The horsepower wars are over! Sort of. The war may still rage on, but Mercedes Benz has gracefully bowed out. MB's performance division AMG released a statement yesterday that says they are now going to focus on a lower emissions strategy for all future models and pursue technologies that can improve performance by optimizing engines and reducing curb weight. Right. These are the same dudes who made 500hp station wagons.
Truthfully, as long as their models still rip around tracks faster than Yung Bergs manager running from the cops, we'll be happy. In anticipation of MB's first lightweight, fuel sipping models, we compiled a list of our favorite lightweight sports cars. Whatever they build has to be at least on par with these. If not, they should be back to making 500hp family cars. Check out the best of the best below...
• Car: Caterham Superlight R500 2.0L
• Made of: Carbon fiber and fiber glass.
• Power: 263hp
• Weight: 1,115 lbs
• Price: $55,585
• Claim to fame: Track monster. Top Gear's 2008 Car of the Year. Caterham claims their cars are made for the track but can be driven on the daily. Right. Unless you live in SoCal and don't mind driving an inch from the ground and feeling every crack in the road, this ain't a daily driver.
grazhopa January 16th, 2009 at 06:49 AM
ktm is austrian not australian. big continent sized country in the pacific vs small european country
GetFighted January 16th, 2009 at 09:07 AM
Blog editor of the year goes to.... Not you, grazhopa!! Youre some fucktard who has so little to do that you actually point shit like that out..
Jonathan January 16th, 2009 at 09:46 AM
KTM is Austrian not Australian... no kangaroos in Austria :-)
Jonathan January 16th, 2009 at 09:50 AM
...O.K.. that was a little unnecessary.. who took the jam out of your doughnut?
Andrew January 16th, 2009 at 10:31 AM
KTM is Austrian, not Australian ;)
stretcharmstrong January 16th, 2009 at 11:01 AM
KTM is Austrian, not Australian GetFighted spelt his name wrong... he meant to write GotFisted
sturdy beam January 16th, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Nice and all, but dont you even know what the fastest production car is?! Its the Bugatti Veyron.
Jollyfrog January 16th, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Not exactly lightweight though...
Fishface January 16th, 2009 at 02:40 PM
and the Atom is 1003 pounds not 1400..
Ben January 16th, 2009 at 09:09 PM
Sturdy Beam, I suggest you go and reread what is written. It says the Mclaren F1 is the fastest NATURALLY ASPIRATED production car in the world still. There are a handful of production cars that have overtaken the Mclaren as the fastest production car, but non of them are naturally aspirated, they all have turbo or superchargers. So it is in-fact you who is wrong.