1999 Chevrolet Corvette

The C5 5.7-liter V8 engine dubbed the LS1, motivates the Corvette. Horsepower is rated 345 at 5,600 rpm, while torque measures 350 lbs.-ft. at 4,400 rpm. The result? Equipped with the standard four-speed automatic transmission, acceleration slip regulation (a.k.a., traction control) four-wheel-disc antilock brakes keep stopping distances short with larger rotors than previous Corvettes. Front tires are 17 inches in diameter, and rears are a whopping 18 inches across, which contributes to an excellent .93g of road grip. The rubber stays planted well too, thanks to a fully independent, four-wheel short/long-arm height-adjustable suspension. EPA mileage figures are phenomenal for a high-powered sports car; the Corvette will return 28 mpg on the highway with the manual tranny.