High-Performance Sports Cars
In the last couple of decades, a whole new tier of cars has emerged that bridges the gap between sports cars and supercars. They range from hot versions of affordable coupes and roadsters to entry-level models from prestige manufacturers. Stylish and exciting, their existence proves that demand for performance has never been stronger—and the choice has never been wider.
Ferrari 360 Modena, 1999
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 3,586 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 186 mph (299 km/h) |
Drawing its inspiration from the legendary Dino, the 360 brought in a new aluminum chassis that was both lighter and stiffen
Morgan Aero 8, 2001
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 4,398 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 150 mph (241 km/h) |
The overall profile may have been familiar, but the Aero 8 was a radical car for Morgan, the first with an aluminum chassis and a BMW V8 engine.
Ferrari California, 2008
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 4,297 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 193 mph (311 km/h) |
This is the first time Ferrari has put a V8 engine in the front of one of its road cars; the shape is the result of 1,000 hours in the wind tunnel.
Aston Martin Vanquish, 2001
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 5,935 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 196 mph (315 km/h) |
This car re-created the link with James Bond when Pierce Brosnan was issued one in the movie Die Another Day.
Ferrari 458 Italia, 2009
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 4,499 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 202 mph (325 km/h) |
This car’s styling received input from former world champion Michael Schumacher, and it features winglets that drop at speed to reduce drag.
Aston Martin DB9, 2003
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 5,935 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 190 mph (306 km/h) |
Sporting the company’s new V12 engine, the DB9 was the car that ushered in a new era of Aston Martin under Ford ownership.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage convertible, 2005
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 4,735 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 180 mph (290 km/h) |
With a V8 from Ford-owned Jaguar, it may be a smaller car than the DB9, but there is plenty of performance and nimble handling.
Mercedes-Benz SL, 2008
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 5,513 cc, V12 |
| Top speed | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
Back in 1954 the 300SL Gullwing was a genuine supercar. The latest version retains that tradition with more than 500 bhp on tap.
Audi R8, 2006
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 5,204 cc, V10 |
| Top speed | 196 mph (315 km/h) |
Inspired by the company’s multiple Le Mans-winning car of the same name, this is a fully fledged, Porsche-rivaling supercar with performance to match.
Spyker C8 Aileron, 2000
| Origin | Holland |
| Engine | 4,163 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 186 mph (299 km/h) |
The Aileron’s design draws heavily from the company’s aviation past, and even the spokes of the steering wheel are ex-propeller blades.
Chevrolet Corvette C6, 2005
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 5,967 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 198 mph (319 km/h) |
Originally known as a car that had looks and power but little else, this Corvette can also boast of handling to match.
Porsche 911, 2005
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 3,800 cc, flat-six |
| Top speed | 180 mph (290 km/h) |
Unofficially referred to as the 997, this is the spiritual descendant of the original 911 and still has its engine hanging out the back.
Nissan 350Z, 2008
| Origin | Japan |
| Engine | 3,498 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 156 mph (251 km/h) |
Following an online contest in the computer game Gran Turismo, the quickest drivers competed for the prize of a real race drive with the Nissan team.
Artega GT, 2009
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 3,597 cc, V6 |
| Top speed | 170 mph (274 km/h) |
Styled by Henrik Fisker, also responsible for the Aston Martin Vantage, the Artega is focused on low weight. At just 2,205 lb (1,100 kg), it is light for a supercar.
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, 2007
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 4,691 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 181 mph (292 km/h) |
Few believed that the design study exhibited at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show would ever make it into production, but Alfa built 500 coupes.
Maserati 4200, 2002
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 4,244 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 177 mph (285 km/h) |
Being part of the Fiat stable alongside Ferrari, Maserati concentrates on grand tourers rather than outright sports cars.
Maserati Granturismo S, 2007
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 4,691 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 183 mph (295 km/h) |
Although based on the floorpan of the Ouattroporte sedan, the Granturismo S is a very fast GT with the bonus of two extra rear seats.
Jaguar XKR 75, 2010
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 5,000 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 174 mph (280 km/h) |
To celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary, Jaguar built 75 of these special edition XKRs with improved handling and engines updated to 530 bhp.
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011
