Awesome Sports Cars

Taking inspiration from past-gen Nissan Z cars, the Z Proto looks to the future as well. Teasing what is likely to become the new 400Z, the sports coupe as a twin-turbo V6, and a 6-speed manual by default. Among its design highlights are the curved front accent lights, its 300ZX inspired taillights, and the classic triple-gauge cluster inside.

Mercedes-AMG cranks up the volume on its sports crossover, bestowing it with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 603hp and 627 lb-ft. of torque, and a 0-to-60 mph time of just 3.7 sec. It sports massive 16.5″ disc front brakes, an electronic limited-slip diff, AMG performance exhaust, and the latest MBUX system with dual 12.3″ displays.

Race car designer Gordon Murray, the man behind the vaunted McLaren F1 is showing off a stunning new sports car. The 3-passenger GMA T.50 has a 4.0L Cosworth V12 engine that makes 654hp at an insane 11,500 rpm. Its carbon fiber construction is a triumph in lightweighting, with a projected curb weight of just 2,173 lb.

We spent a day with Ford Performance on the track at Autobahn Country Club, where we scored some wheel time in the awesome 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500. This 760hp supercharged beast is surprisingly well behaved in the corners, despite being inspired by a straight-line drag car.

Donkervoort’s latest carbon fiber two-seater weighs just 1543 pounds, while its 2.5L Audi-sourced turbo-5 engine makes 415 hp. It can launch from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.7 sec, 124 mph in 7.7 sec, and can pull a crazy 2g of lateral acceleration when cornering. While it looks like a track day weapon to us, it is street legal.

BMW’s hot sports sedan has a sharp new look for its front and rear end, while keeping its powerful 4.4L twin-turbo V8 that makes up to 617hp in Competition trim, launching the 5-seater to 60mph in just 3.1 sec. Also new for 2021 is a 12.3 touchscreen display, wireless Android Auto, and a track mode for the M5 Competition.

After a 17 year break, the powerful and dramatically-styled Mustang Mach 1 is back. It rocks a 5.0L V8 that makes 480 hp, upgraded cooling and aero components, magnetic adaptive dampers, and either a Tremec 6-speed manual, or a quick-shifting 10-speed automatic. The black accents and racing stripes are Mach 1 staples.

Lexus’ long-running sports sedan gets a crisp new look, along with upgrades to its handling and dynamics. The car has seen enhancements to its chassis and suspension for a more connected and refined feel. It’s more than an inch longer and wider than before, and can now be equipped with 19″ wheels for greater grip.

The latest in McLaren’s “Longtail” series, the 765LT packs a twin-turbo V8 making 755 bhp and 590 lb-ft. of torque, and cuts 176 lb of weight from the already damned-fast 720S coupe. Combined with an optimized transmission, upgraded aero, and titanium quad exhaust, it’ll dash from 0 to 62 in 2.8 sec, and 0 to 124 mph in 7.2 sec.

We headed to snowy Winter Park, Colorado with Rocky Mountain Redline to put AWD cars from Nissan, Dodge, FIAT, Acura, for some Honda through their paces for snowy autocross, drag racing, and donut-making fun. There were no winners or losers, just six great cars and crossovers, all of which can handle inclimate weather with aplomb.

Enjoy watching MotorTrend’s annual sports car showdown? Well, here’s something you’ll really like, a compilation of every World’s Greatest Drag Race from 2011 through 2019. Watch as awesome cars from Ford to Ferrari compete for straight line dominance. It’s a solid 23 minutes of automotive bliss.

For 2021, the already fun to drive Toyota GR Supra 3.0 gets a power bump to 382hp, shaving 2/10ths off its 0-to-60 time, down to 3.9 sec. A 2.0-liter turbo-4 version is also on tap with 255hp and 295 lb-ft. of torque, as well as an A91 special edition with carbon fiber bits, matte black wheels, and a sweet new Refraction Blue paint color.

UK automaker Aston Martin takes their stunning and powerful Vantage Coupe and drops its top in just 6.7 sec. The distinctive two-seater is powered by a 503hp twin-turbo V8, which can launch it to 60mph in 3.7 sec, towards a top speed of 190mph. That’s with the roof raised, though at those speeds you’ll appreciate having the top up.

In a quest for straight-line supremacy, MotorTrend gathered a dozen of the fastest sports cars money can buy. With cars like the McLaren Senna, Porsche 911 Carrera S, Jaguar XE SV Project 8, and Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, it’s gonna be a tough competition down the runway – first in a 1/4-mile, then in a 1/2-mile drag race.

BMW presents the most potent version of it’s incredibly fun to drive M2 Coupe. It packs a 3.0L twin turbo V6 that makes 444 hp and 406 lb-ft. of torque, and a lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic roof, hood, and aero bits. It’ll launch you from 0 to 60 in 3.8 sec. with the 7-speed DCT, or 4 sec. with the 6-speed manual.

We’ve always loved the sporty and playful looks of the Hyundai Veloster. Now its performance lives up to its looks thanks to a powerful 250 or 275hp twin-turbo engine, track-tuned suspension, a limited-slip diff, and more. After a week with this bad boy, we’re convinced it’s the most fun you can have with a new car for under $30K.

Currently destined for Europe only, Audi’s tricked-out compact crossovers have been lowered, given wide fender flares, 20″ or 21″ sport wheels, aero, brake, and exhaust upgrades, and pack a 5-cylinder turbo engine that makes 400 hp. The RS Q3 has a traditional crossover roofline, while the Sportback is sloped more aggressively.

BMW updates its monstrously fun X6 M crossover with a twin-turbo V8 that makes either 593 hp, or 617 hp in Competition trim, which rides on 21-inch front wheels and 22-inch rears. It rocks a rear-biased all-wheel drive system with an active differential, along with a suspension that was fine tuned on the Nürburgring.

The open-top variant of the Italian stallion’s F8 Tributo berlinetta features a retractable hard top, and is a big upgrade from the 488 Spider, featuring an extra 49 horsepower, and cutting 44 pounds from its predecessor. Its turbo V8 makes 710 horsepower, and the car can hit 60 mph in 2.8 sec with a top speed of 211 mph.

Porsche has been teasing its pure-electric, all-wheel drive sports sedan for a while. The production car – and its impressive specs and tech have been revealed. The first two models are the Taycan Turbo and Turbo S, with 670hp and 750hp, and 0-to-60 times of 3.0 and 2.6 secs, respectively. Inside the cars, you’ll find screens, lots of screens.

As special as the Lexus LC 500 already is, this limited edition of the luxurious 471 horsepower, V8-powered sports coupe looks just that much more gorgeous bathed in rich Nori Green paint, and decked out with two-tone tan and black aniline leather, and Alcantara trim inside. Just 100 of these unique cars are coming to the U.S.

This stunning coachbuilt Italian sports coupe is built with an ultra-lightweight carbon and aluminum chassis. It’s powered by a hybrid drivetrain with a supercharged 750 hp V8, along with an 215 hp electric motor. Limited to just 150 cars, each one is built by hand to the customer’s specs.

The C8 Stingray is the first mid-engine ‘Vette ever, packing a 495hp V8 engine behind its passenger compartment. Its aggressive design features a shorter hood, a wider rear, and big side air intakes. With the ZR1 Performance Pack, which upgrades brakes, suspension, cooling, and exhaust, it can do 0-to-60 mph in under 3 seconds.