When it comes to sports cars, speed and performance are often the top priorities, but that usually comes at a cost—especially at the gas pump. Over the years, some of the most iconic and thrilling sports cars have also earned a reputation for terrible fuel efficiency. In this list, we’ll take a look at 25 sports cars that offer an exhilarating driving experience but leave much to be desired when it comes to miles per gallon. If you love speed and power, but hate frequent trips to the gas station, these cars might make you think twice.
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Bugatti Veyron (2005-2015)
The Bugatti Veyron is a marvel of engineering with its quad-turbocharged W16 engine producing over 1,200 horsepower. This hypercar delivers blistering speed, reaching over 250 mph, but its massive powertrain comes at the cost of fuel efficiency. Averaging around 10 MPG, the Veyron’s fuel consumption is among the worst in the sports car world. Owners don’t mind, though, as they value performance over practicality.
Lamborghini Aventador (2011-present)
With its naturally aspirated 6.5L V12 engine, the Lamborghini Aventador delivers astonishing performance and a roaring exhaust note. However, its raw power translates to an abysmal fuel efficiency of 9-11 MPG, especially in city driving. The Aventador was built for speed and thrills, not fuel savings, making it a gas-guzzler worthy of this list.
Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (2006-2012)
Ferrari’s 599 GTB Fiorano combines luxurious styling with a 6.0L V12 engine that produces 612 horsepower. Though exhilarating to drive, it suffers from poor fuel economy, delivering just 11 MPG combined. This V12-powered grand tourer is designed for speed and comfort, but its thirst for fuel makes it inefficient for everyday driving.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (2006-2013)
This American sports car is known for its high-performance 7.0L V8 engine, which generates an impressive 505 horsepower. However, the Corvette Z06 pays for its power at the pump, managing only 14 MPG in the city. While it’s a track star, its poor fuel economy makes it a less practical choice for regular driving.
Dodge Viper (1992-2017)
The Dodge Viper’s 8.4L V10 engine produces exhilarating speed but burns fuel quickly, averaging around 12 MPG combined. The massive V10 engine has always been one of the Viper’s key features, offering raw power at the cost of fuel efficiency, making it one of the most notorious gas guzzlers among sports cars.
Ford GT (2005-2006)
The Ford GT was created to pay homage to the legendary GT40, featuring a supercharged 5.4L V8 engine producing 550 horsepower. Despite its racing heritage, the GT falls short in fuel efficiency, achieving only 12 MPG combined. While the GT is an icon of American muscle, its poor gas mileage is unavoidable.
Aston Martin V12 Vantage (2009-2018)
Powered by a 6.0L V12 engine, the Aston Martin V12 Vantage is as elegant as it is powerful, producing 510 horsepower. Unfortunately, that power comes with a fuel efficiency of just 12 MPG, making this sleek British sports car highly inefficient. It’s built for performance and luxury, but the V12’s thirst for fuel is undeniable.
Bentley Continental GT (2003-present)
The Bentley Continental GT offers unmatched luxury and comfort, but its W12 engine is known for poor fuel economy, struggling to break 15 MPG. With 552 horsepower, the W12 engine delivers incredible power, but the trade-off is its gas-guzzling nature. It’s a grand tourer designed for style and prestige, not fuel savings.
Maserati GranTurismo (2007-2019)
Known for its striking design and Ferrari-derived V8 engine, the Maserati GranTurismo offers 13-15 MPG, making it one of the least efficient luxury sports cars on the market. While the GranTurismo exudes elegance and Italian flair, its high fuel consumption and mediocre range are difficult to ignore.
Porsche 911 Turbo (1995-1998)
The Porsche 911 Turbo is beloved for its agility and turbocharged power, but the 1990s models suffer from poor fuel economy, hovering around 14-15 MPG. The car’s flat-six engine delivers blistering acceleration, but drivers will pay for it with frequent trips to the gas station. It’s fast but far from efficient.
Nissan GT-R (2007-present)
Nicknamed “Godzilla,” the Nissan GT-R delivers jaw-dropping performance with its twin-turbo V6, but it only manages 16 MPG combined. This technological marvel is packed with cutting-edge features, but its performance focus means that fuel efficiency takes a back seat, making it a gas-hungry machine.
McLaren 650S (2014-2017)
With its twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing 641 horsepower, the McLaren 650S is a speed demon, but that performance comes at the cost of fuel efficiency, with an average of 16 MPG combined. Built for the track and the road, the 650S offers blistering acceleration, but its thirst for fuel is evident.
Ferrari F12berlinetta (2012-2017)
This Ferrari powerhouse comes with a 6.3L V12 engine, producing an impressive 730 horsepower, but its fuel efficiency suffers, managing only 13-16 MPG. The F12berlinetta delivers exhilarating speed and an unforgettable driving experience, but you’ll spend plenty of time and money refueling it.
Lamborghini Murciélago (2001-2010)
The Murciélago’s 6.2L V12 engine gives it the ability to hit incredible speeds, but its fuel economy is abysmal, averaging 9-11 MPG. This iconic Lamborghini is a symbol of pure performance, but its gas-guzzling tendencies are just as legendary as its top speed.
BMW M5 (2012-2016)
As a performance-focused sedan, the BMW M5 offers impressive power from its 4.4L twin-turbo V8 engine, producing 560 horsepower, but its fuel economy of 15 MPG combined leaves much to be desired. It’s a driver’s dream on the road, but not the most efficient choice for fuel-conscious consumers.
Pagani Huayra (2012-present)
The Pagani Huayra’s 6.0L V12 engine, developed by Mercedes-AMG, gives it incredible speed and performance, but its fuel economy suffers as a result, averaging around 14-16 MPG. This hypercar is a true work of art, but efficiency was never its primary goal, making it a costly choice for fuel.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 (2012-present)
Equipped with a 6.2L supercharged V8 engine, the Camaro ZL1 delivers an astounding 650 horsepower, but only 14 MPG in the city. The ZL1 is built for muscle car enthusiasts who crave power, but its poor fuel efficiency makes it impractical for everyday use.
Audi R8 V10 (2009-present)
Audi’s R8 V10 is a beautiful machine, but its 5.2L V10 engine doesn’t do any favors at the pump, averaging only 14-16 MPG. This sleek and stylish supercar offers exceptional performance but sacrifices efficiency in the name of speed and luxury.
Jaguar F-Type R (2013-present)
The Jaguar F-Type R packs a supercharged 5.0L V8 engine that delivers exhilarating speed, but it struggles with efficiency, averaging 16 MPG combined. While it’s a stunning and powerful sports car, fuel efficiency is one of the F-Type R’s biggest downfalls.
Shelby GT500 (2011-present)
The Shelby GT500 is a beast on the road with its supercharged V8 engine producing up to 760 horsepower, but it only manages around 14-16 MPG combined. This high-performance Mustang is built for speed, but efficiency takes a major hit.
Koenigsegg Agera (2010-2018)
The Koenigsegg Agera is one of the fastest production cars in the world, but its twin-turbo V8 engine averages just 14 MPG. It’s an elite hypercar with a focus on speed and performance, making fuel efficiency an afterthought for its owners.
Ferrari Testarossa (1984-1996)
The Ferrari Testarossa, with its 4.9L flat-12 engine, is a symbol of 1980s excess, offering an average of 10-12 MPG. While the Testarossa is a cultural icon, it’s also known for being a gas guzzler, making it a staple on this list.
Aston Martin DB9 (2004-2016)
The Aston Martin DB9 offers sophistication and power with its 6.0L V12 engine, but it only achieves around 15 MPG. It’s the perfect blend of luxury and performance, but not the best option for those looking to save on fuel costs.
Lotus Esprit V8 (1996-2004)
The Lotus Esprit V8 delivers thrilling performance with its twin-turbocharged V8 engine, but its fuel economy suffers as a result, managing only 16 MPG or less. While lightweight and agile, the Esprit V8 is far from efficient.
Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 (2005-2006)
The Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 is equipped with a supercharged 3.2L V6 engine, producing 330 horsepower, but its fuel economy averages around 15 MPG. Though less known, its combination of performance and poor efficiency earns it a spot on this list.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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