What's Next: Sports Cars

Introduction

Wanna play? That’s the question every sports car should ask. sports cars are designed for fun and performance, born when the first line was drawn on a napkin or when someone looked at a base model and said, “Let’s put a HEMI in it!” The key is that either the original or a variant be built with one main objective: To elicit grins and giggles from driver and passenger. Here’s a snapshot of what’s coming and what automakers’ imaginations have produced, starting with the most recently unveiled.

2009 BMW M3 Convertible

The M3 has evolved over time from a racing homologation car into a full-fledged lineup unto itself. The newest M3 has already debuted in coupe and sedan form, and both are bona fide winners. Like the coupe and sedans, the M3 convertible comes with a 4.0-liter V-8 pushing 414 horses at a lofty 8,300 rpm, and 295 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,900 rpm. The new über Bimmer also boasts a six-speed manual tranny with a locking differential, an aluminum chassis, electronic damper control, cross-drilled cast iron rotors, and Servotronic steering with Normal and Sport modes.

2009 Dodge Challenger

While it may seem like the Dodge Challenger has been out for a couple of years now, in reality the first units are just now going on sale. The high-performance 6.1-liter V-8 SRT8 was the first out of the gate, but Dodge filled out the lineup at the New York Auto Show with the V-6 SE and 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 R/T model, for those who want the looks of the musclecar without the price or performance. Even the SRT8 gets an upgrade for ’09: For the first time in any of its Hemi-powered cars, Dodge is offering a six-speed manual transmission option on the R/T and SRT8 models.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

You know Hyundai. They're the guys who started out with cheap cars like the Excel and yet, despite fierce odds, slowly built a reputation for quality cars and SUVs, cars that were affordable, reliable and came with a great warranty. Yawn. Don't blame Hyundai for being so good at its mission, but most of the time they haven't exactly set the enthusiast world on fire. The Genesis sedan's launch fizzed a bit despite the V-8 engine thanks to a mainstream design, but the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is an entirely different thing. This sexy rear-drive party for two will have competitors sharpening pencils and car buyers drooling over the prospect of a test drive.

Kia Koup Concept

Long warranties and low prices have driven a lot of traffic into Kia showrooms, but company executives that want to move the brand forward know that car shoppers need something more from this Korean nameplate. So Kia is bumping up the style and horsepower with the Koup concept, a two-door, front-drive, turbocharged pocket rocket boasting 290 horses and set to tussle with established players like Volkswagen GTI and Honda Civic Si. Maybe that’s jumping the gun a bit, yet what’s almost certain is that the Koup previews the styling of the new Spectra that will bow within a year or so.