While the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show focused on green, there was also no shortage of high-horsepower track stars. Whether they were making their world debut or North American debut, the air turned electric when these monsters took the stage. Here are the Top Ten Sports Cars at the LA Auto Show.
Porsche Cayman: What else can you say about a new Porsche? You pretty much know what it’s going to look like, and how it’ll perform, but it still takes your breath away. The new Cayman takes tasteful aggressive styling and increased performance to a level that will make you wonder why anyone would spring for the Carrera.
Jaguar XFR-S: The most powerful road-going Jaguar ever is mean, loud and grabs your attention with a seductive face that excites and scares equally. They will only bring 100 to the U.S. next year, but the message is clear: Jaguar is focused on combining beauty with ability.
Nissan GT-R: There’s not much you can do to improve the GT-R, so Nissan just made a few minor adjustments. A new front fascia and rear diffuser help hone the appearance, and a vastly improved interior will appeal to buyers at least marginally interested in comfort.
Volkswagen CC R-Line: Everyone and their mom is building a four-door coupe these days, from a new Mercedes CLS to the Audi A7. Volkswagen had one of the first with the CC, but needed to catch up with the style of the times. The R-Line, a package priced at $32,195, is a nice tide-over body kit until the all-new model comes in a few years.
Aston Martin Vanquish: Even after seeing it in person, we’re still going back and forth on the styling. But you can’t deny that the new Vanquish had presence and star power. Its opulent design and integrated rear spoiler may be a departure from traditional Aston Martin elegance, but its certainly striking and worthy of the stratospheric price tag.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series: It doesn’t get much flashier than the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series, which takes the SLS AMG and ramps it up to 1,100. The yellow paint they showed in LA only upped the ante and you could feel the lust in the air when the Black Series hit the stage.
Bentley Continental Speed: With its big brother the GT3 racecar at its side, the Bentley Continental Speed didn’t draw much of a crowd. But the Speed turns a new page, the fastest Bentley ever armed with 616 horsepower. Expect to see gaggles of them cruising Rodeo Drive in the next twelve months.
Volvo S60 Polestar: Volvo presented the S60 Polestar as a concept, but considering the C30 Polestar has been produced and quickly gobbled up by enthusiasts. The aggressive body kit adds a new level of grunt to a brand long known for civilian performance, and we’re rooting for the 506 horsepower sedan to reach dealerships soon.
Ford Fiesta ST: Ford knows how to make an entrance, and Ken Block helped them ring in the arrival of the new Fiesta ST with an entire minute of smoky donuts that appeal perfectly to the target market. People say that young drivers aren’t that interested in cars anymore, but maybe all they needed was something like the Fiesta ST to pique their interest.
Jaguar F-Type: Don’t let anybody tell you that cars can’t be beautiful anymore. Yes, government restrictions and crash standards regulate creative freedom to an extent, but if you need proof that design is not dead, just march right up to a doubter and show them the 2013 F-Type.
source: automedia
