Auto show sports cars: Market diversity rules stage

Posted by hpayne on January 13, 2017

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The sports car market today is wonderfully diverse, from affordable $20K-something Miatas and Subaru BRZs to $160K Acura NSX supercars. The Detroit show was quiet in new reveals this year, but the band is (almost) all here. Dodge Viper, Corvette Grand Sport, Audi R8 and Acura’s race-prepared NSX are ready to do battle in endurance racing. And speaking of, don’t miss the 2016 LeMans-winning Ford GT supercar — its skin still caked with 24-hours of grit — in the middle of the Ford stand.

Kia Stinger

What it is: Waaay back in 2011, the Kia GT concept drew the screams of adoring media in Frankfurt. Finally, Kia is putting it into production. Gone are the dashing, intake-bisected headlights in favor of more conventional peepers, but the Kia retains its defining Audi A7-like shape. Two engines are available with the 365-horse turbo V-6 the most mouthwatering.

Payne’s take: Not technically a sports car, the Stinger nevertheless was tested extensively at the Nurburgring race track. It sports a sophisticated multi-link suspension and a top-drawer, torque vectoring all-wheel-drive system. With its fast-back coupe styling, torquey turbo and rear-wheel drive platform, this is a performance car in sheep’s clothing.

Lightning McQueen

What it is: The star of Pixar’s “Cars 3” is a muscled, life-size cartoon brought to life in red and yellow sheet metal. Voice by Owen Wilson. Top speed: 200 mph. Chief competitor: Jack Storm. Rated: G.

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Payne’s take: A Hollywood star on the Detroit auto set. Southern drawl and strong shoulders make all the SUV girls swoon.

Mercedes-AMG GT C Coupe

What it is: Flanked at the show by its GT and GT S sisters, the AMG GT C coupe looks like it was penned by Marvel comics as a Merc superhero. A front hood that reaches to the horizon. An angry, “Panamericana” grille. Huge front intakes. Muscular fast back. And under the hood, a 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V-8 with a gazillion horsepower. While the world whizzes by in 3.6 second zero-60 bursts, you can lounge inside in quilted leather seats.

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Payne’s take: The AMG GT C (which also comes in a drop top) is actually not the most powerful of the six — count ’em, six — GT variants. The mighty AMG GT R version boasts 27 more ponies (577) and is capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound. Look for it in late summer.

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