2010 CCOTY: Sports & Performance over $50k

[svgallery name="Sports_over_50k_pics"] Story and photos by John LeBlanc As a member of the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (hey, they have cheap travel insurance), I got invited for two days in late October to drive new 2010 cars over public roads and an airport test track. The goal was to pick a category winner that would eventually vie for the overall 2010 Canadian Car of the Year. Here are my rankings for the fifth and final of five different categories I drove this year. NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. –Sadly missing from this year’s best New Sports & Performance Car over $50,0000 category were cars like the Audi R8 5.2 (surprisingly entered in Prestige), Aston Martin DBS Volante, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Ford Shelby GT500, Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4—the list goes on. Instead, we have an apples versus oranges versus cumquats trio that few rational new car buyers would ever cross-shop: a rear-wheel-drive mid-size luxury-sports sedan, a mid-size luxury coupe, and an all-wheel-drive compact sports sedan. THIRD PLACE: 2010 Jaguar XFR With more power, more brake, and more grip, I expected, well, “more” from the new performance R-badged version of Jaguar’s mid-size XF luxury sedan. But as a direct rival to other large sports sedans like the Cadillac CTS-V, BMW M5 or Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG, the XFR (as-tested $85,600) mid-size, luxury-sports sedan is a bit of a lunch bag letdown; one of the most disappointing “500 hp” cars I’ve ever driven. Yes, at 4.9 seconds from 0-100 km/h, it’s the fastest in this trio. But that’s still slower than its above-mentioned showroom rivals. It doesn’t help that the big cat weighs in at 1,953 kg. On the Niagara Airport test track, you get uncommunicative steering, and an anxious stability control. Ugh. At least inside, the R gets model-specific sport seats with electrically adjustable side bolsters that are much more supportive than the buckets in the regular XF. And, of course, a sumptuous ride, just like the over-$20,000 less expensive XF 4.2. SECOND PLACE: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E 550 Coupe Replacing the CLK, the new E Coupe mid-size, luxury-sports two-door is more of a conveyance of comfort than an all-out sports car. Like the CLK, the E Coupe (as-tested $74,750) is roomy among showroom coupe rivals like the BMW 3 Series, Audi A5/S5 and Lexus IS Coupe-Convertible. Plus you get 450 litres of trunk space. The carryover V8, with 382 hp and 391 lb-ft, means the 1,770 kg E 550 is the slowest of this trio: zero to 100 km/h takes 5.6 seconds. And despite having seven gears to play with, its 80-120 km/h is the slowest as well at 3.7 seconds. Without a properly tuned model from Mercedes’ in-house tuners at AMG, the E Class Coupe had little chance in toppling the über-competant S4 on the track. When pushed hard, the E 550 Coupe’s steering lacks life, the ESP kicks in too eagerly and the V8 and gearbox always seemed out of step with the other. FIRST PLACE: 2010 Audi S4 In this category, the Audi posted competitive performance data, sucked less fuel, was better screwed together, easily the most competent on road and track, and had the best driver’s cockpit—all for thousands of dollars less. Enough said. Despite being down on power (333 hp and 325 lb-ft), the new supercharged V6 sounds almost as nice as the last S4’s V8. Almost. And with only 1,740 kg to haul around, it had the shortest 0-100 km/h braking distance here at 38.7 m. The (as-tested $55,600) S4’s adjustable suspension can change throttle response, steering assist, suspension damping, and the active rear differential (which pushes one side or the other to aim the car.) Set the suspension in Dynamic, it becomes the most planted, best-balanced car here. Or dial it back for a comfy on road ride. Before you look at the default class-leader—BMW’s 335i Sedan—take a drive first in the new S4. Also read 2010 CCOTY Convertibles Also read 2010 CCOTY Small Cars over $21k Also read 2010 CCOTY Luxury Also read 2010 CCOTY Sports & Performance under $50k

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