With gas prices at relatively historical—or hysterical—lows, the buzz at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit included a lot of horsepower and high performance.
And while fuel-efficient and alternative-energy vehicles are part of almost every automaker’s portfolio, they were in short supply this year. Instead, premium entertainment ruled. Here’s a look some of the hottest cars that hardcore car enthusiasts are craving.
Only a handful of sports car still make dedicated drivers swoon years after they go out of production. The NSX is one of them. The edgy, second-generation supercar gets a 75-degree, twin-turbo V6 with a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission, teamed with three electric motors. One motor sits between the engine and rear drive wheels to boost acceleration and braking. The other two are positioned at each front wheel to provide all-wheel drive and quicker throttle response with improved torque distribution. Total output is claimed to be over 550 horsepower. But the real trick is that the motors are configured to provide zero-delay acceleration. Pricing will start in the mid $150,000 range, and there will be some customization available. It should prove to be an interesting competitor for the just-announced Ford GT.
This mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive two-seater certainly looks the part of a sexy Italian. Dressed in a carbon-fiber chassis and plastic body panels, the 4C Spider will get you noticed in a hurry. And speaking of hurry, power comes from an all-aluminum, 1.7-liter turbo four-cylinder rated at 237 hp. While that’s not a ton of power, the Spider only weighs 2,487 pounds, making it one of the lightest street-legal cars on the road. Only one transmission is offered, a six-speed twin-clutch automatic operated, if you want, by paddle shifters. It’s made in Modena, Italy, under the same roof as the Maserati assembly line, and Maserati engineers contributed a good deal to this car’s development. A machine for driving purists, there’s not even power steering. But 4Cs are light enough that manual steering is just fine. Only about 400 will come to the United States after production ramps up. And bring your checkbook since they’ll likely start at about $65,000 each. Nearly all will be sold through Fiat dealers.
No it’s not new news. But even years after its debut, the R8 still stops your dead in your tracks. It’s gorgeous. The R8 also offers three engines: a 430-hp V8, a 525-hp V10, and something called “V10 plus.” What’s the “plus?” An extra 25 horsepower over the regular V10. What also adds to the “plus” version is that it weighs 130 pounds less than V10 model, credited it to extensive use of carbon in the styling cues, front splitter, rear diffuser, and spoiler. It also gets a smaller fuel tank, no power seats, ceramic brakes, and less sound insulation. So, really, the “plus” is more about what it takes away. Lucky buyers of any variation can choose between a drop-top or fixed-roof coupe, with either a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic or six-speed manual transmission. All-wheel drive (an Audi staple) is available. These beautiful machines don’t come cheap, though: the manually-equipped V8 coupe starts at $115,900. But the first time you peer at that lovely mid-mounted engine under the graceful rear glass, you’ll never wonder where that money went.
Here’s another example of an American brand competing with the world’s best. The CTS-V is distinguished by a Corvette-sourced, supercharged 6.2-liter V8 that produces a time-warping 640 hp and 630 lb.-ft. of torque. Power goes through an eight-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles that offer full manual control. GM’s Magnetic Ride Control keeps the shock absorbers tuned to optimal stiffness, adjusting 1,000 times per second. The CTS-V offers three stability control modes for touring, track, and competition. Weight-saving carbon fiber is used for the hood, front splitter, and rear spoiler and diffuser. Wider wheels give the V a more dramatic stance than an ordinary CTS, and Brembo brakes are employed to bring quick and consistent stops. With a top speed claimed to be 200 mph, the CTS-V now offers lane-keeping assistance alongside blind-spot monitoring, forward-collision warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Bring it, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. Game on.
This new Shelby is said to be the most race-ready, street-legal Mustang ever. Yet again. Completely rethought with the simple goal of quicker lap times, the GT350R gets a revised suspension with lower ride height, improved aerodynamics, reduced weight, and a new 500-hp, 5.2-liter overhead-cam V8 that Ford says is their most powerful naturally-aspirated engine to date. Compared to the regular Mustang GT, the GT350R is a whole lot lighter. Gone are the standard air conditioning, stereo, rear seats, and exhaust resonators. Carbon-fiber wheels save 13 pounds of unsprung weight at each corner, and they are stiffer than aluminum wheels for greater handling precision. Buyers willing to risk slightly slower lap times in the interest of looking more cool and comfortable can add an optional electronics package that includes dual-zone air conditioning, an eight-inch center screen with navigation, seven-speaker audio system, and more. Consumer Reports is now testing the “standard” 5.0-liter Mustang GT—itself an incredible burnout machine. Look to the GT350R to further shred sets of pricey Michelins.
Those of us who had a chance to drive the last GT still carry a torch for it. The new one looks like a worthy successor, with an even more aggressive exterior, updated powertrain, and contemporary safety features. Oh, and those looks were the talk of the show. The seductively styled carbon-fiber body looks thoroughly modern while still paying homage to the original Ford GT race car that dominated Le Mans road racing 50 years ago. Powered by a next-generation 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 producing more than 600 horsepower and paired with a seven–speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, the GT gets the same mid-engine and rear-wheel drive configuration as the original. This GT also gets a wealth of high-tech aerodynamic aids, including an active suspension with adjustable ride height, and a rear spoiler that deploys and adjusts its height and angle based on conditions and driver input. Inside, the two-seat cabin gets a Formula 1 racing-inspired steering wheel that integrates all major driver controls, eliminating conventional stalks for lights or directional signals. Bottom line: This 21st-century Ferrari competitor might just convince us to start playing the lottery.
[one_fourth]
[/one_fourth][three_fourth_last]
Stepping back from the high-dollar automotive fantasy fest for a moment, this hot-rodded Mini Cooper hatchback has an all-new engine that develops about 25 percent more power than the regular model. With 229 hp on tap, this tiny hatchback—36 pounds lighter than the old Mini Hardtop—will race 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds, according to BMW estimates. That’s zippy! A new six-speed transmission developed specially for the John Cooper Works model has short throws and uses rev matching to smooth downshifts. A sport-tuned suspension comes standard, but if you want more everyday comfort, you can opt for the regular suspension. Stability and traction control systems combine to mimic a limited-slip front differential. As per Mini usual, buyers can order many of the upgrades without the powertrain modifications to suit their tastes and budget. Call this new Mini the winner of this show’s informal bang-for-the-buck contest.
Powered by a fire-breathing 4.0-liter, 503-hp, twin-turbo V8, the hot GT S is almost slick and powerful enough to help us get over the passing of the discontinued gullwing SLS AMG. This sweet engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and drives the rear wheels. Mercedes says this coupe will launch from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Top speed is license-losing 193 mph. Like many AMG models, we bet it sounds like heaven’s own symphony at full throttle. The suspension is set up to deliver responsive handling and comes with a driver adjustable setting to feel either mild or wild. The exterior almost looks like a grown-up and elongated Porsche 911; it’s simply stunning in person. The interior has custom tailoring and appears lovingly put together with materials that are soft to the touch. Look for this top-shelf AMG to appear in showrooms the spring.
