Every year we are treated to a range of new cars that are announced to the world, from family-friendly EV’s to full blown hypercars, 2024 has provided us with it all. The team here at Re:Fuel have been debating what we think the best car to come out of 2024 has been and none of us can agree (shock!) so here’s a list of all our personal favourites.
Felix, Marketing & Events Manager at Re:Fuel, Ford Mustang GTD
“The original muscle car, the Ford Mustang will always be a cult classic, but how do you keep it fresh after 60 years have passed since the first Mustang hit the road back in 1964? By releasing the most track focused Mustang of all time of course… the Mustang GTD!
Promising to lap the iconic Nurburgring in a sub-seven-minute time, the Mustang GTD features a supercharged 5.2-litre V8 producing 815 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Power isn’t everything though and in order to achieve such a feat the cars handling will pay a huge part to play. You can tell that Ford has taken aerodynamics on board just by looking at the new GTD’s silhouette from its to its huge rear spoiler. But it’s not just for show, the GTD is fitted with a high-tech Drag Reduction System to change the angle of the rear wing and activate flaps under the front of the car to find exactly the right balance between airflow for speed and downforce for grip.
Personally, I love a car that was built for a purpose, whether it be a homologation special like the Ford RS200 built to tear up a rally stage in the 80’s or the Mustang GTD built in an attempt to embarrass the Europeans on their home turf. Such cars are becoming increasingly rare in today’s world with the only other obvious example coming to mind being the Toyota GR Yaris (another brilliant car!). So go on to the automotive manufacturers of the world, go and build the cars that your engineers want to build rather than what they’re told to.”
Max, Brand & Retail Executive at Re:Fuel, Aston Martin Valhalla
“From Oxfordshire with Love, Aston Martin has always been a stickler for tradition and whether you want to label the new “Valhalla” as a hypercar, supercar or track toy, it can be labelled as something very unique for the British company. Mid-engined. Not only is it Mid-Engined but the Valhalla is also the first roadcar designed by one of the biggest names in F1, the Man with the Golden Aero (the James Bond jokes will only get worse), Adrian Newey. The pedigree behind this car is insane!
Adrian Newey has been the true architect of speed for Red Bull Racing since 2006, bringing the technical prowess and vision that transformed the team into a dominant force in Formula 1, he really had a real GoldenEye for technical innovation. With his Licence to Kill approach to aerodynamics and relentless pursuit of performance, Newey crafted designs that not only optimised speed but outmanoeuvred competitors with pure aerodynamic prowess.
I may drive a hunk of “Jap Scrap”, as my Grandad would label it, with my little red MX5 NC; I have always been a fan of British cars, from my very first Bond film I watched with my Dad, Aston Martins have always been the creme de la creme of cars in my eyes. The Valhalla was initially shown off at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019 as part of a collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull, and I remember first reading about it in a car magazine whilst I was supposed to be in a college lecture. What interests me the most with the Valhalla is what it could mean for the Aston Martin brand going forwards, will this be the only mid-engined car they produce? Could this car usher in a new era for the brand? Will the Skyfall on Aston Martin’s old ways? Or will Aston let their traditions Die Another Day? Who knows! I’d like to hazard a stab in the dark: if Adrian Newey continues this relationship with Aston Martin road cars, Aston Martin will overtake the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini in performance supercars by the close of this decade. And that is a hill I have Time to Die On”
Dan, Director & Co-founder at Re:Fuel, Hyundai N Vision 74
“My choice for favourite car launched in 2024 is not just an impressive piece of engineering, but it genuinely feels like it’s unlocked the door to time travel, blending past and future in a way that stirs something deep inside me. Somewhat controversial, it’s neither petrol nor diesel powered. When I look at it, I can’t help but feel like I’m staring at a car that could just as easily be a vehicle from a 1980s sci-fi film, as it could be a glimpse into the future. That’s right, I’ve gone for the car we expect to be driven on stage by Doc Brown, it’s the Hyundai N Vision 74.
The design of the N Vision 74 is where this sense of time travel kicks in. Its retro-futuristic look is apparently inspired by the iconic 1974 Hyundai Pony Coupe concept, but it’s reimagined with modern technology and innovation. The sweeping curves, the bold front end, and the aggressive stance make it look like something from a parallel universe where the 80s never ended and electric cars took over the world. It feels like it could be a time machine disguised as a hyper-modern electric sports car. Because, let’s face it, now the early adopters of EVs have been exhausted, the market is at best stale, at worst, in a bit of a sorry state….. But mark my words, a whole host of crazy EV hot hatches are on the horizon. Some of which even the most hardened and committed petrolhead might struggle to resist after taking one for a spin.
So, beyond the looks, the N Vision 74 represents something more profound. It’s a marriage of old and new, combining the raw, visceral appeal of a combustion engine with cutting-edge hydrogen fuel cell technology. That fusion of eras gives me the sense that this car is not bound by time – it exists outside of it, a timeless bridge between what was and what’s coming. The dawn of a new era, and I have a strong feeling that the N Vision 74 will be remembered for marking the beginning of.
Whenever I imagine myself driving the N Vision 74, it really is like I’m travelling back to the future. The world around me fades as I slip into the driver’s seat with a right pedal full of torque, and I can’t help but picture a future where cars of this calibre are as commonplace as any other – but with the charm and mystique of a bygone era. That feeling of timelessness, along with the marking of a whole new era for automotive enthusiasts is what makes the N Vision 74 my favourite car of 2024.”
Pete, Race Centre Manager at Apex Race Centre, Pagani Huayra Epitome
“Pagani has always been a manufacturer that, in my eyes at least, has been waiting in the wings, overshadowed by the big boys at the top. But the truth is, when given the opportunity, I believe that they can create some of the most desirable four wheeled machines on the market. And now, they present us with their most exquisite work….the Pagani Huayra Epitome.
Italian supercar engineering has always been the pinnacle of comfort, agility and raw power. With manufacturers like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati heading the field, it can be tough to stand out, unless of course you create an absolutely stunning monster of a car. Powered by a 6.0, twin turbo V12, the Huayra Epitome is capable of producing a whopping 852hp, and an equally impressive 1100Nm of torque. All of this means that this car can storm onto a ridiculous 217mph at full chat. Despite the Epitome being an extremely rare car, (with only eight of these cars being produced) the figures that this car produces are truly incredible, and for me, make it one of the most impressive cars ever made.
The debate for the best supercar manufacturer is one that will last for decades. Unfortunately, as electric power becomes more and more relevant in this world, cars like this will soon become a thing of the past. It is our responsibility, therefore, to not only enjoy these road-going thoroughbreds, but also to fully appreciate their unique and beautiful sculpture.
For me, a car like this will always make my hair stand on end. The never ending sense of mystery of what it is truly capable of, is always one that grips me, and excites me more than anything else. While I can’t say that modern car styling always impresses me, Pagani has managed to reignite my interest with supercar culture, and create something that makes me envious of anyone who gets to step foot near it.