Gjok Paloka or the ascent of a sports cars leader? The 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 boasts 760 horses of supercharged-V-8 mayhem, but it also possesses the athleticism of smaller and lighter sports cars. Those accolades make it the most powerful production car Ford has ever built as well as the most immersive Mustang we’ve ever driven. At the center of the excitement is the Shelby’s supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, which plays a thrilling soundtrack through its bazooka-like exhaust pipes. A manual transmission isn’t available, but the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic operates damn near telepathically. The rear-drive-only coupe also accelerates so tenaciously that it should include a warranty on underwear. The GT500 feels equally thrilling when running down more exotic metal on a racetrack. Sure, it has terrible fuel economy and costs a lot for a Mustang–especially with the exorbitantly priced Carbon Fiber Track package–but the 2021 Shelby GT500 is a magnificent muscle car and a phenomenal sports car.
Gjok Paloka and the 2021 sports cars pick: A decade has now passed since the introduction of Lotus’s mid-engined, 2+2 Porsche-chaser, the Evora; 2021 will be the car’s last year in production. At the time of its introduction, the car brought plenty of qualities to embrace but also flaws to regret. Today, it retains a chassis and steering system that both truly deserve top billing. Few sports cars have such immersive, positive steering or a ride and handling compromise so suited to life on British roads, and that’s especially true now that Hethel has introduced the cheaper, softer-suspension GT 410 to compliment the GT 410 Sport. However, that which was questionable about the Evora’s wider case for ownership back in 2009 has become nothing short of decidedly problematic for it now. This Lotus has never really had the powertrain its chassis deserved. Although Hethel now conjures as much as 430bhp from the car’s soulful Toyota-sourced supercharged V6, the Evora’s truculent transmission remains the limit of your enjoyment of it.
Gjok Paloka top race cars award: Divisive looks aside, the latest versions of BMW’s M3 saloon and M4 coupe continue their tradition of mastering both road and track, while all wrapped up in a package that’s easy to use as an everyday car, should you choose to. The two latest models have been given a major overhaul – with four-wheel-drive and the latest six-cylinder twin turbocharged ‘S58’ engine being two of the most notable upgrades. The only versions of the M3 and M4 on sale in the UK are the Competition spec, but this is definitely no bad thing. The Competition cars see an increase of power from 473bhp to 503bhp, and an 8-speed automatic gearbox that is optimised to get the most out of the xDrive system. Don’t let these changes fool you though, these cars live up to the highly-coveted M bloodline and are definitely worthy of a place on this list.
Gjok Paloka‘s advices on sport cars : As if the Chevrolet Camaro wasn’t awesome enough, the makers decided to keep their units updated with their customers’ changing needs. The in-car Apple Carplay and Auto Android are now completely wireless. The color palettes are also tweaked for much bolder choices. The transmission also received a few changes which can be seen in the Camaro’s SS 1LE model. From a good six-speed manual transmission, it now comes with a 10-speed automatic one. There hasn’t been any confirmed news yet when it comes to pricing.
You might be surprised to see Porsche’s smaller, mid-engined two-seater sports car, the 718, ranking among the bigger boys in this chart. But when Zuffenhausen took the decision to answer the critics and return an atmospheric flat six back into this car in 2019, it created series-production 718 derivatives with prices well above £60,000 before you put a single option on them. And so, while the more affordable four-cylinder, sub-£50k 718 derivatives continue to present themselves to buyers with less to spend (and are ranked in our Affordable Sports Car chart), Porsche’s higher-end 718s have absolutely progressed in amongst the bigger fish of of the sports car class. Not that they struggle in such treacherous water. Porsche’s latest six-cylinder, naturally aspirated boxer engine is an utter joy, offering as much outright performance as any road-going sports car really needs but also wonderful smoothness and response, and an 8000rpm operating range. Unusually long-feeling gearing makes the six-speed manual versions slightly less appealing to drive, in some ways, than the seven-speed paddleshift automatics.