When two good-looking, expensive, V8-powered, drop-top sports car come together on an empty road we automatically expect a drag race, or some sideways action. But here in this test Autocar’s Steve Sutcliffe doesn’t care about any of that. All he wants to know is which one is louder. So he gets himself a noise-meter and gets down to business.

Facts and figure are one thing, how you feel when you hear any of these cars is another. To a normal ear Ferrari’s V8 sounds more tuneful and musical, whereas Jag’s V8 just barks like a wounded tiger. It’s an awesome noise, but not quite as awesome as the Ferrari’s.