Top 7 Sports Cars Launched In India In 2016

Sports and cars are two words when said in unison can catch any automobile enthusiast's attention in an instant. Sports cars show what a carmaker can do when the rulebook is thrown out the window and it utilises its resources to build somethign completely devoid of compromise. One of the most iconic examples of such a feat in modern times is the Jaguar F-Type. Speaking of sports cars, off late we’ve seen a rising influx of these mental machines in our country. Mercedes-AMG for one now boasts of eleven cars in its lineup. And 2016 has been one of the most exciting years for sports car fans in India thanks to the sheer number of high performance machines that arrived at our shores. Here’s a list of the best ones (all prices, ex-showroom, Delhi)

1. Ford Mustang
Price - Rs 65 Lakh

2016 marked the year when the muscle car icon came to India, yes, to India.And not just any Mustang but the top-of-the-line pony car with a V8 engine. The current Mustang, in its sixth generation in 2016 and the first Mustang in over five decades to be made for right hand drive markets (India being one of them). The 2016 Mustang is powered by a 5.0-litre, naturally-aspirated V8 motor that churns out 401PS of power and 515Nm of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the Mustang offers driving modes to choose from which ensures easy driving, be it city streets or a race track. The sixth-gen Mustang is the first ever to sport an independent rear suspension in this pony car's storied history.

2. Nissan GT-R
Price - Rs 1.99 Crore

Since we are talking about icons, we could not afford to miss the Godzilla. As soon as the GT-R landed on our shores, a number of people bought one, showing just how eagerly awaited this car's arrival was. In its latest avatar, the GT-R sports the V Motion grille and the first delivery of the car went to actor and Nissan brand ambassador John Abraham (known for being an automobile enthusiast). Here's what its specs look like: the hand-built 3.8-litre, twin-turbocharged V6 engine puts down 570PS of power and 637 Nm of torque. The power is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed, twin-clutch automatic transmission. The car also features different drive mode options for different driving conditions. With launch mode on, the GT-R can dart from 0-100kmph in a shade under three seconds!

3. Mercedes-AMG GT-S
Price - Rs 2.40 Crore

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Moving from icons to an icon's successor, the AMG GT is the car that came after Mercedes made the SLS AMG. The AMG GT has a long hood, short deck and the proportions that remind many of the 300SL. Though, It is not just about the design. It features two turbochargers between the two cylinder banks of the V8 engine for packaging efficiency. Also, the AMG GT-S is quite a powerful car. Its front-mid mounted 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 makes 510PS of power and 650Nm of torque. This power is sent to a rear-mounted, seven-speed gearbox that powers the rear wheels. Both components are connected to each other via a carbon-fibre torque tube and help this car reach from 0-100kmph in a shade under 4 seconds.

4. Mercedes-AMG C 63 S
Price - Rs 1.30 Crore

Since becoming a subsidiary of Mercedes, the AMG division has been churning out vehicles that can not just go like hell in a straight line but with great handling as well. The C 63 S is one such vehicle. Some time ago, the Mercedes birthed the C 63 and gave it the Black Series treatment. This car was used as an F1 pace car and made everyone take note of the C 63 nameplate. Fast forward to present, the C 63 S is an even crazier version of the C 63 (which is not on sale in India). The C 63 S is powered by a 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged engine that puts down 510PS of power and 700Nm of torque to the ground. A seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission helps the engine power the rear wheels. With an adjustable suspension setup, a locking differential at the back, this car screams sporty. Additionally, the four doors and extra seats are to ensure that your passengers are scared silly.

5. Aston Martin DB11
Price - Rs 4.27 Crore

The DB11 is a landmark car for Aston Martin. This car doesn’t just usher in design flourishes from the One-77 but also debuts an all-new platform from Aston Martin. With extended use of aluminium on this 2+2 grand tourer, the DB11 also debuts an all-new engine. Aston Martin developed this engine in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz. As a result, for the first time ever, an Aston Martin has a turbocharged engine. The DB11 has a 5.2-litre, twin-turbo V12 engine that makes 608PS of power and 700Nm of torque. This front-mid mounted engine powers the rear wheels via an eight-speed, automatic, rear-mid mounted transmission. The engine comes with cylinder deactivation to conserve fuel, while the car has aerodynamic flourishes like the Aeroblade to help it reach a top speed of 322kmph.

6. Lamborghini Huracan Spyder
Price - Rs 3.89 Crore

The Huracan is the car that replaced the Gallardo in Lamborghini's vehicle lineup. Even though it is the least expensive car the company makes for now, most people still cannot buy it. The Spyder is a convertible version of this Italian beast. It sports a removable soft-top that can be deployed or retracted in just 17 seconds at speeds of up to 50kmph. The rest of the Huracan Spyder is the same as its hardtop sibling, right down to its aviation-inspired design. The Huracan Spyder comes with a 5.3-litre V10 engine that churns out 610PS of power and 560Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission that powers all four wheels. This helps in propelling the car from a standstill to 100kmph in just 3.4 seconds. Cars do not get any more desirable than this, except when you are talking about the next entry in the list.

7. Ferrari 488 GTB
Price - Rs 3.88 Crore

We saved the best for last. The 488 GTB marks Ferrari's return to forced induction in its car's engine since the F40. The 488 GTB is the successor to the immensely popular 458 Italia and features a V8 engine with flatplane crankshaft. In simpler terms, this engine chucks the rumble that V8s are known for, in favour of manic power delivery and intoxicating sound (that too with turbocharging). This 3.9-litre, flatplane crank, turbocharged, 90-degree V8 engine makes 670PS of power and 760 Nm of torque. Paired to a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission, the car sends its power to the rear wheels and helps it go from 0-100kmph in three seconds flat! With aerodynamic flourishes such as vortex generators in the underbody, central aero pillar up front, flaps that automatically open and close, and blown spoiler, the 488 GTB can touch a top speed of 330kmph!

If this is the lineup of sports cars launched in 2016, we can't wait for 2017 to bring in even more powerful and capable cars. For more such features, stay tuned to ZigWheels.