Cars that'll get to sixty before draining your wallet
by Chad Gallion
Performance enthusiasts have been out of favor with the automotive
industry for some time, as decadent sports cars have taken a back seat
to ecological concerns, rising gas prices and higher fuel economy
mandates. Fortunately, advances in lightweight materials, computer
engine management and changing consumer expectations have enabled auto
manufacturers to rethink high-performance cars in a more holistic way
that includes fuel economy. When companies like Ferrari and
Lamborghini are giving attention to hybrid technology and reduced CO2
emissions, to quote Bob Dylan, the times they are a-changin'.
With that in mind, we've put together a list of vehicles that offer
impressive performance and balance that with strengthened fuel
economy. To make the list, each vehicle had to exhibit a
power-to-weight ratio greater than 0.1 horsepower per pound (or no more
than 10 pounds per horsepower). This golden ratio is a good
general reflection of a car's acceleration, speed, and handling
capabilities. From this group of high-performance cars and
supercars, we chose the ten that exhibited the best combined
mile-per-gallon fuel economy. The list gives some great examples
of how you can scratch your high-performance itch while still achieving
reasonable, and sometimes impressive, fuel mileage. Who says you
can't have your cake and eat it too? Read on to find out how.
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