Sports cars

After a milestone year in 2008 that saw the introduction of the LS3 6.2L V-8 as the new standard engine, a custom, leather-wrapped interior and more upgrades, the Corvette powers into 2009 with a raft of enhancements that further distinguish it and give customers more choices – including a lower-priced convertible model.

2009 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe

Of course, that range of choices also includes the ZR1, with its 6.2L supercharged engine that produces 638 horsepower (476 kW).

The sportiest cabriolets and sports cars come from Zuffenhausen

Stuttgart, 6/6/2008 -- Dr. Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has once again landed an important public prize for its premium sports cars. Readers of the well-known monthly magazine “sport auto“ have voted two Porsche models as the sportiest cars: yesterday evening, the Porsche Boxster S was named as the best cabriolet in the up to € 80,000 EUR price category and the Porsche 911 GT2 as the best supersports car.

The specialist “sport auto“ magazine has been holding this reader vote on the subject of “The sportiest cars” since 1980. Porsche has been the repeated winner of this public prize for 28 years, focusing on driving dynamics and sportiness.

AMG V8 Engine Paired with Innovative MCT Transmission

February 8, 2008 -- MONTVALE, NJ – Mercedes-Benz is unveiling a fourth member of its iconic SL sports car family – the SL63 AMG. Perhaps the sportiest SL roadster ever, the new SL63 AMG is powered by a 6.3-liter, all-AMG V8 engine that’s coupled to a newly developed MCT transmission.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG roadster

New Look for V8 and V12-Powered SL Models to Debut at Geneva Show

January 31, 2008 -- MONTVALE, NJ – Mercedes-Benz released the first official photographs today of its facelifted 2009-model SL roadster, the iconic sports car that’s a direct descendant of the legendary 300SL “Gullwing” of the 1950s. Planned for a public debut in March at the International Motor Show in Geneva, the new SL features dramatic new styling with fenders that incorporate bold new headlamps and modified gill-type air outlets behind the front wheels.

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster

Stuttgart - Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a stand-alone model series in the guise of the new CLC, the compelling entry-level model in the Mercedes-Benz coupé family. The Sports Coupé's design, technology and equipment meet the discerning requirements of young drivers looking for an athletic car that gives an involving drive, while at the same time delivering the hallmark Mercedes quality standards in terms of safety, comfort, environmental compatibility and functionality.

2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC Coupe

An Open Version of the Supercar Concept Revealed

January 13, 2008 - Detroit, MI - The engineers and designers at Lexus continue to use their groundbreaking LF-A premium sports car concept as a medium for expressing their ideas about what a high-performance sporting vehicle not only can be, but should be. In this latest expression of the LF-A, they have removed the car's top to create a high-performance roadster.

2008 Lexus LF-A Roadster

The LF-A Roadster is based on the sturdy yet lightweight carbon-fiber and aluminum body used for the LF-A coupe, which helps maintain the structure's strength and rigidity even without a top.

206-MPH Super Sports GT Goes Topless

DETROIT, MI – A roadster version of the formidable SLR McLaren super sports coupe is in the spotlight at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. Powered by a supercharged 5.5-liter, 617-hp AMG V8 engine, the SLR McLaren Roadster boasts 0-60 mph acceleration of only 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 206 mph.

2008 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster

Showcasing Formula 1 technology for the street, the SLR McLaren Roadster’s carbon fiber monocoque provides high torsional rigidity for outstanding handling as well as unparalleled protection in collisions. U.S. deliveries of the new roadster model began in Fall 2007.

More powerful, more economical, more intense: rediscovering intelligent roadster driving enjoyment

The Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadsters have long captured the hearts of sports car enthusiasts. Incorporating around 650 newly developed components, the SLK models of 2008 are even more dynamic and now offer an even more emotionally charged driving experience.

New-Generation Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Roadster

Stuttgart -- Jan 09, 2008 -- Leading model Eva Padberg and the new Mercedes sports coupé CLC share top billing in the key visual for the second Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin, which takes place from January 27 - 31, 2008. The new CLC will be unveiled to the public for the first time at the fashion event.

New Mercedes-Benz CLC Sports Coupé With Model Eva Padberg

What happens when a legend from Texas reunites with a legend from Dearborn? The most powerful Mustang ever. After 40 years, racing legend Carroll Shelby and the Ford Mustang are back together with the introduction of the 2007 Ford Shelby GT500.

2007 Ford Shelby GT500

The collaboration between Shelby and Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) is yielding an instant collector's Mustang that builds 500 horsepower in its 5.4-liter supercharged V-8.

A modern interpretation of the Shelby Mustang of the 1960s, the Ford Shelby GT500 uses advanced engineering to attain the performance that made the original GT500 the king of the road.

November 15, 2007 -- CYPRESS, Calif. -- The Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is the "attainable exotic" that combines thrilling design and performance with a high-tech convertible top and outstanding value. New for 2008, the Eclipse Spyder GT gains standard 18-inch alloy wheels. SIRIUS® Satellite Radio is now included with the standard Rockford-Fosgate® Premium Audio system, including a 6-month pre-paid subscription.

2008 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder GT

All Eclipse models for 2008 gain a standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

French motor sport magazine Echappement has singled out Mégane F1 Team R26 as the winner of its much-coveted Sportive de l’année (Sports Model of the Year) award. It is the fifth time that Renault has lifted this highly prized accolade. Previous winners were the Renault 5 GT Turbo in 1985, Clio 16S in 1991, the Spider Renault Sport in 1996 and Clio Renault Sport in 2000.

2007 Renault Mégane F1 Team R26

Renault is now the carmaker which has won the highest number of Sports Model of the Year titles since Echappement introduced the award in 1982.

23 November 2007 -- Lotus Cars is very pleased to release its limited edition for Mainland Europe – the Lotus Elise S 40th Anniversary Limited Edition.

This unique limited edition is based on the entry-level model of the Elise Range – the Elise S – and commemorates the 40th anniversary of production at the Lotus factory in Hethel in 2007.

2008 Lotus Elise S 40th Anniversary Limited Edition

The specification of the car is as follows:

Elise S – Model Year 2008, featuring twin airbags
Burnt Orange Premium Paint
Hardtop
Painted rear diffuser and wheels
Leather trim in orange stitching
Painted centre consol & exterior panels in body colour
Coloured brake calipers
Build plate

Dodge delivers ultimate purpose-built, street-legal track car

Auburn Hills, Mich., Nov 9, 2007 - Dodge announced today that the all-new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10® ACR — short for American Club Racer — will make its public debut at next week's Los Angeles Auto Show.

The latest addition to Chrysler LLC's Street and Racing Technology (SRT) family of performance vehicles, the all-new, 600 horsepower 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR is a street-legal Viper engineered to dominate on the race track.

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR

Because it is street legal, die-hard Viper and track enthusiasts can drive their car to the race track, run it at top speed on the track and then drive it home.

Auburn Hills, Mich., Sep 1, 2007 - The 2008 Chrysler Crossfire Coupe and Roadster continue as sleek, modern offerings in the sports car segment, distinguishing themselves from the competition.

Updated safety equipment for 2008 includes a standard, updated Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) system that makes it easy for customers to maintain correct tire pressure.

2008 Chrysler Crossfire Roadster Limited

“WHAT’S NEW FOR 2008”

Safety and Security
New standard safety equipment:

* Updated TPM system

DESIGN

Pontiac has taken what customers love about the popular and powerful Solstice roadster and upgraded it for 2008 with new technologies and many standard and optional features. With two Ecotec compact powerplants and a choice between a standard Aisin five-speed close-ratio manual transmission and an optional five-speed automatic, the Solstice and Solstice GXP are true roadsters.

2008 Pontiac Solstice GXP

Dodge Unleashes New 600-horsepower 2008 Viper SRT10

The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 boasts more of what performance aficionados crave: kick-in-the-pants, throw-back-in-the-seat power, combined with benchmark braking, world-class ride and handling, a race-inspired interior and bold exterior styling.

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10

While every SRT vehicle offers balanced, overall performance, the heart and soul of the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is its standout powertrain. For 2008, SRT ups the ante with a new, 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces an astounding 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque.