These models provide supercar-rivalling performance that can make any speed enthusiast second-guess the indomitable Corvette.

During our recent visit we decided to go with the 2014 BMW 520d Touring, with the optional M Sport pack to help cope with hundreds of kilometres of autobahn speed and lots of Nurburgring punishment.

There’s no competition here — the M3 chip in the iPad Air is in a league of its own. Based on the same silicon used in Apple’s MacBooks, it delivers desktop-class performance in a tablet form. It’s ...