2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 (MSRP $104,920)
The Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the most coveted American supercar in production today. It'll not only outgun its closest competition — the fire breathing Dodge Viper SRT-10 — in acceleration, braking and handling, but it'll drive with the civility of a car you'd let mom tool around in.
The ZR1 features a hand-built 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, which peers through a transparent polycarbonate window in its ultra-light carbon-fiber hood. The V-8, thanks largely to its supercharger, makes excellent power and torque. Just how much? Try 638 bhp and 604 lb.-ft. of torque!
If you can't quite drive a stick yet, you're out of luck; the ZR1 is available only with a manual transmission, a race-hardened 6-speed manual that is the best ever offered in a Corvette.
The ZR1 is the only Corvette currently equipped with GM's Magnetic Ride Control. This system continuously adjusts the suspension for the given road conditions, and it lets the driver switch the shock absorbers between Sport or Tour modes on the fly, with the simple twist of a knob in the cockpit.
Everything that makes the ZR1 go fast comes standard. However, if you opt for the 3ZR package ($10,000) you'll get touch-screen navigation, a Bose audio system and a leather interior.
Five reasons to buy:
1. It's an affordable supercar
2. Easy to drive fast (and slow)
3. Substantial luggage space
4. Aggressive yet tasteful styling
5. American made
2009 Aston Martin DBS (MSRP $262,000)
If beauty and elegance are of utmost importance but you still like going fast, the Aston Martin DBS is your dream come true. Aston Martin is long known for building some of the most attractive designs in automotive history, and the DBS is one whose looks will never fade.
This lavish 2-seater is quite spacious inside, with ample room for the driver and passenger, plus some space behind the seats for supplemental luggage room. Built entirely out of carbon-fiber and aluminum, the DBS weighs a lot less than it looks — 3480 lb. to be exact.
The 6.0-liter V-12 engine that powers the DBS is hand built like the rest of the car, and every DBS features a plaque that bears the name of the individual responsible for its final inspection. With either the 6-speed manual or 6-speed paddle-shifted Touchtronic automatic transmission, the DBS accelerates at virtually identical rates. Which is to say, super fast!
The standard suspension is equipped with Aston's Active Damping System that automatically adjusts according to the inputs it receives from the road and driver. A track setting (the stiffest setting) can also be summoned with the touch of a button.
Lastly, Aston Martin has partnered with fine-watch maker, Jaeger-LeCoultre to offer a watch that doubles as the DBS's transponder, locking and unlocking the doors by simply touching the watch's sapphire crystal face.
Five reasons to buy:
1. Pinnacle of automotive beauty
2. Surprisingly quick and athletic
3. Extensive use of exotic materials
4. Interior fit for a king (or queen)
5. Manual and automatic transmissions available
2008 Audi R8 (MSRP $114,200)
Audi's first supercar, the R8, couldn't have been more properly executed. What originally appeared to be a pipe dream concept car wowed the entire world when it actually pushed through to production. What's even more surprising is how the R8 has come to define the term "everyday supercar."
The mid-mounted 4.2-liter V-8 shielded under a transparent hatch provides 420-bhp and 317 lb.-ft. of torque channeled through a sporty Quattro all-wheel drive system. The transmission choices are a classic steel-gated 6-speed manual or a single-clutch paddle-shifted sequential manual dubbed "R tronic" by Audi. Though 420 bhp may not seem like much in the company of these other cars, the R8 readily utilizes every bit of its power with greater ease, resulting in more speed when the road gets twisty.
Audi's own active suspension damping utilizes the same magnetic ride technology as the ZR1 and it too also features both a sport and comfort setting.
The R8's greenhouse is quite expansive for a coupe, which adds to its comforting allure. You won't feel cramped even if you're over 6-foot tall, and ingress/egress can be accomplished without embarrassment. Though the interior already looks great in standard Audi trim, you can order Alcantara and carbon-fiber trim to elevate the feel of what is genuinely a well-engineered supercar.
Five reasons to buy:
1. An exotic without pretension
2. Excellent all-wheel-drive system
3. Superhero styling
4. Relatively affordable
5. Sporty, everyday comfort
2009 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster (MSRP $382,400)
Think exotic car, and the likely image that'll pop into your head will be that of the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster. Nothing about this car is subtle from its lane-wide size, bevel-edged body styling, or angry V-12 bark; and that's what makes this open-top car so spectacular.
Leave all thoughts of practically behind if what you desire is the LP640. Named after its 640 metric horsepower (632 bhp SAE), the LP640 is a road-going jet fighter that gulps copious amounts of fuel (EPA 8 mpg city/13 mpg hwy) but can accelerate to 100 mph in only 7.5 seconds. And when it comes time to slow down, this Lamborghini stops quicker than cars half its size and weight — by that we mean the Lotus Elise or Exige.
Like the Audi R8, the LP640 Roadster can be outfitted with a gated 6-speed manual or a sequential 6-speed transmission that comes with paddle shifters mounted on the steering column. A mid-mounted engine and all- wheel drive are characteristics shared with the R8, which benefit them both in any weather condition.
Aside from its striking head-turning appearance on the road, the LP640 attracts even more onlookers when its unique scissor-style doors open vertically. The interior that's revealed is the wonderfully understated, with fixed-bucket seats that look to be permanently reclined, although the overall design looks more German than Italian.
Five reasons to buy:
1. Ferocious road presence
2. As fast as it looks
3. Comfortable, understated interior
4. Racecar-handling dynamics
5. That open top
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series (MSRP est $300,000)
With more power on tap than the half-million-dollar Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (now discontinued), the SL65 AMG Black Series is the most radical Mercedes on the road today.
You could chalk it up to the bi-turbo V-12 that resides under the hood, producing 661 bhp and a staggering 738 lb.-ft. of torque. But what's most tantalizing about the Black Series is its racecar-inspired bodywork, with fenders that push the limits of a car's legal width. Even compared with the already ultra- wide body of the Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640, the Black Series is an additional 1.2 inches wider. And it's not all for show as the extra fender width allows for those wide wheels to stay within the confines of the bodywork.
Although it has the performance of a racecar, the Black Series is relatively docile to drive, given you're prudent with the throttle. It comes equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission that's a good compromise between smooth shifting and sporty response. This makes the car better suited for a comfortably brisk road drive than an all-out track day.
Only 350 examples of this future collector's item will be built, and only 175 will make it here to the U.S. market. Get yours now, if you can!
Five reasons to buy:
1. Ultimate exclusivity
2. DTM wide-body racecar style
3. Obscene power and torque
4. Stable handling
5. Ultra plush interior
So whether you end up sitting on a winning lottery ticket or have worked tirelessly for a long time to afford such a car, make sure your fantasy ride is a sound investment. All five of the cars wev'e featured here are from reputable marques, and they're bound to stay stylish and valuable for generations to come. They might also be the last of their breed, as we appear headed toward a new era of the automobile.
