"How fast is fast? How fast is fast enough? Perceptions vary. You might observe, correctly, that this five-rocket salvo doesn’t represent the ultimate liquid-fuel thrust available on today’s automotive launchpad. There are cars—a few—with higher power ratings, higher flat-out speeds, and much higher price tags.

Compared with a Bugatti Veyron, the ultimate example, everything in this collection looks a little more ordinary and a lot more attainable. You could buy the entire group and still have a couple hundred thou left over. But it’s hard to argue that these aren’t some of the most desirable cars on the road. They make us even more grateful than usual that we aren’t quadrupeds. The slowest sprints to 60 in barely more than four seconds, and all can attain 100 mph in less than 10 seconds.

We’d hoped to make this show a little bigger, but the folks at Lamborghini declined to participate. Disappointing. But even with a Lambo in the cast, the star of this show, in terms of sheer wattage, has to be Ferrari’s new 458 Italia. The menacingly  wedgy sheetmetal, amplified by the baritone boom of its 4.5-liter V-8, sends parking valets into fibrillating sensory overload.

The Mercedes SLS AMG also got a lot of attention whenever we popped its gullwing doors, a move that could draw a crowd in Antarctica.
This is not to suggest that the other contestants are wallflowers. All three—Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8, Porsche 911 Turbo—are familiar faces [“Everyday Supercars,” July 2007]. But “familiar” does not mean “same as.”

The Aston checks in with the DBS’s 5.9-liter V-12. Similarly, the R8 5.2 has a V-10 to increase its urgency index. And the 911 Turbo, a sports-car benchmark for more than four decades, emerged from its recent makeover faster (of course) and easier to manage at high speed on challenging roads. The example we have here is the 30-hp-boosted Turbo S version."

Test is too long to copy it here in full, will be better to read in original. So follow the links below!

Actually 458 Italia is a great performer, but 911 Turbo S with 2.7 seconds 0-60 mph sprint is an absolute winner.

2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage vs. 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10, 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia, 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S - Comparison Tests - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver

 

Still prefer the 458 but the Turbo S is a great car no doubt. Thanks for sharing +rep

 

0-60 doesn't make you a winner these days bud, 458 all the way!

 

having all those in one garage...die a happy man!!!

 

I know that, also I know that this time is almost no way anyone will repeat this acceleration time of Turbo S. There were such tests where Turbos showed acceleration never repeated later.

With all that said Turbo S is a winner in this performance test and its much cheaper also.

But 458 is all about emotions, I would choose it over other cars in this test as well bro

 

Thanks for posting D!

 

For me, it'd be a toss-up between the Turbo S and the V12 Vantage. I like the other three but the Porsche and AM are the only ones that come with a 6 spd manual.

 

Turbo S for me + Techart kit

 

458, SLS, Turbo S, R8, and Vantage in that order.
The 458 just wins at everything. The exhaust note, lap times, and styling win me over.
SLS is unique and finally growing on me.
Turbo S is just brutal. It would be really hard to even find that cars limits.
R8 is still pretty, but it's honestly aging fast for me.
V12 Vantage is kind of slow for shoehorning that massive V12 into it...

I dislike the V12 Vantage's hood, btw.
I've always thought it was a bit tacky, since those vents aren't painted.

 

0-60 in 2.7 is amazing. Great post.