The sportscar class of 2015

THE LATEST Mustang handles like a dream, is environmentally friendly and yet is every bit a slice of ’Murica!

WHO SAYS the Philippines is a Third World country? With these superfast speed machines plying our roads, it’s a sign that despite some political uncertainty, massive traffic jams and badly needed infrastructure improvement, the Philippine automotive industry is alive and kicking, thriving under difficult conditions and improving the automotive scene.

Browsing through the spec sheets, we see many similarities: dual-clutch transmissions, down-sized, direct-injected and often turbocharged engines, exotic materials like carbon-fiber and other composites, and the large use of aerodynamics to improve stability as well as efficiency. We’ve whittled down the list to proper two-door sports cars to simplify the lineup.

Aston Vantage and DB9

Aston Martin starts this year’s automotive roll call: The brand recently opened their doors in the Philippines, unveiling the Vantage and iconic GT model DB9. Both cars appeal to a different segment.

The DB9 is more of a long-distance sport GT, whereas the Vantage is the more focused performance car of the two. The DB9 is quite old and should be due for a replacement, while the Vantage is the basis for the British brand’s foray into motorsports, with successful showing at Le Mans, the World Endurance Championship and Blancpain Endurance Series.

The DB9 comes with a V12 and automatic transmission while the Vantage comes in V8 or V12 flavor, with all models driving the rear wheels. Will we see a top-model Vanquish, Aston’s flagship GT sports car soon?

Audi TT

Just recently, Audi has unveiled their new, third-generatioon TT Coupe. The TT comes available in basic and S-Line (Sport Line) trim, with the latter adding a bodykit, bigger wheels, a lower firmer suspension and more interior goodies.

The Original TT was more of a show car, but the breed has improved dynamically, with the latest TT being a higher performing, as well as more efficient sporty coupe with a unique style all its own. The chassis is VW Group’s MQB platform, which it shares with the highly acclaimed Golf MK7 platform.

As with any Audi, the TT packs dual-clutch S-Tronic transmission technology driving the front wheels via turbocharged four-cylinder TFSI engines.

BMW 4 Series

Sports car cynics will say that BMW’s sedan-based coupe, the 4-Series, is not a real sports car as it doesn’t have exotic looks or architecture. But a drive behind BMW’s latest twin-turbo, inline-six-powered coupe will prove otherwise.

While critics are also up in arms over BMW’s switch to a turbocharged engine to meet emissions and fuel consumption constraints, rest assured that the M4 is faster and easier to drive while living up to the “ultimate driving machine” ethos, and with the added benefit of being environmentally friendlier in today’s motoring landscape.

Ferrari California T

The California T is the first ever mass-produced, non-limited-edition Ferrari to be turbocharged (discounting homologation specials like the 288 GTO and F40 of the ’80s) and it packs a mean punch!

It is Ferrari’s entry-level model, featuring a folding hard-top. And it is meant to be a more exotic alternative to Mercedes-Benz SLs and entry-level 911s at a price point closer to this market, tapping a new breed of clients.

But absolutely nothing is entry-level about its speed, power, performance and drama. It is very much a Ferrari, with razor-sharp handling, made easier with a torque-rich turbocharged V8 engine that has instant response low-down. The other turbocharged offering is the recently unveiled F488 GTB.

The 488 takes its predecessor, the already amazing 458 Italia to a totally new level, literally boosting performance past the 600-horsepower mark, yet making it easy as ABC. Turbochargers are indeed here to stay.

Ford Mustang

While the eponymous Mustang which recently celebrated its 50th birthday isn’t strictly speaking a sports car, a new generation of buyers have come to admire Ford’s wild stallion, ensuring the model’s legacy and longevity long after its original core market have moved on to other things.

The Mustang is the poster boy of the modern muscle car segment, and boasts technological advancements like a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (alongside the V8s of course) and independent rear suspension, previously unseen on muscle cars, which were considered cheap, basic straight-line specialists and cruisers at best.

The latest Mustang handles like a dream, is environmentally friendly and yet is every bit a slice of Murica!

Lamborghini LP 750-4 SV

The raging bull form Sant’Agata Bolognese has finally unveiled their flagship variant of their flagship supercar, the Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 SV. LP stands for Longitudinale Posteriore, that is, the engine’s mid-mounted longitudinal position.

The 750 means its output in German (DIN PS or pferde stark, horse strength in German) while 4 means four driven wheels. Yes the big bad bull plays the numbers game well, but in reality, it’s a real pussycat to drive around town.

But it still needs to be treated with massive respect, as the 6.5-liter V12, together with its ISR seven-speed transmission will get you to 100 kilometers per hour from rest in a scarcely believable 2.8 seconds all the way to a top-speed of over 350 kph.

And if the regular Aventador wasn’t mad enough, the LP 750-4 SV variant comes with a wilder exterior topped with a huge wing, which improves downforce at speed. Lighter, faster, more focused and rarer. Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it, too?

Lotus Elise and Evora

The year 2015 brought another big British brand into the country. Lotus delivers unbridled track-based performance that’s barely legal for public roads.

It might not be the fastest, but it is one of the quickest, if not the quickest, cars point to point with driver connectivity that is peerless in its class.

Extruded aluminum superformed using the latest technology is the Lotus’ basic architecture, powered by ever-reliable four-cylinder 1.8-liter and six-cylinder 3.5-liter Toyota engines (from 134 all the way to 400 HP) in supercharged and naturally aspirated forms mated to delicate and delectable six-speed manuals.

The Elise is the basic classic open-top sports car, while the Exige is the real track monster offering racecar levels of performance, and the Evora is the flagship model. Getting in is tight and tough for these three models; it’s not the type of car you use to string together a few short drives. You get in and drive for as long and as hard as you can. Few cars reward the keen driver as much as a Lotus!

Mazda MX-5

The world’s best-selling sports car just got better. The all-new Mazda MX-5 returns to its roots, becoming simpler, lighter yet even more engaging and more exciting to drive.

In its price segment, it is unbeatable in smiles per gallon, serving up a 2-liter SkyActiv four-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels via one of the best-ever manual transmissions in the business.

The MX-5 captures the joy and romance of driving, making it accessible to a very wide range of enthusiasts. It is automotive nirvana at its finest. And it’s amazing on the track, besting its nearest competitors, price-wise, leaving them in its dust thanks to the MX-5’s amazing 1040-kilogram curb weight. Light is might indeed!

Benz AMG

The latest supercar from Stuttgart is a real dream. The SLS AMG, with its gullwing doors, bellowing engine and made styling laid the footprint, but the all-new GT which it replaces is even better than its predecessor.

There are two variants: basic and S versions. The latter offers more power and more options as standard. Exotic, futuristic and understated elegance differentiate the GT from its rivals, offering the somber qualities one expects from a Mercedes-Benz while delivering a massive kick from the back, courtesy of the twin-turbo V8, driving the rear wheels via a dual-clutch seven-speed transmission.

While the dramatic gullwing doors may have gone from the GT, the sexy silhouette of the long bonnet, short rump and fast-back rear remains, with a more modern look!

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Locally, it is Zuffenhausen’s proud son, Porsche, that has unveiled a surprisingly large number of new variants. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS finally made its local debut, and impatient customers quickly snapped them up.

The all-new 991-series GT3 RS sees more aerodynamic aids, a massive 500 HP from its 3.8-liter direct-injected boxer six engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission delivers electrifying performance. It remains the benchmark model for all sports car for speed, power, efficiency, performance and driver connectivity in its class.

Torque vectoring and rear-wheel steering have also made the already scalpel-sharp “RS” (for Renn Sport or Motor Sport) even more precise around the track.

For those lacking GT3 RS budgets but want the fastest naturally aspirated models, Porsche also unveiled the GTS variants of the Cayman, Boxster and 911.

The GTS variants bridges the gap to the RS model and its absolute track dominance, but throwing in a little more comfort and civility to improve in-town/day-to-day usability.

GTS variants have more power, a more focused sports suspension and special trim and equipment to differentiate them from regular and S variants.