Welcome to the Cool Car Cup, your definitive guide to the most exhilarating performance cars of 2024. In this ultimate test, we’ve gathered six of the most outstanding contenders and pitted them against each other in the Motor1 Thunderdome. From the winding canyon roads of Southern California to the demanding curves of the racetrack, only one will emerge victorious from this epic battle of automotive excellence.
The premise of the Cool Car Cup is refreshingly simple, guided by the principle that less is indeed more. Unlike typical magazine tests that often include a dozen cars with only a few genuine contenders, we’ve streamlined our selection to feature only the true game-changers. Forget the filler – this group is packed with pure performance killers.
Our lineup boasts the most refined mid-engine marvels from Lotus and Porsche, a raw and powerful V-8 Aston Martin coupe, a groundbreaking Lamborghini hypercar, the sole electric vehicle deserving of track time, and, of course, the ever-iconic Miata. These are not just cars; they are statements.
What exactly defines a “Cool Car,” and how does one earn the coveted Cool Car Cup? Above all, the winner must deliver sheer driving joy. While the 1,001-horsepower Lamborghini Revuelto undeniably offers more outright performance than the nimble Miata, in this competition, they start on equal ground.
Experience the thrill of throwing the ND Miata into a corner with the throttle pinned, and you’ll understand why. Each vehicle in our handpicked group was rigorously vetted for its performance capabilities and exceptional handling long before arriving for this test. The Motor1 team personally drove each car earlier in the year to confirm their baseline credentials and ensure they were worthy of Cool Car Cup consideration.
However, our goal extends beyond mere performance metrics. We sought to crown a champion based on loftier virtues: How instinctively a car responds to a driver’s inputs, how effectively it ignites a sense of wonder and excitement, and those elusive, intangible qualities that elevate a great car to legendary status.
This quest proved to be a remarkably challenging endeavor.
Despite decades of combined experience conducting large-scale performance shootouts, the Motor1 staff struggled to recall a contest as fiercely debated as this one. On the final night, amidst a dinner table laden with pasta and fine wine, each Motor1 staff member passionately defended their favorite car, engaging in a spirited and unwavering debate.
What follows is an introduction to each competitor, penned by the Motor1 staff member who championed that car most fervently. Following these introductions, we delve into the narrative of our test: a thrilling shootout across the breathtaking canyon roads north of Los Angeles, culminating in a demanding track day to distinguish the ultimate victor from the impressive contenders.
Prepare to be captivated.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N: A Deserving Contender, Poised to Win
Masterful handling and blistering pace allow the Ioniq 5 N to outshine its gas-powered rivals.
| Specs | 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N |
|---|---|
| Battery | 84.0 kWh Lithium-Ion |
| Output | 641 Horsepower / 545 lb-ft of Torque |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.4 Seconds |
| Weight | 4,861 Pounds |
| Price | $67,295 |
Yes, it’s an EV. Before you dismiss it, hear me out. The 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a groundbreaking vehicle, a true flagship, a bold statement. This Hyundai renders the efforts of the other competitors almost irrelevant. The Aston Martin, Miata, Lotus, and Porsche, while exceptional, are simply refined iterations of established automotive concepts. The Lamborghini is a hybrid, yes, but it’s also an exercise in hypercar excess, an unattainable dream for most. What tangible lessons can the average driver extract from such an ultra-exclusive machine?
The Hyundai, in contrast, forges a new path. It stands as the pinnacle of performance EVs, possibly the only truly exceptional one to date.
While other EVs may boast quicker acceleration, faster lap times, higher G-force figures, or even a lower price tag than the $67,000 Hyundai, none can navigate a series of chicanes with greater finesse. Frankly, neither can any of the gasoline-powered cars in this test. Its boxy silhouette might recall a Bertone-designed bread van, but the Ioniq 5 N drives with the spirit of our favorite sports sedans of the past, a golden-era 5-Series reimagined with Korean design flair.
Whether attacking racetrack hairpins or diving into backroad corners, the Hyundai responds to your commands with remarkable fluidity, inspiring more confidence, generating more adrenaline, and ultimately delivering more driving joy than any other car in this competition.
This exceptional performance is a testament to Hyundai’s meticulous and masterful calibration of every control input. From the commanding and upright driving position to the steering calibration that is light yet direct and communicative, and the brake calibration that is both responsive and easily modulated, the Ioniq 5 N sets a new benchmark. Furthermore, it accelerates out of corners with the ferocity of the Aston Martin, enters corners with the agility of the Miata, and outperforms the Porsche in a straight-line sprint.
While other EVs may accelerate faster, achieve quicker lap times, pull higher G’s, and undercut the Hyundai on price, none can navigate a chicane with more panache.
In captivating helmet-cam footage captured by our own Chris Rosales, the Hyundai’s drift-ready chassis transforms every corner into a canvas of tire marks, filling the soundtrack with gleeful laughter and tire squeal.
While the beauty of this test lies in the fact that every car is worthy of victory, it is character that ultimately distinguishes one from the rest. I champion this unexpectedly cool Hyundai for its performance prowess, its intangible appeal, and its unwavering dedication to driving joy.
– Kyle Kinard, Executive Editor
The Miata: Timeless Perfection in an Affordable Package
As the fourth-generation Miata approaches its tenth anniversary, it continues to challenge the very essence of every other sports car and supercar: Why?
| Specs | 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0-liter Inline-four |
| Output | 181 Horsepower / 151 lb-ft of Torque |
| 0-60 MPH | 5.7 Seconds |
| Weight | 2,341 Pounds |
| Price | $30,150 |
We included the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata in this test for a singular, crucial reason: it serves as the great equalizer. Despite being slower and more affordable than almost every other sports car or supercar on the market, a Miata will make you question the very value proposition of them all. This has been the Miata’s enduring magic since its inception.
For 35 years, the Miata has been the gold standard for a lightweight, engaging, rear-wheel-drive sports car. It’s equally at home on a winding road or a demanding racetrack, because its power is never overwhelming; it’s always perfectly balanced. Every interaction with a Miata feels inherently right: the gear lever effortlessly glides into first, each upshift and downshift is met with a satisfying mechanical click, it maintains stability at high speeds and under hard braking, and flows seamlessly through corners thanks to its near-perfect 50-50 weight distribution. The manual shifter subtly vibrates in your hand, a direct connection to the transmission, unmediated by clumsy cables. The Miata is authentic, and that authenticity is palpable.
I vividly recall pulling into the pits after several exhilarating laps around Streets of Willow, top down, wind in my hair, and thinking, “No matter how extravagant other cars may be, this is my kind of cool.”
The Miata entered its fourth generation in 2016, making the car we brought to Willow nearly a decade old. Yet, when I drove the Miata back-to-back with newer, significantly faster cars, I couldn’t help but wonder: Are they truly worth the exorbitant price premium? The 1,001-hp Lamborghini Revuelto, a car I deeply admire, costs twenty times more than a Miata, but does it deliver twenty times more driving pleasure? The answer is a resounding no. The same holds true for every other car in this test.
A Miata will make you doubt every other sports car or supercar, despite being slower and cheaper than almost all of them.
It’s a common saying in the racing world that the driver you should be most wary of passing you at a track day isn’t in a supercar – it’s the one behind the wheel of a Miata. This is because those who choose the Miata understand the true essence of cool.
– Alanis King, Editor-At-Large, Motorsport Network
Lamborghini Revuelto: A Hypercar That Redefines Reality
The Revuelto is a symphony of hyperbole and cutting-edge technology. Every drive will leave you breathless, screaming, ‘HOLY S***,’ if you can catch your breath.
| Specs | 2024 Lamborghini Revuelto |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6.5-Liter V-12 Hybrid |
| Output | 1001 Horsepower / 793 lb-ft of Torque |
| 0-60 MPH | 2.5 Seconds |
| Weight | 3,907 Pounds |
| Price | $604,000 |
At the launch of the Lamborghini Revuelto, I experienced a revelation. Even after the initial excitement subsided, this car continues to shine brighter than ever.
In my initial review, I hailed the Revuelto as the quintessential modern supercar. After spending two days navigating California’s spectacular canyon roads and pushing its limits at the Streets of Willow race circuit, I stand firmly by that assessment.
This car flawlessly ticks every box. Otherworldly design? Check. A massive, high-revving, naturally aspirated engine? Check. Handling that rivals the most advanced race cars? Check. Mind-bending straight-line acceleration? Undeniably.
Unlike many hybrid hypercars, the Revuelto integrates technology to enhance driving pleasure, not just sheer speed. The 6.5-liter, 813-horsepower V-12 engine is augmented by three electric motors: two at the front and one integrated into the gearbox.
At lower speeds, the electric motors deliver the instant torque characteristic of EVs. As speeds increase, the V-12 engine roars to life, culminating in a breathtaking crescendo at a stratospheric 9,500 rpm. This is unequivocally the fastest car I have ever driven, and quite possibly the most sonically stunning.
The Lamborghini Revuelto checks every box.
Despite its substantial size, the Revuelto feels remarkably agile in corners. A hyper-responsive rear-steering system, coupled with what feels like the quickest steering rack on the market, allows this car to change direction with even greater immediacy than the nimble Miata. The Revuelto is, in essence, a flawless performance machine.
Does this make the Lamborghini a shoo-in for the Cool Car Cup? Perhaps. However, with an as-tested price approaching $723,000, the Revuelto costs as much as a luxury home in many coastal suburbs. It’s undeniably unattainable for most. Not exactly “cool” in a relatable sense.
Nevertheless, we remain grateful for the Revuelto’s existence. Because you know what is undeniably cool? One thousand horsepower, a V-12 engine that sounds like a symphony orchestra unleashed, and that shockingly vibrant green paint that adorns the Lamborghini’s angular, otherworldly body.
This car is awesome in the truest meaning of the word – inspiring awe. And that, in itself, makes it a winner.
– Brian Silvestro, Deputy Editor
Aston Martin Vantage: The Sophisticated Brute for Discerning Drivers
Among all the cars in this test, only this raw, untamed, traction-hungry beast delivered a visceral thrill that truly awakened the senses.
| Specs | 2024 Aston Martin Vantage |
|---|---|
| Engine | Twin-Turbo 4.0-Liter V-8 |
| Output | 656 Horsepower / 590 lb-ft of Torque |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.5 Seconds |
| Weight | 3,847 Pounds |
| Price | $194,500 |
The Aston Martin Vantage was the boldest contender in the Cool Car Cup, taking risks and delivering knockout punches. Your initial impression might be: It’s an Aston Martin; it’s not meant to be objectively superior, just stunningly beautiful, incredibly fast, and perhaps a bit flawed.
However, I was captivated by the Aston’s redesigned interior, with its satisfyingly tactile switchgear, luxurious leather surfaces, and deeply enveloping seating position. I was mesmerized by the breathtaking exterior, sculpted over the Aston’s lightweight aluminum structure. But above all, the Vantage proved to be the most engaging driver’s car in the entire test.
It’s somewhat unexpected – an Aston Martin outperforming a Porsche RS in a driving test. Yet, the Vantage surpassed the Porsche in almost every critical area that truly matters. Not in dry, technical metrics like steering effort curves, ultimate grip limits, or lap times. The Aston simply felt better.
Whether cruising around town, attacking canyon roads with abandon, or pushing its limits on the track, the Aston felt alive and dynamic. It danced at the edge of traction, with a confident front end and a rear that was always eager to play.
It never felt completely settled, never quite took a set, and resisted being driven with clinical precision. It was gloriously unruly.
How unusual—an Aston was the better driver’s car in a test with a Porsche RS. But it clobbered the Porsche in almost every critical metric.
This controlled chaos was precisely what made every lap so exhilarating. An expertly calibrated, roguish, and visceral experience that only made sense when you allowed the car to move and find its own grip.
Unlike every other car in the Cool Car Cup, the Vantage is engineered for the most skilled drivers, not the average enthusiast. The Aston is indifferent to whether you can fully master it or not. And for that unapologetic attitude, it stands out as the best of the bunch.
-Chris Rosales, Staff Writer
Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Effortless Speed, Endless Obsession
Driving the 718 Spyder RS is so effortlessly fast that you’ll become consumed with pushing its limits further.
| Specs | 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0-Liter Flat-Six |
| Output | 493 Horsepower / 331 lb-ft of Torque |
| 0-60 MPH | 3.2 Seconds |
| Weight | 3,214 Pounds |
| Price | $166,195 |
“I want to dedicate a year to learning and mastering this car.” This is what I scribbled in the Spyder’s notebook after my initial track session. This is not hyperbole. This is the one car from this test I truly yearn to have back.
Porsche makes achieving serious speed deceptively easy in the Spyder RS. I discovered this when I slightly overcooked the first corner on my opening lap, lulled into overconfidence by the car’s seemingly limitless grip, yet emerged unscathed and even faster.
An afternoon of spirited driving on canyon roads and a few hot laps on the track are simply insufficient to fully appreciate this car’s immense capabilities. It’s effortlessly quick to drive, but profoundly challenging to truly master. More than any other car in this test, it beckons you to unlock its ultimate potential.
Staff Writer Chris Rosales believes the Spyder isn’t raw enough to warrant the RS designation, a valid point if this were solely a competition for the most hardcore track machine. Editor Brian Silvestro desires a manual transmission, but that’s precisely what the GTS 4.0 is for.
The rapid-fire shifts of the PDK paddles, while your face is rearranged by intense lateral G-forces, perfectly complement the Spyder’s sharp-edged character. The Spyder’s magic lies in its ability to be both immensely capable and remarkably approachable. It is, in essence, the everyday supercar.
It’s easy to drive quickly, but difficult to master. More than any other car here, it begs to be mastered.
Moreover, driving the Spyder RS is a uniquely special experience within this group. The ultra-wealthy have numerous V-12 hypercars to choose from, including the Lamborghini in this test. There are still a handful of front-engined V-8 coupes that offer a similar dance on the edge of control. Insanely powerful EVs seem to debut every week. But the 718, with its mid-engine flat-six configuration, stands alone. It has no direct rival. It’s distinctly Porsche.
This inherent uniqueness makes it exceptionally cool on paper. More importantly, the open top, the timeless aesthetics, and the glorious engine NOISE; the Porsche makes you feel undeniably cool while driving it. That’s not insignificant. It might, in fact, be everything.
-Christopher Smith, News Editor
Lotus Emira: A Beacon of Hope for the True Driving Enthusiast
In a world of increasingly diluted and compromised performance cars, the oldest and truest recipe prevails.
| Specs | 2024 Lotus Emira V-6 |
|---|---|
| Engine | Supercharged 3.5-Liter V6 |
| Output | 400 Horsepower / 310 lb-ft of Torque |
| 0-60 MPH | 4.2 Seconds |
| Weight | 3,257 Pounds |
| Price | $107,750 |
Does anyone truly appreciate the direction modern sports cars are taking? Ever-increasing weight, technology for the sake of technology, more power than anyone can realistically utilize, and a relentless pursuit of numbers over genuine driver engagement… The Lotus Emira is the antidote.
It’s mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive, lightweight, possesses just the right amount of power, and is one of only two cars in this test (along with the Miata) equipped with a clutch pedal. It adheres to the ideal formula for a driver’s car, as perfected by those who have set the benchmark for decades.
The Emira has been a long time coming. Lotus unveiled it in 2021, but US deliveries only commenced earlier this year. In my opinion, it was worth the wait. You get the quintessential Lotus driving experience, but in a more refined and mature package. Unlike virtually every Lotus before it, the Emira feels like a genuinely complete car. And no, that’s not faint praise. This is a car that can confidently compete with a Corvette or a Cayman, holding its own on all fronts.
While this test incorporates objective performance metrics, our ultimate goal is to identify something more intangible: Cars that evoke a sense of coolness, inspire desire, and leave us yearning for another drive. The Emira effortlessly achieves all of this for me. It’s the car I’d choose for long, scenic drives, the one I’d happily lap endlessly on a track, and yes, even the one I’d enjoy driving around town, admiring its reflection in storefront windows.
Unlike basically every Lotus before it, the Emira feels like a real car. And no, that’s not damning with faint praise.
I won’t pretend it’s flawless. The shifter, while improved over previous Lotus offerings, is still somewhat clunky; the pedals are positioned too closely together and are slightly offset, and a front trunk would be a welcome addition. However, this is a car that you exit after a long drive with a knowing grin on your face. And it’s a car you’ll find yourself gazing back at longingly as you walk away. In other words, it embodies everything a Lotus should be, and so much more.
-Chris Perkins, Senior Editor
The Canyon Roads: A Test of Performance and Practicality
Navigating California’s legendary canyon roads puts our contenders to the test, evaluating their performance and real-world usability.
This is California canyon country. We’ve positioned ourselves high in the mountains north of Santa Clarita, poised to tackle this state’s most exceptional asphalt – an endless network of serpentine roads carved into sandstone cliffs.
Up here in the altitude, the frigid morning air sharpens your senses and invigorates the soul. Even this late in the year, there’s no trace of snow to dampen our spirits. Only perfect golden California sunshine illuminating the boundless roads ahead. And they are all ours to explore.
While sports car buyers demand track-ready performance, lap times remain an abstract concept for most, relevant primarily in online forums and barroom debates. However, on America’s magnificent roadways, the true essence of a sports car truly shines.
And what a symphony of automotive excellence we have assembled.
We’re set up high in the mountains north of Santa Clarita, staring down the barrel of this state’s finest asphalt, a band of endless serpentine causeways carved from sandstone cliffs.
Nothing quite rivals the sonic drama of Porsche’s 9,000-rpm 718 Spyder RS. Air intakes positioned above each shoulder gulp down cabin air with such ferocity that you’d swear an oxygen mask was about to deploy from the roof – or at least, that’s what it sounds like from the driver’s seat.
However, the RS’s 4.0-liter flat-six engine dominates the soundscape even from 40 feet behind, bellowing like a wounded animal at the hood of my lava-orange Aston Martin Vantage.
When staff writer Chris Rosales – our canyon road expert and guide for the day – pulled the Porsche out of a gravel parking area and onto Spunky Canyon Road, his glance back through the window seemed like a subtle challenge.
So, I closed the gap and glued the Aston to the RS’s bumper as we plunged down the asphalt staircase towards the expansive Bouquet Reservoir. I knew I was at a disadvantage in terms of driving talent, local knowledge, bravery, and glorious ponytail length compared to Rosales, but I had the right weapon in my hands to level the playing field.
The Aston Martin Vantage’s potent twin-turbo V-8 engine reeled in the Porsche whenever the road straightened. I watched Rosales expertly guide the Porsche into each bend, its precise and confident front end carving through apexes and gracefully sailing out towards the double-yellow lines, exuding Teutonic efficiency.
I leaned on the Aston’s engine – rumbling and assertive at low rpm, escalating to a brassy roar at higher revs – to close the distance to Rosales, but found the experience somewhat harrowing as the road’s edge flirted with sheer cliffs and grapefruit-sized rocks.
Corner after corner, the Porsche delivered nothing but refined perfection. The Aston’s considerable weight manifested as significant dive under heavy braking and a noticeable body roll at turn-in. However, beyond the initial impression of a weighty, wallowing GT car lies the Aston’s true character.
It’s akin to a Camaro ZL1 with impeccable manners and bespoke Italian loafers. This stunning Aston demands trust and rewards with tail-out confidence in every corner, but only if you possess the courage to ask for it.
Courage is precisely what you need when piloting the vibrant green Lamborghini Revuelto on these narrow roads. Its mere presence is a spectacle for every passerby, from rockabilly enthusiasts to road construction crews. But the Revuelto becomes even more awe-inspiring, and slightly terrifying, when aimed down these constricted canyon roads.
Lamborghini Revuelto on canyon road
Whenever the winding road opened up, and I dared to unleash even a fraction of the Lambo’s immense power, the cabin filled with expletives. I am simply in awe of this car, its hair-raising engine note at 9,500 rpm, and the way its 1,000-horsepower acceleration overwhelms your senses like being unexpectedly shoved face-first into a hot stove.
This V-12 hybrid hypercar is simply too capable to fully exploit in this environment, at least not without tempting fate. However, the genius of this hypercar is that it remains equally captivating at two-tenths of its potential as it is when flirting with its absolute limits.
Hasn’t that always been the enduring charm of the Miata?
Our charming little underdog can’t keep pace with the Lamborghini, but the sheer joy of trying is undeniable. Especially in the thoroughly refined ND3 Miata, Mazda’s third iteration of the fourth generation of its timeless roadster.
This RF model might lack outright pace in this company, but it remains as visually appealing as ever and still wonderfully engaging to drive, communicating its every intention through subtle body movements, a hint of rotation, or the distinct sound of tires approaching their grip limits.
The steering is arguably the best in this test, and the six-speed manual transmission is the undisputed champion of driver engagement. In terms of driver involvement, the Mazda is unmatched here. Plus, its compact dimensions are perfectly suited to these roads, allowing for lane positioning beyond the binary choice of “Dead Center or Swift Fiery Demise.”
And then there’s the undeniable allure of top-down driving. Why venture out here if you can’t work on your tan?
However, there’s another champion of driver involvement waiting in the wings. Heading back up to the canyon roads after a leisurely lunch break, I nudged the Lotus Emira’s accelerator pedal, just to observe the bypass valve on top of its supercharged V-6 engine through the rearview mirror.
Confirmation: nothing surpasses the visceral thrill of a screaming supercharger.
That valve, visible in the rearview mirror, is a telltale link to the Emira’s predecessor, the beloved Lotus Evora. So too are the Emira’s other admirable qualities, namely the punch from that supercharged V-6 engine and its precise, notchy six-speed shifter. Add to this a compliant chassis that effortlessly absorbs mid-corner bumps, translating them into subtle, informative inputs to your spine.
Finally, there’s the Hyundai. The Miata may have the least horsepower here, but the Ioniq 5 N is the true underdog of this group. You know why.
Yet, this EV ignited a wildfire of enthusiasm within our initially skeptical staff, gaining new converts with every exhilarating sprint through a series of switchbacks (except for one editor: its lack of audible feedback induced motion sickness for editor-at-large Alanis King, so test drive it before you commit).
The Ioniq was the most comfortable and refined road car in this test, silent and composed in the way only EVs can be. A favorite for mundane transit stretches. That is, until you flick a single switch on the dashboard, a one-touch shortcut that activates simulated engine sounds, a simulated gearbox, and deactivates traction and stability control.
From that moment forward, the Ioniq transforms into a hurricane on wheels. It’s a precise yet ferocious machine, equipped with dual motors that unleash up to 641 horsepower to all four wheels. It features a dedicated drift mode, along with adjustable steering, damping, and throttle sensitivity. Hyundai went all-in to create the ultimate performance EV, and they succeeded.
It can keep pace with anything up to the Lamborghini through these canyon roads, and believe us, we all tried to shake this cherry-red electric box from our rearview mirrors.
After a full day of exhilarating – I mean, responsible – driving, we gathered in that gravel parking lot by the reservoir and marveled at our good fortune. Opinions swirled in the sunset air like a swarm of moths.
The Lamborghini feels out of place here. The Miata is God’s own roadster. The Hyundai needs a charge. Time for dinner.
But no winner was declared. The Cool Car Cup champion would have to await a challenge even greater than these jagged sandstone peaks: the racetrack.
-Kyle Kinard, Executive Editor
The Race Track: Pushing Limits at Willow Springs
We traded lap times for pure sensation, exploring the limits of our diverse contenders at America’s high-speed desert temple.
Southern California car enthusiasts are truly spoiled: year-round warmth, incredible canyon roads, and of course, Willow Springs Raceway. This iconic track is a charmingly rough-around-the-edges relic of racing history. We came here not only because of our deep appreciation for Willow’s place in motorsport lore but also to truly stretch the legs of our Cool Car Cup contenders.
Disclaimer: We intentionally did not record lap times.
Chasing tenths of a second reveals the fastest car, but “fastest” is not synonymous with “best.” The essence of the Cool Car Cup is to celebrate feeling, not simply cold, hard numbers. Lap times capture some of the visceral thrill, but we are pursuing something greater: pure driving joy.
We tackled the 1.6-mile Streets of Willow circuit in a counterclockwise direction, challenging our contenders with the technical corners that weave between two lengthy straights. This layout levels the playing field between the high-horsepower behemoths and the more agile, lightweight cars in our lineup.
At under 2,400 pounds, the Miata undeniably falls into the latter category. While it produces a fraction of the horsepower of most cars here, its featherweight nature is its superpower.
“Doesn’t need excessive power, noise, or gimmicks,” noted Editor-at-Large Alanis King after her track session.
SoCal enthusiasts have it all: Year-round warmth, canyon roads, and of course, Willow Springs.
The rest of the staff echoed this sentiment with enthusiastic praise. The Miata’s shifter is among the finest ever created, and its 2.0-liter engine willingly revs to 7,500 rpm. While there is noticeable body roll, it provides invaluable feedback through the seat of your pants. The Miata earns no demerits in this track test.
The Ioniq 5 N inspires similar levels of joy, despite being the Miata’s EV counterpart on paper.
“I genuinely applauded and laughed at the end of my session,” exclaimed News Editor Chris Smith. He wasn’t alone in his amusement. The N’s simulated engine and transmission sounds were both incredibly convincing and hilariously over-the-top, complete with fake burble-tune noises on every “downshift.”
It sounds corny in theory, but it works perfectly in practice.
Steering feel in the Hyundai was surprisingly communicative, as was the N’s eagerness to rotate on command, both at turn-in and under power at corner exit.
Naturally, this EV is the heaviest car in the test, but it does an admirable job of masking its weight – until the tires begin to overheat about 10 minutes into each session. Even with fading tires, the Ioniq remains a blast to drive.
Charging, however, is a legitimate concern. The N consumes its limited battery range rapidly on track, and the nearest fast-charger to Willow Springs is a half-hour drive away. You’ll inevitably lose a significant portion of your track day to charging. Despite this, everyone adored it. Editor-in-Chief Travis Okulski summarized the car simply: “A party.”
The Aston Martin provided a similarly engaging experience. With a potent V-8 engine up front and rear-wheel drive, how could it not?
“Delicious chassis balance,” commented Staff Writer Chris Rosales, “Incredible and playful on the throttle.” The experience evoked memories of vintage onboard racing videos from the 1950s. Reduce the intervention of the highly adjustable traction/stability control, and the Aston’s inner hooligan emerges.
“So much rowdier than I anticipated,” remarked King. “It just wants to drift every corner.”
While the Aston’s torque-converter automatic transmission isn’t a standout feature, it doesn’t detract from the driving experience either. My primary concern is that you can feel every ounce of the Aston’s 3,847-pound curb weight, particularly during and after significant compressions.
Yet, remarkably, the Vantage’s Michelin tires didn’t appear overly stressed, all things considered (until Rosales unleashed the mother of all brake-stand burnouts).
It’s a feel-good car, boasting immense power, a bombastic soundtrack, and the throttle-adjustable balance that driving enthusiasts crave.
“The stately fornicator’s choice,” quipped Kinard. “An absolutely filthy car.”
Britain’s other entry, the Lotus, is a different and more divisive proposition. Our Emira was a Tour-spec model, featuring a softer suspension setup and Goodyear Eagle F1 tires instead of stickier Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s.
The staff struggled to find front-end grip in the Lotus, and several drivers reported a disconcerting brake disengagement issue, seemingly related to the ABS, that occurred while braking into corners.
“I just don’t trust it,” Smith confessed about the Lotus.
The Emira’s pedals are also offset to the right and narrowly spaced, and the steering felt surprisingly muted compared to our expectations for the marque. Yet, like all modern Lotus models, there is much to appreciate.
“Driving this after all the heavier cars is a stark reminder of just how delightful something lighter and more balanced can be,” noted Silvestro. The chassis exhibits wonderful compliance, and the supercharged V-6 engine and six-speed manual gearbox proved to be an incredibly engaging combination.
As anticipated, the Porsche is essentially flawless. Being a convertible, the Spyder RS is inherently more of a road car than a dedicated track machine, yet it still performed admirably on track. There’s something undeniably special about hearing that 9,000-rpm flat-six engine inhale desert air while the sun warms your helmet. It’s a Porsche that ignites genuine passion.
However, the Spyder’s road-focused setup does have limitations. Silvestro, Rosales, and Okulski all noted the softer rear end, desiring more grip and more predictable breakaway characteristics from the tires in the track’s high-speed corners. And while the PDK transmission is as good as automatics get, many felt a manual gearbox would elevate this car to another level.
Smith, however, was utterly captivated. “I want to dedicate a year to learning this car.”
While every contender earned its place in this competition, none inspired the same level of awe as the Revuelto.
“It’s on an entirely different plane,” declared Smith. “Ballistically fast,” added Silvestro. Several staff members witnessed speeds exceeding 150 mph on the speedometer. “This is not a 150-mph track,” Rosales emphasized, driving the point home.
One thousand and one horsepower will certainly achieve that. But the Revuelto is so much more than simply astonishing speed. The hybrid front axle’s torque vectoring, combined with rear-wheel steering, made the Revuelto feel at least 1,000 pounds lighter than its actual weight.
And that Lamborghini V-12 engine simply revs and revs, delivering seamless power delivery contrasted by its all-consuming roar. It has a perfect partner in Lamborghini’s new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, too.
Somehow, this hypercar manages to be both approachable and terrifying in equal measure. The steering feels somewhat muted, but you receive ample feedback through the seat and pedals. It offers virtually limitless grip.
“It turns now. It accelerates now. It stops now,” summarized Smith succinctly. “Wow,” remarked King, opening the signature scissor door.
As the sun dipped below the mountains, we concluded our photography session, but remained no closer to a definitive decision. This field of contenders is simply too exceptional. And while the track testing proved insightful, it didn’t disqualify any of the six. As they lined up for final beauty shots, we postponed the inevitable debate to determine a winner.
-Chris Perkins, Senior Editor
The Winner and The Rest: Lamborghini Revuelto Takes the Crown
When passionate arguments yielded a stalemate, we debated and deliberated until a champion emerged. Let the lime-green smoke signal victory. We chose the Lamborghini.
Typically, in these comparisons, a clear winner emerges relatively quickly. This was decidedly not the case with the inaugural Cool Car Cup. Polite discussion devolved into spirited chaos. A foot or two may have been stomped on the dinner table, and after shouting proved ineffective, we resorted to democracy. A two-stage ranked-choice vote narrowed the field to a final three, and a subsequent vote determined our inaugural Cool Car Cup champion.
In no particular order, the finalists were:
The Miata remains the quintessential sports car, the benchmark against which all others are measured. However, it is perhaps slightly too familiar, being a subtly updated version of a decade-old design. Still, it’s a car many of us dream of owning.
Porsches often dominate these comparisons, and while everyone admired the Spyder RS, its track limitations and lack of a manual transmission ultimately held it back. There’s a slight philosophical disconnect – an open-top RS model that is somewhat compromised on track, yet not as engaging as it could be on the road.
The Lotus’s flaws, while present, couldn’t entirely overshadow its merits, even as some passionately championed its cause. It’s tantalizingly close to achieving true greatness, just a few refinements away.
A strong contingent advocated for the Ioniq 5 N to claim victory, but its tendency to rapidly deplete its limited battery range makes it less than ideal for track days, at least until charging infrastructure becomes more readily available. However, we believe this will change in the coming years. The Hyundai unequivocally demonstrates that our performance EV future is bright.
The Vantage won over many hearts with its striking aesthetics, potent power, and playful handling dynamics. Others, however, couldn’t fully connect with the car’s perpetually energetic and demanding nature.
All of us grappled with the Lamborghini’s exorbitant price tag and the fact that it is simply too much car for public roads. Yet, no other car left the staff as utterly astonished, consistently reduced to strings of superlatives when attempting to describe the driving experience. The Revuelto embodies everything you imagine a Lamborghini to be, and then surpasses those expectations.
The Revuelto is not merely fast and technologically advanced – it’s approachable, engaging, and above all, undeniably cool as hell.
Check Out Our Other Comparisons:
Acura TLX Type S Vs Genesis G70: Life Beyond BMW
Bison Vs Raptor Vs Trailhunter: The Ultimate Off-Road Truck Showdown
Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox daily.
Share this Story
Got a tip for us? Email: [email protected]
