Sports Car reviews

The 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is a naturally aspirated version of the existing 718 Cayman. An update of the current 718 Cayman GTS, the GTS 4.0 ditches the turbocharged, 2.5-liter flat-four engine in favor of a 4.0-liter flat-six mill. The engine is shared with the range-topping 2020 718 Cayman GT4, but detuned in order to slot the GTS 4.0 a bit lower in the lineup.

The 2021 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 was unveiled alongside an identical version of the 718 Boxster. The 2021 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 is expected to hit dealerships for the 2021 model year. Let’s find out more about it in the review below.

The 2020 Mercedes-AMG A45 is the range-topping version of the fourth-generation A-Class hatchback. Unveiled in 2019, it slots above the AMG A35 in the range thanks to a more powerful engine, a more aggressive exterior, and extra equipment on the inside. Powered by a redesigned version of the AMG-tuned four-cylinder engine that cranks out 382 horsepower, the 2020 AMG A45 is the most powerful A-Class to date. But for the first time ever, Mercedes-Benz introduced an S-badged version of the hatchback, with even more power. In this tune, the AMG A45 delivers an amazing 416 horses, more than any other hot-hatch on the market as of 2020. This four-cylinder is also the most powerful of its kind in production, as well as the engine with the highest horsepower per liter. Let’s find out more about the 2020 Mercedes-AMG A45 in the comprehensive review below.

Audi updated the TT-RS for the 2019 model year, and after just a year on the market, we finally managed to get our hands on one. To our surprise, we found that the updated front and rear designs actually give the TT-RS a more dynamic, yet aggressive look. That is thanks to, at least in part, the new honeycomb grille up front that’s paired with the contrasted front spoiler lip.

Further emphasizing the sporty appearance of our TT-RS tester were the black mirror caps, the black accents on the rear spoiler, and the black diffuser-like elements in the rear fascia. Most people wouldn’t recognize some of the smaller bits, but those black legs for the spoiler, for instance, really stand out with the black accents on the rear decklid and the taillights.

The interior design of the TT-RS just screams performance and, at times, we almost felt like we were driving a Porsche. Maybe it’s the honeycomb inserts on the seats, the low seating position, or the material on the flat-bottom steering wheel. Honestly, it was probably a combination of all three, but we were so mesmerized by the crispness of the Audi virtual cockpit it was hard to look away.

Under the hood sits Audi’s classic 2.5-liter inline-five with 400 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. We really wish we had a six-speed manual, but unfortunately, the best we could ask for was the seven-speed automatic. The AWD was nice and, despite Audi’s claims of a 3.7-second sprint to 60 mph, we actually clocked the same run somewhere in the high-3.5 to low-3.6 range on multiple occasions. If we had tried a top speed run, we would have been limited to 155 mph (we didn’t break the highway speed limit, though) however, if you’re willing to pay for it, you could get that limit raised to 174 mph. Pricing for our tester, as you see it here, was $77,490.

Porsche is honoring Belgian racing legend Jacques Bernard “Jacky” Ickx with a special edition 911 Carrera 4S called the Belgian Legend Edition. Limited to just 75 units — one for each year of Ickx’s life — the 911 Carrera 4S Belgian Limited Edition comes with exclusive touches to the exterior and interior. It’s also the first special edition to spawn from the 992-gen Porsche 911.

The special edition model will only be available in Belgium at the initiative of Belgian Porsche importer D’leteren. No pricing details have been released, but expect the 911 Carrera 4S Belgian Limited Edition to sell for more than the €131,381 starting price of the Carrera 4S Coupe in Belgium.

Alpina is one of BMW’s most loyal tuners and the latest 3 Series-based B3 models continue to boast with a unique identity and performance figures that irk any M3 owner. The G20-generation B3 Touring is the 462 horsepower stopgap in a world without an M3 Wagon in it. Our only complaint? That we can’t buy this pinstriped grocery-hauler Stateside.

Once upon a time, Alpina and AC Schnitzer were duking it out on the race tracks of the world as BMW’s favored privateers teams. Both received support from Munich and decades of on-track rivalry now see both companies - but especially Alpina - put out some of the best modified cars on the market. So good, in fact, that Alpina has been a manufacturer for over three decades - although you’ll still find BMW logos on the B3. But Alpina doesn’t plan to crash the party of the upcoming M3 Competition either. That’s fair play!

The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI may still be the most popular hot-hatchback out there, but it’s getting a bit long in the tooth after more than four years on the market. With Ford already working on a new-generation Focus ST, which will be significantly more powerful than the current Golf GTI, Volkswagen needs to roll out a new hatchback really soon. Fortunately, the Germans are already testing the next-generation Golf GTI, which is rumored to break cover sometime in 2019.

Not much is known about the upcoming performance hatchback, but it should borrow many design features seen on recently introduced Volkswagen models, including the sporty Arteon sedan. The company also promises a revolution inside the cabin, including a "total digital environment," according to design chief Klaus Bischoff. Set to use a revised version of the company’s MQB platform, it will also a new engine with power ratings of up to 250 horsepower. Let’s find out more about that in the speculative review below.

Updated 12/30/2019: The 2021 Volkswagen Golf MK8 GTI was caught doing some cold-weather testing with next to no camo and zero padding. Check out the new images and the latest details in our spy shots section below!

The McLaren 720S is in attendance at the Art Basel show in Miami, Florida. Whereas the presence of a supercar of the stature of the 720S would usually draw a crowd in it of itself, this particular 720S stands out for one specific reason: it’s wearing the artwork of renowned New York-based graffiti artist Alec Monopoly.

The 33-year old artist took the task of turning the 720S into a full-blown art car — art cars are an Art Basel Miami tradition — that speaks to his famous style of street art. The McLaren 720S isn’t just wearing Monopoly’s street art; it’s also been fitted with aftermarket components courtesy of 1016 Industries, including what might as well be the fanciest set of wheels we’ve seen in a long time.

The 2021 BMW M2 CS is higher performance, limited-edition version of the M2. Unveiled at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, the M2 CS follows in the footsteps of the M4 CS. A beefed-up version of the M2 Competition, the M2 CS boasts revised aerodynamic features, exclusive items inside the cabin, the same engine as the M4 CS. Although not quite as powerful as the M4 CS, the turbocharged inline-six powerplant packs as much oomph as the M4 Competition Package, rated at 444 horsepower. This makes it the most powerful 2 Series model ever created. Not only the quickest 2 Series ever, it’s also quicker than the M4 and only marginally slower than the M4 CS. Let’s find out more about that in the review below.

With electrification gaining a strong foothold in the car industry, we’re bound to see an increase in the number of supercars that harness the power generated by a battery pack and a pair of e-motors.

Drako’s GTE ups the ante with a quad-motor setup and the complete lack of differentials. Instead, the supercar uses a smart algorithm that sends just the right amount of torque and power to each wheel, for what Drako calls the ultimate driving experience. Let’s see what that means, shall we?

The 2021 McLaren 620R is the range-topping version of the Sports Series, the company’s entry-level lineage of sports cars. Essentially a road-legal version of the 570S GT4, the 2021 620R slots above the 600LT. Design-wise, the 2021 620R is almost identical to the 570S GT4. It also features the same engine, but because it’s not restricted by racing regulations, the V-8 boasts more power.

Rated at 610 horsepower, the 2021 620R is the most powerful Sports Series vehicle ever created. It’s also the quickest, but it lags behind its siblings when it comes to top speed. With production limited to 350 units, the 2021 McLaren 620R costs almost $300,000. Let’s find out more about this supercar in the review below.

The arrival of the facelifted 2021 Jaguar F-Type also comes with the launch of the F-Type First Edition. Limited to the facelifted F-Type’s first-year production run, the F-Type First Edition offers a smattering of refinements that includes exclusive features inside and out, including a choice of three paint colors and plenty of premium touch-ups in the cabin. The only real downside is that the 2021 F-Type First Edition could set you back at least $90,000.

The 2021 Jaguar F-Type has been quietly revealed via Jaguar’s media page – although there was no live stream or any cool stunts, we have to admit that the 2021 model does offer significant improvement over the current model, including revised exterior lighting, updated technology inside, and a decent uptick in power output as well. Check out our full gallery down below!

The Jaguar F-Type is, arguably, one of the best-looking sports cars on the market today and one could even go so far as to say it’s one of the best lookers of the decade. While this might be true, it has also been on the market since 2013, and we all know that it’s due to be replaced in 2020. We’ve finally seen the first prototype of the 2021 Jaguar F-Type being tested, and we have to admit that there’s going to be some serious changes taking place. Expect a similar silhouette with an all-new face and rear end. There’s also a certain rumor about the V-8 engine that you don’t want to miss out on, so be sure to check out our drivetrain section to learn more about that.

Update 12/2/2019: Fresh on the heals of its debut, the Jaguar F-Type Coupe has been leaked on social media. We’ve updated this speculative review with those leaked images and what we know about it so far. Check it out in our special “updates” section below.

The all-new Toyota Supra A90 is an aftermarket tuner’s dream, and it hasn’t taken long for the world’s best tuners to build programs for the returning sports car icon. As you know, AC Schnitzer typically specializes in building aftermarket kits for BMW models but, since the Toyota Supra is a BMW at heart, AC Schnitzer is able to show it some love. AC Schnitzer’s program for the sports car is as all-encompassing as it gets. There’s a full line of upgrades to the Supra’s exterior, interior, engine, and a lot of mechanical parts in between. AC Schnitzer hasn’t rolled out the full price list for this new program, but you can bet it won’t be cheap.