Premium sports cars

This is the enthusiast’s class…or at the least, the rich enthusiast’s class. Its users feature some of the quickest automobiles provided easily obtainable in the U.S., though we draw the range at starting prices in excess of $120, 000. Those priced above that figure we start thinking about to be “exotics, ” which aren’t covered here, because we don’t choose a Best Buy in that category.

Thinking about the expense while focusing of this group, there are many contenders—18 by our count. Most inexpensive may be the BMW 2-Series, which starts at about $33, 000. At the opposing end are automobiles like the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and Porsche 911, which start at around $85, 000 and achieve past $200, 000 in top-line type.

There are not any front-wheel-drive vehicles in this class. The BMW 2-, 4-, and 6-Series; Jaguar F-TYPE; Lexus RC; and Porsche 911 offer all-wheel drive as a choice to rear-wheel drive. The Audi A5/S5, Audi TT, and Nissan GT-R come standard with all-wheel drive.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2016

The Audi TT is redesigned, getting more power, a high-tech inside design, brand new technology functions, and all-new (yet familiar) styling. The Audi A5/S5 lineup manages to lose its top-line high-performance RS 5 models. Following its introduction as a 2015 design, the Alfa Romeo 4C attained a targa-roof Spider convertible design as a 2015 mid-year inclusion. The BMW 2-Series gets a high-performance M2 model, and also the M235 convertible is readily available with all-wheel drive. The BMW 4-Series gains a Track control performance suspension system bundle, in addition to superior M4 gets a race-track-ready GTS model. The BMW 6-Series is updated with new-front and back fasciae, and standard sport exhaust.

The Chevrolet SS sedan gets a front side fascia, a bonnet with useful vents, and an offered dual-mode exhaust system. The Dodge Viper lineup sees the return regarding the track-oriented ACR design. The Jaguar F-TYPE line is somewhat refreshed with an expanded design roster, an available 6-speed handbook transmission, offered all-wheel drive, electrical power steering, an innovative new Jaguar InControl connection suite for infotainment system, and much more standard equipment. The Lexus RC lineup gets two brand-new designs: the RC 200t (which has a 200-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder), as well as the all-wheel-drive RC 300 (that has a 255-hp 3.5-liter V6).

The Mercedes-Benz SL550 gets a 20-horsepower bump, to 449, and adds a limited-edition Mille Miglia model. With the addition of a new 241-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, the Mercedes-Benz SLK250 is rebranded SLK300. A 9-speed automated transmission happens to be standard throughout SLK designs; a manual is not any longer readily available. The Nissan GT-R gets a 5-horsepower bump, to 550, and adds a 45th Anniversary Gold Edition design that commemorates 45 years of GT-R production. The Porsche 911 adds a race-track-ready GT3 RS model, whilst Boxster gets a specially cut Ebony Edition design and a Spyder model (which gets a 375-hp 3.8-liter six as well as other improvements).

The Jaguar XK is discontinued. The Infiniti Q60 coupe and convertible may fallen, though a new Q60 coupe is anticipated to debut as a 2017 model. The remainder class views either no significant modifications, or small changes including revised infotainment systems.

MODELS THAT OFFER ANYTHING UNUSUAL

Since there are not any hybrids or diesels into the class, and both coupes and convertibles are well represented, truly the only standouts are those with unusually powerful machines and the ones available with all-wheel drive. The latter have been completely listed. In terms of energy, a car or truck really has to offer above 600 hp (!) to “stand out” inside class. The ones that do range from the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Dodge Viper, and Mercedes-Benz SL65.