The end of the year is almost here, and it’s the perfect time for cars to change or refresh their look ahead of the new model year. As usual, there are a few new and upcoming models to get excited about, and we’ve done our bit to identify the right vehicle for you by picking out some highlights. If you’re looking to buy a new sports car over the next 12 months, you could do much worse than seeking out one of the models on this list.
From Ford to BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Honda, and Porsche, 2023 will see releases from recognized brands you know and trust. It also helps that many of these manufacturers have a reputation for excellence and reliability. Let’s have a look, shall we?
8/8 2023 BMW M3 Touring
If you’re looking for a leading-edge luxury wagon that brilliantly combines exceptional driving performance with practicality and a striking design, then the 2023 BMW M3 Touring could well be the car for you. The new wagon version of the M3 is available only in Competition guise with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine making 503 hp and 479 pound-feet of torque.
Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph takes just 3.6 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155 mph in the base model. Opting for the M Driver’s Package raises the maximum speed to 174 mph. An eight-speed automatic gearbox is standard, as is a dynamic all-wheel drive system. There’s no manual transmission for this model.
The M3 Touring is the first performance wagon from BMW and will compete for a market share against the equally stellar Audi RS4 Avant.
7/8 2023 Honda Civic Type R
It’s hard to justify having a list of the hottest new performance cars coming in 2023 without mentioning the Civic Type R, which has traditionally been an exhilarating yet thoroughly pleasurable vehicle to drive.
Available exclusively in hatchback configuration, the 2023 Honda Civic Type R features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque – the most of any Civic ever sold in North America. This means the all-new 2023 Type R gets nine more hp and a 15 lb-ft improvement in torque compared to the previous model. Honda says the performance gain results from a revised turbocharger, an increased air intake flow rate, and a new, more efficient exhaust system that keeps motoring costs down.
6/8 2023 Mercedes-AMG C43
The 2023 C43 is a great performance sedan with the precise handling, balance, and poise that only a few vehicles can provide. It benefits from a hand-crafted turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that pumps out a whopping 402 horsepower – 17 more hp than the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 in the previous C43. The powertrain is assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system that can temporarily add 13 more horsepower for short bursts. From a standing start, the C43 reaches 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.
In addition to the power bump, the smaller engine, which borrows its electric turbocharging tech from Mercedes-AMG’s Formula 1 program, significantly enhances handling since it’s lighter and provides the C-Class luxury sport sedan with better weight distribution. A nine-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, a rear-wheel steering system, and adaptive dampers all come standard.
5/8 2023 Toyota GR Corolla
The GR Corolla is a well-handling hot hatch that feels far more powerful and responsive than its pint-sized proportions may at first suggest. It delivers astronomic levels of output courtesy of a 300-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine borrowed from the GR Yaris. This robust power is delivered to all four wheels through a 6-speed manual transmission that is so quick that it enables you to go from zero to 60 mph even faster, in just 4.99 Seconds, compared to the Yaris’ 5.5 seconds. The manual is the only transmission of choice.
Despite its impressive punch, the all-new GR Corolla still has much room left for a comfortable onboard experience. Its cabin blends high-quality fit and finish with cushioned relaxation from the adjustable driver’s seat, plenty of features, and modern gadgets that help make every experience behind the wheel interesting.
4/8 2023 Nissan Z
Engaging driving experience has always been a Z Car specialty, and the all-new 2023 Nissan Z seeks to uphold these standards with numerous improvements that will keep you entertained. There is lots of power on tap when you need to tackle the highway with pace, thanks to a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that pumps out 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels only via either a six-speed manual or a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters on the steering wheel.
It might be heavier than the old 370Z it replaces, but the new Z Car feels well-adhered to the pavement as it instantly reacts to steering inputs. The 2023 Z is also faster than its predecessor, completing the sprint to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds – 0.6 seconds faster than the Nissan 370Z, which requires 4.9 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill.
3/8 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Whether you’re cruising the smooth city streets or tackling the twisty bits along our country roads, Porsche wants to ensure you can reach everywhere quicker. So it further optimized what many already considered a perfect street car into a legal track car that is the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Inspired by the Le Mans class-winning 911 RSR racecar, which also influenced the 911 GT3 R design, the 2023 911 GT3 RS features a single centrally positioned radiator – the first road-legal Porsche 911 to do so (other models have a three-unit layout) – that gave Porsche engineers the wiggle room to fine-tune both sides of the front end for better aerodynamics and exhilarating performance. This, alongside the car’s aerodynamic package, helps create about 902 pounds of downforce at 124 mph, which is three times as much as the regular 911 GT3.
Exterior tweaks aside, the motorsport-derived GT3 RS is fitted as standard with an instantly adjustable suspension that allows you to switch between high-performance driving and comfortable highway cruising. Under the hood, there’s a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter six-cylinder producing 518 horsepower – 16 more than the standard GT3. A seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic is the only transmission of choice. Zero to 60 mph is achieved in 3.0 seconds
2/8 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Nothing says high performance quite like a Corvette Z06, a sophisticated supercar in which every detail is designed to optimize driving dynamics. For a thrilling driving experience on any road, Chevy equipped the Z06 with a 5.5-liter mid-mounted V8 engine which unleashes a staggering 670 horsepower and allows the sports car to reach 60 mph in 2.6 seconds when optioned with the Z07 package, which includes Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R ZP tires.
This breathtaking output also means the Corvette Z06’s hand-crafted engine is now the most powerful naturally aspirated production V8, leapfrogging the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series’ M159 engine. An 8-speed dual-clutch automated transmission and rear-wheel drive are standard.
1/8 2023 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster
Sleekly designed, the 2023 Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster is a one-of-a-kind convertible wherein your joy will not cease to resound. Powered by a twin-turbo 5.2-liter V-12, this soft top Vantage version makes a whopping 690 horsepower and can take you to 60 mph in 3.4 brief seconds, according to Aston Martin.
The engine directs power to the rear wheels via an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission. An electronically controlled limited-slip differential also comes standard to ensure all that power is delivered in a civilized fashion by helping to prevent a loss of grip. Adaptive dampers also come standard.
