2008 CAR pictures of the year: a photographic review

A Rothmans Escort smokin'... The racing Ford doing what it does best, sideways Blue and white – the national colour of Essex. Generations of fast RS Fords line up for CAR's photoshoot Lotus Evora lines up at Hethel. It's like an Elise, but not as we know it – with space for four and unaccustomed luxury, they say. We drive it in 2009 Forget the silly name, the Alfa Romeo Mito is a glorious looking supermini. Even if it is based on humble Fiat group underpinnings What's not to like about an Aston Martin Vantage with a V12 slung up front? Apart from the fuel bills, the depreciation, the... The Lockheed SR-71... sorry, Aston's 24-hour racer looks menacingly broody in stealth black 'I said we need an ironing board to press the drivers' shirts, not stuck on the DB9...' Take your pick of Aston racing colours: Gulf, Walt Disney or shark-infested Ben Barry's trip to the northernmost tip of Great Britain uncovers some strange relics left from earlier, more troubled times. Bet he was cold in the A3 cab in a British summer! Audi R8 barminess meets TDI parsimony. CAR drives the diesel R8 concept car 'You sure it's a diesel?' Audi R8 V12 TDI hits the roads in our US test drive Blackpool illuminations: Bentley Conti GT Speed and Aston Martin DBS light up the north west for CAR's epic photoshoot Ben Barry's northern odyssey reaches the end of the road in the Audi A3 convertible Some online wags accused us of making up our story on the BMW M1 Hommage. Well, we didn't. And here's the photographic proof. CAR was the only magazine in the world to shoot the Hommage live at its unveiling in Italy A prescient story. We joined the recce for Land Rover's G4 Challenge in Mongolia. Weeks later, credit crisis biting, the event was summarily axed Inhospitable conditions in Mongolia reflected back at home, as Land Rover feels the pinch in the global financial crisis. Jobs go, state aid is sought on the quiet, the G4 Challenge is scrapped Sierra Cossie. Enough said, really Advertising slogans on Ford Sierra Cosworth slightly at odds with its hooligan image Derek Bell – still the epitome of cool – joins us for our Porsche is 60 shebang. The man's a legend and proceeds to scare our unflappable assistant editor witless at the wheel of a GT2 Land Rover also celebrated its 60th. Must have been something in the post-war water. And a perfect chance to try out an original Range Rover We somehow persuade Opel to let us shoot its priceless Flextreme concept car outside an engineer's house. A classic composition mixes future and present Questionable looks, undoubted engineering prowess... CAR shoots new Ferrari California in situ at Maranello factory CAR gives new 2009 Ford Focus RS the stellar treatment in our photoshoot after London show debut It's not all cars you know. We also shot luminaries such as Land Rover's head of design – at his house. CAR's design critic Stephen Bayley went rifling through his bog inspecting his hand cream It's that BMW M1 Hommage again. Chances of it being built? In this climate? Near to the square root of zero, we'd wager... It's enough to make you want to win the Lottery, rob the bank and marry Jay Leno... we went to the daddy of all Porsche events in the US to snap the best examples of the racing breed More RS action in June 2008. Our snapper had to wear his baseball cap backwards that day Sierra Cosworth whaletail? Check. Roundabout in Essex? Yep. Boot of throttle then lift? You bet What, Audi really can turn the A4 into a racing car? Not one that understeers everywhere? Really? Evel Knievel doing what he did best. We spent a day with the legend shortly before he died. The world is unlikely to see another of his barking mad variety any time soon Only joking. Georg is a thorough, meticulous journalist. He'll tighten every nut and nurture every air gun at the Sant'Agata factory Uh-oh. Lamborghini haven't really gone and let Georg Kacher build an LP560-4, have they? They have? Quick, better cancel the order for my wife's new Gallardo! Gavin Green, one Range Rover, one desert. Which way is the Hilton again? Was it left, or right? Dune ever get that feeling? Check the DNA. There's mud coursing through those Land Rovers' veins 'It's a sensible four-seater, darling – honest.' CAR is given the first access to the new Lotus Evora. And, yes, it'll go as sideways as an alcopop-fuelled crab Another world exclusive for CAR... oh, sod the trumpet blowing. Just look at the Merc SL65 Black Edition, will you? It oozes menace from every scoop and composite inch Our art people went all black and moody when they shot the Mustang Bullitt The daddy of Porsche 911s – the '73 RS. I rode in this one and it's a real gut-wrencher, I can tell you. Want one, want one... Nissan GT-R takes on Porsche 911 Turbo, Audi R8 and BMW M3 in multiple choice group test. Nissan emerges victorious Honda OSM floating on dry ice. As shot by CAR in our X Files inspired photoshoot Road tester realises he doesn't like Renault Koleos, ditches it in a quarry. The End 'Dear Mr Editor, I've had a pricey prang in an Elise, errr...' Phew, it's ok. It's a Rinspeed Squba. Ben Pulman is one of a handful of journos to test dive the Squba. And, no, that photo isn't faked Who cares if it's more hatch than coupe? Just look at it! VW's new Scirocco is admittedly quite a tasty, if not adventurous or rule-breaking, bit of design 'Faster Jeeves!' Bentley Brooklands meets Rolls Phantom Coupe Tokyo tykes: Nissan GT-R meets Lexus IS-F meets Mitsu Evo X. State of the art, Japanese style 2008 Woops – don't think we're in between the white lines Honey, I shrank the XC90. Yeah – and then I turned the wash to 60C and pressed the new funky light button too We visited the amazing Swiss car graveyard where interesting old cars go to die. Swiss authorities are on to the eccentric collector who runs the gaffe, though... Land Rover LRX concepts shows there is hope for Land Rover yet. This kicked off our year, shot days before Detroit 2008 debut This ain't no forklift truck; it's the new LRX and it's a Land Rover that's designed to hit Golf GTI owners over the head with lust