Let battle begin! Auto...

Let battle begin! Auto Express Performance Car of the Year is go!

Our test team has brought together 20 of this yearтЂ™s best driversтЂ™ cars for the toughest test of all тЂ“ choosing BritainтЂ™s greatest performance car.

With our challengers ranging in price from ТЈ15,000 to more than ТЈ100,000 тЂ“ this yearтЂ™s road test special is bigger and better than ever. We promise to put you in the driving seat of some of the most exciting new metal launched in 2009.

As tradition dictates, our reigning champion тЂ“ the Nissan GT-R тЂ“ returns to defend its crown. But every other contender has been introduced to our showrooms in the past 12 months - and for the first time, we can reveal their identities...

Abarth 500 Esseesse

Alfa MiTo 1.4 TB Veloce

Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Audi R8 V10

Audi TT RS

BMW Z4 sDrivei35

Caterham Roadsport 175

Corvette ZR1

Ford Fiesta Mountune

Ford Focus RS

Jaguar XFR

Vauxhall Insignia VXR

Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport

Nissan 370Z

Nissan GT-R

Porsche 911 GT3

Porsche Cayman S

Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup

SEAT Ibiza Cupra

VW Golf GTI

The identity of the winner will be revealed in next Wednesday"s issue... Out 2nd September.