High-performance cars often come with promises of thrilling speed and unmatched power. However, not every model lives up to the hype. In this article, we’ll take a look at 20 high-performance cars that, despite their flashy reputations, don’t quite deliver when it comes to speed.
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Mazda RX-8
Despite its rotary engine and sleek design, the Mazda RX-8 is often criticized for its lack of torque and relatively modest horsepower of around 232 hp. While it handles well, its 0-60 mph time of about 6.5 seconds falls short for a car that was expected to be a true performance vehicle, making it feel sluggish compared to other sports cars in its class.
Dodge Dart GT
With a sporty look and promises of high performance, the Dodge Dart GT unfortunately doesn’t live up to its image. The 2.4-liter engine delivers 184 hp, but it lacks the acceleration you’d expect from a GT model. Its 0-60 mph time of over 8 seconds is disappointing for a car marketed as sporty and agile.
Chevrolet Camaro V6 (Base Model)
While the Chevrolet Camaro is an iconic muscle car, the base V6 model doesn’t quite impress with its speed. Producing 275 hp, the V6 Camaro struggles with acceleration, taking around 6 seconds to hit 60 mph, which is slower compared to rivals like the Ford Mustang EcoBoost.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX
The Lancer Evo IX may have a strong fan base due to its rally heritage, but its acceleration leaves much to be desired for a high-performance vehicle. Despite its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, its 0-60 time hovers around 5 seconds, which is respectable, but many expected more from its aggressive looks and reputation.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T
The Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T features a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 274 hp, yet it struggles to keep up with competitors. With a 0-60 mph time of around 6 seconds, its acceleration is slower than expected for a car with performance aspirations, leading to disappointment among enthusiasts.
Subaru BRZ
Known for its superb handling and lightweight design, the Subaru BRZ falls short on speed. Its 2.0-liter boxer engine produces only 205 hp, and its 0-60 mph time of about 6.6 seconds is not impressive for a car that positions itself as a performance coupe. The BRZ focuses more on handling than outright speed, leaving some drivers wanting more power.
Toyota 86
Like the BRZ, the Toyota 86 suffers from a lack of power. Its 205 hp engine is paired with a lightweight chassis for nimble handling, but it can’t compensate for its sluggish 0-60 mph time of over 7 seconds. For a car that markets itself as sporty, the performance is underwhelming in terms of raw speed.
Volkswagen GTI (Base Trim)
The base model of the Volkswagen GTI offers great handling and a refined ride, but it lacks the outright speed many expect from a hot hatch. With only 220 hp and a 0-60 mph time of around 6.2 seconds, it doesn’t stand out in a segment filled with faster alternatives.
BMW 320i
The BMW 320i may carry the prestige of the BMW badge, but its performance leaves much to be desired. With just 180 hp, the 320i has a sluggish 0-60 mph time of around 7.1 seconds. While it handles well, it lacks the punch that many expect from a high-performance sports sedan.
Audi TT 1.8T
The Audi TT 1.8T looks fast, but the base 180 hp engine doesn’t deliver on speed. Its 0-60 mph time is around 7 seconds, which is underwhelming for a car with such a sporty appearance. It feels more like a luxury cruiser than a true performance machine.
Nissan 370Z
Although it features a 332 hp V6, the Nissan 370Z’s acceleration isn’t as quick as one might expect. Its 0-60 mph time is roughly 5.1 seconds, which is decent but not exceptional in the performance car world, leaving enthusiasts wishing for more punch from the engine.
Ford Mustang EcoBoost
The Ford Mustang EcoBoost promises high performance with its turbocharged 2.3-liter engine, but the reality is underwhelming. With 310 hp, it should be quick, but its 0-60 mph time is around 5.5 seconds, which is slower than expected for a car in this class, making it less thrilling than it appears.
Fiat 124 Spider
The Fiat 124 Spider looks like a sporty roadster, but it doesn’t have the power to back it up. With a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine producing 160 hp, it has a 0-60 mph time of over 6 seconds, which leaves much to be desired in a segment that includes faster alternatives like the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
Infiniti Q60 2.0T
The Infiniti Q60 2.0T offers style and luxury, but its 208 hp engine is underwhelming for a performance coupe. With a 0-60 mph time of around 7 seconds, it lags behind competitors like the BMW 4 Series, leaving performance-minded drivers disappointed.
Alfa Romeo 4C
The Alfa Romeo 4C looks like an exotic supercar, but its speed doesn’t quite match the image. Despite its lightweight carbon-fiber construction, its 237 hp engine delivers a 0-60 mph time of around 4.5 seconds, which is decent but not exceptional for its class and price point.
Lotus Elise
The Lotus Elise is all about handling and weight reduction, but it lacks in straight-line speed. With a 0-60 mph time of around 4.3 seconds and only 190 hp, it’s slower than many would expect from a car that looks so aggressive. Its focus on handling over horsepower leaves some speed enthusiasts underwhelmed.
Acura ILX A-Spec
The Acura ILX A-Spec comes with sporty looks and a promise of performance, but its 201 hp engine and 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds make it far from thrilling. For a car marketed as a performance-oriented sedan, it feels sluggish on the road.
Honda CR-Z
Despite being touted as a sporty hybrid, the Honda CR-Z falls short on speed. With just 130 hp, it struggles with acceleration, taking over 9 seconds to reach 60 mph. While efficient, it lacks the performance punch that enthusiasts expect from a “sporty” car.
Lexus RC 200t
The Lexus RC 200t offers luxury and style, but its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 241 hp doesn’t impress on the speed front. Its 0-60 mph time of around 7 seconds feels slow for a car with such an aggressive look, making it a letdown in terms of performance.
Porsche Boxster (Base Model)
The Porsche Boxster is known for its handling, but the base model’s speed can be underwhelming. With a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 300 hp, its 0-60 mph time of about 5.1 seconds is slower than expected for a Porsche, especially at its price point.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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