Autothink’s Favourite Sports Vehicles in Every Category
Sports cars make up around 1.6% of the automotive industry in the US. Sales have dropped by some 14% since 2020, mostly due to the pandemic, but also due to regulations and shifts happening across the country. Through this article, Autothink pays respects to a dying breed by listing the best sports vehicles in 4 different categories.
Best Overall Sports Car
The best overall sports car is one that should have the perfect balance of luxury and performance, practicality and fun. and While many brands like Bentley, Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Mclaren, have attempted to make the perfectly balanced sports car, I believe Porsche comes out on top. The 911 Turbo/Turbo S truly exceed most competitors, especially those within its price range. With having hypercar levels of speed (0-60 in 2.2 seconds according to Motor Trend, and a top speed of 205), and a decent level of luxury and comfort, this car is a testament to Porsche’s revolutionary engineering.
Best Luxury Sports Car
A grand tourer is a specific design of car that aimed to take one from place to place in complete luxury. Some well-known brands include Bentley and Rolls-Royce, both known for the pinnacle of opulence displayed in their vehicles. However, when it comes to sports cars, Aston Martin’s new 2022 DBS is the ideal pick. A twin-turbo charged, fuel injected 12 cylinder engine providing 715 horsepower allows for rapid acceleration, and speeds of up to 211 miles per hour. However, the debonair appearance notoriously associated with Aston Martin is still maintained, through a sleek design and a beautifully crafted interior. An interior comes complete with upholstered leather promising to “support your body to perfection”, according to Aston Martin. Bespoke wooden panels are stylishly placed around the car, to add to the grandeur. The DBS has big shoes to fill, as the history its name carries much weight in the automotive world, but the engineers in Warwickshire have truly made a car that lives up to its legacy.
The Best “Affordable” Sports Car
Very few manufacturers have made vehicles that can compete with supercar standards for a price under 100 thousand dollars. Mercedes-AMG and Chevrolet have come close, but only by putting massive engines into otherwise docile cars. However, Chevrolet announced in 2023 that the Chevrolet C8 ZO6 will be made available for purchase. It has already made a debut at the Petersen museum in Los Angeles. The Z06 has a starting price of $86,000 dollars, making it the most affordable supercar on the market. It is the most powerful car ever to use a naturally aspirated V8, making 670 horsepower. This immense power allows for a top speed of 196 mph, and a 0-60 time of 2.7 seconds. Such stats allow the car to compete with the best from Italy, like the Lamborghini Aventador and the Ferrari 488.
The Best “Super” Sports Car
For this section, I’ve disregarded all norms as to what a sports car should be. This time, there’s no room from practicality, comfort, or mileage. This car should be all about visceral power, and pure, unrefined, fun. There is only one car that can fill such large shoes. Lamborghini’s legendary Aventador. However, this is not an ordinary, run of the mill Aventador. This is Lamborghini’s send off, their hail-mary, their tribute to the beautiful naturally-aspirated V12. The Aventador LP-780-4 Ultimae will be the last model created before the successor is released. The Ultimae yields impressive numbers to say the least. The V12 produces 769 horsepower, a 0-60 time of 2.5 seconds, and a top speed of at least 217 miles per hour. But such statistics is not what makes this car significant. It’s that it is a homage to a brilliant line of cars that have been produced since 2011, and a salute to the big, powerful engines that makes such cars so noteworthy.
