Chevrolet SS Price: $47,620

Don’t judge the SS by its cover: Ho-hum styling hides a mighty V-8 and track-ready tuning. Chevy’s flagship performance sedan has the 6.2-liter 415-hp engine from the previous-gen Camaro and the Corvette. Rear-drive and a six-speed automatic are standard; we’d pick the six-speed manual, which is a no-cost option. Standard performance bits—front and rear Brembo brakes, magnetic ride control—contribute to exceptional handling. A comfy interior and a 4.6-second sprint to 60 mph are bonuses.

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Maserati GranTurismo Price: $134,625 - $183,809

Maserati’s GranTurismo offers something extraordinary in a high-performance, six-figure coupe or convertible, one that embodies all that is compelling and irresistible about Italian cars. The exterior has curves in all the right places; the interior is lavishly appointed. There is an amazing, 454-hp 4.7-liter V-8 that is good for sub-5.0-second 0-60 runs. The droptop adds weight and lacks the coupe’s stiffness and response, but still looks fabulous.

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Dodge Viper Price: $90,390 - $121,290

The Viper is both all-American and a true exotic, with lots of curves and bulges in all the right places to let you know it means business. The long nose, bodacious body, and predatory stare give the Viper a menacing look, while its 645-hp, 8.4-liter V-10 can catapult it to 60 mph in about three seconds. For the ultimate track monster, check out the Viper ACR. With all kinds of aero aids, special tires by Kumho and carbon-ceramic brakes, Dodge says it is the fastest Viper on a racetrack.

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Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Price: $80,445 - $84,445

Think of the Corvette Z06 as the most amazing version of a sports car that is already amazing by anyone’s measure. Sold as either a coupe or convertible, the most IMPORTANT feature is its supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 that makes 650 hp and 650 lb-ft. A seven-speed manual is on hand for shifting duties, and an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters is now available. The Z07 Performance package adds carbon-ceramic brakes, Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, and adjustable aero bits.

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Mercedes-AMG SLC43 Price: $61,225

Historically, AMG models have been the hot rods from Mercedes but with the new SLC43, that is no longer the case. Under the hood is a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that makes a rather tepid 362 hp. Mercedes says it is just 0.1 second slower to 60 than the SLK55 it replaces, but it is also down by 53 hp and sure to run out of steam at higher speeds. The SLC43 has unique suspension tuning versus its SLC-class sibling, but from the exterior they look almost identical. How far the mighty have fallen.

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