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Motor 1
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The Best Performance Cars of 2025 (So Far)
What makes a great performance car? Well, for one, it has to be fun. It has to be something you dream about, something worth getting up early for and displaying proudly at your local Cars and Coffee. Then, driving the long way home to take advantage of that twisty road. Even in an era dominated by SUVs, there are dozens of great performance cars to choose from, ranging from the cheapest hot hatchback to the most expensive V-12 monster—and, yes, even a few performance SUVs. Whatever you have the budget for, there's really no way to go wrong when looking for your next sporty ride. Using the same distinction from our annual Best of the Best awards , we've picked our favorite performance cars of 2025 (so far). These are the cars we simply couldn't get enough of—the ones we'd have in our driveways, money no object. As the year persists, more performance cars will undoubtedly make this list. But for now, these are our top picks. Audi RS E-Tron GT Photo by: Audi 912 Horsepower Price: $168,295 Why We Love It: The 2025 Audi RS E-Tron GT is an absolute missile. With 912 horsepower and 757 pound-feet of torque directed to the wheels via a 97.0 kilowatt-hour battery pack and two electric motors, it takes this electric performance sedan just 2.4 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. That's quicker than many supercars. Even with all that power, though, the E-Tron GT has a supremely comfortable ride with a glass-smooth suspension and a serene cabin loaded to the brim with the best materials Audi offers. At $168,295 to start, this punchy performance sedan certainly isn't cheap. But in this case, you do indeed get what you pay for. Read Our Review Audi S3 Photo by: Chris Perkins / Motor1 328 Horsepower Price: $49,995 Why We Love It: Audi is in a driving renaissance lately. Nothing much has changed on the outside, but plenty has changed with handling, feel, and sporting character–Most obviously on the facelifted 2025 Audi S3. With the newest generation of EA888 inline-four squeezing 328 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque out of 2.0 liters, it also has the performance chops to be a real contender, even if its 4.4-second zero to 60 doesn't sound that impressive today. It may be the middle child of the A3 and RS3, but it delivers such a lovely RS3-lite driving experience that it almost feels like a bargain for its $49,995 base price compared to its five-cylinder big brother. You get the RS3's trick rear diff, a little bit of fake inline-five sound through the speakers, and handling that more or less matches the RS3 on a backroad. Less-than-RS3 is no more. The S3 is just damn good. Read Our Review BMW Z4 Manual 382 Horsepower Price: $71,825 Why We Love It: BMW rarely builds a sports car, but when it does, it ain't always a hit. The 2025 BMW Z4 M40i with the Handschalter (German for 'hand shift') package dropped, and almost all of us were skeptical. Even with that delightful B58 inline-six pushing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet connected to a ZF six-speed manual, good for a 4.2-second zero to 60, the execution is often BMW's sports car problem, not the parts. Good news: The manual Z4 is a delightful exception to everything we've come to accept about new BMWs. It's relatively lightweight at 3,514 pounds, exceptionally small and simple, and has an actually lovely manual transmission. It's simple and easy to use, fast as hell, rides beautifully, sounds good, and is a genuinely engaging sports car, if a little numb and non-linear. The manual Z4 is easy to fall in love with, and stands among the best that BMW makes right now, including proper M-cars. Ferrari 12Cilindri Spider Photo by: Ferrari 819 Horsepower Price: $515,400 Why We Love It: Big V-12-powered grand tourers are nearly extinct. But Ferrari remains a bastion for those who believe there is no replacement for displacement. The 12Cilindri is the only non-hybridized, naturally aspirated V-12 passenger car still on sale, bringing a gargantuan 819 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque. Despite no fancy power boosters, it can sprint from zero to 60 in 2.9 seconds, onto a top speed of 211 miles per hour. The Spider version, which we drove in February, delivers a gorgeous driving experience. It's the ultimate grand tourer, able to cruise big distances without being uncomfortable, and providing real pleasure through twisty roads. Still, the crown jewel is the 6.5-liter 12-cylinder, capable of revving to an astronomical 9,500 rpm. Read Our Review Jeep Wagoneer S Photo by: Anthony Alaniz / Motor1 600 Horsepower Price: $67,195 Why We Love It: The Jeep Wagoneer S makes this list thanks to its electric powertrain. The dual-motor setup gives the SUV a supercar-like 600 horsepower and 617 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to propel the five-seat SUV to 60 miles per hour in just 3.4 seconds, and that's one aspect that makes it so much fun to drive, especially for the price. The Wagoneer S Launch Edition we drove started at $73,590, which isn't cheap, but it's mind-meltingly fast. It's enough power to make you forget you're driving a large, heavy family vehicle that can seat five and haul up to 61 cubic feet of cargo space. Despite its size, the Wagoneer S has a near-perfect 50-50 weight ratio, making it easy to handle and toss into a corner and power out with precision. Read Our Review Mercedes-AMG CLE53 443 Horsepower Price: $75,450 Why We Love It: Slotted neatly between the new C-Class and E-Class models, the Mercedes-Benz CLE might be the best of both worlds. The hot AMG CLE53, in particular, takes mid-range performance to the next level with a powerful turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine making 443 horsepower, sending it to 60 miles per hour in just about 4.0 seconds flat. The CLE53 also makes a strong impression in the corners, with its quick steering, tight suspension, and impeccable body control. And you can even get it in a convertible. Of all the performance cars we've driven so far this year, the CLE53 is very underrated. Porsche 911 Carrera S Photo by: Chris Rosales / Motor1 473 Horsepower Price: $148,395 Why We Love It: A Carrera S is never the 911 anyone truly desires. That accolade goes to a 911 Turbo, or a 911 GT3. Yet the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera S, complete with 473 horsepower, 390 pound-feet, and a blistering 3.1-second zero to 60, has the numbers to be an aspirational 911. It also has the price of an aspirational 911: $148,395 of your hard-earned for a base car. The truth is that new Carrera S is a lovely car that stands on its own, rather than as a funnel for the higher-tier 911s. With the facelift and extra performance, the Carrera S feels like more of a 911 pillar alongside the GT and Turbo cars, and feels like a main course rather than an appetizer. The steering is weighty and relatively talkative, the handling is typically impeccable, and its just damn fast and comfortable. Read Our Review Porsche 911 GT3 Photo by: Brian Silvestro / Motor1 502 Horsepower Price: $224,495 Why We Love It: The 2025 Porsche 911 GT3 is as close to perfect as modern cars get. In a world of turbocharging and electrification, it bucks the trend with a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six making 502 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque, capable of revving to 9,000 rpm. Power goes to the rear wheels via a seven-speed PDK automatic or god's own six-speed manual. Don't let the 3.2-second 0-60 time fool you. Most performance EVs would walk away from the GT3 in a straight line. But that's not what the GT3 is about. Through a corner, there is no car more feelsome and satisfying. The hyper-communicative steering and surefooted rear end will deliver nirvana every time you encounter a back road. Even at an eye-watering starting price of $224,495, the GT3 is worth it. Read Our Review Ram 1500 RHO Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1 540 Horsepower Price: $71,990 Why We Love It: Granted, it's no TRX, but the Ram 1500 RHO is well-deserving of a spot on this list. With a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine making 540 horsepower and 521 pound-feet of torque, this supertruck races to 60 miles per hour in just 4.6 seconds. It also has an off-road-tuned suspension with knobby 35-inch tires that make it an absolute beast in the dunes. The RHO also takes a step up from the TRX in the liveability department with a well-furnished interior and new technology, like a 14.5-inch vertically oriented touchscreen, a lovely 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and even a 10.3-inch touchscreen on the passenger side. The Ram 1500 RHO starts at $71,990, which feels like a small price to pay for that much performance. Read Our Review Toyota GR Corolla 300 Horsepower Price: $39,995 Why We Love It: These days, all-wheel drive hot hatchbacks are hard to find. But of the few options remaining, there's one clear winner: The Toyota GR Corolla. Updated for 2025 with reshaped air curtain ducts, strips of aluminum tape behind the front bumper to increase aerodynamic efficiency, and an automatic transmission, the lovable GR 'Rolla gets even better for the new year. Yes, even with the automatic transmission, it's awesome. Opting for the eight-speed auto bumps the torque figure from 273 pound-feet to 295, and it pairs perfectly with the Corolla's playful chassis and turbocharged engine. For $39,995 to start for the manual (or $41,995 for the auto), this car is hard to beat. Volkswagen GTI Photo by: Volkswagen 241 Horsepower Price: $33,670 Why We Love It: There are a lot of great sport-compacts out there, but none offer quite the same mix of fun and daily usability like the Golf GTI, and all for a very affordable price. VW's facelifted Mk8.5 GTI addresses a lot of the livability complaints about the Mk8 of 2021-2024, while also further honing the dynamics. It lost its manual transmission, but the seven-speed dual-clutch is a near-faultless gearbox, which lessens the loss. Although 241 horsepower may not seem like much these days, the GTI is light at under 3,200 pounds. It's a quick car, and it rides and handles beautifully, too. With this new facelift, the GTI is also as attractive as it's ever been, especially on the Autobahn's optional 19-inch wheels. The GTI is a boring choice, but for a reason. Few other cars fit so seamlessly into the life of a car enthusiast, and none for less than $40,000. Read Our Review The Best Of The Best Here's Why The Manual Z4 Is BMW's Best Car Right Now The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Is Still the AWD Hot Hatch King Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Drive
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
This Big Block-Powered Chevy Spark Ran a 9.99-Second Quarter Mile
It's safe to say this tiny econobox nicknamed Crouton is the quickest Chevrolet Spark in the world. YouTuber Cleetus McFarland and his team have been preparing for the Burnout Rivals competition, and this wicked red hatchback was the basis for it. However, things took a turn when they decided to throw drag radials on it and attempt to make it the quickest (and fastest) Chevy Spark through the quarter-mile. And it seems they pulled it off, smashing a 9.995-second run. They may call it a Chevy Spark, but it's as much of one as Toyota's NASCAR racer is a true Camry. The Spark had most of its unibody chassis cut out and replaced with custom-built tubular steel and subframes. The seat is pushed back much further than in the standard car, since the subcompact now needs to accommodate a longitudinal big-block Chevy V8 and Turbo 400 sequential gearbox, which now power the rear wheels instead of the stock car's fronts. The big block was originally quoted as a 632 cubic-inch an earlier video about the build, which would make it a 10.3-liter Chevy V8 crate engine with an astonishing 1,004 horsepower and 876 lb-ft of torque right out of the box. However, in the newest video of the track run, it is quoted as an 8.8-liter, which would make it a 540 cubic-inch block. We're unsure what happened there, but either way, it's enough to power the roughly 1,500-pound Spark, given that it's little more than a bare chassis and an engine. It's no wonder it's an absolute drag strip missile with all that power sending it down the strip. After a few runs in the low 10-second range, McFarland finally broke the nine-second barrier, which likely makes it the most capable Spark on the planet. According to the YouTuber, the previous Spark quarter-mile record was 18.1 seconds. There's no guarantee, of course, as you never know what kind of wild contraptions people without massive YouTube followings have built. However, it seems unlikely that anyone else has had the desire to build such an absurd dragster out of one of the least-interesting hatchbacks in recent memory. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@ Nico DeMattia is a staff writer at The Drive. He started writing about cars on his own blog to express his opinions when no one else would publish them back in 2015, and eventually turned it into a full-time career.
Auto Car
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
A V8 Maserati cult classic for less than £20k? Here's how to bag a 3200 GT
You can have a flutter on the horses. Chance some money on shares. Take a bet on an election. But none of these approach the sustained gamble of buying a used, highly strung performance car whose random tantrums can replicate the Southern Rail experience with massive extra expense. You could try a V10 BMW M5, with its reputation for occasionally chewing its own engine. Experience the will-it, won't-it, sod-it starting problems of Mazda RX-8s. Or embark on your very own product development programme by attempting to turn a TVR reliable. But none of these has the glamorous allure of a used Maserati 3200 GT, nor the same capacity for occupying your mind with thoughts of what repairs/maintenance/preventive jobs you must do next, how much money you can spare for them and whether you'll complete the journey that prompted these musings in the first place. Like almost every old car with a following, there are non-franchised specialists with sensible prices and if the Maserati forums are to be believed, a much deeper understanding of these cars than official dealers. All of which makes this somewhat unloved Maserati more of a temptress. As does a twin-turbo, 32-valve, 365bhp V8 that will deliver you 5.1sec scorches to 62mph and a 174mph workout for the fuel pump. There's sumptuous luxury too, the 3200 flaunting enough leather to supply a Moroccan souk for a day, rich hides sleeving most of the cabin and sometimes even the ceiling. You face a sextet of classy, blue-faced dials, check the time from an ornate clock and sink your feet into luxuriant carpet. Even if you must wait for the AA, this is a pretty pleasant place to do it. And then there are those boomerang taillights, these curving stripes of variegated light unique to the GT and a flourish that has tempted many a buyer across the financial line. The 3200's subtly voluptuous body was Giorgetto Giugiaro's work, its only oddity a roofline that turns curiously turret-like from certain angles. The rest is sheer Italian class, and as a bonus, the rear half of its cabin will just about house a couple of adults. Who can push if necessary. So what about the drive? Well. The figures say it's fast, and the early drive-by-wire throttle and enthusiastic turbos will have you surging about like an amateur if you aren't delicate.
Car and Driver
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Chevrolet Corvette Review, Pricing, and Specs
Overview It goes fast, nails apexes, and looks like a supercar, but the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray starts at under $100,000, making it one of the best performance-car values of all time. A naturally aspirated V-8 engine sits behind the cabin and pumps out up to 495 horsepower to the rear wheels, enough to blast this two-seater to 60 mph in under 3.0 seconds. Two trunks—one in the front and one in the back—provide added practicality, and the Corvette's interior is comfortable enough for two adults to take a road trip. Upper trim levels get even more luxurious, with fancier leather, a better stereo, and more convenience features. Any way you slice it, the Corvette Stingray impresses with its ideal balance of performance and everyday usability, and that's why it remains one of our favorite cars. What's New for 2026? The Corvette lineup receives a revamped interior design for 2026 that eliminates the row of buttons on the dividing console between the two seats. That divider has been redesigned to include a passenger grab handle, and the climate control buttons that were there have been moved to a panel of switches below the infotainment screen. The infotainment display itself is now larger at 12.7 inches, and the digital gauge cluster is now a 14.0-inch unit with a new 6.6-inch touchscreen display to the left of it for auxiliary controls. The drive-mode selector has been redesigned but remains on the center console near the gear selector, but its new smaller size creates room for a new wireless smartphone charging pad. A USB-C charging port has been added to the passenger's side of the cabin, and the cupholders gain ambient lighting, and in 2LT and 3LT models they feature real aluminum trim. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette is expected to start around $71,000 and go up to $89,000 depending on the trim and options. 1LT Coupe $71,000 (est) 1LT Convertible $77,000 (est) 2LT Coupe $78,000 (est) 3LT Coupe $82,000 (est) 2LT Convertible $85,000 (est) 3LT Convertible $89,000 (est) 0 $25k $50k $75k $100k $125k $150k The Corvette is available as either a coupe or a convertible with a folding hard top. Since the coupe's roof lifts off for open-top motoring anyway, we'd stick with it. We'd instead spend the money to upgrade to the 2LT version, which adds several features, including a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charging pad, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, a 14-speaker Bose stereo system, blind-spot monitoring, and much more. The Z51 performance package is also a must-have, as it brings all the Corvette's best performance-oriented gear and makes the Vette track-capable. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The C8 Corvette is powered by a 6.2-liter pushrod V-8 that makes 490 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. With the dual-mode performance exhaust that is part of the Z51 package, power goes up a smidge to 495 horsepower. The Z51 option also adds an electronic limited-slip rear differential, more aggressive brakes, and summer tires. An eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is the sole transmission. It is controlled by a push-button gear selector on the center console and two large steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. A manual transmission is not available. Even in base form, however, the new Corvette is capable of heroic handling and mega performance. 0–60-MPH Times In our testing, we recorded a 60-mph time of 2.8 seconds, and a quarter-mile pass of 11.2 seconds at 122 mph in a car equipped with the Z51 performance package and the optional FE4 magnetorheological dampers. It stopped from 70 mph in 149 feet and cornered at a stout 1.03 g on the skidpad. View Photos Michael Simari | Car and Driver Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Corvette yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. We subjected it to our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test and recorded 26 mpg, 1 mpg better than its estimate. For more information about the Corvette's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website. Interior, Comfort, and Cargo The mid-engine C8 Corvette is a pure two-seater, and the futuristic interior can be dressed up with materials such as leather, real metal trim, and imitation suede; it even has a fancy stitched headliner. Speaking of the roof, it's removable on the coupe—one person can wrestle it off—just like with previous Corvettes, and it fits inside the trunk just aft of the engine compartment. The driver sits behind a squared-off steering wheel and a 14.0-inch reconfigurable gauge display; a large infotainment touchscreen is angled toward the driver for ease of use. The interior design takes the driver-focused concept to the max, bisecting the cockpit with a wall-like separator between the driver and passenger. Opting for the top 3LT package gets you upgraded, upscale materials, such as sewn leather on most interior surfaces, plus carbon-fiber trim. The Corvette's two trunks—one in the nose and the other behind the engine—offer a total of 13 cubic feet of storage space. Chevrolet says the Corvette can fit two sets of golf clubs stacked on top of each other in the rear compartment. In our testing, we were able to fit our set of clubs easily, so Chevy's claim seems valid. When it came time to see if there was room for our carry-on-size suitcases, we were able to fit one in the Corvette's front trunk and two in the rear compartment. Chevrolet Infotainment and Connectivity The 2026 Corvette comes with a 12.7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth audio streaming, onboard Wi-Fi, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The system is easy to use and quick to respond to commands, plus apps can be downloaded from the Google Play Store to help customize the interface to your liking. A 10-speaker Bose stereo system is standard, but upper trims come with a 14-speaker setup also tuned by Bose. Safety and Driver-Assistance Features The Corvette comes with several driver-assistance features as standard, but others, including blind-spot monitoring, cost extra. For more information about the Corvette's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include: Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist Available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert Warranty and Maintenance Coverage While its performance is amazing, the Corvette's warranty coverage is strictly average. At least the first maintenance service is covered at no cost. Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles Complimentary maintenance is covered for the first visit
