Sports cars for the winding road (or just to unwind)
If you’re of the tribe who actually loves driving or just looking for a way to take the drudgery out of commuting, a sports car could be your ticket. Happily, driving fun comes in many forms and price points.
One automotive icon, the Ford Mustang, launches its seventh generation this summer. Featuring improved aerodynamics, tires, steering and an aircraft-inspired cockpit, the all-new 2024 Mustang will be offered in several flavors, including the Dark Horse, a new halo model. Expected to approach 500 horsepower, the Dark Horse will join legendary Mustangs like the Boss, Cobra and Bullitt. For those wanting both fuel efficiency and driving fun, there’s a new 2.3-liter EcoBoost four.
This year one sports-car door is closing while others open. After a solid 14-year run resurrecting the cachet and sounds of the V8 muscle car era, Dodge’s retro magic takes a bow. The neoclassic Challenger (along with the four-door Charger) is being discontinued after the 2023 model year. Dodge pays homage to its legacy with variants such as the Challenger R/T Scat Pack Swinger, Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye and a widebody “Jailbreak” version of the Hellcat Redeye.
Hyper-horsepower is the theme in the Corvette camp, where the long-awaited 2023 Z06 has started reaching patient buyers. Chevy’s ultimate sports car is all about its 670-horsepower 5.5-liter V8 and the wider body that accommodates 13.5-inch wide rear tires. For serious track work, the Z07 package adds carbon ceramic brakes, special suspension and tires and carbon fiber aerodynamics pieces.
Serving up zoom and room for four is Toyota’s new 2023 GR Corolla. The rally-inspired all-wheel-drive hatchback brings 300 horsepower to the party, courtesy of a turbocharged 1.6-liter 3-cylinder engine that produces 273 lb.-ft. of torque. A Circuit Edition due in spring will add a carbon fiber roof, vented hood, rear spoiler, leather-wrapped shift knob and special sports seats. A limited run of Morizo Edition GR Corollas will arrive sporting 295 lb.-ft. of torque.
Finally, there’s the Volkswagen Golf GTI. It underwent a redesign last year; for 2023 it gets standard LED headlights and fog lights. VW will also offer about 1,500 Golf GTI 40th Anniversary Editions for the U.S. Offered in red or gray, the commemorative GTI will feature black 19-inch alloys from the European Golf GTI Clubsport 45, performance 235/35 summer tires, adaptive damping and “40” decals.