One of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world, General Motors produced 2.9 million vehicles in 2019 across every continent. It stands to reason that the company has produced some incredible sports cars in its history.
The corporate GM umbrella covers dozens of brands across the globe, each brand has its own unique selling points, but this doesn't mean only Chevrolet can produce sports cars, quite the opposite. It is a well-known fact that GM shares technology across its brands, meaning Chevrolet performance engines often find their way to other cars, producing some incredible sports cars in the process.
10 Chevrolet Corvette Stringray - Still The Best Looking Vette
It doesn't really matter which engine is under the hood of the Corvette, much of the car's appeal comes from its appearance, even when stationary the C2 looks very fast. Unlike its predecessor, the C2 benefited from racing experience, adopting independent suspension and improved drum brakes, at least the chassis could handle more power now.
Highly desirable among collectors for their performance, later 1967 models boasting the largest 427cu-in V8 engines in tri-power specification producing 435hp would be good for a top speed of 141mph.
9 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe - Unexpected Performance From Luxury Brand
Sports coupes aren't something most gearheads would associate with Cadillac, the name once famously associated with luxury vehicles, and yet the CTS-V makes a lot of sense. Offering a genuine alternative to imported super coupes, Cadillac engineers need to dig deep in GM's parts bin coming up with a 556hp supercharged V8, 6-speed manual transmission resulting in a top speed of 191mph.
Without a doubt, a great driver's car without sacrificing on ride comfort the CTS-V handles and rides like a much smaller car, magnetic suspension coping well with all but the worst road surfaces.
8 Chevrolet Camaro SS - 396Cu-in Is The One To Have
Picking optional extras is a challenging process, but it hasn't always been this way, Chevrolet offered just three Super Sport (SS) options for the 1968 Camaro, all aimed at more performance. The best choice netted gearheads a 375hp 396cu-in V8, five-leaf rear springs, and staggered shocks to eliminate axle tramp. Performance upgrades transforming the car considerably, SS spec cars needing 5.6 seconds to reach 60mph and could max out at 144mph.
For the most part, the only clues to the SS being any different from other Camaro's comes down to the small SS badges, and yes they are readily available from dealers for a small fee.
7 Chevrolet Corvette C8 - Vette Keeps Getting Better And Faster
Moving to its current mid-engined layout transformed the Corvette from a sports car to a genuine supercar on par with all but the fastest hypercars. Swapping the layout does have drawbacks as cooling, maintenance, and weight distribution all needed to be re-thought in return C8 owners benefit from more responsive handling.
Value for money has always been a strong point of Corvette sales, the current 8th generation is no different. Entry-level models packing a 6.2-liter V8 engine turning out 495hp makes this one of the most powerful production models to date. It's also one of the fastest, needing only 3 seconds to reach 60mph, flat out capable of 194mph.
6 Opel Speedster - Elise In Drag With Added Turbo
Getting behind the wheel of Opel's Speedster will remind gearheads of another small two-seater sports car, much of its chassis and tub coming from the Lotus Elise. Despite wearing Opel badges, the entire project was built alongside the Elise, the major difference being the engine range.
Opting for a 2.2L turbocharged 4-cylinder unit in a car weighing 2000lbs provided huge power to weight benefits. The Speedster produces 197hp and hits 60mph in 5 seconds. Along with amazing performance comes a downside, in less than optimal conditions the sudden power delivery can cause spins for drivers not paying attention.
5 Pontiac Trans-Am WS6 - Last Of The Breed
Officially, the Trans-Am is dead. The last model rolled off the production line in 2002 ending a 35-year life span, there are however independent plans to bring the name back. Last of the line 4th generation cars are the best, optional WS6 upgrades bumping the 5.7-liter LS1 engines output to 320hp making these very quick off the line reaching 60mph in 5 seconds.
Around town driving is not the best place for the Trans-Am, firm suspension setup will make even the smallest road imperfection a real pain, instead, find a twisty backroad and enjoy the last of the breed.
4 Buick GNX - Deceptively More Powerful
Car enthusiasts unaware of the GNX's reputation would have been in for a shock trying to out-drag this two-door coupe away from the lights, only imported European supercars of the day were quicker. Appearances can be deceptive, the GNX unlike other Grand National coupes has a few modifications under the hood.
Advertised as the ultimate Grand National with Buick boasting 245hp from the existing 231cu-in V6 engine, in reality, McLaren Racing engines had pushed output to over 300hp resulting in a sub-5-second 0-60mph time.
3 Corvette ZR2 - Rarest 3rd Generation Vette
For decades, the ZR1 represented the most powerful Corvette models, but few will know that Chevrolet produced an even more extreme and rarer ZR2 model in 1971. Responding to ever-stricter air pollution regulations the ZR2 would be the last model to be fitted with the 454cu-in LS6 motor producing 425hp, just 12 cars were completed.
Effectively a whole new drivetrain was used all the major running gear was either updated or replaced completely, ZR2 when completed noted for its exceptional handling qualities.
2 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 - All The Performance Anyone Could Need
The Camaro has been around since the 1960s, there's been over six different generations, and yet it remains essentially the same physical profile making it hard to mistake for any other car. There are going to be gearheads that prefer older Camaros but it is hard to ignore the 2020 ZL1 model with such impressive power claims.
Packing an insanely powerful 6.2-liter supercharged V8 under its hood the Camaro isn't lacking in power, with 650hp on hand making light work of any would-be racer.
1 1969 Pontiac GTO - First Of The Muscle Cars
Credited with starting the trend for muscle cars, Pontiac's GTO made way for a revised model in 1968 bringing with it a shorter, lower chassis wearing a smoother fastback body. Although significantly revised physically second generation GTO's carried over the existing 400cu-in V8 engines RAM air producing 350hp.
As was common at the time special editions appeared with uprated engines producing a little more power, most notable among these being "The Judge" spec cars offering around 365hp.