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Sports cars are a rare breed in 2022. Car makers are finding it increasingly difficult to justify building models that are designed primarily for driving enjoyment in a world obsessed with SUVs and utes.
Thankfully there are some brands that are fighting the good fight for driving enthusiasts. Here are some of our favourite sports cars from this year.
Nissan Z
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It’s not an all-new model by any stretch and its critics will complain that it’s still based on the same basic underpinnings as the 350Z. But that’s both selling the new Z short and missing the best part – that Nissan still believes in sports cars.
Beneath the very stylish exterior is indeed a platform that has its roots in the 350Z but has been updated and overhauled for this new model. Importantly there’s a new engine under the swooping bonnet, a twin-turbo V6 that significantly ramps up the power and performance.
Read more about the Nissan Z in our launch review.
Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition
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You might dismiss this as a marketing exercise to highlight the British brand’s move into Formula One, but this isn’t just a sticker package. There’s more power, the unmissable new aero kit and some key mechanical changes to the chassis that make this an even better version of the Vantage.
Already one of the more under-rated sports cars on sale today, this British coupe can hold its own amongst its German peers with a great engine (which is actually from Germany) and a thoroughly engaging driving experience.
Read our Road Test of the Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition.
Aston Martin DBX707
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Yes, it’s an SUV, but to compare this to your average Audi Q8 or BMW X5 is selling it short. Aston Martin has blurred the lines between sports car and SUV with the DBX707, which has elevated the already impressive DBX to the next level.
Packing a whopping 519kW of power and 900Nm of torque this may be a five-seat SUV but it will also out-run Aston Martin’s own Vantage and DBS Superleggera 0-100km/h – taking just 3.3 seconds.
It’s a stylish machine with a well-sorted chassis too, making it a memorable driving experience from 2022.
Read our Aston Martin DBX Road Test here.
Subaru BRZ
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One segment of the market more in danger of extinction than even sports cars is the idea of an affordable sports car. As we discovered this year, hot hatch prices are on the rise, with only a handful still starting under $50k.
Enter the new-generation BRZ, a two-door coupe with a price tag starting with a four. The first generation BRZ/Toyota 86 were a paradigm shift for affordable performance cars and despite some inevitable price creep, they remain great ‘bang for your buck’ propositions.
The BRZ comes with a more powerful engine and a more refined driving experience, making it seem like even better value than before.
You can read all about the 2022 Subaru BRZ in our Road Test.
Porsche 911 GTS
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In truth, the Porsche 911 Carrera is all the sports car you’ll ever need – but that has never stopped the German brand making it better. In 2021 we got the latest take on the 911 GT3 and in 2022 it was time for the 911 GTS to make its appearance with this latest generation model.
Unsurprisingly, it is a spectacular sports car, with immense performance on and off the racetrack.
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