Ranking The Fastest Mid-Engined Sports Cars Still On Sale
Sports cars are all about speed. The best-crafted supercars are formed from the shape of the wind itself. They feature handcrafted engines built with love piece by piece to produce only the finest tunes. Manufacturers place these beautifully sculpted engines behind the driver in a mid-engine configuration to complete the ritual, eliminating any question about the dedication to performance.
Some manufacturers take this type of dedication to the sports car to the extreme. Known as hypercars, these extreme examples are built in limited quantities and sell out before anyone has even heard of them. Despite the exclusive company those cars hold, there are still some high-speed mid-engine sports cars that are available for purchase, should the hole in the pocket be big enough to purchase one!
10 Lotus Emira
The Emira took the car world by storm when it was announced. Incredibly, this fantastic mid-engined sports car looks like it should cost at least twice what Lotus is asking for at just a hair over $77,000! While Lotus is technically only taking pre-orders for the Emira, it is available to purchase and not just an announcement waiting in the wind.
Even more incredible, the Emira comes with a manual transmission. Further, the 3.5L supercharged V6 engine produced by Toyota can push 400 horsepower, giving the Emira a top speed of 180 MPH. We can’t believe this thing exists! A dying breed in mid-engine cars!
9 Acura NSX
First-generation NSXs defined what it meant to be a JDM sports car. Acura kicked it up a notch when the second generation debuted in 2017. Though the mid-engine sports car is still available, it won’t be for long. Just as quick as it came, so too shall it leave, as the model has officially been slated to be discontinued!
Regardless of the impending doom, the NSX will go out fighting with the Type S. Starting at $170,000; the super NSX Type S features a 600 horsepower 3.5L V6 engine with a top speed of 191 MPH. In addition, the NSX can hit 60 in three seconds!
8 Lamborghini Huracan STO
Lamborghini enjoys world-renowned recognition. Their vehicles are the envy of the sports car world, with many models featuring speed and luxury many could never even dream of! It is then somewhat of a mystery that there is such a thing as an “entry-level” Lamborghini.
Despite the moniker, there is nothing entry-level about the Lamborghini Huracan STO. The highly tuned V10 engine launches this beauty to 60 in three seconds. Additionally, the STO has a neck-breaking top speed of 192 MPH. With a not-so entry-level price of $328,000, it certainly will take plenty of saving to buy one!
7 Chevrolet Corvette C8
Chevrolet finally gave fans what they’ve been dreaming of, a mid-engine Corvette! The C8 Corvette Stingray is as beautiful as ever, and now with the LT2 engine behind the driver, it officially crosses into supercar territory. Though, it doesn’t really cross that line, more like blows past it at the top speed of 195 MPH.
What’s behind the driver anyways? It’s a 6.2L 445 horsepower V8 engine. Mated to this refined engine is an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power straight to the rear. Even more remarkable than the mid-engine layout is the starting price, which is about $61,000. That makes the Corvette Stingray one of the fastest, most affordable mid-engine sports cars!
6 Audi R8
You’ll only have to shell out about half of what the Huracan would cost to obtain the same engine. The Audi R8 features the same 5.2L V10 that sits in the Huracan, albeit less tuned, but still can pump out an impressive 602 horsepower to all four wheels!
In addition to the high power and (almost) reasonable $173,000 starting price, the R8 can hit a top speed of 204 MPH and hit 60 in just short of 4 seconds. Further, Audi gives buyers the choice of a coupe or a convertible to complete the supercar purchasing choice.
5 McLaren 570S/570GT
Another “entry-level” supercar cracks the list. The McLaren 570S/GT comes in at a discounted $195,000, a genuine bargain for McLaren. Being behind the wheel of this baby puts you in front of the fantastic 3.8L twin-turbo V8 that pushes 562 horsepower!
A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is attached to such a powerful engine that drives the rear wheels. As fast goes, the McLaren 570S/GT climbs to highway speeds in just 3.2 seconds while hitting a top speed of 204 MPH. Understandably, with all the carbon fiber, the 570S/GT is one of the fastest mid-engine sports cars out there!
4 McLaren 600LT Spider
Cranking up the heat just a touch is the McLaren 600LT Spider. It uses the same twin-turbo V8 that the 570 uses; however, tuned to produce about 30 more horsepower than its smaller brother. The refinements come at a refined price, too, at a starting price of $259,000!
Though the 600LT Spider looks strikingly similar to the 570S/GT, it’s much quicker. It closes the gap to 60 in less than 3 seconds and climbs to the same 204 MPH that the 570S cracks, but it does so at a higher price, which makes it cooler, right?
3 Ferrari F8 Tributo
The fastest mid-engine car list wouldn’t be complete without a Ferrari. For the price of an average house, one can be the proud owner of the Ferrari F8 Tributo. The Tributo features an insane twin-turbo 3.9L V8 engine that pumps out 710 horsepower. With the energy sent to the rear wheels, the Tributo can virtually fly.
Ferrari’s F8 Tributo is about as classy as they come. The elegant design work is accompanied by some of the nicest interiors possible. The engine is so well crafted Ferrari uses it on the 488GTB, the premier Pista version to be exact. Further, the Tributo has a top speed of 211 MPH and can hit 60 in 2.9 seconds, making it one of the fastest mid-engine cars still available.
2 McLaren 720S
As if McLaren didn’t have enough fast cars, they introduced the 720S to compete with Lamborghini and Ferrari. This design includes an entire carbon fiber monocoque and an incredible 4.0L twin-turbo V8. Behind the driver sits this 710 horsepower monster.
A decisive step outside of affordability will bring home a 720S, as the bank account will be at least $300,000 lighter. Despite the cost, the McLaren 720S has a top speed of 212 MPH and hits 60 in just 2.9 seconds. It really can compete with the best and the fastest!
1 Lamborghini Aventador S/SVJ
Taking the top spot is none other than the incredible Lamborghini Aventador S/SVJ. The Aventador is Lamborghini’s prime vehicle, and there is little question as to why. Starting at $425,000, the Aventador is the most expensive entry, just as it is the fastest. It sends 759 horsepower to all four wheels through a naturally aspirated 6.5L V12 engine.
The Aventador is fast. Like 219 MPH fast and less than 3 seconds to 60 fast. With the type of power that sits behind the driver, it’s almost terrifying to imagine being behind the wheel of such a tuned machine. We’ll get over it quick, though, if the opportunity ever arises to drive one!
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