Factory-tuned Performance Cars: Part 1

Wherever there are cars, there are people who try to squeeze every last bit of performance out of them. Often times, they will turn to aftermarket parts and accessories to increase horsepower and improve handling.

There are people who want better performance than "standard" models, yet may not have the technical expertise to do modifications themselves or want to risk voiding the warranty. In these cases, several automakers offer cars that come tuned straight from the factory. Such vehicles are available in different sizes, body styles, and prices.

Factory-tuned compacts like the Honda Civic Si or Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged can be had for about $20,000. The midsize MazdaSpeed 6 sedan is about $30,000. The full-size Dodge Magnum SRT-8 wagon is about $40,000. Going all the way up the price ladder, the supercharged Cadillac XLR-V convertible and Porsche 911 GT3 coupe break six figures.

The Subaru Impreza WRX STi (bottom) adds more horsepower, sportier suspension, 6-speed manual transmission, uprated brakes, and front and center limited-slip differentials to the base Impreza (top).

In this first of a three-part series, we'll look at factory-tuned performance cars from various manufacturers with starting prices of less than $30,000. These cars show that driving fun doesn't necessarily have to break the bank.

From Overseas
Import-brand cars like the Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen GTI are favorites among the factory-built, high-performance crowd.

The Civic Si takes a standard Civic coupe (or new-for-2007 sedan), and substitutes its 140-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cyl engine for a 197-horsepower 2.0-liter. The GTI ditches the base Rabbit's 150-horsepower 5-cyl engine in favor of a 200-horsepower turbocharged 4-cyl. Standard 17-inch tires, sport suspension, and 6-speed manual transmissions on both up the performance ante versus their more basic counterparts. The Civic Si starts at $19,990; the GTI at $21,990.

For $23,065, the GTI can be had with Volkswagen's 6-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG). The DSG is a sequential manual transmission, which is essentially a manual transmission without a clutch pedal. Shifting is done via steering wheel paddles or the floorshifter. It can also be set to shift like an automatic.

Other entries include tuned versions of the compact Subaru Impreza sedans and wagons. Though available in the United States only since 2001, the WRX traces its roots back to 1992. It owes much of its heritage to rally racing. Street versions have standard all-wheel drive, a 230-horsepower turbocharged 4-cyl engine, and manual or automatic transmission. Compare that to a 173-horsepower 4-cyl found in base Imprezas. The WRX TR sedan starts at $23,995; the Limited wagon at $26,995.

If that's not enough, Subaru has the $32,995 WRX Sti. This sedan boosts standard WRX horsepower to 300. It also has a 6-speed manual transmission versus other WRX's 5-speed. A sportier suspension, uprated brakes, and front and center limited-slip differentials are also included.

Mazda's midsize 6 sedan has a performance version. The MazdaSpeed 6 supplants a 215-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 with a 274-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cyl engine. It has a starting price of $27,995 for the Sport version. The Grand Touring bumps its head on the $30,000 mark with a starting price of $29,925. That extra money buys leather upholstery, heated front seats, and keyless access and starting.

Later this fall, Mazda will launch a tuned version of its compact 3 sedan. The MazdaSpeed 3 will have the same 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cyl engine that the MazdaSpeed 6 sedan and CX-7 SUV have, but according to Mazda, its output will be tuned to "more than 250 hp." A 6-speed manual transmission will be standard, as will 18-inch tires.

The Dodge Caliber SRT4 (bottom) will have a 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cyl engine. The base model (top) has a 148-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine.

While it's not much more powerful than other V6 versions, Nissan's Altima SE-R brings other enhancements to this midsize sedan lineup. SE-R versions have a 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Other V6 Altimas have 250 horsepower and manual or automatic transmissions with five speeds. The $29,650 SE-R has specific suspension and exhaust tuning, a rear spoiler, and performance 18-inch tires instead of the standard 16s.

From America
Though imports tend to be favored in tuner circles, don't count out the domestics. General Motors sells performance-oriented versions of its compact Chevrolet Cobalt and similar Saturn Ion. The Cobalt SS Supercharged and Ion Red Line are coupes that have a supercharged 205-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cyl engine and 5-speed manual transmission. This marks a 60-horsepower gain over base versions of these cars. The Cobalt SS Supercharged starts at $19,900; the Ion Red Line at $19,625.

GM recently launched "Stage One" and "Stage Two" performance kits for the SS Supercharged and Ion Red Line. Stage One kits cost $500 and include high-flow fuel injectors and revised engine programming to boost horsepower to 236. Stage Two adds a smaller supercharger pulley and drive belt for 241 hp total. The kits are available at Chevrolet and Saturn dealerships, and are backed by a factory warranty.

Also part of the GM stable are the Pontiac Solstice GXP and its corporate cousin, the Saturn Sky Red Line. These rear-wheel drive, two-seat convertibles are new for 2007, supplementing the base 177-horsepower versions. GXP and Red Line have a 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cyl engine and a 5-speed manual transmission. They also have GM's Stabilitrak antiskid control, which is unavailable on the base models. Solstice GXP starts at $25,395; the Sky Red Line at $27,295.

The Chrysler Group has its own special consortium of factory tuners. Dubbed the Street and Racing Technology group, this team of engineers flexes its muscle by tweaking existing Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep products with high-power engines and other upgrades.

Due in spring 2007, Dodge will offer an SRT version of its compact Caliber wagon. The SRT4 will have a 300-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cyl. Dodge estimates 0-60 acceleration at less than 6 sec. The current top-line Caliber R/T has 172 horsepower, with an estimated 0-60 time of 10.8 sec. Pricing isn't available yet, but it's expected to start at around $21,000.

Part two of this series will focus on factory-tuned performance cars with a starting price between $30,000 and $50,000.