One of These Cars Will Be Our 2026 Performance Car of the Year
One of these cars will be the 2026 performance car of the year and contenders strong. They push limits on track and street, so picks narrow down soon, but testing drags on. While power rules some, handling sways others too. Still, winner surprises maybe, I think.
Porsche Cayman GT4 RS
Porsche Cayman GT4 RS mid engine pure and laps Nurburg fast. Flat six screams high, so shifter precise, but price climbs 160k. However, no rear seat practical sorta, daily okay ish. Still, chassis god.
Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
Chevy Camaro ZL1 1LE V-1 supercharged beast and aero savage. Drag king too, so quarter quick, under 80k value. Yet visibility poor cabin hot. Even so, track eats tires.
BMW M4 CSL
BMW M4 CSL stripped light and carbon everywhere. Twin turbo inline six torquey, so straights fly, 140k tag. But ride harsh street, rear drive tail happy. Kind of extreme maybe.
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro
Mercedes AMG GT 63 Pro four door fast and V-8 rumble. AWD grips launch, so family sleeper, but heavy nose dive. Still, tech overloads, luxury mix.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Alfa Giulia Q 2.9 twin turbo Ferrari motor and corners alive. Italian flair draws, so 505 hp playful, 80k steal. However, reliability whispers, dealer sparse. Feels special though.
Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Ford Mustang Dark Horse V-8 naturally breathed and handling pack. Recaros hug, so track ready, 60k range. But front heavy understeer, still fun revs.
Toyota GR Supra 6MT
Toyota GR Supra manual BMW inline six smooth and balanced chassis. Shifts notchy fun, so backroads dance, 60k fair. Yet cabin cheapish, roof optional.
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
Cadillac CT4 V Blackwing supercharged V-6 and manual rare. Rear drive drifts easy, so lap times shock, 65k. However, magne ride stiff, seats skinny. Bang huge.
Lotus Emira V6
Lotus Emira V6 light agile and Toyota motor reliable. Pure steering direct, so telepathic, 100k premium. But space tiny heat bad. Still, drivers car true.
