Check Out Hottest Performance And Sports Cars Launched This Year

As we have entered the last month of the year, here is the time to look back at this year’s performance car launches. India has witnessed growing popularity for sports cars in the past few years, resulting in high demands for performance-oriented cars. Interestingly, a handful of performance electric vehicles (EVs) have also arrived in the meantime. So, let us check out the list of performance cars launched in 2024 in the country.

Porsche 

Macan EV

German sports car maker Porsche started this year with the launch of the Macan EV – its first all-electric SUV. Priced at Rs 1.65 crore (ex-showroom), the performance-oriented Turbo trim 

gets a 100 kWh battery pack paired with two electric motors that generate a staggering combined output of 639 PS and 1,130 Nm, enabling it to hit 100 kmph from standstill in 3.3 seconds. The electric SUV tops out at 260 kmph. Notably, the claimed range of the Turbo stands at 591 km.

Panamera

Unveiled in late 2023, the third-generation Porsche Panamera arrived in India a few months after the Macan EV. Powering the new Panamera is a turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 engine mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This motor delivers 353 PS and 500 Nm, and goes from 0-100 kmph in 5.3 seconds. It provides a top speed of 272 kmph. On the other hand, the range-topping Panamera GTS, with its 4-litre V8 turbo mill, makes 500 PS and 660 Nm, allowing it to reach 100 kmph from standstill in 3.8 seconds with the sports chrono package. The top speed of this stands at 302 kmph. Prices for the new Panamera range between Rs 1.70 crore and Rs 2.34 crore (ex-showroom).

New 911 (992.2)

The iconic 911 received a substantial update this year, and shortly after its global debut, Porsche brought the Carrera and Carrera 4 GTS to India. They cost Rs 1.99 crore and Rs 2.75 crore (ex-showroom), respectively.

Porsche debuted a clever hybrid system for the 911 range for the first time with the 911 Carrera GTS 4. This uses a 3.6-litre turbocharged flat-six mill married to 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that now employs an electric motor. This hybrid system produces 541 PS and 610 Nm, while the engine makes 485 PS and 570 Nm. 

As a result, it can sprint to 100 kmph from a standstill in 3 seconds, and tops out at 312 kmph. The entry-level 911 Carrera, on the other hand, continues with the tried and trusted 3-litre six-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine that delivers 394 PS and 450 Nm. This allows it to achieve 0-100 kmph in 4.1 seconds and provides a top speed of 294 kmph.

Taycan facelift

The last model of this year from Porsche to arrive in the market was the Taycan facelift. Priced at Rs 1.89 crore and Rs 2.53 crore (ex-showroom) for the Taycan 4S and Taycan Turbo, respectively, the update has brought numerous changes across the board.

The Taycan lineup now comes with 89 and 105 kWh battery packs, featuring a dual-motor setup. All the refreshed models are more powerful and faster, plus deliver longer range than the previous versions. They use a 800V architecture, allowing ultra-fast charging speeds of up to 320kW. The range of the 4S with a 105 kWh unit is rated at 549-642 km, while the Turbo delivers a range of 557-630 km with the same battery pack. The power output is rated at 517 PS and 707 PS, respectively.

The Taycan Turbo can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 2.7 seconds (with launch control), whereas the Taycan 4 takes 3.7 seconds to achieve the mark. They provide a top speed of 260 kmph and 250 kmph, respectively.

New McLaren 750S

British marque Mclaren introduced the new 750S earlier this year at Rs 5.91 crore (ex-showroom). The 4-litre twin-turbo V8 mill of the 750S produces 750 PS and 800 Nm. It is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. With the rear-wheel drive setup, it hits 100 kmph in 2.8 seconds and tops out at 332 kmph.

New Aston Martin Vantage

Another British marquee Aston Martin introduced its new generation Vantage in India at a sticker price of Rs 3.99 crore (ex-showroom). It is powered by a 4-litre turbocharged V8 engine producing 665 PS and 800 Nm, and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It can go from 0 to 100 kmph in 3.4 seconds and provides a top speed of 325 kmph.

Maserati

Grecale

Maserati introduced the Grecale in mid 2024 with prices ranging from Rs 1.31 crore to Rs 2.05 crore (ex-showroom). Like its siblings, the SUV comes with a range-topping Trofeo trim, known as a performance-oriented version. Powering the Grecale Trofeo is a 3-litre V6 petrol engine that makes 530 PS and 620 Nm. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system. With this, it achieves 0-100 kmph in 3.8 seconds. Meanwhile, the GT and Modena get a 2-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 300 PS/450 Nm and 330 PS/450 Nm, respectively.

GranTurismo

Maserati introduced the GranTurismo shortly after the launch of the Grecale. Priced at Rs 2.72 crore for Modena and Rs 2.90 crore for Trofeo (ex-showroom), the grand tourer gets a turbocharged 3-litre V6 engine with different tunes for both trims. The entry-level Modena makes  490 PS and 600 Nm, whereas Trofeo generates 550 PS and 650 Nm. An all-wheel drive system is standard across the board. In terms of acceleration, the GranTurismo Modena goes from 0-100 kmph in 3.9 seconds, while the Trofeo takes 3.5 seconds.

Land Rover Defender Octa

British marque Land Rover launched the Defender Octa – the most potent Defender ever in India at Rs 2.65 crore (ex-showroom). At launch, the Octa Edition One was also introduced. Apart from a slew of mechanical changes, the Defender Octa (110 body style) comes powered by a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 petrol engine with a mild hybrid assist. As a result, the SUV makes 635 PS and 750 Nm. The power is sent to all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission. With the launch control function, the torque output increases to 800 Nm, allowing it to reach 100 kmph from standstill in 4 seconds.

Lamborghini Urus SE

Italian marque Lamborghini brought the Urus SE – the first-ever plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Urus – in India at a sticker price of Rs 4.57 crore (ex-showroom). Being a PHEV, the Urus SE gets a 4-litre turbocharged V8 petrol engine that is coupled to an electric motor, producing a combined output of 800 PS and 950 Nm. Paired to this hybrid system is an all-wheel drive system and an 8-speed automatic transmission. This results in a 0-100kmph time of 3.4 seconds with a top speed of 312 kmph. There is a 25.9kWh battery pack, which enables an EV-only range of up to 60 km with a top speed of 130kmph.

BMW

i5 M60

BMW started its new year with the launch of the new generation 5 Series equivalent i5 M60 xDrive. The first-ever electric 5 Series in the i5 M60 form is priced at Rs 1.20 crore (ex-showroom). It is powered by an 81.2 kWh battery pack paired with a dual-motor setup that produces 601 PS and 795 Nm. With this, it can reach 100 kmph in 3.8 seconds.

M4 Competition

The BMW M4 received a nip and tuck this year and was launched at Rs 1.53 crore (ex-showroom). Most notably, this facelift brought an increased power output of 20 PS to the M4 Competition, totalling 530 PS and 650 Nm. However, the acceleration time has been unchanged as it still takes 3.5 seconds to go to 100 kmph from stationary.

M4 CS

The M4 CS is one of the most powerful track-oriented M models in the brand’s history. It sits above the M4 Competition, which we have just mentioned in the list. While it boasts several subtle styling changes inside out, the crux of the M4 CS lies under the bonnet and mechanicals. It comes powered by a 3-litre six-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 558 PS and 650 Nm, enabling it to achieve 0-100 kmph in 3.4 seconds. Meanwhile, the M4 CS costs Rs 1.89 crore (ex-showroom).

XM Label

BMW launched the limited-edition XM Label in India at Rs 3.15 crore (ex-showroom). However, the brand imported only one unit of the performance SUV out of 500 units. It features a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 that generates 748 PS and 1,000 Nm, which is 95 PS and 200 Nm more than the standard XM. Plus, its small battery pack allows the XM Label to be driven in EV-only mode for up to 82 km. The SUV can hit 100 kmph in a staggering 3.8 seconds and tops out at 250 kmph.

2024 M340i

BMW recently announced the launch of the updated M340i at Rs 74.90 lakh (ex-showroom). The new M340i comes with a fresh set of wheels, upgraded suspension, and a new upholstery. However, the 3-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine continues to deliver 374 PS and 500 Nm. It takes 4.4 seconds to reach 100 kmph from a standstill.

M5

With the new generation 5 Series and i5, BMW also brought the all-new M5 to India. This new performance-focused M model gets a 4.4-litre turbocharged V8 but this time, the engine comes paired with a small battery pack and an electric motor. The combined power output stands at 727 PS and 1,000 Nm. On the other hand, the small battery pack enables EV-only range of up to 69 km. It has been priced at Rs 1.99 crore (ex-showroom).

2024 M2

The smallest M car in the BMW lineup, the M2, received minor updates across the board, including a new colour, updated infotainment OS, and more powerful engine. The updated M2 costs Rs 1.03 crore (ex-showroom). The 3-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol now delivers 480 PS (20 PS more than the previous model) and 600 Nm. While this motor is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, customers can also opt for a 6-speed manual gearbox.

Mercedes-AMG

GLE 53 Coupe

German automaker Mercedes-Benz introduced its first performance car, the GLE 53 Coupe facelift, of this year in January. The performance-coupe has received changes in line with the refreshed standard GLE in design and interior. It comes with a price tag of Rs 1.85 crore (ex-showroom). Additionally, the powertrain has also been updated with a 48V mild-hybrid functionality that provides 22 PS and 200 Nm. The turbocharged 3-litre six-cylinder engine makes 435 PS and 560 Nm. Mated to this powertrain is a 9-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system.

S63 E Performance

Another launch of a high-performance Mercedes took place in May this year and it was the AMG S63 E Performance. It has been priced at Rs 3.3 crore and Rs 3.8 crore (ex-showroom) – the latter for the Edition 1 version. Powering the S63 E Performance is a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine coupled to a small battery pack and an electric motor, making it a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV). With this, it generates a whopping 802 PS and 1,430 Nm, taking it from 0 to 100 kmph in 3.3 seconds.

GLC 43 Coupe

The AMG GLC 43 Coupe is another performance-coupe that went on sale in India from Mercedes-Benz this year. Priced at Rs 1.10 crore (ex-showroom), this coupe borrows its 2-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine from its sedan sibling to produce 421 PS and 500 Nm. When it comes to 0-100 kmph acceleration timing, the GLC 43 Coupe takes 4.8 seconds to cover it.

G63

The legendary G63 also received an update this year and comes with a price tag of Rs 3.6 crore (ex-showroom). It features a 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine now linked to a 48V mild-hybrid system. The G63 makes 585 PS and 850 Nm, allowing the mammoth to reach 100 kmph from a standstill in 4.3 seconds. Top speed stands at 240 kmph.

AMG C63 S E Performance

The most recent and last launch of the year from Mercedes was the C63 S E Performance, which costs Rs 1.95 crore (ex-showroom). The elder sibling of the C43 comes powered by a turbocharged 2-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric gas turbocharger, a small battery pack, and an electric motor. The powertrain together generates a power output of 680 PS and 1,020 Nm. The result is 0-100 kmph in 3.4 seconds.

Phew! That was it. While the list of the performance cars launched this year is lengthy, we expect more and more sports cars and performance cars to be introduced in the market in 2025.