Top Five Show-Stealers
Detroit is the first major show since the federal government mandated a 40-percent increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy to 35 mpg by 2020. Even with the looming specter of the stricter standards and $100 per barrel oil, the hottest cars on display are evidence that auto manufacturers are intent on going out with a bang and not a whimper when it comes to high performance. Speaking of bang for the buck, the leader in that category is the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Even though it has a heady sticker price of $100,000, it’s still cheaper than any Ferrari while serving up a massive amount of horsepower—620 to be exact. Using the same supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 as the super Corvette, the Cadillac CTS-V intends to put the German Autobahn burners like the BMW’s M3 on notice that this 550-bhp sports sedan is ready to rumble. Speaking of Germany, Audi has a pair of high-performance entries—the Audi R8 V12 TDI, diesel-powered mid-engine 500-bhp supercar that derives its powerplant from its Le Mans-winning R10 racer, and the more muscular Audi TTS, a new flagship performer for its TT coupe and roadster series. Finally, the Koreans are about to enter a new segment previously dominated by American and European marques with the launch of the Hyundai Genesis, a new full-size V-8-powered family sedan.
1. Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
2. Cadillac CTS-V
3. Audi R8 V12 TDI
4. Audi TTS
5. Hyundai Genesis
