Top 8 Premium Sports Cars

Top 8 Premium Sports Cars

1 . Porsche 911

For almost 50 years, the iconic 911 has been constantly updated while retaining the same unmistakable look and design philosophy. Today’s modern, rear-wheel-drive versions have a 3.4-liter, 350-hp flat-six, while all-wheel-drive models get a 3.8-liter version with 400 hp; transmissions include a seven-speed manual or a seven-speed automatic. Three body styles are offered: coupe, convertible, and the cool-to-see-and-operate Targa. To us, the 911 is one of the best sports cars available, period.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: rear-engine, 4-wheel drive, 2+2-passenger, 2-door coupe

PRICE AS TESTED: $147,010 (base price: $117,195)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve flat-6, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 232 cu in, 3800 cc
Power: 400 hp @ 7400 rpm
Torque: 325 lb-ft @ 5600 rpm

TRANSMISSION:7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 96.4 in
Length: 176.8 in
Width: 72.9 in Height:50.7 in
Passenger/cargo volume: 70.0/4.4 cu ft
Curb weight: 3630 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 9.8 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 17.0 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 25.3 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 5.0 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 3.0 sec
Top gear, 50-70 mph: 2.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.6 sec @ 113 mph
Top speed (drag limited, mfr's claim): 183 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 148 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.99 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 18/25 mpg
C/D observed: 18 mpg

2 . Mercedes-AMG GT / GT S

While the gullwings are no longer part of the design, the new Mercedes-AMG GT S is still set to swoop in and snag buyers away from its archnemesis, the Porsche 911. Based on the previous SLS, it has lost weight and gains a real trunk with room for two golf bags. Power comes from a new, 503-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with a seven-speed automatic; expect a 0-60-mph time of about 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph. The AMG GT S debuts in spring 2015 and a milder GT with 456 hp in 2016.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door hatchback

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $150,000

ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 243 cu in, 3982 cc
Power: 503 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque: 479 lb-ft @ 1750 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 103.5 in
Length: 179.0 in
Width: 76.3 in Height: 50.7 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 3600 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/DEST):
Zero to 60 mph: 3.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 11.5 sec
Top speed: 193 mph

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 16/22 mpg

3 . Jaguar F-type R

As Jaguar’s most powerful and athletic offering, the F-type R coupe—and convertible—combine brute force with gorgeous sheetmetal. Powered by a 550-hp supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 mated to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, the F-type R can hustle with the best of them. It also heralds its sporting intentions with a cacophony of cracks and pops from its exhaust. The real beauty is in the handling, thanks to a well-tuned suspension and a smart brake-based torque-vectoring system.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear- or 4-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe or convertible

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: F-type, $65,000; F-type S, $77,000; F-type S AWD, $80,000; F-type R AWD, $102,000

ENGINE TYPES: supercharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6, 340 or 380 hp, 332 or 339 lb-ft; supercharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve 5.0-liter V-8, 550 hp, 502 lb-ft

TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 103.2 in
Length: 176.0 in
Width: 75.7 in Height: 51.5-51.7 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 3800-4100 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/DEST):
Zero to 60 mph: 3.4-4.8 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 11.7-13.2 sec
Top speed: 161-186 mph

FUEL ECONOMY (C/DEST):
EPA city/highway: 15-19/22-28 mpg

4 . Audi R8

Crafted from the rib of the Lamborghini Gallardo, Audi’s luscious R8 supercar is beautiful to behold, easy to live with, and simply marvelous to drive. A midcycle update keeps styling fresh, while a lightweight, 550-hp “V-10 Plus” coupe model joins the lineup for 2014. Both coupe and roadster models remain available with carry-over 430-hp V-8 or 525-hp V-10 engines paired to either a gated six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Regardless of how it comes, the R8 is pure lust. Price: $117,150 - $201,150.

5 . Nissan GT-R

Nissan’s GT-R may be fugly to some, but as an instrument of pure speed, it’s a thing of beauty. A 550-hp, twin-turbo V-6 and astounding, all-wheel-drive grip give the GT-R supercar performance. Its six-figure price is still cheap compared with anything else so quick. Numerous enhancements over the years have made it faster and more refined, with 0-to-60 times dropping below three seconds. Want more? Check out the NISMO version with 600 hp. This car’s not called Godzilla for nothing.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe

PRICE AS TESTED: $151,880 (base price: $151,585)

ENGINE TYPE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 232 cu in, 3799 cc
Power: 600 hp @ 6800 rpm
Torque: 481 lb-ft @ 3200 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 109.4 in
Length: 184.3 in
Width: 74.6 in Height:54.2 in
Curb weight: 3883 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 2.9 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 7.0 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 12.2 sec
Rolling start, 5-60 mph: 3.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 11.2 sec @ 125 mph
Top speed (redline limited): 191 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 145 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 1.02 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway: 16/23 mpg

6 . Aston Martin Vantage

Bulging in the right places, this is Aston’s smallest sports car—and while the V-8 models are also the least-expensive Astons, it doesn’t matter once you’re behind the wheel. First is the GT with a 430-hp V-8; then, the 420-hp Vantage. The V-8 Vantage S also makes 430 hp. A six-speed manual is standard on V-8s; a seven-speed automated manual is optional. Moving up in power and price is the V-12 Vantage S, with 565 hp and no regard for English civility. Coupe and convertible models are offered. Price: $101,025 - $185,220.

7 . Dodge Viper SRT

The Viper is both all-American and a true exotic, with lots of curves and bulges to let you know it means business. The long nose, bodacious body, and predatory stare give the Viper menacing looks, while its 645-hp, 8.4-liter V-10 can catapult it to 60 mph in about three seconds. For 2015, the price drops by $15,000, so the Viper is even more of a deal than before. It’s also easier to drive on the track and more comfortable on the road, too—wherever you drive it, the Viper will never be boring.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 3-door hatchback 

BASE PRICE: $120,480

ENGINE TYPE: pushrod 20-valve V-10, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT: 512 cu in, 8382 cc
Power: 640 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 600 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

TRANSMISSION:6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 98.8 in
Length: 175.7 in
Width: 76.4 in Height:49.1 in
Curb weight (C/D est):3350 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/DEST):
Zero to 60 mph: 3.2 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 7.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 11.5 sec
Top speed: 193 mph

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 12/19 mpg

8 . Maserati GranTurismo

For buyers looking past the usual suspects, Maserati’s GranTurismo offers something extraordinary in a high-performance, six-figure coupe or convertible, one that embodies all that is compelling and irresistible about Italian cars. The exterior has curves in all the right places; the interior is lavishly appointed. There is an amazing, 454-hp 4.7-liter V-8 that is good for sub-5.0-second 0-60 runs. The droptop adds weight and lacks the coupe’s stiffness and response, but still looks fabulous.

Specifications

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe or convertible

BASE PRICE: coupe, $129,500; convertible, $146,300

ENGINE TYPE:DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

DISPLACEMENT:286 cu in, 4691 cc
Power: 453 hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque: 384 lb-ft @ 4750 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 115.8 in
Length: 192.2 in
Width: 75.4 in Height: 53.3 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 4400-4600 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/DEST):
Zero to 60 mph: 4.7-5.0 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.3-13.6 sec
Top speed: 177-186 mph

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 11/17-18 mpg