2023 Sports Cars: New Models Teased
Almost everyone dreams of owning a sports car. Automotive Territory gives you a glimpse of what’s to come with a dozen all-new models for 2023. From Porsche to BMW, Lotus to Mercedes, and Brabus to Maserati, we’ve got stunning coupes, majestic convertibles, and one of the hottest hot hatches recently built.
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Porsche 911 Sport Classic
The glassy-looking Porsche 911 Sport Classic is one of four exclusive new Porsches that belong to the company’s heritage design strategy. Limited to 1250 units, the model adopts early 1970s styling and has a wide body design reserved for the brand’s turbo sports cars. The Sport Classic is also distinguished by a double-bubble roof, a fixed tree or spoiler inspired by the 1972 911 Carrera RS 2.7, and a unique Sport Gray Metallic paintwork option.
The suspension tag is borrowed from the current generation GTS, so it gets port springs, 0.4 inches lower height, and standard Porsche Active Suspension Management. The 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-6 returns 550 hp and comes paired with a 7-speed manual transmission, making the Sport Classic the most powerful manual 911 yet. Rear-wheel drive is standard, as is a sports exhaust and carbon ceramic brakes. Lastly, the cabin is wrapped in black cognac leather with an iconic Pepita pattern on the seat centers.
Lotus Emira GT4
The first new model delivered under the guidance of Lotus’ advanced performance arm marks the start of the new GT racing era for the company. The GT4 class version of the Emira carries the same 3.5-liter supercharged Toyota V6 engine that pumps out 400 horsepower. However, in comparison with the road-legal Emira, the GT4’s powertrain gets specific MoTeC engine management, a dry sump oil system, and an extract 6-speed sequential gearbox with pedal shift actuation.
Even more racing progress is hidden under the skin, as the Emira GT4 gets a double wishbone suspension with the two-way adjustable Allen dampers and anti-roll bars. Lotus claims that the braking power is competition-spec and is boosted by an adjustable motorsport-grade ABS from Bosch. Expectedly, to fit a roll cage and other FIA-compliant safety equipment, the interior was largely stripped off.
Audi RS5 Coupe
In 2023, Audi’s most potent sports car aims to close the gap with the all-new BMW M4 by the introduction of a competition package that makes the car more aggressive, faster, louder, and lower. Audi’s twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 produces the same 444 horsepower and 442 pound-feet, but the 8-speed transmission now has faster shifts, and the limiter is set to 180 miles per hour, which is a 6 mph increase over the previous Dynamic Plus package.
By ditching 18 pounds of sound insulation and acquiring a new RS sport exhaust system with matte blacktail pipes, the competition pack provides a more intense sound pattern. The RS5 Coupe gets a stiffer, adjustable coil-over suspension that brings the car 0.8 inches closer to the ground, plus Audi offers 20-inch wheels wearing Pirelli P0 Corsa tires. Lastly, the interior sports pearl Nappa and Dynamica front seats, Alcantara finish with contrasting red stitching, and matte Arras carbon inlays.
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
BMW has been recently returning to the concept of a radically unique and controversial front fascia for every single model. Luckily, at least for now, the M8 facelift avoided this fate and mostly focused on refining the interior and adding some exterior tweaks. The car gets eight new body colors, fresh 20-inch light alloy wheels, and a standard CFRP roof. Optionally, customers can order an M Carbon exterior package and bring more carbon elements.
Since the 2022 model here marks the 50th anniversary of the M brand, the coupe also offers special 1970s badges up front, in the rear, and on the wheel hubs. The M8 Competition gets an M Compound Brake System as standard, while the M Carbon Ceramic Brakes with gold calipers are an option.
Outstanding performance is courtesy of a 4.4-liter V8 engine with the M21 power turbo technology
2023 Sports Cars
The 2023 sports car lineup is expected to have several drivetrain options, with at least 600 and up to 1200 horses. The vehicles in this group will have the best in class handling and extreme performance parameters, including a top speed of 186 mph and reaching 0 to 60 under 3 seconds. Let’s take a look at some of the most exciting models:
Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series
The uncompromising platform of the 2022 AMG GT Black Series served as the base vehicle for this track weapon. This 55-unit limited edition earns the title of the most powerful 2-door sports car ever conceived by the Affalterbach brand. The car is powered by the 4-liter by turbo V8 paired to the 6P sequential gearbox from Hueland. Thanks to the motorsports back fuel injectors and other unspecified tweaks, this mill gains 14 horses and 37 pound-feet, totaling in 734 hp and 627 pound-feet. To harness the added might, this racer features an all-new carbon fiber arrow kit consisting of an exclusive front grille, a modified mechanically adjustable rear wing, and a specially developed high downforce front splitter. The track series is equipped with adjustable 4-way Bilstein dampers, motorsport-grade steel brakes (15.4 inches front and 14 rear), 12-level racing ABS with traction control, and an FA-approved troll cage.
Ferrari SP48 Unica
Ferrari’s Special Projects team introduced a hexagonal pattern that appears throughout the car. The front grille was overhauled with a new honeycomb pattern, the A-pillar was blacked out, and the side air scoop was lowered in the back. The SB48 Unica gets a beefy diffuser and rectangular lights stretching the width of the car. As for the underhood business, there are no reported changes, so the twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8 still makes 710 horsepower.
Toyota JAR Corolla
The JAR team in cooperation with master driver A Kiyo developed the first pure ghost racing member of the family. The car gets a low center of gravity, model-specific frame reinforcements, and new 18-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport for rubber. The two versions are available: Core and the launch year exclusive Circuit Edition with the carbon fiber elements and a larger rear spoiler. Both rely on the same turbocharged 1.6-liter 3-cylinder that is heated up to produce 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet. This mill is paired with the six-speed intelligent manual as the only transmission option, as well as the rally brand GR4 all-wheel drive. As for the cabin, the JAR treatment includes sport seats and a new 12.3-inch driver’s cluster with JAR-specific screens.
