We had this occur as soon as earlier than. Throughout observe testing for Motor Authority Greatest Automotive to Purchase 2024, one automotive was so head-and-shoulders above the others that the winner of the award turned apparent. The final time was 2019 when the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S buried the competitors. This time it was the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. What a machine!

Scheduling conflicts meant that solely three of our 5 finalists for the MA BCTB 2024 award may make it to the observe. The observe vehicles have been the Z06, the Ford Mustang Darkish Horse, and the Acura Integra Kind S. Left on the sidelines have been the BMW M2 and Lucid Air Sapphire.

However observe testing isn’t the one consideration for the Greatest Automotive To Purchase award. Worth, value (these two issues can certainly be separate), on-road livability, and total enjoyable issue additionally play into the combo. And when these standards have been thought of, the Acura Integra Kind S made a powerful exhibiting, however got here up simply brief.

The next is a breakdown of what we realized about our finalists by driving them on the observe at Atlanta Motorsports Park, evaluating them head-to-head, and in particular person loans and different observe time for the vehicles that couldn’t make it to our testing program.

Winner: Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The Z06 exhibits how particular the C8 Corvette could be. It not solely has an unique mid-engine design, however it additionally boasts a particular flat-plane crank, 8,600-rpm screamer of an engine. It launches the automotive from 0-60 mph in a scant 2.6 seconds and its high-pitched howl tickled our eardrums whereas doing it. “The largest situation with the C8 is you possibly can inform the chassis is designed for extra energy. This engine fixes that situation,” mentioned Senior Producer Joel Feder.

Senior Editor Bengt Halvorson famous that the engine doesn’t have a whole lot of rapid torque and you should hold the revs as much as get probably the most out of it. That’s simple as a result of the V-8 is teamed with a telepathic 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that shoots the automotive ahead with every stab of the throttle and crisp gear change. 

The ’Vette’s low-slung stance, right-now steering response, flat cornering perspective, and accessible efficiency gave our employees confidence and had us shaking our heads in amazement after every stint. “With every lap I pushed more durable. Go sooner, you are able to do extra. And I didn’t come near the max of what it may do,” mentioned Senior Editor Robert Duffer.

Whereas we didn’t file lap instances, it is no shock the Corvette put up the quickest figures at a few key factors on the observe: 123 mph on the finish of the entrance straight, and 81 mph on the apex of the carousel made up by turns 13, 14, and 15.

There was extra room to develop for each figures, too, particularly for the highest pace on the finish of the straight. Pinning the throttle via 16 would have doubtless added 10 mph by the tip of the straight, however that may create a tough weight shift within the flip 16 transition onto the straight that may typically create a disconcerting slide. We prevented going that arduous in that spot and that value some prime pace.

We appreciated the Z06 on the street, too. “Tour mode dials up a very nice trip. I used to be shocked at how good the trip was,” famous Halvorson. That’s nice for the Z06’s on a regular basis driver credentials, given it’s the Corvette with the firmest tuning.

Our lone criticism concerned the brakes, and the gripe was largely mine. Each Corvette has a brake-by-wire system that simulates really feel. Whereas our Z06 had the elective carbon-ceramic brakes with greater than sufficient stopping energy for a number of days of observe time, it lacked preliminary really feel and required getting used to the chew level of the pedal journey. On not less than two events, I braked too late for flip 2, the primary of two ess corners as a result of the pedal felt picket on preliminary software. The issue was in all probability exacerbated by popping out of the Mustang Darkish Horse, which has a better pedal and extra preliminary chew. Nonetheless, every time, I shortly acquired used to the Corvette’s brakes and had no extra points for the remainder of every session.

2nd: Acura Integra Kind S

We suspected that the Integra Kind S would have the observe functionality of the Honda Civic Kind R that gained final yr’s award, however Acura was selling it as a extra mature road automotive than the Honda. There was no observe part to the media drive, both, however the Kind S has the entire efficiency tools of the Kind R, minus the Recaro bucket seats. We fearful that it won’t have the cooling for observe responsibility, however except for brake smoke after its first observe session, the Kind S held up nicely. Not solely that, however it did higher than anticipated.

The Kind S had an enormous drawback in opposition to the Mustang in efficiency tools, however it carried out virtually as nicely. Its 2.0-liter turbo-4 makes 320 hp. It’s a torque-rich engine that should keep over 2,200 rpm for greatest energy, however that’s no situation on a racetrack, the place energy is prepared upon nook exit and pulls nicely on the straights. Better of all, the ability is accessed via a stunning 6-speed handbook transmission with brief, optimistic throws and an easy-to-modulate clutch. Regardless of a 180-hp deficit, the Kind S was solely 4 mph slower on the finish of the entrance straight than the Mustang.

Poise was the Kind S energy that allowed it to problem the Mustang. “Everybody who acquired into the Integra, inside one lap you have been assured and comfy with it,” mentioned Editorial Director Marty Padgett. It tackled corners with confidence, taking a pleasant set and staying balanced even if the entrance wheels needed to each flip and energy the automotive on nook exit—a traction balancing act that feels pure within the Kind S.

An instance of that poise got here within the apex of flip 15, the place I used to be capable of carry the identical 77 mph because the Mustang, regardless of the Mustang’s stickier tires. Good suspension tuning and carrying about 700 fewer kilos will try this. Sport+ mode was wanted to loosen the steadiness management for the flip 16 transition to the entrance straight. Sport mode clamped down on the ability at that time doubtless as a result of a brief lack of traction, however Sport+ mode let it free and enabled extra pace on the finish of the straight.

The Kind S is a straightforward commuter automotive on the street, with an agreeable trip and tame energy—but additionally one which thrills you unexpectedly on a observe. “For every little thing that automotive can do off of a observe, for it to carry out like that on a observe was exceptional,” mentioned Duffer.

As for these brakes, we fearful we’d should go simple on the Kind S after Feder acquired them smoking in his first session. Effectively, we didn’t they usually didn’t fade via three hours of observe driving. With 13.8-inch entrance rotors and 4-piston Brembo calipers up entrance and 12.0-inch rear rotors with single-slot calipers, they’re not all that huge, however they’re efficient. Nonetheless, I’d need observe pads and high-temp brake fluid for longer observe days.

In the long run, the Kind S made a powerful case for itself, particularly given its pretty affordable pricing of about $52,000. Nonetheless, the efficiency hole between it and the Z06 was simply an excessive amount of to beat.

third: BMW M2

Timing prevented the M2 from making it to our observe day, as BMW was having a big media testing program the identical week and wanted all of the out there M2s for that occasion. Too unhealthy, as it could have doubtless represented itself nicely at Atlanta Motorsports Park. Nonetheless, three of our editors acquired to drive it earlier within the yr at Street America, each on the large observe and a gokart observe that doubles as an autocross course. A fourth whipped it across the Tail of the Dragon for good measure.

The M2 follows the current formulation for brand new M vehicles: It’s greater, heavier, firmer, and sooner round a observe. By the numbers it’s higher, however it’s misplaced somewhat one thing from the last-generation automotive that gained the Motor Authority Greatest Automotive To Purchase 2017 award. That automotive felt like an old-school BMW whereas the opposite M fashions have been already using the bigger-and-more-powerful technique. It was lighter and tuned somewhat softer, with some nicely managed physique lean that supplied really feel in corners.

BMW packs 3.0 liters of great turbocharged inline-6 underneath the hood of the M2. It spins out 453 hp, up 88 horses from the 2017 mannequin. The facility can circulate to the rear wheels via a slick-shifting 6-speed handbook transmission that’s not fairly as tight because the Honda handbook, or a really responsive 8-speed computerized.

Man, that energy is prepared, prepared, and ready. The 0-60 mph instances are 4.1 seconds with the handbook, and three.9 seconds with the automated. The M2 launches onerous, builds pace shortly, and accelerates with gusto out of turns. “The M2 was quick as snot round Street America,” exclaimed Feder.

However at greater than 3,800 kilos, it’s virtually 400 kilos heavier than the 2017 mannequin. BMW counteracts that with firmer suspension tuning that does its greatest to tame the load. In comparison with a number of a lot lighter automobiles on the autocross, the M2 required a stronger stab of the brakes to arrest the pace for corners, and it wanted to be wrangled via them fairly than taking a fast set and carving a exact line. 

The truth that the M2 was capable of not solely compete in an autocross however beat many of the different lighter vehicles was a testomony to adept suspension tuning. It manages to stay approachable. “Just like the Integra, you get into the M2 and also you instantly perceive what that automotive is able to and you should utilize 90% of it virtually straight away,” mentioned Padgett. 

It has extra energy and faster observe instances, however we desire the lighter, extra pleasant on a regular basis nature of the M2’s successor, and with out back-to-back observe time the Z06 merely made a larger impression.

4th: Lucid Air Sapphire

Logistics additionally prevented the Lucid Air Sapphire from making it to our observe day. Lucid mentioned there have been solely two take a look at vehicles within the nation, and the automotive they’d for us was in for service. We figured it was out of the competitors, however when Feder and I acquired into one a number of weeks later in Los Angeles it earned its manner again in.

We took the automotive out on the famed Angeles Crest Freeway and got here away not solely taken with the ungodly energy but additionally the dealing with.

First, the ability. The Air Sapphire has a 3-motor powertrain that makes a max of 1,234 hp. That determine is completely different by mode. Run it within the Sapphire mode and also you get 1,121 hp. The complete 1,234 hp is accessible in a sub mode of Monitor mode known as Drag Strip, which signifies that full energy is barely out there a quarter-mile at a time or so. Monitor additionally has a Sizzling Lap mode that unleashes 1,003 hp and an Endurance at mode that scales it again to 767 hp.

We ran the automotive in Sapphire mode, and Jesus H. Christ in a hen basket, is that this factor {powerful}! Describing the acceleration as pinning occupants again of their seats appears quaint with this a lot energy. The Air Sapphire’s energy supply appears like the varsity bully pinning you up in opposition to your locker, supplying you with a shot to the photo voltaic plexus, and stealing your lunch cash, however then getting a kiss from Stacy’s mother to make all of it higher. It’s scary, exhilarating, and satisfying suddenly. The numbers again me up: 0-60 mph in 1.89 seconds, 8.95 seconds within the quarter-mile, and a prime pace of 205 mph. Electrical energy is right here to remain.

With its 118-kwh battery pack, this beast weighs in at 5,336 kilos, however it has sport sedan strikes to deal with with the very best of them. The low-set weight of the battery helps, however the true accomplishment is the tuning of a reasonably easy suspension. It has double wishbones up entrance and a multi-link setup within the rear with adaptive dampers. No air suspension, no lively anti-roll bars, no rear-wheel steering, simply adept suspension tuning.

The Air Sapphire danced via the twists and turns of Angeles Crest. It turned in sharply because of 13:1 steering that communicated what was occurring on the wheels. The automotive took a fast set and maintained a impartial perspective via corners, and the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires supplied wonderful grip. Whereas stabs of the throttle scared the bejeezus out of us with corners quick approaching, huge carbon-ceramic brakes scrubbed the pace shortly and by no means complained.

Energy was additionally controllable mid-corner, because it didn’t hit onerous like it may well when the automotive is driving in a straight line. That made upkeep throttle simple to modulate and by no means upset the automotive’s stability.

We’d like to get this factor out on a observe, however a Lucid engineer informed us it may deal with three or 4 laps on a 3-mile observe earlier than it could want a cost and a 60-80-minute quiet down. With that in thoughts, we would have gotten 4 or probably 5 runs out of it, whereas the gasoline vehicles may go time and time once more.

All issues thought of, nonetheless, the Air Sapphire places its title up there with the BMW M5, Mercedes AMG GT 4-Door Coupe, and Porsche Panamera as among the best huge sport sedans in the marketplace.

So what’s the issue? 1 / 4 of one million {dollars} is the issue. That’s how a lot the Air Sapphire prices, and on condition that it may well beat any supercar in a straight line makes that nearly appear definitely worth the value. Nonetheless, it simply doesn’t have that form of cachet. Plus, you will get a lot of the Air Sapphire’s efficiency from a Tesla Mannequin S Plaid for round $100,000. Our winner, the Corvette Z06, is expensive too, however it begins at lower than half the value of the Air Sapphire and it seems to be the a part of an unique.

fifth: Ford Mustang Darkish Horse

Your creator drove the Mustang Darkish Horse at Charlotte Motor Speedway and cherished it. One other editor had a week-long mortgage and got here away with the identical impressions. Then we acquired it out to Atlanta Motorsports Park, and it fell on its face.

All 5 of our editors felt the Darkish Horse’s dealing with was sloppy. Whereas the steering was sharp, it appeared prefer it sat an inch or extra too excessive and subsequently leaned an excessive amount of in corners. Worse than that, the magnetic dampers, which we often love, did a poor job of damping physique motions, letting the automotive flop over as an alternative of serving to the suspension take a set to let the automotive carve corners, particularly within the rear. “This automotive felt like an Obama-era Mustang, earlier than they began so as to add the physique construction they wanted to make the suspension do what they all the time wished it to do,” mentioned Padgett.

Even the elective and notoriously sticky 305/30 entrance and 315/30 rear Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires didn’t ship, providing no extra road-holding than the Integra Kind S’s Michelin Pilot Sport 4Ss. In line with Ford, the automotive even had the observe alignment with extra detrimental camber. The Darkish Horse ought to have caught to the pavement, however I famous the identical 77 mph on the apex of flip 15 as I did within the Integra, and I needed to work as much as that.

Have been we to this point off with our preliminary critiques or did we get a dud? To be honest, the Darkish Horse had greater than 10,000 miles on the odometer, and there’s no telling how onerous these miles might need been.

We did get used to the Darkish Horse’s bounding motions in later observe classes and have been capable of get extra efficiency out of it because the day went on. “The Mustang needed to be tamed for certain,” famous Duffer. Two of our editors described it as manhandling the automotive via corners. Once I did that, I elevated my pace in 15 from 74 to 77 mph, and topped out at 114 mph on the finish of the entrance straight. The latter wasn’t a lot sooner than the Integra Kind S. Halvorson wrangled it as nicely, however didn’t really feel higher about its responses. “I elevated my threshold with every lap with the Mustang and felt a special degree of disconcerting habits,” he mentioned.

The 114-mph prime pace wasn’t spectacular given the automotive’s 500-hp 5.0-liter V-8, although we have been much less impressed with our tester’s 10-speed computerized transmission. Even driving in Monitor mode, the transmission wasn’t all the time within the lowest gear to offer optimum acceleration out of corners. Its shifts have been delayed, then fairly tough, and that teamed with the unsettled suspension to make the automotive dip after shifts. On the road, passing maneuvers required multigear downshifts that took time to get up the engine. 

The engine threw a code a few instances as we drained the gasoline tank, and I additionally skilled this drawback on the 24-degree banking at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The difficulty was gas hunger because the gasoline sloshed onerous to the proper within the tank via 13, 14, and 15. It seems that Ford wants to higher baffle the tank to make the Darkish Horse extra trackable.

The brakes, nonetheless, have been phenomenal. Outfitted with 15.4-inch vented entrance rotors with Brembo 6-piston calipers and 14.0-inch vented rear rotors with 4-piston calipers, the Darkish Horse supplied a excessive pedal and nice seize with no trace of fade all through three-plus hours of observe time. Padgett famous a useless spot within the pedal upon preliminary software, however none of our different editors seen it. Nonetheless, no carbon-ceramics have been wanted to get nice efficiency and absolute confidence out of those binders.

We reported our points to Ford. They examined the automotive and located a roughly foot-long piece of wooden within the suspension, although it was skinny sufficient that it could have damaged had it been in an space subjected to suspension compression. In addition they put it within the wind tunnel and mentioned the aerodynamics have been off. Nothing, nonetheless, defined the floppy suspension. Let’s hope this was only one unhealthy apple that doesn’t spoil the bunch.