too.
Renowned for its iconic design and raw power, this modern-day legend still offers all the thrills you’d expect from a true American muscle car.