Names like Corvette, Viper, XK, and 911 evoke quite a reaction when mentioned in conversation or seen on the street. These are the types of vehicles that nobody really needs, but everyone wants. Indeed, such premium sporty/performance cars are the very definition of the category.
The cars that Consumer Guide (r) classifies as premium sporty/performance are king of the hill when it comes to acceleration, handling response, and of course, price. From there, these cars diversify in their missions. Some are pure thrill machines, designed for maximum go with less thought given to passenger comfort. Others are more serene, offering more balanced combinations of performance and luxury.
Depending on your preferences, and how much discretionary income you have, premium sporty/performance cars offer driving experiences quite unlike anything else on the road.
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Cool Premium Sporty/Performance Car Features |
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- Mercedes-Benz SL65's turbocharged V12 engine produces 738 lb-ft of torque, which is more than the combined torque ratings of the Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa, Suzuki Reno, and Toyota Yaris. |
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Muscle Bound
American-made premium sporty/performance cars are typically about three things: horsepower, horsepower, and horsepower. Raw Detroit iron holds a special appeal among enthusiasts. Powered by big, pushrod V8 engines (none of this overhead camshaft or four valve-per-cylinder stuff), brutally stiff suspensions, and throaty exhaust notes, these cars frighten lesser cars off the road.
No two vehicles exemplify these traits more than the iconic Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper. The former is America's original sports car, the latter is an auto show concept brought to life, a vehicle that put Dodge in the design spotlight.
The "base" Corvette pumps out 400 hp from its 6.0-liter V8 engine. With an estimated 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.5 seconds and a starting price of less than $45,000, Corvette is a high-performance bargain in this segment. These virtues, combined with excellent handling and surprising utility make this Chevy a Consumer Guide (r) Best Buy.
For those who really feel the need for speed, Chevy offers the 505-hp Corvette Z06. This super Corvette is capable, according to Chevy, of running from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds. That puts it among the fastest production vehicles in the world, in territory with cars with six-figure pricetags. The Z06 starts at $64,890.
Maybe the Corvette is too subtle. If that's your view, then Viper's your pick. Instantly recognizable and totally off the wall, this sports car is nearly as exotic as those famous Italian cars that have horses and bulls as their insignias. Viper's 510-hp V10 engine displaces a whopping 8.3 liters. With estimated 0-60 mph acceleration time of about 4 seconds, you'll have to turn your head very quickly to get a glimpse of this car's outrageous styling.
Grand Touring
If all-out power isn't your thing, there are premium sporty/performance cars that offer more subtle packages. The Cadillac XLR, Chrysler Crossfire, Jaguar XK, Lexus SC 430, and Volvo C70 offer more serene driving experiences while sacrificing little in the way of performance.
The Crossfire and XK are available as hardtop coupes and fabric top convertibles. The XLR, SC 430, and C70 are convertibles with retractable hardtops. Their tops store in their respective cargo areas in about 30 seconds. The hardtops are a boon for those who live in wet or snowy climates but still want the carefree lifestyle of a convertible.
SC 430, XK, and XLR use V8 engines. Crossfire uses a V6, and C70 has a turbocharged 5-cylinder. Crossfire and C70 offer a choice of manual or automatic transmission. All others have an automatic.
XLR shares some of its basic architecture and is built in the same plant as the Corvette, though the two have different styling, powertrains, and pricing. Crossfire owes much of its engineering to corporate partner Mercedes-Benz. C70 borrows its underskin design from Volvo's S40 sedans and V50 wagons. It's also the only entry among these cars with front-wheel drive.
Jaguar's XK arrives as an early 2007 model. During its redesign, it abandoned its steel body for an all-aluminum frame. It weighs about 300 lb less than 1997-2006 predecessors.
No matter which one you might choose, you are almost guaranteed exclusivity. These cars are among the flagship models offered by their respective manufacturers. As such, they don't sell very many of them. According to Automotive News, Cadillac sold 320 XLRs in April, Lexus sold 579 SC 430s, and Jaguar 544 XKs. C70 and Crossfire combined sold less than 5,000 units. In comparison, Toyota sells more Camrys in two months than all these cars combined sell in one year.
But, then again, you're not likely to get the looks in a Camry that you would in any of these sportsters.
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Best Buys |
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Recommended Pick |
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German Engineering
If any automakers know about defining premium sporty/performance cars, it's those from Germany. Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche all offer models targeting well-heeled shoppers who want these cars' near-perfect combinations of style, performance, and luxury.
Though a redesigned replacement is scheduled for the 2008 model year, the current iterations of Audi's TT coupe and convertible are among the most distinctive designs in the premium sporty/performance car category. It's also among the few vehicles in this class available right now with traction-enhancing all-wheel drive.
Redesigned versions of BMW's popular 3-Series coupes are in the works and due to go on sale in September. Top-line 335i versions will be available with a 300-hp turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, making it the most powerful 3-Series model that hasn't been tuned by BMW's M performance arm. Also, for the first time, the coupes will be available with all-wheel drive. The company hasn't yet announced plans for a redesigned 3-Series convertible.
BMW's coupe and convertible lineup doesn't end with 3-Series. Available are the redesigned, two-passenger Z4. The convertibles were introduced earlier this year, and coupes are hitting dealers right now, including M-tuned versions with 330 hp. For those who can spend some more money, BMW offers the larger, four-passenger, V8-powered 6-Series.
Elsewhere in Germany, Mercedes-Benz has its own lineup of premium sporty/performance cars. They also make coupes and convertibles, with the latter all using power-folding hardtops. "Base" models are part of the SLK-Class, which are two-passenger convertibles. Stepping up to the CLK-Class gives you a back seat and the option of a hardtop coupe.
SLK models are the V6-powered SLK280 and SLK350, as well as the V8 SLK55, tuned by Mercedes' AMG performance division. The CLK offers the V6 CLK350, 302-hp V8 CLK500, and 362-hp V8 CLK55. The latter is also tuned by AMG and comes as a convertible only.
At the top of Mercedes' premium sporty/performance car food chain is the SL-Class. All SLs are two-passenger convertibles. The roster includes the SL550 with a 382-hp V8 and SL600 with a 493-hp turbocharged V12. When AMG gets its hands on an SL, the outcomes are a pair of powerhouses: the supercharged 493-hp V8 SL55 and turbocharged 604-hp V12 S65. The latter is the most expensive car listed in the Consumer Guide (r) new-car database, with a suggested retail price of $186,000. Lastly, no list of premium sporty/performance cars would be complete without mentioning Porsche. These are some halo vehicles that more than a few people aspire to own.
None of Porsche's cars (the Cayenne SUV doesn't count) have their engines in the front. The Boxster convertible and new-for-2006 Cayman coupe are mid-engine. The storied 911's engine goes back further still, all the way to the rear, making the driving experience something few cars, even in this class, can match.
Boxster, Cayman, and 911 all use horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engines, ranging from 240 to 480 hp. They're available with a special "Sport Chrono" option package that includes a button to adjust engine and chassis controls for high-performance driving. Optional on all 911 models and Boxster and Cayman S models are ceramic composite brakes. They cost more than $8,000, but offer the advantage of high heat resistance and a life expectancy of 186,411 miles.
Adding options makes these sporty cars even more expensive than they already are. But very few cars have the cachet of the Porsche name, and that means these models should retain a lot of their value at trade-in time.
Rare Commodities
They're expressive, extravagant, and expensive. The latter is of little consequence to those who can afford these machines. But whether you can afford them or not, there's no denying the fact that these cars are, quite simply, cool. That alone is enough for those who have "made it" to spring for one of these performance machines.
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Audi TT |
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BMW 3-Series Coupe and Conv. |
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BMW 6-Series |
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BMW Z4 |
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Cadillac XLR |
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Chevrolet Corvette |
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Chrysler Crossfire |
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Dodge Viper |
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Jaguar XK |
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Lexus SC 430 |
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Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class |
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Mercedes-Benz SL-Class |
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Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class |
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Porsche 911 |
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Porsche Boxster and Cayman |
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Volvo C70 |
| Vehicle | Wheel base, in. |
Length, in. | Curb Weight, lb. | Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | Fuel Capacity, gal. | Front Head Room, in. | Front Leg Room, in. | Rear Head Room, in. | Rear Leg Room, in. |
| Audi TT 2-dr hatch. | 95.4 | 159.1 | 2987 | 24.2 | 16.3 | 37.8 | 41.2 | 32.6 | 20.2 |
| Audi TT 2-dr conv. | 95.4 | 159.1 | 3186 | 7.8 | 16.3 | 38.3 | 41.2 | NA | NA |
| BMW 3-Series 2-dr coupe | 107.3 | 176.7 | 3197 | 9.5 | 16.6 | 37.5 | 41.7 | 36.5 | 33.2 |
| BMW 3-Series 2-dr conv. | 107.3 | 176.7 | 3560 | 7.7 | 16.6 | 38.0 | 41.7 | 36.4 | 32.0 |
| BMW 6-Series 2-dr coupe | 109.4 | 190.2 | 3781 | 13.0 | 18.5 | 37.3 | 42.0 | 35.5 | 28.8 |
| BMW 6-Series 2-dr conv. | 109.4 | 190.2 | 4178 | 12.4 | 18.5 | 37.8 | 42.0 | 36.7 | 28.8 |
| BMW Z4 2-dr conv. | 98.2 | 161.1 | 3020 | 9.2 | 14.5 | 37.3 | 42.0 | NA | NA |
| Cadillac XLR 2-dr conv. | 105.7 | 177.7 | 3647 | 11.6 | 18.0 | 37.6 | 42.6 | NA | NA |
| Chevrolet Corvette 2-dr hatch. |
105.7 | 174.6 | 3179 | 20.0 | 18.0 | 38.0 | 43.0 | NA | NA |
| Chevrolet Corvette 2-dr conv. |
105.7 | 174.6 | 3199 | 11.0 | 18.0 | 38.0 | 43.0 | NA | NA |
| Chrysler Crossfire 2-dr hatch. |
94.5 | 159.8 | 3010 | 7.6 | 15.9 | 36.9 | 42.7 | NA | NA |
| Chrysler Crossfifre 2-dr conv. |
94.5 | 159.8 | 3089 | 6.5 | 15.9 | 37.3 | 42.7 | NA | NA |
| Dodge Viper 2-dr coupe |
98.8 | 175.6 | 3450 | 6.3 | 18.5 | 36.5 | 42.4 | NA | NA |
| Dodge Viper 2-dr conv. |
98.8 | 175.6 | 3410 | 8.4 | 18.5 | 36.5 | 42.4 | NA | NA |
| Jaguar XK Series 2-dr coupe |
108.3 | 188.6 | 3671 | NA | NA | 38.2 | 45.1 | 30.2 | NA |
| Jaguar XK Series 2-dr conv. |
108.3 | 188.6 | 3759 | NA | NA | 38.3 | 45.1 | 32.0 | NA |
| Lexus SC 430 2-dr conv. |
103.1 | 178.5 | 3840 | 8.8 | 19.8 | 37.2 | 43.6 | 33.9 | 27.1 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 2-dr coupe |
106.9 | 183.2 | 3585 | 10.4 | 16.4 | 37.1 | 42.0 | 35.8 | 33.0 |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class 2-dr conv. |
106.9 | 183.2 | 3845 | 8.6 | 16.4 | 38.4 | 42.0 | 36.3 | 30.4 |
| Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 2-dr conv. |
100.8 | 178.5 | 4065 | 10.2 | 21.1 | 37.7 | 42.9 | NA | 23.7 |
| Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class 2-dr conv. |
95.7 | 160.7 | 3210 | 9.8 | 18.5 | 37.9 | 42.5 | NA | 23.1 |
| Porsche 911 2-dr coupe |
92.5 | 175.6 | 3075 | 4.4 | 16.9 | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Porsche 911 2-dr conv. | 92.5 | 175.7 | 3263 | 4.4 | 16.9 | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Porsche Boxster 2-dr conv. |
95.1 | 171.6 | 2855 | 9.5 | 16.9 | 38.4 | 41.6 | NA | NA |
| Porsche Cayman 2-dr hatch. |
95.1 | 172.1 | 2954 | 14.1 | 19.6 | NA | NA | NA | NA |
| Volvo C70 2-dr conv. | 103.9 | 180.4 | 3772 | 12.8 | 15.9 | 38.2 | 42.3 | 36.4 | 33.9 |
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