By Don Armstrong
Despite growing sales of SUVs and coupes, sport cars continue to intrigue aficionados and car lovers alike. This month, we look at America’s sport car and a 4-place coupe that will whet your appetite for fall weekend road trips in search of autumn leaves, crooked roads and cooler weather.
Chevrolet Corvette GS
Readers of this column always ask us, “what is your favorite car?” Raising kids dulled sport car thoughts for the past two decades but a recent drive of a 2018 Corvette GS awakened sleeping desires.
For 65 years, the Corvette has been the dream of every red-blooded, American kid, including me. I’ve owned many in my lifetime and enjoyed each one.
The new 2018 GS is a notch above the base level Corvette and gives the driving enthusiast all the attributes of the ultra-powerful, Porsche-killer, Z06, but without its mega-horsepower.
Let’s face it, the base 455-horspower, 6.2-liter V-8 that resides under the hood of the GS is enough to get even the most skilled pilot into some serious trouble.
Equipped with a 7-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission, this Chevy makes it easy to compete on the track and get you to the office in style. Add the carbon fiber package and ceramic brakes and you’ll announce to the world that you mean business.
The entry-level Corvette begins at $56,490, add another 10-grand to get the GS package.
Infiniti Q60 Red Sport 400
As the name implies, this is not your mama’s every day, run-of-the-mill, luxury coupe.
New for 2017, the Q60 Red Sport 400 is Infiniti’s way of getting to the fast lane in style.
What differentiates the Red Sport from the lower Q60 trim levels is the 400-horsepower, twin turbo V-6 that powers the rear wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available. Just by touching the paddles on the steering wheel, the Q60 comes alive with a whoosh of power.
The 2-door sport coupe seats 4 in ultra-plush leather. Even the dash has supercar flair with its dual screens located in the laidback center stack. The instrument pod sits under a notable sunshade that rises in front of the driver.
With adaptive steering and ride adjustability, road trip destinations will become the number one searched item on your new, expensive smart phone.
The Infinti Q60 Red Sport 400 starts at $51,300. Add another 10-grand for a loaded up one, like our tester.
