Thanks to increasingly high performance and increasingly sophisticated technology, sports cars are getting more and more expensive each year; there are now plenty of sports cars on the market that may not cross the border into supercar territory in terms of performance and style but still carry a supercar-sized price tag. But while the lines get ever more blurred between sports cars and supercars, there’s one line that seems to still divide them: a top speed of 200 mph.
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The 200 mph mark is a sought-after target for many high-performance car enthusiasts, but there are loads of cars out there that hold their own (both on the road or on a racetrack) without hitting 200 mph. For some buyers, the inability to crest the double-ton is a make-or-break in their sports car-buying decision, and for years, it was a problem that plagued Aston Martin. “You spent how much on your Aston and still can’t hit 200 mph?” But how much can you spend and still not hit 200? We’ve compiled the most expensive sports cars that fail to hit the magical mark.
9
2024 Lotus Emira First Edition – $105,400
Lotus Emira V6 First Edition Coupe
MSRP
$105,400
Engine
3.5L Supercharged V6 Gas
Horsepower
400 hp
Torque
310 lb-ft
Top Speed
180 mph
0-60 MPH
4.2 Seconds
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
As Lotus kickstarts its electrification program with the Evija hypercar, the Emira is the last-ever sports car produced by the brand to be powered by an internal combustion engine. Launched in the UK and Europe in 2022, the Emira has now finally been given the greenlight to be delivered to American customers, following lengthy delays.
The Emira places a greater emphasis on a luxurious, comfortable ride than its predecessor, the Evora; the interior is kitted out with high-quality materials and creature comforts such as cupholders and storage bins. It is also easier to get in and out of, thanks to its larger door openings. Two powertrain choices are available: a 400-horsepower supercharged V6 or a 360-hp turbocharged inline-four with a dual-clutch automatic sourced from Mercedes-AMG. But even in V6 form, it can only muster a top speed of 180 mph, while the turbo four-cylinder reaches a paltry 169 mph and starts a few dollars shy of six figures. The most expensive model, the V6 First Edition, is priced at $105,400 before options.
8
2024 Jaguar F-Type R75 P575 – $115,000
2024 Jaguar F-Type Convertible P575 R75 AWD
MSRP
$115,000
Engine
5.0L Supercharged V8 Gas
Horsepower
567 hp
Torque
516 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
0-60 MPH
4.4 Seconds
Top Speed
177 mph
As Jaguar moves towards its target of becoming an all-electric brand by 2025, the F-Type is sadly being discontinued. However, the brand is saying goodbye to this quintessentially British sports car in style. Alongside the entry-level R-Dynamic version, two special editions of the F-Type are available exclusively for the 2024 model year: the 75 and R75, both featuring custom commemorative badging and available as either a coupe or convertible. The R75 P575 is the most powerful configuration available in the lineup; Jaguar opted for one last blast of old-school power to bid the F-Type farewell with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that produces 567 horsepower. With a base price of $115,000 before options, it’s an expensive way to fall 23 mph short of 200, only reaching 177 mph.
7
2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray Convertible 3LZ – $122,850
The first-ever Corvette with a hybrid powertrain and the first with all-wheel drive, the E-Ray combines the 6.2-liter V8 that powers the C8-generation Corvette Stingray with an electric motor, producing a combined power output of 655 horsepower, according to GM – though the true figure may be even higher. And thanks to its “stealth” driving mode, the E-Ray can cover short distances of 3-4 miles entirely on electric power, creating the slightly eerie sight of a Corvette moving about in total silence. The E-Ray is available in three trim levels (1LZ, 2LZ, and 3LZ), mirroring the standard Corvette’s 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT trims. The higher-level trims add comfort features such as a 14-speaker stereo, wireless phone charging, and a heads-up display, as well as additional safety features such as blind-spot monitoring. But the reason it’s on this list is that it can only hit 183 mph, and yet prices start at $104,900, excluding destination.
6
2024 Nissan GT-R T-Spec – $141,090
MSRP
$141,090
Engine
3.8L Twin-Turbo V6 Gas
Horsepower
565 hp
Torque
467 lb-ft @ 3300 rpm
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
6-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
Top Speed
196 mph
The 2024 GT-R may be yet another update on the R35-generation car that first made its debut in 2009, but it still holds its own more than respectably. This year, the mid-level T-spec trim makes a return to the lineup, fitting in between the Premium and top-level Nismo versions. Power comes from a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive system; power output is 565 hp in the two lower trims, both of which are incapable of cresting 200, topping out 4 mph shy of that target. There is a GT-R that can hit 200 mph, though: the GT-R Nismo. Although Nissan hasn’t published top speed figures for a few years now, no significant mechanical changes mean it should still top out at 205. But for the T-Spec, you pay $141,090 to get oh so close.
5
2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Coupe – $175,900
Base MSRP
$175,900
Engine
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas
Horsepower
577 hp
Torque
590 lb-ft
Top Speed
196 mph
0-60 MPH
3.1 seconds
Transmission
9-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
The new Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe has been given a redesign for 2024, with a longer wheelbase, more spacious interior, and new trim levels. It also offers all-wheel drive as standard for the first time, along with rear-wheel steering and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential to make sure you stay on the black stuff. The GT Coupe is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, producing 469 hp (in the GT 55 trim) and 577 hp (in the GT 63 trim), paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. And if you want your GT to stop on a dime, carbon-ceramic brakes are also available as an option. But even in GT 63 form, you fall agonizingly short of 200 mph, topping out at 196 mph. The price you pay to not quite get there? A cool $175,900 before options. And, once a plug-in hybrid version arrives weighing a whole lot more, you might be asked to fork out an even higher amount.
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That’s for the entry-level 55 variant, but you’ll have to fork out a lot more for the 577-horsepower 63 derivative.
4
2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS & 718 Cayman GT4 RS – $160,700
Base MSRP
$160,700
Engine
4.0L Flat 6 Gas
Horsepower
493 hp
Torque
331 lb-ft
Top Speed
191 mph
0-60 MPH
3.2 Seconds
Transmission
7-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Base MSRP
$160,700
Engine
4.0L Flat 6 Gas
Horsepower
493 hp
Torque
331 lb-ft
Top Speed
196 mph
0-60 MPH
3.2 Seconds
Transmission
7-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
This shouldn’t really be much of a surprise, as Porsche’s GT-division cars historically trade top speed for handling prowess, but can you imagine paying $160,700 and still not being able to hit 200? That’s the case for both the 718 Cayman GT4 RS and the 718 Spyder RS – mid-engine sports car siblings from Porsche that pack a 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flay-six developing 493 hp and 331 lb-ft. Mechanically related cars, with identical prices, not all aspects of these two are the same. The Spyder RS is roofless, which cots it in the high-speed stakes, as it maxes out at 191 mph while the Cayman GT4 RS hits 196. And still, there are more expensive Porsches to come on this list…
3
2024 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo – $205,000
2024 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo
Base MSRP
$205,000
Engine
3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 Gas
Horsepower
542 hp
Torque
479 lb-ft
Top Speed
199 mph
0-60 MPH
3.5 Seconds
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Returning after a four-year hiatus, the Maserati GranTurismo incorporates elements of classic Maserati design alongside more modern styling cues. Power comes from a detuned version of the Nettuno twin-turbo V6 engine found in the MC20, with an elaborate twin-combustion technology that takes a page out of Formula 1’s book. In the base Modena trim, the engine produces 483 hp, while in the performance-oriented Trofeo trim, the power output is 542 hp. It’s in this top trip that you can reach 199 mph, paying $205,000 for the privilege of not making it to 200. But you do get AWD, loads of comfort, and Italian flair. Worth it? We’ll let you decide.
Also soon due to be entered on this list is the GranCabrio Trofeo, lifting the lid on the GranTurismo and dropping the top speed by a few miles per hour while increasing the price to an as-yet-unannounced figure.
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The electric Folgore will follow at a later date.
2
2024 Mercedes-AMG SL 63 S E Performance – $200,000+ Estimate
The all-new SL63 S E Performance is the most powerful and pricey sports car in the Mercedes-AMG SL-Class lineup. Although an official price tag hasn’t been confirmed yet, it is estimated to be north of the $200,000 mark. Its plug-in hybrid powertrain consists of the 603-hp twin-turbo V8 from the regular SL63, paired with a 201-hp electric motor, producing a total power output of 805 hp. The main purpose of the hybrid powertrain, however, is boosting acceleration, which, according to AMG, is a mere 2.8 seconds from 0 to 60. Despite being a plug-in hybrid, you can only travel a few miles on electricity alone. But the added weight of the hybrid system hampers performance in another area, and the electrified SL tops out at 196 mph – four shy of the magical 200 mph mark.
1
2024 Porsche 911 S/T – $290,000
Base MSRP
$290,000
Engine
4.0L Flat 6 Gas
Horsepower
518 hp
Torque
342 lb-ft
Top Speed
186 mph
0-60 MPH
3.5 Seconds
Transmission
6-Speed Manual
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
The latest iteration of the ultimate German sports car, the 2024 Porsche 911, is available in 14 different trim levels and three body styles for 2024, starting from the Carrera and going all the way up to the eye-wateringly expensive and ludicrous Dakar edition. Pricing is equally broad, starting at $114,400 for a Carrera Coupe and extending to $290,000 for the 911 S/T. But did you know that only one 911 trim is capable of passing 200 mph? The 911 Turbo S hits 205 mph in both Coupe and Cabriolet form, but every other 911 falls short. Some, like the regular 911 Turbo, get achingly close at 199 mph, and the 911 GT3 and GT3 RS trade straight-line speed for dynamic prowess on track, but the limited edition 911 S/T, built to celebrate 60 years of 911, takes the cake as the most expensive sports car that can’t hit 200, topping out at 186 mph. Fortunately, its virtues lie elsewhere, like the lightweight body, lightened flywheel, and manual gearbox paired to a GT3 RS engine.