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New Cars Powered By V8 Engines

In almost all cases, manufacturers who choose to equip their cars with a V8 engine do so knowingly and deliberately. After all, such engines represent the first big step in crossing over a threshold to a place where performance becomes the sole focus; efficiency and economy are often not even invited as guests for a ride-along in the back seat.

With a quick glance at the back mirror, those pesky 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines begin to disappear into the horizon. Then, with the proverbial “pedal-to-the-metal,” the V8 power plant unanimously declares “all-in” with a roar—because this journey is all about thrill-seeking and checking things off the bucket list.

As you begin to drive off towards the sunset, you’ll probably receive the odd jeer from EPA employees, people who hate nice sounds, and various other types of sticklers. But nothing’s going to stop you from reaching your destination. At the end of this journey begins a new one; at the race track perhaps, or maybe the backcountry roads and mountain highways?

Here are all the new cars powered by V8 engines—including sports cars, supercars, and hypercars—available for purchase in 2021.

Aston Martin

2021 Aston Martin Vantage

Base price: $149,086
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 503 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 505 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.6 s
Top Speed: 190 mph

The Aston Martin Vantage is Aston Martin’s “entry-level” sports car. Its singular purpose is raw and unwavering: to overwhelm the senses through its world-renowned design, agile performance, and dedicated craftsmanship. Its heart beats with a high-powered 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8, producing that visceral Aston Martin roar.

New for the 2021 model year, the Aston Martin Vantage Roadster is the drop-top version of the British automaker’s gateway car. It continues to embody all the same awesome characteristics of its fixed-roof counterpart, amplifying the overall experience with that wind-in-the-hair feeling only the Roadster can provide.

The Aston Martin Vantage AMR is a new breed of predator—95 kg lighter than the base model and boasting a seven-speed rev-matching manual transmission. This is a beast designed to deliver pure, engaging, manual performance—Aston Martin’s interpretation of a “true driver’s car.” Only 200 will be produced.

2021 Aston Martin DB11

Base price: $198,995
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 503 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 513 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.7 s
Top Speed: 208 mph

The Aston Martin DB11 is the most powerful and efficient ‘DB’ production model in Aston Martin’s history. Available as a coupe or Volante with the optional 5.2L twin-turbocharged V12 or standard 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the DB11 takes Aston Martin’s grand touring heritage to unprecedented heights.

New for 2021 are the optional Shadow Edition models. Their blacked-out trim packages add subtly sinister touches to Aston’s DB11 coupe and convertible. With a black-painted grille, 20-inch wheels, and badging, the Shadow Edition bits add an extra hint of aggression to the DB11’s svelte bodywork.

The Aston Martin DB11 AMR is the new flagship car of the DB11 range. However, unlike the other models, it comes exclusively with the top engine option—a 5.2L twin-turbocharged V12.

Audi

2021 Audi RS 6 Avant

Base price: $110,045
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 591 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft @ 2,050 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.5 s
Top Speed: 190 mph

Probably the hottest performance-oriented station wagon on the market right now, the 2021 Audi RS 6 Avant sheds the conservative styling of the car it is based on but remains in line with the high-performance estate concept. Derived from the already-excellent Audi A6 sedan, this souped-up station wagon adds RS-specific bodywork and exclusive go-fast goodies.

The Audi RS 6 Avant is a powerful car with a mild-hybrid powertrain. At its heart is a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine, which puts out a whopping 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The results are impressive, too—the car can sprint from 0-62 mph in just 3.6 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 155 mph. This is the first RS wagon to come to America, and Audi wants to make it count.

2021 Audi RS 7

Base price: $115,045
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 591 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft @ 2,050 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.5 s
Top Speed: 190 mph

The Audi RS 7 Sportback is what you get when you take the RS 6 Avant’s engine, then place it in a sleeker Audi Sportback frame. The resulting Audi RS 7 Sportback is an aggressive and beautiful car, with the specs to back up its appearance. This strikingly athletic yet elegant four-door sports car is the perfect blend of practicality and performance.

At the heart of the car is the twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine with a mild-hybrid system, which puts out a whopping 591 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Like the RS 6, it can go from 0-62 mph in just 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph.

Bentley

2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8

Base price: $198,725
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 542 hp
Torque: 569 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 4.0 s
Top Speed: 198 mph

The Flying Spur gets a new model for 2021. Known as the 2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8, the biggest difference for this trim is the use of a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 engine that produces 542 hp and 569 lb-ft of torque; it also features cylinder deactivation for improved fuel economy. Bentley says more of its customers want to hustle their cars around instead of being chauffeured and that the more efficient and fun V8 Flying Spur will be the more popular choice with this crowd.

2021 Bentley Continental GT V8

Base price: $207,825
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 542 hp @ 5,750 rpm
Torque: 568 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.9 s
Top Speed: 198 mph

With a lively V8 engine delivering irresistibly dynamic performance, accompanied by the sound of its uniquely emotive burble, the new Bentley Continental GT V8 offers a truly engaging driving experience. A grand tourer that makes every journey breathtaking. The Continental GT V8 is exceptionally responsive, delivering breathtaking acceleration accompanied by the irresistible sound of a Bentley V8 engine.

With the new Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible, open-air grand-touring is always exhilarating. With its spirited V8 engine, innovative technology, sleek, contemporary design, and exquisite attention to detail, you are both completely in touch with the road beneath you and fully connected to the world around you. A great all-around GT that is our top pick when it comes to both value and overall experience.

BMW

2021 BMW M5

Base price: $103,500
Engine: 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 600 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 553 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.0 s
Top Speed: 190 mph

Updates for 2021 are not under the hood for the M5. There have been no changes in the power department, but the M5 does receive a freshened-up appearance with redesigned front and rear bumpers, new headlights and taillights, and a larger grille. Convenience features such as a larger touchscreen, Android Auto, and cloud-based navigation have also been added.

Where else can you walk into a dealership and buy a sedan that has 600+ hp, all-wheel-drive traction, four doors, and stunning performance both in a straight line and on the race track? This car can really do it all, which more than justifies its 6-figure price tag. The 2021 BMW M5 is more than just your regular sports sedan; it is an epic sports car and the leader in its class.

For us, it’s really a no-brainer to spend the wee-bit extra to step up to the BMW M5 Competition. Just a touch more powerful, the M5 Competition comes with 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. Where you really get your money’s worth is through the stiffer dampers, stiffer anti-roll bars, and a .28” lower ride height.

All things considered, the M5 Competition is a sharper, stiffer, and even more performance-oriented version of the M5.

The Competition model gets a new full Merino leather color scheme, a new Track drive mode, and new shock absorbers. These dampers benefit from a recalibrated control system that BMW says should improve ride comfort, especially at high speeds.

2021 BMW M8

Base price: $133,000 (Coupe), $142,500 (Conv), $130,000 (Gran)
Engine: 4.4L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 600 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 553 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.2 s
Top Speed: 190 mph

Big updates for 2021 include BMW announcing that the coupe and convertible versions of the M8 will no longer be available in North America, with the Gran Coupe remaining as the sole body-style option. The Gran Coupe can also be optioned with a new Donington Grey Metallic paint.

The BMW M8 is available in three body configurations: coupe, convertible, and Gran Coupe. It borrows its twin-turbocharged 4.4L V8 engine from the M5, which makes 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. The M8 also gives drivers the ability to switch between all-wheel drive and 100% rear-wheel drive, making the car both thrilling and well-suited for any situation thrown its way.

In keeping with the Competition formula as used in the rest of the lineup, the Competition version of the M8 offers up a more hardcore, track-focused version of the base car. The BMW M8 Competition also borrows its engine from its M5 counterpart, producing an additional 17 horsepower over the regular M8. While we don’t expect many M8s to show up to the race track, the Competition package is nevertheless a worth-it option for the more discerning pilots out there.

This car is available in coupe, convertible, and gran coupe body styles. However, only the gran coupe body style is available for the US market.

Chevrolet

2021 Chevrolet Camaro (LT1, SS)

Base price: $34,000 (LT1), $37,500 (SS)
Engine: 6.2L naturally aspirated V8
Power: 455 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 455 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
0-60 mph: 4.1 s
Top Speed: 198 mph

The Chevrolet Camaro LT1 is the model’s first foray into V8 territory, which allows it to offer a relatively low-priced entry into the world of 8-cylinder performance. Already producing as much as 455 hp, the LT1 is a fantastic choice for those who want an unadulterated, no-nonsense sports car. Stepping up to the 1SS and 2SS doesn’t add any more power, but it provides more performance and convenient amenities—such as a transmission cooler, rear Brembo brakes, magnetic ride control, wider wheels, a different front bumper, and a standard 8″ touchscreen.

2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

Base price: $63,000
Engine: 6.2L naturally aspirated V8
Power: 650 hp @ 6,400 rpm
Torque: 650 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.5 s
Top Speed: 198 mph

Step up to the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and you’re looking at a 650 hp supercharged version, making it the most powerful Camaro available. Driving this car can make 0-60 mph happen in a blistering 3.5 seconds. The all-new range-topping Camaro ZL1 is slated to come with the Corvette’s Z06 engine as standard, providing phenomenal value when it comes to performance.

The track-oriented 1LE package adds performance upgrades that allow the car to handle and brake more capably. It is available in coupe and convertible body styles, and it offers drivers their choice of an engaging manual transmission or a lightning-quick automatic.

2021 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (C8)

Base price: $60,995
Engine: 6.2L naturally aspirated V8
Power: 490 hp @ 6,450 rpm
Torque: 465 lb-ft @ 5,150 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.0 s
Top Speed: 194 mph

Probably the most exciting thing to come from the American brand (and perhaps the entire automotive industry) for a long time is the new mid-engine 2021 Chevrolet Corvette C8. It is expected to go full-tilt against the likes of exotic brands such as Porsche, Ferrari, and McLaren on the performance front while costing substantially less to own.

On paper, its bang-for-buck looks untouchable and potentially industry-disrupting. It comes in both coupe and convertible body styles.

Dodge

2021 Dodge Challenger Hellcat

Base price: $61,270
Engine: 6.2L supercharged V8
Power: 717 hp @ 6,450 rpm
Torque: 650 lb-ft @ 5,150 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.6 s
Top Speed: 199 mph

While the Challenger can be purchased with a V8 engine (starting with the R/T models), we’re going to focus on the Hellcat models here. The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat continues to evolve, with the 2021 model year treating fans and enthusiasts to even more madness (and variety) than ever before.

While the supercharged 6.2L V8 engine is a mainstay, the coupe can now be configured with up to 3 different engine options—Hellcat, Redeye, and Super Stock—which produce 717 hp, 797 hp, and 807 hp, respectively. These options allow it to become one of the most powerful production cars in the world.

Widebody packages are available for both the base and Redeye trims (and come standard on the Super Stock) to give the car an even more pronounced and aggressive appearance —one that certainly matches the monster lurking beneath the hood.

2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat

Base price: $72,670
Engine: 6.2L supercharged V8
Power: 717 hp @ 6,450 rpm
Torque: 650 lb-ft @ 5,150 rpm
0-60 mph: 4.0 s
Top Speed: 196 mph

The Dodge Charger is, for the most part, the sedan version of the Challenger, and it too offers up the company’s exclusive Hellcat experience. For 2021, the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat—and its new Redeye version—are offered exclusively with the widebody package. These versions produce 717 hp and 797 hp (respectively) from the same 6.2L supercharged V8 used in the Challenger, although no “Super Stock” version is available for the Charger. Yet.

Ferrari

2021 Ferrari Portofino M

Base price: US$245,000
Engine: 3.9L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 612 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 560 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.4 s
0-124 mph: 9.3 s
Top Speed: 199 mph

The Ferrari Portofino has been, for a couple of years, the Italian marque’s 2+2 grand touring cabriolet. It was, and still is, a powerhouse of comfort and technology—as capable of crossing continents as it is of driving a few blocks to the grocery store.

Now, however, it is getting its first refresh, thanks in large part to the success of the Ferrari Roma, which itself was a hardtop coupe evolution of the Portofino. Named the Portofino Modificata, it is shortened to Portofino M for branding purposes.

The highlight of this update has to be the newly developed eight-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. The everyday drop-top has also been refined on some other aspects, which now makes it even more convenient. A boatload of safety tech has also been added—plus, now the engine offers 20 hp more.

2021 Ferrari F8 Tributo

Base price: US$276,000
Engine: 3.9L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 710 hp @ 8,000 rpm
Torque: 568 lb-ft @ 3,250 rpm
0-60 mph: 2.9 s
0-124 mph: 7.8 s
Top Speed: 211 mph

Billed as the replacement for the 488 GTB, the Ferrari F8 Tributo inherits much of the outgoing model’s DNA. Mind you, this is largely (if not entirely) a positive thing, as the F8 Tributo notably improves in areas that had room for it while retaining the essence of what worked so well before.

Considered the ‘entry-level’ mid-engined car in the Ferrari model lineup, the F8 Tributo is nevertheless more than the sum of its parts; it is a highly-capable all-rounder, standing out amongst an expanding club of ‘everyday supercars.’

Producing 710 hp at a screaming 8,000 rpm and 568 lb-ft of torque at an accessible 3,250 rpm, the F8 Tributo’s 3.9L twin-turbocharged V8 is nothing to balk at, despite being standard for the times.

The Ferrari F8 Spider replaces the 488 Spider and is officially on sale in Ferrari dealerships. It is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V-8 that produces 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque.

The Spider is rear-wheel drive, and a seven-speed automatic transmission changes the gears. Peak torque comes earlier in the rev range than the 488. The aero kit, headlights, taillights, and body also look different than the 488 GTB.

We drove both the F8 Spider and Tributo back-to-back, and our pick is the Spider. It is just as fast and dynamic as the coupe—but it feels faster, louder, and more visceral—thanks in part to its open top.

Like the F8 Tributo, the 2021 Spider accelerates from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds on its way to 124 mph in just 7.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 211 mph. Fast enough, I think!

2021 Ferrari Roma

Base price: US$222,630
Engine: 3.9L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 612 hp @ 7,500 rom
Torque: 560 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.4 s
0-124 mph: 9.3 s
Top Speed: 199 mph

This vehicle is stunning to look at, with a minimalist (by today’s standards) grille and a shark-nose front end. It’s long, lean, and so utterly Ferrari that it makes all the right places on a true car enthusiast ache with desire.

Inside the car, you can see one of the most high-tech cabins of any Ferrari. There’s a large digital instrument cluster, a unique vertically-oriented infotainment screen in the center with some controls in front of it, and the passenger has their own small horizontally-oriented infotainment screen.

Now onto even better stuff; the rear-wheel-drive Ferrari Roma gets a 3.9L twin-turbocharged V8 engine with new cam profiles and a speed sensor that allows the maximum rpm to rise by 5,000 rpm. In other words, this is an Italian Stallion that can truly sing. The engine also has a single-piece exhaust manifold designed to make the most of its efforts. All told, it makes 612 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque.

2021 Ferrari 488 Pista

Base price: US$350,000
Engine: 3.9 liter twin turbo V8
Power: 710 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 568 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
0-60 mph: 2.85 sec
0-100 mph: 5.4 sec
Top Speed: 211 mph

The Ferrari 488 Pista is the marque’s latest Special Series model, and, following in the footsteps of its predecessors, it epitomizes the pinnacle of Ferrari road cars. Ferrari’s naturally aspirated V8s shrieked and snarled into the redline; the Pista barks and roars its way there. A different special series animal for sure, but an animal nonetheless. Almost perfect.

The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider is powered by the same engine used in the coupe, a twin-turbocharged 3.9L V8, which produces a magnificent 711-horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. The Spider is a convertible with a removal hardtop, though some would argue it functions more closely to a targa top vehicle. The Spider weighs 200 pounds more than the coupe.

2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale

Base price: US$507,000
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8, plus 3 electric motors
Power: 989 hp (combined)
Torque: 590 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 2.5 s
0-124 mph: 6.7 s
Top Speed: 211 mph

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is a stunning new hybrid supercar that produces 989 hp from a plug-in hybrid powertrain. This hybrid setup utilizes a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8 combustion engine linked with three electric motors.

Two of those electric motors are mounted on the front axle, and one is mounted between the engine and the gearbox. The combined maximum output of the V8, together with the electric motors, makes this Ferrari good for 0-60 mph in just 2.5 seconds. This powertrain is the most powerful of any Ferrari and easily places the SF90 Stradale atop the Ferrari lineup.

The car also features an all-new chassis made of carbon fiber and aluminum. The sleek body panels and its aerodynamic shape help the model produce a whopping 860 pounds of downforce at speed; the whole profile of the car is extremely low, allowing it to slice through the air at high speeds. It also has a two-piece rear wing, derived from the company’s participation in Formula 1 racing.

Ford

2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1

Base price: $53,400
Engine: 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6
Power: 450 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque: 510 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 5.1 s
Top Speed: 107 mph

Instead of starting with the Mustang GT, we have moved straight to the limited-edition Ford Mustang Mach 1, which gets a 480-hp version of Ford’s 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8 engine. The Mach 1 comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission, while a 10-speed automatic is an optional add-on. There is a unique front end and heritage-inspired look with black stripes on the hood and bodysides.

The car also benefits from advanced aerodynamic and cooling upgrades, courtesy of the awesome Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500. We recommend opting for the Mach 1’s Handling package to experience the full potential of the model.

2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

Base price: $72,900
Engine: 5.2L supercharged V8
Power: 760 hp @ 7,300 rpm
Torque: 625 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.3 s
Top Speed: 180 mph

There’s a lot to love about the GT350’s bigger brother (especially with the GT350 being discontinued for 2021)—the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. It’s the most muscular of all of Ford’s vehicles, but it’s not just fast in a straight line with its supercharged 760 hp V8. The car can make its way around the twists and bends of the most technical racetracks quickly, too. It’s almost as quick as a Porsche 911 GT3 RS on the track, according to some credible sources.

Jaguar

2021 Jaguar F-Type R

Base price: $103,200
Engine: 5.0L supercharged V8
Power: 575 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque: 516 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.5 s
Top Speed: 186 mph

The Jaguar F-Type R has seen its engine output increased for the 2021 year, gaining 25 hp and 14 lb-ft of torque over the previous year’s entry. The engine is exclusively mated to an all-wheel drive version.

The platform remains unchanged, with updates to the exterior and interior that keep the model feeling fresh and consistent with the rest of its lineup. New LED headlights and taillights, a revised front and rear bumper, and a new infotainment system are amongst the new offerings.

Available in both coupe and convertible form, the F-Type R sports car is now the highest F-Type trim in the lineup and is equipped with an arsenal intent on squaring off against the likes of the Porsche 911 and comparable Mercedes AMG models. With sharp handling and blistering acceleration—thanks in large part to its all-wheel-drive system—the F-Type R makes for a padded spec sheet and costs less than most of its competition.

Koenigsegg

2021 Koenigsegg Jesko

Base price: $2,800,000
Engine: 5.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 1,600 hp
Torque: 1,106 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 2.5 s
Top Speed: 300+ mph

Koenigsegg’s new Jesko hypercar, named after his father, who helped him start his company, claims over 300 mph as its top speed. While Koenigsegg hasn’t yet proven this in the real world, the Agera successor has achieved this feat in simulations, and the company certainly believes it to be as good as true.

There are two different versions of the car; Koenigsegg designed one for a high-speed run (called the Absolut) to achieve the aforementioned 300+ mph, and another with some serious downforce for the racetrack. No matter the variant, you get a new carbon fiber and aluminum chassis, a new suspension setup, redesigned engine, and a special gearbox.

2021 Koenigsegg Regera

Base price: $2,000,000
Engine: 5.0L twin-turbocharged V8 + 3 electric motors
Power: 1,500 hp
Torque: 1,475 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 2.5 s
Top Speed: 255 mph

The 2021 Koenigsegg Regera is definitely part of the small and exclusive group of hybrid hypercars. Koenigsegg launched the model at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, and since then, it has generated much hype amongst many car lovers and enthusiasts.

Besides a regular engine, the Koenigsegg Regera also carries an electric unit that produces up to 700 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque with a 4.5 kWh liquid-cooled battery pack. As a result, the car—in combination with its 5.0L twin-turbocharged V8—produces an amazing 1,500 hp, simply making it the most powerful hybrid hypercar in the world.

Lamborghini

2021 Lamborghini Urus

Base price: US$218,009
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 641 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 627 lb-ft @ 2,250 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
0-100 mph: 7.6 sec
Top Speed: 190 mph

Yes, we know that the Lamborghini Urus is, by all accounts, an SUV. However, it’s also a Lamborghini, and this list just wouldn’t be complete without one. It really doesn’t matter anyway because the Urus is practically a supercar, and it has the credentials to back it up.

The Urus is powered by a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 that is good for 641 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Performance is astonishing for the big SUV, with the 0-60 mph trek over in a mere 3.2 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 190 mph.

It looks aggressive, and we think it has just the right level of Lambo styling cues without going overboard. On the inside, the Urus has decent luggage space and a generous helping of electronics and infotainment equipment. The Urus remains Lamborghini’s only sport utility vehicle in the lineup for the 2021 model year.

Self-proclaimed as the world’s first Super Sport Utility Vehicle, we like to call it a luxurious, sporty SUV—where outlandish performance meets comfort and versatility. It offers best-in-class driving dynamics and is easily the best-performing SUV on the planet. The Lamborghini Urus is anything but your typical grocery hauler.

Lexus

2021 Lexus LC500

Base price: $92,950
Engine: 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8
Power: 471 hp @ 7,100 rpm
Torque: 398 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm
0-60 mph: 4.9 s
Top Speed: 168 mph

The range-topping Lexus LC500 luxury coupe continues to use the same naturally-aspirated V8 power plant seen in the rest of the brand’s performance lineup. Notable features include the adjustable suspension, which serves to provide a remarkable fusion of performance and comfort.

For 2021, the car remains virtually unchanged, although Lexus has recently released a convertible version of the LC500. The convertible roof will open and close in about 15 seconds and can be operated at speeds up to 31 mph. That’s pretty impressive.

Because of the open-top, the car required some additional structural components for rigidity but remains mechanically identical to the coupe otherwise.

Maserati

2021 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo

Base price: $109,890
Engine: 3.8L twin-turbo V8
Power: 580 hp @ 6,750 rpm
Torque: 538 lb-ft @ 2,250 rpm
0-60 mph: 4.0 s
Top Speed: 203 mph

Car and Driver said of the Ghibli, “As a sports sedan, the Ghibli’s a winner, but it doesn’t live up to expectations on the luxury side of the spectrum.” The Maserati Ghibli Trofeo offers more of the same—but with more power, more fun, and more performance. These additions work extremely well, and for enthusiasts, this model offers a nice upgrade to the car they know and love.

2021 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo

Base price: $142,390
Engine: 3.8L twin-turbo V8
Power: 580 hp
Torque: 524 lb-ft
0-60 mph: 4.2 s
Top Speed: 203 mph

The Quattroporte is a good car, but not a great one. It sits in a kind of limbo area where it is both a GT and also a sports-focused car.

Fortunately, the addition of the twin-turbo V8 makes it way better. It becomes more powerful, more sporty, and the performance is transformed. This year, it becomes a car that a true enthusiast can love—the Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo.

McLaren

2021 McLaren 540C

Base price: US$184,900
Engine: 3.8L M838TE twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 533 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 398 lb-ft @ 3,500-6,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.4 sec
0-124 mph: 10.5 sec
Top Speed: 199 mph

This car’s an entry-level assassin. A mid-mounted 533-hp 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 drives the rear wheels of the 540C. Despite its lower price, the McLaren 540C inherits performance-aiding technologies from its pricier siblings, such as a system that applies the brakes to a rear wheel to help the car around corners.

Boasting 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds, 0-124mph in 10.5, a top speed of 199 mph, and a power-to-weight ratio of 412 horsepower per ton, this is definitely a car for impressing your friends. What more could you want for your money?

2021 McLaren 570S Coupe

Base price: US$191,100
Engine: 3.8L M838TE twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 562 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 443 lb-ft @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.1 sec
0-124 mph: 9.5 sec
Top Speed: 204 mph

This is the car you buy when you are sick of your Porsche. It is a true sports car experience: very driver-centric and with truly epic performance. We have found the McLaren 570S as the perfectly positioned car in the McLaren range.

It has more performance than you could ever need on the road. It is lightweight, has direct steering, and has amazing driving dynamics. It looks like a supercar but also comes with enough interior amenities to be comfortable as a daily driver.

Between a 911 Turbo or 570S, I know which one I’d take. Queue the 570S, please.

2021 McLaren 570S Spider

Base price: US$211,300
Engine: 3.8L M838TE twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 562 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 443 lb-ft @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.2 sec
0-124 mph: 9.6 sec
Top Speed: 199 mph

Basically a 570S with a retractable hardtop, the McLaren 570S Spider is awesome. Gone are the days where convertibles were compromised; McLaren seems to have figured out how to make them as good as their coupe siblings.

The Spider has the same twin-turbo V8 as the coupe, as well as the same carbon fiber MonoCell II chassis. Take the top down (15 seconds), and you add a whole host of sounds and sensations that are unique to the Spider. Performance is on par with the 570S coupe (within a 10th of a second to 60 mph and 124 mph).

2021 McLaren 570GT

Base price: US$203,950
Engine: 3.8L M838TE twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 562 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 443 lb-ft @ 5,000-6,000 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.4 sec
0-124 mph: 9.8 sec
Top Speed: 204mph

Practical, Fast, Luxurious. The McLaren 570GT is an intriguing model to consider now that the company has launched a focused GT model. It adds extra comfort and practicality to the 570 body style. Performance is still tremendous, but it takes the edge off in some ways (which is good).

Every bit a McLaren, this car is optimized for the road, turning the ultimate sports car experience into one that’s perfect for daily use, longer journeys, and weekends away. It has a practical, real glass hatch for extra storage, and its panoramic glass roof makes the car feel airy and spacious.

2021 McLaren 600LT

Base price: US$242,500
Engine: M838TE 3.8L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 592 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 457 lb-ft @ 5,500–6,500rpm
0-60 mph: 2.9 sec
0-124 mph: 8.2 sec
Top Speed: 204 mph

The limited-edition McLaren 600LT is the ultimate version of McLaren’s 570S/GT range (think of it like the 458 Speciale as to the 458). It uses a variation of 570S’ McLaren’s twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8, in this guise making 592 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque.

It has a dual-clutch automatic transmission and is rear-wheel drive. The handling is perfectly balanced and reassures you with its predictable nature, making the ride a little firm due to its track-nature approach.

Standard carbon-ceramic brake discs, extensive carbon fiber, and that massive wing let you know this is a limited edition car designed for the track. It’s as capable of eye-watering performance it is deserving of the LT name.

2021 McLaren 600LT Spider

Base price: US$256,500
Engine: M838TE 3.8L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 592 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 457 lb-ft @ 5,500–6,500rpm
0-60 mph: 2.9 sec
0-124 mph: 8.4 sec
Top Speed: 201 mph (196 mph with top down)

Like the 600LT coupe, a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 with 592 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque shoots the McLaren 600LT Spider to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. Getting to 124 mph takes just an extra two-tenths of a second compared to the hardtop. You step on the throttle, wait for a tinge of turbo lag, then boom, the ferocious revving and blistering straight-line speed hit you. Rinse and repeat.

Unlike most convertibles, this Spider will also handle in the corners. It is easily my favorite car on the market today. There is no shortfall versus the coupe; this is an epic car that loses nothing to its sibling. This is what a supercar is meant to be: an enchanting machine.

2021 McLaren 620R

Base price: US$300,000
Engine: 3.8 L M838TE twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 612 bhp @ 7,250 rpm
Torque: 457 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 2.9 sec
0-124 mph: 8.1 sec
Top Speed: 200 mph

The car is basically a 570S GT4 race car for the road. It’s a limited-run coupe that McLaren will build only 350 of. The McLaren 620R is the most powerful of the Sports Series range.

That engine makes a monstrous 612 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. The car also gets the 570S GT4’s suspension, braking parts, and many of the different adjustable aerodynamic components. The price of this speedy car is a whopping £329,000 in the UK, including taxes.

2021 McLaren GT

Base price: US$210,000
Engine: 4.0 L M840TE twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 612 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 465 lb-ft @ 5,500-6,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.1sec
0-124 mph: 9.0 sec
Top Speed: 203 mph

This car offers luxury and refinement, the McLaren Way. The McLaren GT—which stands for ‘Grand Tourer’—is the British automaker’s first attempt at something other than the raw, unadulterated performance conduits they’ve been known for producing in the past.

The car retains the ubiquitous mid-engine layout seen throughout the rest of the McLaren lineup. It is based on the same exceptional platform used on the 570S—namely, its Monocell II-T carbon-fiber chassis. Despite this, McLaren has gone to great lengths to ensure that the GT also creates its own unique identity, with two-thirds of components used on this model also being exclusive to it.

Unconventional for a McLaren and for a mid-engined car respectively, are its particularly luxurious interior and over 20 cubic ft. of storage space. Despite its supposed layout handicap, the McLaren GT is not outdone here by the likes of Aston Martin, offering plenty of room for bags, skis, and a week’s worth of luggage. The new infotainment system also helps to facilitate a comfortable cross-country cruising experience.

2021 McLaren 720S

Base price: US$300,000
Engine: 4.0 L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 710 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 568 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 2.9 sec
0-124 mph: 7.8 sec
Top Speed: 212 mph

The McLaren 720S is a sensational supercar, easily the best of the current breed. It has a twin-turbocharged 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 that produces 710 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. It looks gorgeous too.

The 720S has advanced suspension that does a remarkable job of smoothing out imperfections while being sporty and keeping the car flat when pressing on. It boasts unrivaled chassis tuning, absurd amounts of speed, unparalleled acceleration numbers, and a package that looks stunning. This is simply the best supercar for sale today and the sweet spot in McLaren’s current model range.

2021 McLaren 720S Spider

Base price: US$315,000
Engine: 4.0 L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 710 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 568 lb-ft @ 6,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 2.9 sec
0-124 mph: 7.9 sec
Top Speed: 212 mph (202 mph with top down)

The latest iteration of the current 720S—monikered “Spider”—is a convertible variant of the 720S, which comes with a folding hardtop. The McLaren 720S Spider retains the same DNA as the Coupe, utilizing a modified version of its carbon-fiber tub chassis to accommodate the folding roof and its mechanism.

Thanks to its brilliant aerodynamic design, the Spider still achieves a remarkable top speed of 202 mph with the top folded. McLaren does a lot of things better than anyone else, and producing convertible variants that are as good as its coupe counterparts is no exception.

2021 McLaren 765LT

Base price: US$368,000
Engine: 4.0 L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 755 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 2.8 sec
0-124 mph: 7.2 sec
Top Speed: 205 mph

The McLaren 765LT replaces the 675LT as the newest limited-production track car in McLaren’s Super Series range. As with previous LT models, weight-saving is the key focus for the 765LT, losing 160+ lbs compared to the 720S.

For the ﬁrst time, McLaren has also adjusted some of the 765LT’s inner workings. Horsepower from the 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine has been upped from 710 hp to 755 hp, and torque is rated at 590 lb-ft—an increase of 22 lb-ft.

2021 McLaren Senna

Base price: US$960,000
Engine: 4.0 L M840TR twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 789 bhp @ 7,250 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 2.8 sec
0-124 mph: 6.8 sec
Top Speed: 211 mph

Named after Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna, the McLaren Senna is a track-focused hypercar. Its aggressive appearance tells you immediately that this thing is designed to destroy lap times.

The McLaren Senna is the fastest McLaren road car ever around a racetrack, with downforce numbers up there with proper race cars. It is an intensely involving and immersive experience.

With a dry weight of 2,600 pounds, it delivers the fastest lap times of any road-legal McLaren to date. There is also a track-only version of the Senna, known as the Senna GTR.

2021 McLaren Senna GTR

Base price: US$1,800,000
Engine: 4.0 L M840TR twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 813 bhp @ 7,250 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft @ 5,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 2.8 sec
0-124 mph: 6.8 sec
Top Speed: 211 mph

A More Hardcore Senna. Adding some track-focused updates to the McLaren Senna hypercar gets you the McLaren Senna GTR. Freed from all road and motorsport rules, it pushes things to the max.

Pared-back, pumped-up, then unleashed for track use only—it is, simply put, ferocious. We’re talking 1,000 kg of downforce and a power-to-weight ratio of 684 horsepower per tonne. This is a serious car for the serious racer (or a seriously rich person who wants to be a racer).

This isn’t a road car, folks, so don’t even think about it if you are looking to burn a few million dollars on something you can drive to your local cars and coffee meets.

2021 McLaren Elva

Base price: US$1,900,000
Engine:4.0 L M840TR twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 804 bhp
Torque: 590 lb-ft
0-60 mph: < 3 sec
0-124 mph: 6.7 sec
Top Speed: TBD

The McLaren Elva is a completely roofless and windscreen-less Speedster. McLaren will fit a permanently fixed windscreen where legislation (or the customer) requires it, but all other cars will be built without a windscreen for a true open cockpit feeling.

The Elva shares the Senna GTR’s 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8, with the addition of a new exhaust system for the proper auditory experience. All told, the engine makes 804 hp, which is up from the Senna GTR’s 789 hp. The car also gets a cross-linked hydraulic suspension system, carbon-ceramic brakes with titanium calipers, and a feather-light curb weight.

McLaren hasn’t yet specified what the Elva tips the scales at, but the company claims it will be the lightest McLaren road car in the lineup. The McLaren factory will build just 399 examples of the Elva.

Mercedes

2021 Mercedes-AMG C 63

Base price: $68,100
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 469 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque: 479 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.9 s
Top Speed:155 mph (limited)

Upgrading the 2020 Mercedes-AMG C 63, this year’s model offers a handcrafted biturbo V8 and paddle-shifted multi-clutch 9-speed to put 469 hp in your hands.

Adaptive AMG Ride Control and a limited-slip diff make it quick on its feet, and it has an exquisitely detailed cabin. It’s available in coupe, sedan, and cabriolet body styles.

2021 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S

Base price: $75,700
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 503 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque: 516 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.8 s
Top Speed: 155 mph (limited)

A handcrafted biturbo V8 unleashes 503 hp and class-leading torque. Aggressive style envelops advanced new technologies. And from the cabin, innovation and inspiration lead to invigoration in every curve and on every surface. The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S is available in coupe, sedan, and cabriolet body styles.

2021 Mercedes-AMG E 63 S

Base price: $107,350
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 603 hp @ 5,750 rpm
Torque: 627 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.3 s
Top Speed: 196 mph

With a handcrafted 603 hp and variable-torque AMG Performance 4MATIC+, the E 63 S Sedan is one of the quickest Mercedes-AMG models yet. It’s also one of the most rewarding and luxurious sedans ever to take track tech to the road.

2021 Mercedes-AMG E 63 S Wagon

Base price: $111,750
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 603 hp @ 5,750 rpm
Torque: 627 lb-ft @ 2,500 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.3 s
Top Speed: 180 mph

Sending 603 handcrafted horsepower deftly to the pavement via variable-torque AMG Performance 4MATIC+, the E 63 S Wagon outperforms any other wagon on the road. Is it a spacious supercar or a fast family car? Only one way to find out: open it up.

2021 Mercedes-AMG S 63

Base price: $151,600
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 603 hp @ 5,750 rpm
Torque: 664 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.5 s
Top Speed: 190 mph

With 603 handcrafted horsepower and torque-vectoring AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, the AMG S 63 might be the most self-assured sedan on the road. Its innovations and appointments make it one of the most reassuring, too. However, it is going to be replaced by a newer model soon. Available in coupe, sedan, and cabriolet body styles.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63

Base price: $140,600
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 577 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.3 s

It has twice the doors and twice the seats of any AMG GT before it. Yet it builds on every dominant trait: Brilliant handling. Exquisite appointments. Seductive style. And a handcrafted biturbo V8 sending 577 hp to its four wheels.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S

Base price: $161,900
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 630 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque: 664 lb-ft @ 2,750 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.1 s

The S version of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 offers all of the same advantages, but with an extra kick in the power department. Its biturbo V8 sends a whopping 630 hp to its four wheels.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT / GT Roadster

Base price: $115,900
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 469 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: 465 lb-ft @ 1,900 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.9 s

Developed from the racetrack up to be a pure sports car, the AMG GT’s 469-hp dry-sump biturbo V8 and rear transaxle help create an ideal balance of reduced weight, control, confidence, and composure.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT C / GT C Roadster

Base price: $150,900
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 550 hp @ 5,750 rpm
Torque: 502 lb-ft @ 2,100 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.6 s

The coupe version of the AMG GT adds extra power with a 550-hp dry-sump biturbo V8 engine and rear transaxle. Drivers still get all the performance and control the convertible version offers, creating an unparalleled experience.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT R / GT R Roadster

Base price: $162,900
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 577 hp @ 6,250 rpm
Torque: 516 lb-ft @ 2,100 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.5 s

The 577-hp AMG GT R condenses half a century of motorsports success into a single Nürburgring lap. Lightened, sharpened, and strengthened, its racing DNA is evident in every fiber of its body, chassis, and soul.

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

Base price: $325,000
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 720 hp @ 6,700 rpm
Torque: 590 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
0-60 mph: 3.1 s

The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series marks the return of an iconic name to the world of super sports cars. It’s as unorthodox as it is untamed. This car has emerged from uncompromising engineering paired with unprecedented performance—especially on the race track.

October 12, 2021 / Comments Off

723

For Sale: 1956 Austin Healey 100M Le Mans – Formerly Owned By Augie Pabst

An Opportunity To Purchase Your Own Piece Of Motorsports History

Introduction

In our line of work here at supercars.net, we have the privilege of interacting with some of the automotive world’s most interesting individuals and groups (and with that, some amazing cars along the way as well). One such person is our good friend Hugh, owner of Old Stone Garage – a licensed independent dealer located in Palm Beach, Florida in the United States. Hugh specializes in sales and acquisitions of classic/collectible automobiles, and has helped clients around the world build some very notable car collections.

Recently, Old Stone Garage was able to add a very special car to its own collection – a 1956 Austin Healey 100M Le Mans – and yes, it’s up for sale! Hugh was so excited about it, that he contacted us to see if we would like to do a feature on this iconic car and share it with our international audience. We love what we do here, and when we’re given the opportunity to tell the story of a Motorsports Hall of Famer’s personal car, we can’t help but be obliged.

The Augie Pabst Story

Motorsports Career

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Mr. Augie Pabst was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame America (MSHFA) in 2011. While Pabst’s racing career didn’t span over as long a period as some of his contemporaries, the impact he left on those involved with the sport was ultimately deserving of this honor.

He first began competing during the mid-1950s ; a period when road racing was at the pinnacle of competitive sports in the United States. Pabst also owned a Triumph dealership at this time, and this is said to be the catalyst for kick-starting his career as a race car driver. He started racing a Triumph TR-3 in 1956, then made the transition to an A.C. Bristol the following season.

Before long, Pabst would be piloting a Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa he purchased for $5,000 using his own money. Powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine specially built by Ferrari for Le Mans racing, Pabst was able to compete successfully against Porsches, Maseratis and other Ferraris at renown tracks such as his home turf at Road America. He would go on to win the 1959 USAC Road Racing Championship while driving the Testa Rossa, as well as a Scarab MK II.

More legendary Ferrari cars would be raced by Pabst throughout his career, where he would drive at the 1960 24H of Le Mans in a V12-powered Ferrari 250 GT SWB and then again in 1963, where he co-drove a Ferrari 250 GTO (with Roger Penske) and achieved a GT-class win at Sebring.

After Racing

After just a 10-year stint in racing, Pabst would call it quits on his illustrious motorsports career. Despite it being a relatively short one, he looks back on it with a real sense of fondness and always remarks about how fortunate he was to be surrounded by the greatest people in the industry.

Pabst was offered a job at the family-owned business, Pabst Breweries – named after his grandfather – where he would work his way up to an executive role before the company was sold. Part of the condition of his employment at Pabst Breweries was that he would have to quit racing for good, and also sell the car dealership he had continued to operate while he competed. As such, there were not even any part-time motorsports opportunities for Pabst, though he did not seem to mind.

After moving into the role of running Pabst Farms for a while, he would officially retire. More recently, Pabst rekindled his involvement with motorsports by serving on the Board of Directors at Road America – Wisconsin’s internationally renown road racing track – where he retains emeritus status.

Other Highlights & Colorful Moments

Pabst Blue Ribbon had been around long before Pabst started his racing career, so his association with the business was well known in the industry. However, he would eventually pilot a Scarab race car owned by Harry Heuer. This particular car was sponsored by Meister Brau – a brand under the Peter Hand Brewing group of companies, which by all accounts, was one of Pabst Breweries’ biggest rivals. He would race under the Meister Brau banner for two years, before the controversy proved too much for the partnership to continue.
As a successful Ferrari race car driver, Pabst was able to get an audience with Enzo Ferrari in 1964. During their meeting, Mr. Ferrari (through a translator) asked Pabst and co-driver Walt Hansgen if they could win the upcoming Road America 500 using a brand new Ferrari 250 LM. They reckoned this should be very possible, so John Mecom Jr. bought the car for them and had it shipped to Wisconsin. Pabst and Hansgen would go on to win the 1964 Road America 500 in the Ferrari 250 LM.
Pabst’s most famous incident away from the race track would occur in 1961, when he drove a Ford Falcon rental car into a hotel swimming pool in Monterey, California as part of a dare with Cunningham team manager Alfred Momo. Witnesses recount the event with some slight variances from person to person, but everyone agreed that Pabst certainly held his end of the bargain and was fully entitled to the wager!

1956 Austin Healey 100

Model Summary

The Austin Healey 100 was an open 2-seater sports car produced in England from 1953 to 1956. The brainchild of Donald Healey, the 100 was originally produced in-house in a relatively small Warwick factory owned by his company, Healey motorcars. Healey used a variety of low-cost parts and components to build the car, many of which were produced by Austin.

When Healey presented a developmental version of the car (called the Healey Hundred) at the 1952 London Motor Show, the design had impressed Leonard Lord – an Austin Motor Company bigwig – so much that he was convinced that it should become the successor to Austin’s rather underwhelming A90 model.

Thus, a partnership was forged and through it, the creation of the Austin Healey 100. Assembly would be moved to Austin’s much larger factory located in Longbridge, with the body and chassis of the car provided by coachworks company Jensen Motors in West Bromwich.

The 100 was given its name due to the fact that it was able to reach 100 mph. This was before many motor companies – including Austin Healey with successive models – began to commonly derive their model nomenclature using engine displacement instead. Earlier models (1953-1955) are designated as BN1-series cars, while those produced from 1955-1956 (known as BN2) were refreshed with improvements which included a 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive. Other upgrades available for the BN2 included an ‘M’ kit which improved engine performance. These parts were available as part of the Le Mans package and could be ordered and installed on any Healey 100.

In total, 14,634 Austin Healey 100 examples were produced over its 3-year production run which concluded in July 1956. Of these, 4,604 are BN2-series cars.

100M ‘Le Mans’

Following the release of the competition-spec 100S variant, Austin Healey would produce an upgraded version of their road-going model known as the 100M, with the privateer racer as its target customer. This upgrade package (known as the Le Mans package) mainly consisted of engine modifications which raised power from 90 bhp to 110 bhp, even exceeding the performance of 6-cylinder models the company would go on to produce.

To achieve this modest power increase, a high-lift camshaft was fitted, along with larger carburetors, higher-compression pistons, a free-flow intake manifold, a special distributor and a cold air box. Other upgrades included larger anti-roll bars, while the louvered bonnet was retained by a Le Mans-spec leather strap. Available for the first time was an optional two-tone package which paired White-Black, Reno Red-Black, Healey Blue-White, Black-Reno Red and Florida Green-White.

Only 640 examples of the factory-built 100M were produced and of these, 544 were shipped to the United States. These are distinct from 100 models which had the Le Mans package added to them after-the-fact (usually through the dealer) – such cars do not contribute towards this total.

What a 100M Le Mans Typically Trades For Today

After scouring the online classifieds sections at some of the more renown auction/consignment establishments, values appear to vary quite substantially. Some examples are asking well under US$100,000, while just as many crest over the US$200,000 mark. Both median and mean asking prices appear to be hovering around the mid-high $100k mark.

We’re the first to admit that we’re no experts when it comes to appraising classic cars, so we refer to Hugh of Old Stone Garage for his expertise and insight:

“When looking into values, they appear all over the place. This is because you had dealers in the period install the 100M Le Mans kit (or individual upgrades) on regular 100 models, and these sell for half the price of a real 1 of 640 factory example. They range from $160k-$240k depending on condition.”

Naturally, factory-built 100M examples are considered much more desirable and command at the higher range of prices as outlined above by Hugh. Fully and properly restored factory-built examples like this 1956 Austin Healey 100M ‘Le Mans’ fall within that category.

The lower priced “100M” examples you may come across, are most likely to be (the much less sought after) dealer-installed versions. As mentioned earlier, dealer-installed versions are not part of the count which determined that only 640 units of Le Mans versions were ever built from the factory. Furthermore, those with asking prices at the very bottom of the curve tend to be afflicted by sub-par restoration jobs or are in a generally poor state.

Unique Character of the “Augie Pabst” 100M

Factory-built 100M ‘Le Mans’

As mentioned earlier, the factory-built Austin Healey 100M ‘Le Mans’ models are the most rare of any of the 100 models. The “Augie Pabst” 100M is indeed a factory-built example, being just 1 of 640 ever built (and only 1 of the 544 that made it to US shores). This in itself makes it a very unique automobile, even if you put aside the fact that it was once owned by Pabst himself.

A Real Connection to Augie Pabst

Pabst never raced this 100M (even though it comes with a racing harness), as it served him as his personal car during the time he owned it; unfortunately, there won’t be any photos of him bombing it around Road America! However, there is documentation – which will be provided to the new owner – confirming that he owned this particular example. The car has been serviced throughout its lifetime by Tom Kovacs of Fourintune – an Austin Healey specialist located in Cedarburg, Wisconsin – who is familiar with the car and confirms that it was serviced at Fourintune a number of times while it was owned by Pabst.

The Restoration Story

This Austin Healey 100M was acquired by its current owner on the Father’s Day weekend of 2016. He happened upon it at a classic car auction which was running concurrently with a vintage Alfa Romeo racing event he was participating in. Remembering the car vividly from his high school days, he was immediately drawn to it and would soon discover that it was owned by Augie Pabst.

The car’s more recent history would reveal that it was owned, at the time, by Robert Pass of Passport Transport, who had successfully completed the inaugural edition of the Colorado Grand in 1989 while driving this 100M (plus the following year’s event as well). The moment arrived for the 100M to go up on the block, and before long, the current owner won the right to purchase the car from Pass.

While the car showed well as-is, he felt that it was overdue for a restoration. So in the fall of 2016, the 100M was sent back to Tom Kovacs and his team at Fourintune to undertake this project. The current owner opted for the car to be presented in a bolder “motorsports” theme, which most notably adds rally lights and the removal of the original chrome front bumper (which also lends itself to the car’s distinctive “stealth” appearance).

On the performance side of things, larger brakes were fitted along with a dual-electric fuel pump system to ensure that the car would be ready for the demands of vintage driving events, and for a general improvement in reliability and safety. All of these changes are 100% reversible back to factory-spec, as was required in order to obtain a FIVA ‘passport’ – which has already been done (more on that later).

When it came time for the paint job, the current owner and Fourintune were initially perplexed on how they should proceed. That’s because the original build sheet for this 100M indicated that the car was “Black with Reno Red trim” from the factory. Kovacs advised that this most likely meant that the original car wore a black exterior over a red interior (including the trunk trim).

What was casting some doubt over this, was the fact that in the condition it was purchased, the car also had the lower flanks painted in red. We reckon that car liveries were often modified during the era to fit in with the popular looks of the time, and that this might’ve been the case with this example.

Mystery Solved

Wanting to stay true to the original state of the car for this aspect of the restoration, the current owner decided to do some digging. Being a friend of the Pabst family was certainly a good head start, so he contacted Augie Pabst III (Pabst’s son) to see if he could provide any insight. Unfortunately, Pabst himself was not able to recall the details personally, so Pabst III tried to find some color photos that could be used as a reference, but to no avail.

The current owner would eventually find his answer after running into his friend, Bill Wuesthoff, who also happens to be Augie’s former racing teammate and close friend. Over casual chit chat, the pair would eventually discuss the current owner’s Austin Healey restoration project. Upon being told that the car once belonged to Pabst, Wuesthoff distinctly remembered this particular 100M and shared his own experience with it; one he retells with a great fondness.

Wuesthoff really wanted to impress his future wife-to-be for what was at the time, their first date. He felt he needed something special – something along the lines of a beautiful sports car – to pull this off with aplomb. So he borrowed Pabst’s Austin Healey 100M; and the rest as they say, is history. To the current owner’s delight, even the finest details of this once-in-a-lifetime event were so vividly recalled by Wuesthoff. “Jet black with a gorgeous red interior” he declared without hesitation. Off to the paint booth it went.

Instant Success

As the photos accurately depict, the car was thus restored in a beautiful black exterior finish with a deep-red leather interior, which really pops. The current owner also decided to paint the wheels gloss black, to further accentuate the car’s stealthy motorsports-derived silhouette. It is quite simply, a stunning work of art. This sentiment is shared with vintage car experts too, having received distinctions beginning at the very first show it attended.

This would be a class-win at the 2018 “Gather on the Green” Concours d’Elegance event, which took place on the back lawn of the Osthoff resort. The trophy was presented by former rally and formula one race car driver, ‘Quick Vic’ Elford. In 2019, the current owner returned to Road America and had the 100M shown at the Vintage Concours d’Elegance taking place at nearby Elkhart Lake. The car would secure another win in its class, and also advanced to the “Peoples Choice and Best in Class” awards the following day where it won Best of Show!

Proliferation of Classic Car Ownership

Why You Should Consider a Classic Car (Like This 1956 Austin Healey 100M) As Your Next Purchase

The typical modern supercar and hypercar owner these days faces a conundrum; driving their 6-figure-valued (sometimes, even 7-figure) cars on the city streets often yields very little enjoyment in relation to what was spent to acquire the car. There’s no doubt that newer automobiles such as these do offer a redeemable level of “bang-for-buck” when it comes to the outstanding performance these advanced machines have on tap, but therein also lies the problem. Collectors are a bit of a different story, but the principle still applies.

It doesn’t take long before some of these owners start wondering why they’ve tied up all those funds to drive a car at 5% of its performance potential, 99% of the time. Cars like this are invariably pigeon-holed by road laws and infrastructure that has remained static for many decades, originally made to cater to the available technology at the time when they were first introduced or built. While limits can be explored on race tracks, most (if not, too many) owners opt not to; or at best, they are content with a few parade laps around a local raceway once every so often. This is usually done with the intention to preserve resale values and minimize additional costs, which nevertheless makes things difficult to justify.

There may be a shift in thinking that is starting to gain momentum, however. It has been noted that a growing demographic of younger car enthusiasts are picking up classic cars to enjoy, drive and exhibit. In the recent past, younger buyers with the means would almost always gloss over opportunities to purchase anything that wasn’t the latest and most flashy Lamborghini or Ferrari. Now, the nuance, appeal, benefits and advantages of classic car ownership are starting to catch the eye of this demographic for the aforementioned reasons – and also because cars like this 1956 Austin Healey 100M exist.

Particularly with the relatively younger crowd – who have had little to no opportunity to enjoy cars of more vintage and simple technologies – this 100M would be a breath of fresh air and in many ways, an entirely new and eye-opening experience. Many classic cars of this ilk can be driven spiritedly and rewardingly, without having to be egregious with public road laws and speed limits. Free of the countless electronic aids needed to tether the typical 600+ hp modern sports car, this 1956 Austin Healey 100M offers one of the most pure driving experiences a car enthusiast could possibly have; dare we say it could be life-changing and forever transform one’s perspective (for the better).

Not a Garage Queen!

What we love about this Healey – aside from its storied history – is that it is ready for a new owner who will have no qualms driving it, as any car is meant to be. With a proven and documented history of being roadworthy, this properly built and cared-for 100M is as “turn-key” as it gets, with many more memorable and exciting miles lying ahead.

It has already obtained a FIVA ‘passport’, which also allows it to participate in the largest and most recognized historic car events around the globe. The sections below provide more detail on the benefits this 100M has as a FIVA-certified vehicle, and the process it had to go through to achieve this status.

This provides plenty of incentive for the new owner to take this 100M on some road trips and truly enjoy the car – as it has been by all of its previous owners, including Augie Pabst. This 100M has already successfully participated in events such as the Colorado Grand charity car tour.

Mille Miglia

As the Austin Healy 100 was raced in the original Mille Miglia endurance series – which took place between 1927 and 1957 in Italy – this 100M is also eligible for the famous 1000 Miglia event. This immersive experience is essentially a re-enactment of that race (known as the Red Arrow), which has been an annual tradition since 1977. It is not a competitive series, but rather a ‘regularity race’ reserved for classic and vintage cars produced no later than 1957. The route for the 1000 Miglia event is similar to that of the original race, which traverses through a variety of beautiful Italian landscapes as part of a round-trip between Brescia and Rome.

“The 2021 competition will follow the tradition of the route, from Brescia to Rome and back, with legs in Viareggio and Bologna, but this edition will introduce an absolute novelty for the re-enactment of the 1000 Miglia: for the first time ever, the competition will take place in the opposite direction of the recent editions, taking up the counter-clockwise direction of many editions of the original speed race. From Brescia, the crews will head towards the Tyrrhenian coast and stop in Viareggio, leaving the next day for Rome. The third leg will start there, go up north and end beyond the Apennines, in Bologna. The fourth and last leg, from Bologna, will take to the traditional arrival in Brescia. A new route will lead the crews to face, for the first time, three mountain passes: Passo della Cisa in the first leg and Passi di Futa e Raticosa in the third day of the race. A new feature that will satisfy many fans of the competition.” – from 1000 Miglia website

This year’s edition of the 1000 Miglia took place from June 16 to June 19, so you’ve just missed it; that provides plenty of time to plan for next year’s trip, however.

FIVA Card*

The FIVA Identity Card is an international vehicle ‘passport’ issued by the international federation of historic vehicles, FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens), that applies to mechanically driven vehicles built at least 30 years ago and are in a historically correct condition.

FIVA’s primary objective is to encourage the safe use of self-propelled, mechanical vehicles, more than thirty years old, on the roads for the benefit of both their owners, dedicated enthusiasts and the general public. To that end FIVA, through its Events’ Commission, has devised its own code for the safe promotion of rallies or mildly competitive events, and in concert with the European Commission, has recently published a Drivers’ Code for more general guidance of historic vehicle users, which can be downloaded from the link below.

Vehicles and issued FIVA-Card data are stored in a unique encrypted and well-protected database. Furthermore, each vehicle is allocated a FIVA Registration Number – FRN, generated from that vehicle’s individual parameters and unique to the vehicle for its lifetime.

Top events for which your vehicle requires a FIVA identity card before it can compete include Concorso d‘Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Mille Miglia and the Peking-to-Paris Motor Challenge.

For a full list of International FIVA-sanctioned events requiring an ID card, click here.

*from FIVA website

Certification Process*

A team of independent specialists, usually Concours judges who possess significant historical and technical skills, will be inspecting, documenting and confirming that the vehicle’s configuration, physical condition, chassis, engine and body serial numbers match the documentation provided. If there are modifications, the scrutineer will typically require proof that they can be easily reversible to original.

If the forms have been completed as required, the process should typically be completed in 30 minutes. The scrutineers will also examine and appreciate any relevant documentation that the vehicle owner has (photocopies are always greatly appreciated). It is an informal and friendly experience, unlike the nerve-wracking experience of Sunday morning on the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach.

June 24, 2021 / Comments Off

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2022 Ferrari 296 GTB Unveiled

Ferrari ‘F171’

Around one week ago, Ferrari had publicly announced that they would be unveiling a brand new model on June 24, 2021 via livestream on social media problems. Since then, Ferrari has been mostly coy about details regarding their “new revolutionary Prancing Horse sports car”, though they did provide a teaser video on Facebook a day before the official reveal. It provides the first real glimpses of the car – in its entirety – while it gets driven in the countryside by Scuderia Ferrari Ambassador and F1 Client Driver Coach, Marc Gené.

Most rumors were suggesting that it would be a twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid supercar, and prototype/mule car spy shots have been assigned with the codename ‘F171’. It was also suggested that this new Ferrari will slot in under the F8 Tributo, becoming the company’s latest ‘entry-level’ mid-engined supercar. This primed the car to become a number of different things, which included:

The possible revival of the Ferrari Dino. This is getting a lot of airtime amongst Ferrari’s most hardcore fans, who have been longing for the return of this legendary badge. Although the new car will be a hybrid, it is the first time since the Dino that Ferrari has used a V6 engine. Hmmmm!
Direct competition for the recently released McLaren Artura, which also interesting features a twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid drivetrain. As 6-cylinder platform, it is likely that Ferrari also has its sights aimed on other similarly-propelled models such as the Porsche 911 Turbo/Turbo S.
The second Ferrari hybrid car – after the SF90 Stradale hypercar – which is also capable of moving on the power of its electric motors alone (albeit for limited distances).

It’s June 24: Here’s What We Now Know For Sure

Official Name

Ferrari 296 GTB

Sorry, Dino romantics. It just wasn’t meant to be. The ‘296’ in the name represents the car’s 2.9L displacement via a 6-cylinder layout for the internal combustion component of its hybrid drivetrain. ‘GTB’ stands for ‘Gran Turismo Berlinetta’, a traditional Ferrari moniker reserved for some of its finest rear-mid-engine 2-seaters in the past, with the 296 GTB therefore a continuation of that lineage.

Where It’s Positioned In The Ferrari Roster

The Ferrari 296 GTB is not a replacement for any models formerly or currently in its product range, with Ferrari stating that it is “creating its own segment”. As we already knew, the 296 GTB is indeed billed as the new ‘entry-level’ mid-engined supercar and is being touted as the automaker’s latest ‘gateway’ to experiencing Ferrari’s race-bred DNA.

During the livestream unveiling, Ferrari went straight to the point, immediately comparing the rear-wheel driven 296 GTB to none other than the brand’s range-topping Ferrari SF90 hypercar. This is an apples-to-apples comparison after all, as the SF90 also has a hybrid powerplant and is only one of two such cars with the 296 GTB now part of the family.

Something along the lines of how the SF90 is for those who want to experience the “peak of performance”, while the 296 GTB gives drivers the opportunity to reach the “peak of emotion”. Basically a clever way of saying that it’s not as fast and not as expensive – but for most people, probably just as good. Plus you don’t have to be Sainz or Leclerc to fully enjoy it.

Ferrari reiterated this by going as far as saying that it believes it to be the “most fun car to drive in our product range”, both on track and on normal roads.

Their “Fun to Drive” philosophy has always been a key component of any Ferrari car, and the 296 GTB is further emboldened by it”. Three ingredients are required to make this happen per Ferrari. The first is ‘sound’ – the symphony provided by the engine. The Second is ‘perceived acceleration’ – not just 0-60 mph and 1/4 mile times, but also how the car transmits the sensation of speed to the driver. The third is ‘go-kart feeling’ – how well the car responds to driver input and its connection to the road.

The epitome of sportiness, performance, and driving thrills at their best. Best in-class performance. Absolute fun to drive. “The best way to explain it, is to drive it”, Ferrari states. Valid point.

And, there’s more!

Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano

Also available is a more hardcore version of the car known as the Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto Fiorano, which is named after the company’s iconic test circuit. Not many specifics were revealed about this version, but we were told that it will feature the extensive use of carbon fiber to further reduce the weight. In addition, it will be equipped with a race-derived suspension – for more extreme handling abilities – and racing harnesses. The Assetto Fiorano also gets its own special livery.

Specifications

Engine

2.9L twin-turbocharged V6 hybrid engine mounted in 120 degree “hot V” configuration
663 hp produced from petrol engine
830 hp combined total with electric motor
Almost zero ‘turbo lag’ and instant response from throttle
Most powerful drivetrain in its segment, producing 221 hp per liter – a new world record.
8-speed dual clutch transmission which is ‘fastest shifting’ in the market
Lightweight 7.45 kWh battery provides ~25 km of range when car is powered exclusively by electric motor
0-100 km/h: 2.9 seconds
0-200 km/h: 7.3 seconds

Chassis

New vehicle dynamic controls
Reduced weight as much as possible – achieves a 1.77 kg per hp ratio
Wheelbase is 50 mm shorter than the Ferrari F8 Tributo – less inertia and more agility
6 sensors to help control better the car – includes ABS ‘Evo’ system, which helps to reduce braking distance by almost 10%
Light, sleek and compact architecture

Design

Modern interpretation of classic Ferrari DNA
Rear: Kammtail design with jewel-like tail lights integrated with active rear spoiler. Centrally-positioned tailpipe.
Front: Air intakes integrated with modernized ‘tear-drop’ headlights. Suspended front splitter, similar to that of F1 cars.
More compact than any other Ferrari available right now because of its short-wheel base
Interior: Same design language as exterior – perfect marriage between sportiness and elegance. Ergonomics spot-on. Classic “canceletto” center console. Carbon-fiber bucket seats. Lots of carbon-fiber, metals and high quality leathers.

Pricing & Availability

We’re expecting the first examples of the Ferrari 296 GTB to be delivered in early 2022. No specific word on pricing yet, though it is expected to hover around the F8 Tributo’s base MSRP of US$277,000.

We will provide updates on pricing when more information is available, as well as an in-depth review of the car once journalists have a turn at it.

Image & Video Gallery

June 24, 2021 / Comments Off

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Lamborghini Gallardo Buyer’s Guide

Owning a Lamborghini is a dream of many, and with the number of cars leaving the factory doors in Sant’Agata over the last years, many seem to be able to fulfill this dream with relative ease, spending $250,000 and more on a brand new Raging Bull, spec’d to their taste sounds great, but it’s not possible for most enthusiasts.

All of the official, factory-authorized Lamborghini Clubs these days are ‘owners clubs’, you need to be the proud owner of a Lamborghini to be able to be a member, so how do you get in without spending $250,000 and more? Check out our Gallardo buyer’s guide …

At the time of writing a nice example of the early Lamborghini Gallardo will set you back around $100,000, which is still a lot of money, but it’s a lot less than a new Lamborghini, and you still get one of the ‘modern’ cars from Sant’Agata. Sure there are cheaper Lamborghini to be found, but we want to focus on a car you can get in and drive away, not a project car with lots of work to be done before you can enjoy it.

You might think an old Lamborghini Urraco is a bargain, but think again, this was the first V8 Lamborghini made back in the Seventies, only 520 were ever built (of the P250), and they are getting rare today, especially a good, preferably restored one, so expect prices well over $100,000 to add an Urraco on your driveway, and this is a classic supercar, with all the classic car gremlins that come with it … expect to be stranded on the side of the road with a 50-year-old car, that’s part of the charm.

So why not the next V8 from Lamborghini, the Jalpa from the Eighties (let’s not consider the beautiful Silhouette here, it’s way too rare with only 52 ever made, and a lot less that still exist) … those are found for about $60,000 and more. Only 410 were built between 1981 and 1988, and while I love the removable roof panel to offer open-top driving, it’s still a classic Lamborghini, and it comes with the same classic car troubles … if you’re into that, great, but let’s consider having a modern era Lamborghini … which leads us to the Gallardo, Lamborghini’s first V10 production model.

The Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0 was launched in 2003 at the Geneva Motor Show, and it joined the Murciélago flagship as an ‘entry level’ Lamborghini, sales quickly picked up, and by the time the Huracán took over in 2014, a total of 14,022 Gallardo were built in an overwhelming amount of versions and special editions, but if you are looking for a bargain, you’ll end up with the original 5.0 version.

If you look for a budget Lamborghini Gallardo online, you’ll end up with prices starting at €65,000 in Europe and from $80,000 up in the USA, those are usually the early cars, 2004 and younger, some even with the semi-automatic E-Gear transmission, but remember, the Gallardo was built in an era where a manual gearbox was still offered by Lamborghini, so you might prefer the latter.

Remember, the Gallardo does not have the upward-opening doors you might love on a Lamborghini, that feature is still reserved for the V12 flagship models, but there are a lot of aftermarket companies that can transform the hinges on the Gallardo … just be careful when looking at a modified Lamborghini Gallardo, because so many were built, and prices have dropped to a level many can afford, a lot of these early V10 Lamborghini have been modified, some with good taste, some not so much … and sadly many have been driven very aggressively too, to the point of abuse … remember these early Gallardo are 15 years old or more by now, wear and tear is setting in.

So you will probably be looking at a Gallardo built between 2003 and 2008, that will be either a coupe or a spyder, if you can stretch a little over $100,000 you can find the LP560-4 evolution on the market, overall a further-developed engine and with different looks, but it demands up to a 25% premium over the earlier cars, the best of the first years of production in the Gallardo series are the MY2006 and younger ones.

The Gallardo 5.0 Coupe and Spyder

As already mentioned, Lamborghini built a lot of versions of their V10 Gallardo, and that already starts with the 5.0 coupe launched in 2003, followed by the Spyder version in late 2005 … strangely enough a manual coupe might be harder to find than an E-Gear Spyder at the time of writing. But there was another version launched in the Summer of 2005, the Gallardo SE, for Special Edition, and it came with a rearview camera mounted on the rear wing, and new wheels.

The original Lamborghini Gallardo 5.0 was launched with silver Cassiopeia wheels, for the Spyder version Lamborghini kept to more intricate Callisto wheels from the Gallardo SE.

The Gallardo SE

Only 250 units of the Gallardo SE were ever built, most of them with full-option order sheets, the SE came with the new ‘Callisto’ wheels, had the otherwise optional glass engine cover as standard, but most importantly the SE got the upgraded 520hp engine before Lamborghini would fit it to the MY2006 Gallardo to replace the 500hp version of the initial release.

The Gallardo Nera

In 2006 Lamborghini made a second, limited edition Gallardo, the Nera, this time only 185 units would be made, all finished in glossy black with some parts in matt black, on the inside a combination of white and black leather … and Q-Citura stitching, which would become an option of the ‘normal’ Gallardo models.

The Gallardo Superleggera

Launched in 2007, just before the LP560-4 edition, the lightweight Gallardo Superleggera is probably the most sought after model of the early series, it came with even more horsepower (523hp) and lost 100kg in the process of creating the Superleggera, it even came with lightweight seats covered in Alcantara, and this version introduced the stunning ‘Scorpius’ wheels.

Don’t get tempted by any of the ‘specials’ in the Gallardo range if you’re on a budget, especially the Superleggera will demand a serious premium over all other versions, you’ll be way over the price of an LP560-4 model, and don’t even think about the later LP570-4 Superleggera or LP570-4 Performante … you’re in second hand Huracán pricing at that point.

The Gallardo LP560-4 Coupe and Spyder

If you can spend the extra money, try to get a low mile 2008 or younger Gallardo LP560-4 edition, this model comes with 552 hp and benefitted from ongoing improvements over the earlier cars, even the Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder can be found for $110,000 today, so it’s within reach, just make sure to find the right one.

The Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera and Super Trofeo Stradale

If your budget is high enough, you’ll be able to shop for one of these top-of-the-line Gallardo models, either the Superleggera or the limited edition Super Trofeo Stradale, both in LP570-4 version with the most powerful V10 engine of that time from Lamborghini.

And if you really have a very healthy budget you could opt for the Gallardo Performante, which is none other than the Spyder version of the LP570-4 Superleggera.

How to find the right Gallardo for you

1. Mileage:

This is where things get tricky, what is ‘the right car’ for you? It might be the cheapest one, or the best-value-for-money one, or perhaps the lowest mileage one … personally, I would look for a Gallardo that has some miles, not a garage queen with next to no miles, you are bound to run into expensive repairs with a car that has been sitting for too long.

If you are really on a tight budget, you’ll probably end up with a high-mileage one, which might not be a problem, but you’ll have to expect some repair bills to come up very shortly due to the normal wear over time.

If shopping for a pre-2006 model Gallardo I would try to get one between 20,000 and 30,000 miles on the clock, this means the car was driven, but not excessively, and if you can verify it hasn’t had 10 or more owners, it has probably received the necessary maintenance too, which is extremely important on any Lamborghini.

A Gallardo between 2006 and 2008, with the 520 hp engine, I would even go as low as 15,000 miles, that’s a little over 1,000 miles per year, but it’s still a car that’s been enjoyed then, and hopefully not abused.

Once you’re into the LP560-4 model you really should try to find one with less than 15,000 miles, many of these Gallardo are still relatively new, so a low mileage one in the right spec should be relatively easy to locate, but as already mentioned, expect at least a 25% premium over the earlier cars.

2. Color:

It might come as a surprise, but not every Lamborghini Gallardo has left the factory doors in a bright, flashy color, if you are looking for a great deal, you might end up with a rather bland-looking car, if you could ever call a Gallardo bland.

But you’ll have to admit a silver metallic Gallardo doesn’t have the same animal-like attraction as a bright green metallic Verde Ithaca one. Which happens to be the most sought-after color, the pearl metallic green. But most Gallardo left Sant’Agata in orange, yellow, and white, some came in a very nice metallic blue, but that wasn’t a popular color … strangely back in those days black wasn’t ordered a lot either.

Just be careful with a wrap, try to avoid a Gallardo that’s still wearing a vinyl wrap, you never know how good, or bad the original paint underneath is. It wouldn’t be the first time you rip away a badly executed paint job when trying to remove a wrap, also a wrap can hide scratches and nicks on the paint underneath … just avoid it while shopping.

3. Manual or automatic:

While the optional E-Gear sounds like a great deal on the second-hand market, make no mistake, it is very expensive to repair if it fails, expect an invoice for $10,000 or more … and a failing E-Gear transmission is a total stop usually, rendering your new Gallardo useless.

While a manual Gallardo might be more fun to drive, make sure to have a service center check the clutch life … they can show you just how much more the clutch can withstand before it needs replacing, which is rather expensive too. Try to get a MY2008 or younger manual gearbox Gallardo, the earlier ones were prone to going through a clutch every 10,000 miles or so.

4. Maintenance records:

It’s always best to find a big folder with maintenance records and invoices that come with the Gallardo you’re interested in, it shows how well the car was cared for by the previous owners … and yes, that’s plural. Most of the Lamborghini Gallardo you’ll find listed for sale today will have been through a lot of hands already … a one-owner, 2,000 miles 2008 Gallardo is a unicorn.

The problem with the Gallardo is that prices have gone down to levels that make it affordable to buy for a large group but being able to perform the correct, and required maintenance can become expensive quickly, so many owners will sell the car again when major maintenance has to be done … beware of those.

5. Get a look and feel before buying:

Especially the very early Lamborghini Gallardo came with a lot of plastic on the inside, and when using the wrong products to clean that, it gets infected with the ‘sticky button syndrome’ … this will mean the price will be lower, but make no mistake, if you want to replace those trim pieces or buttons, it gets expensive in a hurry.

Either get a PPI on a Gallardo you are interested in, or at least go see the car in real life, sit in it, and look at parts like the steering wheel, the pedals, feel the seat bolsters … a Gallardo showing a few thousand miles with a very glossy steering wheel, worn down pedals, seats that offer next to no side support anymore … it’s probably been tampered with, and has a lot more miles under her belt than what the odometer shows.

If you’re looking at a manual Gallardo, don’t worry too much about scratches on that nice ‘ball’ on top of the gear shifter … even looking at it crooked will leave a scratch, anybody with a ring on their fingers driving a manual Gallardo or Murciélago will know exactly what I’m saying here.

6. The options:

I know having lots of options from the factory sound interesting to most buyers, and sellers will point them out, but remember, some options are better avoided when buying a second-hand Gallardo.

The glass engine cover was a very interesting option on the early Gallardo models, it allowed a peek onto that amazing V10 engine, just make sure the glass isn’t scratched and it opens and closes with all the normal space around … just remember, it is glass, and it can crack.

Carbon ceramic brakes might sound great, and they offer better braking when warmed up first, but just think about the long run, it was a very expensive option to begin with, and replacing a set of these disks is still extremely expensive.

From the MY2006 Gallardo you could have a rearview camera system that was fitted on top of the rear wing, just keep in mind the navigation system was still a separate option to this, so you might want to look out for that on your decision making, most of the 2006 navigation systems are completely outdated anyway … and there is still your mobile phone right?

After 2005 the Gallardo could come with a front lift system, and this is a good thing to avoid scratching the front bumper, but it’s also rather expensive to replace faulty shocks in this case.

7. Look out for these ‘hidden’ issues:

The Lamborghini Gallardo comes with an aluminum body, which is nice and light, but not every bodyshop will be able to repair dents and dings on it, make sure you check the entire body while shopping for your Gallardo.

If the front bumper on a 15-year-old Gallardo looks spotless, chances are it has been repainted, and this could be an issue on those amazing, pearl metallic shades Lamborghini offers, check for color mismatching, preferably in direct sunlight, and also open the hood and doors to check for overspray.

You will probably find a lot of the early Gallardo that have been retrofitted with the newer LP560-4 front bumper … and while that might be because one of the previous owners liked the new styling better … or this car was involved in an accident. Getting a third-party look-alike LP560-4 bumper is cheaper than an OEM original one, keep that in mind.

The Gallardo Superleggera came with an Alcantara interior, including the steering wheel, and many regular Gallardo had an Alcantara steering wheel fitted too, this looks amazing when new, but a well-used car will start to show a shiny steering wheel, better to go for a leather-wrapped one.

Double-check the tires, both for wear, but also cracks … as already mentioned, many buyers of these Lamborghini Gallardo don’t bother with maintenance or putting a new set of rubber on their car before they sell it again … remember there is a date code on tires too, with the size a Gallardo runs, these can get expensive for a set of four, make sure to calculate that into your offer.

Try to check the underside of the car before buying, especially the front bumper on a low-riding car like the Lamborghini Gallardo, it easily scrapes, so make sure there aren’t any really deep marks on it, that could mean more damage than meets the eye. Also, try to get the car onto a lift and remove the cover underneath the engine to check for leaks … a lot of fluids can drip onto that plate from the massive V10 before you’ll see anything on the floor.

8. Wheels:

I rather like putting custom wheels on my cars, but in the case of a Lamborghini Gallardo, I would stay away from those that come with non-factory wheels. Keep in mind most of these V10’s are all-wheel drive, and any misalignment of sizes front to rear will ruin the VT coupling, even fitting the wrong tires on a standard wheel might cause issues, so try to go for a Gallardo with factory fitted wheels.

Check for damage on the wheels, these V10 come with 19-inch wheels and rather low-profile tires, so catching a curb is quickly done, putting a nice scratch on the outer rim, or even worse, take a nick out of it, avoid those cars if possible, a scratch might not be a problem, but a real dented wheel can be expensive to repair.

The original Gallardo 5.0 model from 2003 right up to 2008 had the silver-finished Cassiopeia wheels as factory fitment, from 2005 you could opt for a titanium finish on these wheels, while many owners painted them black too.

From 2005 on an additional wheel became an option, the beautiful multi-piece look Callisto, first seen on the Gallardo SE in titanium, a few months later on the Gallardo Spyder in silver, when the Gallardo Nera was unveiled in 2006, she came with these Callisto wheels painted in glossy black.

In 2007 a return to OZ-Wheels was made with the introduction of the titanium finished Scorpius wheel limited to the Gallardo Superleggera at that time, later this same wheel would make a return on the Gallardo LP550-2 Balboni special and some other limited edition Gallardo versions.

When the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 was introduced in 2008, along came two new wheels, a stylish five-spoke Apollo wheel in silver replaced the up to the standard Cassiopeia one.

An optional, chrome finished cross-spoke wheel called Cordelia appeared in 2008 too, which could also be ordered in gloss black.

To complicate things, the 2010 Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera was fitted with a new, double five-spoke design finished in titanium … called Scorpius, this version was made by Fuchs and would later be used in glossy black on the Super Trofeo Stradale version one year later.

For the ‘Nuova Gallardo’ that was unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the Appolo wheel was shown in black with machined fronts on the spokes, a very interesting look.

9. Final words:

With as many as 14,022 units of the Lamborghini Gallardo built between 2003 and 2014, many have been crashed, some of them repaired, but also a lot of these V10 Lamborghini have been modified in some way, either aerodynamics, wheels … or engine tuning.

Adding turbochargers to the Gallardo V10 engine has been seen a lot, and some of these are very professionally done, and these will demand a serious premium … while others look a little … strange, if a high-power Gallardo is the one for you, I’ll let you decide for yourself, personally, I would go for a well maintained, factory spec one with some nice options, but that’s just me.

One final tip … when you look around for a Lamborghini Gallardo, you’ll get the comment to go for an Audi R8, “it’s the same car, but for about half the price” … well, just have this answer ready: “It’s NOT a Lamborghini, period”. Not even an Audi R8 V10 model is the same as a Lamborghini Gallardo when it comes to impact on the road … get a Gallardo and enjoy it.

April 6, 2021 / Comments Off

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[2019 Edition] Best New McLaren to Buy

Which McLaren Should You Buy? Our Picks for the Best New McLaren Cars On Sale Today

Updated: June, 2019

Things were much simpler in the 1990s when McLaren only made the McLaren F1. If you wanted to buy a new McLaren, you looked under your mattress for a $1 million and you bought an F1. These days things are much more complicated. If you are shopping for a new McLaren today you need to understand a rather confusing and growing model range.

We decided to create this basic guide to save you some time and help you make a better decision. We recommend the best new McLaren to buy based on your desired use case and driving needs/wants. We don’t go into details on every new McLaren model, you can find that in our new McLaren models post (if you are shopping for a used McLaren check out the historical McLaren model lineup).

As of June 2019, McLaren makes 11 cars across three different categories plus a couple of race cars if you want to buy a track-only toy. Telling the differences between cars is not easy and it is made harder by McLaren since the company uses a lot of the same technology and platforms across cars. If you are confused, don’t feel bad because most people are.

Which McLaren is Which? Understanding the Sports, Super & Ultimate Series Ranges

First things first, let’s explain how McLaren groups their cars. There are three categories (“Series”) where models are grouped based on price, performance and focus. The groups are the Sports Series, the Super Series and them Ultimate Series.

McLaren Sports Series

In some ways these are the perfect daily driver sports cars in the McLaren range. The Sports Series cars are not as extreme as the Super Series cars, but they are still crazy fast, awesome driving machines that are cheaper and more practical. What isn’t there to like. Think of these cars as competitors to Porsche GT models and you are right on the money. They are super light, have incredible power and a chassis designed for pure driving fun. The Sports Series model range offers unparalleled feel and connection to the road. Heart-stoppingly exciting and rewarding to drive but also highly useable. Yes please.

McLaren Super Series

Currently in its second generation of Super Series cars with the 720S and 720S Spider. We consider this McLaren’s core supercar model range. These cars use the top-end of McLaren’s performance equipment and technologies. Things like active aerodynamics and Proactive Chassis Control (PCC) are standard on the current McLaren Super Series models. Uncompromising performance and focus.

McLaren Ultimate Series

The pinnacle of the McLaren model range is the Ultimate Series. It is the top of the most extreme McLaren cars and (so far) is made up of McLaren’s hypercars and very limited edition machines. The original Ultimate Series car was the McLaren P1. The current crop of Ultimate Series McLaren models includes both the McLaren Senna and the McLaren Speedtail. McLaren have said that the original McLaren F1 is retroactively included in the Ultimate Series.

McLaren GT

It is worth mentioning the new McLaren GT. Technically the GT does not belong in any of the above “Series” groupings. McLaren says it is a true GT supercar and deserves its own standalone designation. Fine by us, just a little more McLaren confusion I guess.

Which New McLaren is Best to Buy?

We have already created a guide that goes through every current McLaren model so we are not going through every car in this post again. Instead we are just going to tell you which new McLaren to buy based on your driving needs.

Best Entry Level McLaren

McLaren 570S

If you are contemplating the purchase of a Porsche 911 Turbo or Audi R8 V10 then the McLaren 570S coupe should be on your shortlist of potential alternatives. Technically, the McLaren 540C is the entry level McLaren, but frankly, the 570S is better and worth the premium. You can also opt for the McLaren GT and if you drive long miles on the highway, the 570GT with its more compliant ride may be the wiser choice than the 570S, but for everybody else we recommend the 570S Coupe as the best entry level McLaren. The 570S Spider is also great, but we just find the coupe a better all around proposition.

While this is the entry-level McLaren you still get a carbon fiber tub and a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 driving the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. We are talking 562 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque, so it is fair to say “entry level my a**”. This is a bonafide supercar in terms of firepower and performance.

How is the 570S different than the more expensive 720S? Instead of composite bodywork, the 570S has an aluminium structure and body parts. Instead of the advanced linked hydraulic suspension system, the 570S gets regular anti-roll bars. There are also no active aerodynamics on the 570S either. The 570S does get its own Active Dynamics system, allowing you to pick driving modes that suit your mood.

Driving the McLaren 570S is fun. The ride is flat, taut and feedback is perfect. Normal mode is enjoyable and does a decent job of smoothing rough road surfaces. You could drive this car everyday and not feel like you need back surgery once a week. Grip is tremendous and with the 570S’ class-leading steering you always feel 100% in control. The car is never hyperactive or nervous, just always fluent, predictable, tactile and absorbing. The 570S is a real pleasure to drive both slow and fast but it is clearly more at home hammering through back roads on weekends than cruising on a highway. The non-stop pull of the twin-turbo V8 is addictive and it is more than enough (if you never drove a 720S you would never ask for more performance). Sure it doesn’t have the refinement of a 911 Turbo or the sound of a naturally aspirated Audi R8, but it has a driving experience that is unmatched at this price point and enough daily utility that I would choose it over the 911 and R8 all day long.

Best entry-level McLaren? Say hello to the 570S.

Best Driver’s McLaren & Track Day Special

McLaren 600LT

This is the car I would buy if I had to choose the best supercar on sale today. Forget the Pista, forget the Senna, I would buy the McLaren 600LT Coupe (yes the 600LT Spider is also awesome).

Based on the already highly impressive 570S, the LT adds power, cuts weight and puts a more uncompromising twist on driving dynamics. The 600LT gets the same 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 and seven-speed dual-clutch as the 570S, but power increases from 562 bhp to 592 bhp and torque is up from 443 lb-ft to 457 lb-ft. Weight is also down about 220 pounds thanks to carbon seats, forged alloys, shorter top-exit exhausts and new carbon front splitter, rear diffuser and fixed rear wing. The new aero parts also increase downforce to 220 pounds at 155mph. Overall, the increase in power and weight loss means the 600LT has 474 bhp-per-tonne, 46 bhp more than the 570S on which it is based. Impressive.

Performance numbers as would expect are scintillating. The 600TL goes from a standstill to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds, zero to 124 mph in 8.2sec to 124 mph and on to a top speed of 204 mph. The most impressive part of the 600LT is not the absurd straight-line numbers either, it is the way that the 600LT goes about its performance. There is a precision and feel that comes from all the changes that just elevates the 570S-based chassis to another level of greatness. The steering, chassis and engine work together to create a spectacular drive. The whole experience is more raw than a base 570S. The acceleration is more intense, the car carries more grip in corners and the steering wheel has more feel. It is just perfect.

To be clear, this isn’t a daily driver. The 600LT is definitely a track-focused special edition car that does compromise daily comfort for thrilling performance. With its uncompromising chassis settings, the 600LT does feel less forgiving on a bumpy road, but in what little suspension travel it does have there is exceptionally well-judged damping. That means the car can feel busy over bumps and ridges, but never brittle or uncomfortable. On smoother roads, you’ll never give the car’s ride quality a second thought.
Capable of eye-watering performance it is deserving of the LT name and it is the best drivers car that McLaren makes today.

The 600LT is the perfect drivers car. If you love getting behind the wheel on an open road and hammering around for a few hours, then this is the car for you. It’s a revelation, calibrated just perfectly and with absurd levels of performance yet able to be enjoyed by regular drivers on normal roads. This is what cars are meant to be about.

Best McLaren Supercar

McLaren 720S Coupe

The McLaren 720S isn’t just the best supercar that McLaren makes, it is the best supercar on sale today period. It beat the Ferrari 488 in multiple tests by reputable car magazines and that says a lot because the 488 is a masterpiece. The McLaren 720S is a more sensational supercar and easily the best of the current breed.

The 720S is an exotic for sure. It is a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive supercar with an advanced carbon fiber chassis and a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that produces 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. It also has the most advanced suspension system on the market. Called Proactive Chassis Control II it gets improved sensors combined with a hydraulically connected damper system that means there’s no need for anti-roll bars. It also has the awesomely named Variable Drift Control system that ummmm is great for sideways fun.

The McLaren 720S is a performance monster. Monumentally fast, it goes from 0 – 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and onto a top speed of 212 mph. These are hypercar-like performance numbers and indeed, flooring a McLaren 720S on road or track is not that different than the McLaren P1. It isn’t just straight line speed either because the 720S has an uncanny ability to blend pointy and balanced handling with supple ride making the chassis a work of brilliance.

Superb ride and handling, crazy performance and everyday usability, no wonder Top Gear said the 720S was “Probably the single most accomplished supercar we’ve ever driven.” Best supercar on sale today, bar none.

Best McLaren for Daily Use

McLaren GT

Ok, so we are cheating a little bit here since we have yet to drive the McLaren GT and we have yet to read any reviews either. Given that McLaren has said the GT model was built with express purpose of delivering a better overall daily car that is more comfortable and luxurious, it is hard to imagine any other McLaren being better for daily use.

The car has a mid-engine 4.0-liter twin turbo V8 that makes 612 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. McLaren has changed the way that power is delivered, making it different than the rest of the range in order to suit a GT-like driving experience. The car isn’t some plush boat though. It is still a McLaren and as such performance will be amazing. It can do 124 mph in nine seconds flat and has a top speed of 203 mph.

Physically, the GT is a bit longer and more elegant than the other models from the brand, creating more storage space and giving occupants a larger feeling cabin area. It sits up a little higher than the other supercars in McLaren’s lineup and offers segment-leading cabin refinement, according to the company. It also comes with a reasonably generous 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Add in the additional storage areas in the car and you have a combined total of over 20 cubic feet of cargo space. The infotainment system is new (thank goodness) and the interior has high-quality interior materials, including Nappa leather and Alcantara laid out in more of a luxurious manner than the rest of the range.

We think it is safe to say that the McLaren GT will be the best new McLaren for daily use on sale today.

Best Money No Object McLaren

McLaren Senna

McLaren claims this is the most extreme road car it’s ever built. It was designed to smash lap records and spend days destroying circuits lap after lap. Named after Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna, the McLaren Senna is a track-focused hypercar.

The first time you see the Senna is can be a little jarring. It certainly isn’t the prettiest car in the world but it never was meant to. Every aspect of its design is focused on making it fast around a track. The Senna is all about aerodynamics – up to 1500 pounds of air pressing the mid-engined two-seater into the tarmac at 155 mph. It could produce more, but above that speed McLaren alter the wing angles to maximise acceleration.

It makes our list because it is in fact road legal and because it really is a stunning achievement by the team at McLaren. It develops 789 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque all deployed through the rear wheels via a seven-speed twin clutch gearbox. The sprints to 62mph is over in 2.8 seconds while 124mph comes up in just 6.8 seconds. To be fast on track a car needs to be both powerful and lightweight and the Senna is a relative lightweight, weighing just 2800 pounds with all fluids and fuel. All 500 units are already sold out though so you may need to buy one second hand if you really want one.

Best New McLaren – Overall Winner

McLaren 720S Spider

If your only criteria is simply, “I want the absolute best new McLaren for all conditions and driving needs” then you cannot go past the McLaren 720S Spider. I would personally buy the McLaren 600LT but that is because I am willing to live with the compromises of a track-focused car and all the rough-edges that come with a hardcore car driven on normal roads. I am also only going to drive the car once or twice a month based on my crazy schedule so those issues come up less of the time.

For everybody else, you should buy the 720S Spider. I guarantee that anybody who buys it will be happy. It does everything exceptionally well. In fact, the 720S Spider does everything the 720S coupe does but with the added benefit of getting a tan and some fresh air when it is sunny outside.

The McLaren 720S is a sensational supercar, easily the best of the current breed. It has a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that produces 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. We said it was the best supercar on sale today, bar none. It is.

Sure, the Spider weighs about 300 pounds more than the coupe, but this is a car with 710hp – you are not going to be able to feel the performance differences (the Spider is 0.1 seconds slower to 124 mph versus the coupe) . The roof has cool electric motors which means it takes just 11 seconds from open to close (and vice versa) and can be operated up to 31 mph.

The 720s Spider is a great daily driver too. Sure, the GT is more luxurious and has some more space. But, the 720S has McLaren’s special hydraulic cross-linked variable dampers and they work like magic. They make the 720S Spider ride like a luxury car over bumps and rough roads. It is uncanny in its ability to make a supercar feel like a regular luxury car, delivering a remarkable ride: flat, yet amazingly supple.

From a performance perspective it can destroy anything else on the road. Sure the Senna is faster but you can’t drive a Senna to get groceries. The 720S can be driven to work and hammered on back roads on weekends. It handles amazingly well, it has so much punch in any gear that it is legitimately scary in a great way. The performance is absolutely astonishing. The open top makes it feel more liberating and more immersive than the coupe. The 720S Spider has been so well calibrated, is so clear, clean and faithful in its responses that you have utter confidence in its manners. The steering is the best of any supercar.

Out of this world performance, stunning looks, advanced technology and most importantly tons of soul. The best new McLaren for sale today is the McLaren 720S Spider.

June 17, 2019 / Comments Off

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Best SUVs – The Fastest, High Performance SUVs Money Can Buy

Updated: August 2018

At last count there are about 138 SUVs and trucks available for sale in the United States. Almost all of them have non-exciting engines, are slow accelerating and are so boring that many of them have sleep sensors to alert you when you inevitably fall asleep or die of boredom behind the wheel.

It looks like bad news for car fans, especially as SUVs continue take market share according to car sales data published each month. If you dig further into the data is looking like luxury SUVs are the fastest growing segment and account for almost 60% of luxury vehicle sales. Each month it seems there are new luxury models and they get gobbled up by the car buying public.

We get it. SUVs give you elevated driving position, all-wheel drive (often), lots of space, they look good and are practical for families. For car people, the true fanatics of automotive performance, we need more. We want our SUVs to be fast, agile and fun. We want the fast SUVs whether they are small, medium or large. Whether entry level or luxury level, they need to have performance in mind. We want them to line up at the lights against our sports car friends and shock them at their ferocity off the line. Yes, that is the SUV we want.

With that in mind we started by going through every SUV you can buy today to find the fastest, most powerful, agile and fun. We were pleasantly surprised to find almost twenty SUVs that we considered “not boring”. The criteria wasn’t just straight line speed or engine size or horsepower. It had to be special and it had to be considered a true performance machine when compared to a sporty sedan. No free passes.

Our friends have an interesting (although not surprising) approach. Take AMGs twin-turbo V8/V12 engines and stuff them into their SUVs. Good plan. Same goes for the folks at BMW who never met a twin-turbo V8 they didn’t want to shoehorn into the X5M and X6M. Both AMG and BMW have SUVs easily in the high 500 horsepower range. These horsepower monsters are great straight line performers, but are also surprisingly good in corners when thrown around. If you want your performance SUV to handle like a sports car, don’t worry because there are some genuinely great canyon carvers on the list too. Alfa Romeo arguably has the most fun SUV around in this regard, taking their cracking twin-turbo 2.9 L V6 with 505hp, adding it to the Stelvio to create the Quadrifoglio version and it is as good as the sedan in the twisty stuff. If you want ultimate performance then look at Lamborghini Urus (yes, Lamborghini also makes an SUV these days) or Cayenne Turbo, both very serious solutions if you want to destroy anybody in a race.

While we’re on performance, I was shocked when I looked at some of the performance numbers and had to fact check to make sure there were not mistakes. Sure, I have come to expect big horsepower numbers these days, but I did not expect sub 4 second 0-60 mph times in 2+ ton SUVs. Nuts. For instance you can go from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds in the Lamborghini Urus and the Tesla Model X P100D with ‘Ludicrous Speed’ upgrade does it in 2.8 seconds. Holy crap. Speaking of electric SUVs we found some tasty performers in the Model X and the Jaguar I-Pace S, a good sign for electric SUVs and serious performance fans.

Price wise this is an expensive segment. We focused on the top of the performance heap so as expected there are a lot of luxury brands on our list. If you want the fastest SUVs expect to pay well into the six-figure range. In fairness, these SUVs have beautiful interiors, are loaded with tech and safety equipment. The interior materials and build quality are off the charts. If you want performance on a budget, then cars like the Jaguar I-Pace S or the Audi SQ5 (not on our list) can be had for under $70,000.

So here it is. The fastest, more powerful and highest performance SUVs you can buy today:

The 10 Most Powerful SUVs (Horsepower & Torque Figures)

#	Name	Price	Power	Torque
1	Tesla Model X P100D ‘Ludicrous’	$140,000	762 hp	791 lb/ft
2	Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk	$86,000	707 hp	645 lb/ft
3	Lamborghini Urus	$200,000	641 hp	627 lb/ft
4	Maserati Levante Trofeo SUV	$169,980	590 hp	538 lb/ft
5	Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4Matic	$126,295	577 hp	561 lb/ft
6	Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 4Matic	$111,860	577 hp	561 lb/ft
7	Range Rover Sport SVR	$113,600	575 hp	461 lb/ft
8	BMW X5 M	$102,695	567 hp	553 lb/ft
9	BMW X6 M	$102,695	567 hp	553 lb/ft
10	Rolls Royce Cullinan	$350,000	563 hp	627 lb/ft

The 10 Fastest SUVs (0 – 60 mph Acceleration and Top Speed)

#	Name	Engine	0-60 mph	Top Speed
1	Tesla Model X P100D ‘Ludicrous’	Electric	2.8 sec	155 mph
2	Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk	Super 6.2L V8	3.5 sec	180 mph
3	Lamborghini Urus	Turbo 4.0L V8	3.6 sec	190 mph
4	Maserati Levante Trofeo SUV	Turbo 3.8L V8	3.7 sec	187 mph
5	Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S	Turbo 4.0L V8	3.7 sec	174 mph
6	Porsche Cayenne Turbo S	Turbo 4.8L V8	3.8 sec	176 mph
7	Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio	Turbo 2.9L V6	3.8 sec	176 mph
8	BMW X5 M	Turbo 4.4L V8	3.8 sec	160 mph
9	BMW X6 M	Turbo 4.4LV8	3.8 sec	156 mph
10	Rolls Royce Cullinan	Turbo V12	4.0 sec	155 mph

The Best SUVs In Detail

Lamborghini Urus

Price: From $200,000
Power: 641 hp
Torque: 627 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 4.0L V-8
0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Speed: 190 mph

Lamborghini calls the Urus is the world’s first Super Sport Utility Vehicle. “Luxury, sportiness and performance meet comfort and versatility”. Ok then. We can tell you that the Urus is exactly what you expect from an SUV made by Lamborghini. It has the driving dynamics and performance of any SUV we have driven. It looks aggressive and stylish and is clearly a Lambo (including bright colored paint jobs). Wild styling and ferocious performance in an SUV package. Yep, its a Lamborghini ok.

Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4Matic

Price: From $126,295
Power: 577 hp
Torque: 561 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 5.5L V-8
0-60 mph: 4.3 sec
Top Speed: 165 mph

If you need more room and three rows, then the top of the range Mercedes GLS SUV is the one for you. In AMG GLS spec you get twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 with 577 hp. A great seven-speed automatic with all-wheel-drive system helps make the GLS genuinely quick for such a large SUV.

Land Rover Range Rover SVAutobiography

Price: from $208,200
Power: 557 hp
Torque: 502 lb/ft
Engine: 5.0L Supercharged V8
0-60 mph: 5.2 sec
Top Speed: 155 mph

It isn’t just that the Range Rover SVAutobiography Long Wheelbase has 557 horsepower and accelerates like a sports car; it’s that it does it all with a sense of effortlessness and composure, owed in part to the 516 pound-feet of torque, standard all-wheel drive, and eight-speed automatic transmission. This is a vehicle that weighs almost three tons yet can reach a top speed of 140 mph. And despite the 22-inch wheels and low-profile tires, its ride is smooth and comfortable.

Rolls Royce Cullinan

Price: From $350,000
Power: 563 hp
Torque: 627 lb/ft
Engine: 6.75 L twin-turbocharged V12
0-60 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Speed: 155 mph

This is Rolls-Royce making an SUV. We still don’t know many details, but we do know it will be the pinnacle of effortless performance and luxury. The new standard for an SUV.

Tesla Model X P100D ‘Ludicrous Speed’ Upgrade

Price: From $140,000
Power: 762 hp
Torque: 791 lb/ft
Engine: 100 kWh 350 V lithium-ion electric
0-60 mph: 2.8 sec
Top Speed: 155 mph

The Model X is the quickest SUV ever. With standard all-wheel drive, loads of storage and seating for up to seven adults it ticks all the must-have SUV attributed. With 762 horsepower and 791 lb-ft of torque, a 100kWh battery powering all 4 wheels, the Model X P100D hits all our performance requirements. The performance in a straight line is astonishing. Standstill to 60 mph is over in a barely believable 2.8 seconds. That makes it one of the fastest accelerating cars ever and easily the fastest SUV on our list. Sign me up for the electric car revolution if this is what we get.

Maserati Levante Trofeo SUV

Price: from $169,980
Power: 590 hp
Torque: 538 lb/ft
Engine: 3.8 L V8
0-60 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Speed: 187 mph

We went all the way to the top of the Maserati Levante range. This year in March, at the New York International Auto Show, Maserati elevated the model by introducing the Levante Trofeo.

It is the fastest variant in the brand’s budding SUV lineup and a vehicle built specifically for overseas markets. Whereas the original Levante’s three-liter, twin-turbo V-6 engine churned out a maximum of 430 hp, the Trofeo’s 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V-8 delivers 590 hp (at 6,250 rpm) with 538 ft lbs of torque (at 2,250 rpm). The Trofeo sprints to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and produces a top speed that is more than 23 mph faster than the entry level Levante.

Bentley Bentayga

Price: From $229,100
Power: 600 hp
Torque: 664 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 6.0 L W-12
0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Speed: 187 mph

This is an ugly SUV but boy is it world class in every other department. It has a powerful twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12 that makes 600 hp and 664 lb/ft of torque, rocketing the heavyweight to 60 in 3.6 seconds. The interior can be configured a number of ways and is chock full of the most sumptuous leather and high end elements you could ever want in a car. Luxury SUV at its best.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Price: From $81,390
Power: 505 hp
Torque: 440 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 2.9 L V6
0-60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top Speed: 176 mph

This is the most fun car on this list. Period. The end. Its 505-hp engine is the same as the coupe QV and it is an absolute masterpiece. Couple the cracking engine with the sexiest of all SUV designs we have seen in years and you know you are looking at something special. No doubt about it, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio raises the performance bar. It is just awesome. Alfa Romeo claims it’ll go from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds and having driven it I believe it. Can’t say I hit the claimed top speed of 176 mph but given how hard this thing pulls all the way to 100mph it wouldn’t shock me if they were being conservative.

The fantastic thing about the Quadrifoglio is that it really is a driver’s SUV. It’s no less capable than any high-end sport sedan and it’ll go up against the best on the market – all while carrying more cargo in the back and providing you with a more elevated view of the road ahead. Ultimately, this is more than just a high-performance street SUV. This is a fully-trackable SUV that would probably embarrass some highly regarded performance cars at a track day event. In fact, it recently destroyed the record for an SUV at the Nurburgring with a time of 7 minutes and 51.7 seconds. That’s not just impressive, that’s mind-boggling.

Jaguar I-Pace

Price: from $69,500
Power: 394 hp
Torque: 512 lb/ft
Engine: Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
0-60 mph: 4.5 sec
Top Speed: 124 mph

The Jaguar I-Pace is an electric SUV that blends luxury and performance – exactly what you’d expect from the British automaker. The key performance advantage from electric engines is the lack of a torque curve, meaning all 512 pound-feet are available at all times. That, plus standard all-wheel drive, makes the I-Pace quicker than many conventional vehicles with significantly more horsepower. The I-Pace has a range of 240 miles from its 90-kWh battery.

Macan Turbo (With Performance Package)

Price: From $87,700
Power: 440 hp
Torque: 442 lb-ft
Engine: 3.6 L V6 twin turbo
0-60 mph: 4.2 sec
Top Speed: 169 mph

The Macan Turbo (with performance package) is a compact SUV that is all about performance. Five doors, five seats, decent space for the family and a 440-hp twin-turbo V-6 mated to a seven-speed transmission with all-wheel drive. The $10k performance package gets you an additional 40 horsepower and 36 lb-ft of torque over the Turbo Macan and we say it is totally worth it.

It is crazy fast and we guarantee that any purist will fall in love with this diminutive Porsche daily driver. For that extra money you also get lower ride height, 5mph higher top speed, standard sport exhaust, Sport Chrono package and bigger front brakes. The interior is handsome but small. As with all Porsches, performance comes at a steep price; if you want to blend serious performance with versatility, however, the Macan Turbo has few peers.

Blistering acceleration, sports-sedan handling, athletic silhouette. At the test track, its 3.7-second zero-to-60-mph run and 12.4-second quarter-mile beat those of the already blistering Macan Turbo by 0.5 second each. A relatively low seating position gives it a sports-sedan feel from behind the wheel, and the Macan’s weight transfers fluidly and predictably through corners.

Sure, you won’t confuse this Porsche’s steering feel with that of a Boxster or a 911, but its precision is unimpeachable and for a 4500 pound crossover is way better than you imagine it should be. This is a daily driver that goads you into driving harder, with sky-high cornering limits and progressive controls that instill confidence no matter the speed. Pin the throttle while exiting a corner and the car squirms for a beat as the all-wheel-drive system and the optional torque-vectoring system quickly work out the best way to send all that power to the ground.

Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S / AMG GLC 63 S Coupe

Price: From $80,750
Power: 503 hp
Torque: 516 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 4.0L V-8
0-60 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Speed: 174 mph

The twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 from the C63S makes its way into the GLC and GLC Coupe. You will need to opt for the S version to cross the 500 horsepower mark. With 503hp and 516 lb-ft in Mercedes mid-sized SUV it hustles to 60 in a rapid 3.7 seconds. Not bad for an SUV that is used every day to ferry kids around.

Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 4Matic / GLE 63 S Coupe 4Matic

Price: From $111,860
Power: 577 hp (GLE63 S)
Torque: 561 lb/ft (GLE63 S)
Engine: Twin-turbo 5.5L V-8
0-60 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Speed: 155 mph

The GLE63 gets a twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 that makes 550 hp (577 hp in S trim) and a seven-speed auto; all-wheel drive is standard on all. Handling and braking are surprisingly athletic, too, despite the SUV bodywork.

Porsche Cayenne Turbo / Turbo S

Price: From $124,600
Power: 550 hp (570 hp for S)
Engine: Twin turbo 4.8L V-8
Torque: 590 lb/ft
0-60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top Speed: 176 mph

Despite their size and weight, the Cayenne Turbo and Turbo S are quicker than ever. The Cayenne gets a new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that has the turbos inside the V of the cylinders of the engine. Porsche says that shortening the exhaust paths into the turbochargers on this engine made the engine more responsive and improved power delivery. It reaches 60 mph in 3.7 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package.

Read more about the Turbo.

BMW X5 M

Price: From $102,695
Power: 567 hp
Torque: 553 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo 4.4 L V-8
0-60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top Speed: 160 mph

The BMW X5 M is a heavy SUV with a military grade twin-turbo V8 generating 567 hp that helps propels it from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Given its size and weight this is also a great handling SUV that feels more like a sports car to drive.

BMW X6 M

Price: From $102,695
Power: 567 hp
Torque: 553 lb/ft
Engine: Twin-turbo V-8
0-60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top Speed: 156 mph

The X6 M is just like the X5 M with its own unique style. Just like the X5 M it is fast and handles amazingly well for a 5000+ pound SUV. Definitely less practical than the X5 M but it looks cooler.

Dodge Durango SRT

Price: From $62,995
Power: 475 hp
Torque: 470 lb/ft
Engine: 6.4-liter V-8
0-60 mph: 4.4 sec
Top Speed: 180 mph

New for 2018, the SRT package allows the Durango to do things rarely seen in the midsize SUV class, though it comes at a luxury price. It has a 475-hp 6.4-liter V-8, driving all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic. It hits 60mph in 4.4 seconds and tops out at 180mph. The eight speed auto works well and handles the abundant 470lb/ft of torque very well. Bonus for parents with four kids, there is room for six. Its a muscle-car SUV in a family-friendly package.

Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR

Price: From $113,600
Power: 575 hp
Torque: 461 lb/ft
Engine: 5.0 L V8
0-60 mph: 4.3 sec
Top Speed: 162 mph

We love the Range Rover Sport and have been big fans of its supercharged 5.0-liter V8 for a long time. The eight-speed automatic is silky smooth and helps the big SVR haul in 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. Dripping in style and luxury this is an SUV can also handle the rough stuff. As Car & Driver said: “No rival better mixes handling prowess, off-road talent and an SUV sense of functional plushness. But more importantly, none comes close the lewd sense of fun it keeps so amply on tap”.

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Price: From $79,990
Power: 550 hp
Torque: 502 lb/ft
Engine: 5.0-liter supercharged V8
0-60 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Speed: 176 mph

A Jaguar sports car by Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) the F-Pace gets a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 and a top speed of 176 mph. The F-Pace is the most stylish and fast Jag you can buy for your family. It turns the great F-Pace into a real performance machine. It comfortably seats five and has more than enough cargo space when compared to others in the small SUV segment. The ultimate Jaguar performance SUV.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

Price: From $86,000
Power: 707 hp
Torque: 645 lb/ft
Engine: 6.2 L V8
0-60 mph: 3.5 sec
Top Speed: 180 mph

This is a Jeep with a supercharged 707-horsepower engine and 645 lb/ft of torque – what is there not to love? The V8 is the same unit used in the Hellcat Challengers and Chargers by Dodge and it transforms the Grand Cherokee. While you would be just as happy opting for the Cherokee SRT, we say go all the way and order the Trailhawk. It is a good looking, rugged SUV, has comfortable seats and nice enough cabin. The infotainment system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and works really well. Add that 707hp engine, all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic, and a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and this may be the one for me. America’s answer to high-performance SUVs from Europe surprised us and made us smile from ear to ear.

September 17, 2018 / Comments Off

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