James Lipman, courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
Sad but true, this year alone will see the demise of an armada of much-loved two-door sports coupes. The list of the fallen includes such stalwarts as Audi’s TT and R8, Jaguar’s F-Type, Mercedes-Benz’s C- and E-Class Coupes, and home-grown favorites like Chevy’s Camaro and the Dodge Challenger.
It seems that the ever-increasing appeal of crossover SUVs and a switch by more and more buyers to EVs are to blame. Why buy a Mustang, for example, when you can buy an electric Mustang Mach-E with more space and all the performance you’d ever need?
But there’s still a loyal following that craves the head-turning style and agile handling of a low-slung sports coupe, and are happy with just two doors and a typically cramped back seat. Here are our 10 top luxury and performance coupes that move the needle in amenities and athleticism.
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Bentley Continental GT
Image Credit: Bentley Motors Limited Here at Robb Report, we’re rather partial to Bentley’s Continental GT. We awarded the third-generation GT our coveted 2023 Car of the Year accolade, and followed it up by recognizing the latest Continental GT S as Best Grand Tourer in our annual Best of the Best awards. As we mentioned before: “The Continental’s opulent design, impeccable build quality, and sybaritic comfort are matched by abundant power and athletic handling dynamics, especially in the S version.”
We concluded that “the V-8-powered Continental is so accomplished at the art of luxury and speed that no other two-door—apart from its own 12-cylinder sibling—comes close.” And we can’t forget the mighty 650 hp twin-turbo W-12 GT Speed, with its ability to reach 208 mph. After all, that was our Car of the Year for 2022. From $238,325
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Porsche 911
Image Credit: Porsche AG Rewind to 1963. That’s the year Porsche unveiled a quirky, rear-engined sports coupe that would become the 911. For the past 60 years, this iconic 2+2 has been the absolute benchmark for performance driving, delivering true sports-car excitement with grand touring comfort and daily drivability. Today, the constantly expanding 911 lineup spans everything from a $114,400 base Carrera to the fabulous Turbo S at $230,400.
And just in time for the model’s 60th anniversary celebrations, there’s the nearly $300,000, limited-edition 911 S/T. Only 1,963 of these super-lightweight, carbon-fiber-body-paneled, stick-shift projectiles will be built, featuring the high-revving, 518 hp flat-six from the GT3 RS. From $114,400
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Rolls-Royce Spectre
Image Credit: James Lipman, courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. It would have made more sound business sense for Rolls-Royce to base its first all-electric model on a Cullinan-style SUV, or a Phantom or Ghost sedan. Instead, it chose the “wow” factor of a sleek and oh-so-elegant two-door coupe—make that coupé—for its debut EV. Enter the Spectre, the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever, and a car that defines everything the legendary British car maker stands for.
The car is supernaturally silent, exquisitely refined, slingshot fast, and so smooth it feels like it’s riding on fluffy layers of stratocumulus. A Texas-sized lithium-ion battery pack juices electric motors front and rear to summon an impressive 584 hp and enable zero-to-60 mph sprints in 4.4 seconds. And rear-hinged coach doors open into a spacious four-seat cabin that takes comfort, quality, and craftsmanship to an ethereal new level. From $420,000
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Aston Martin DB12
Image Credit: Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings PLC When does a two-door coupe earn the “super-tourer” moniker? When it’s an Aston Martin DB12. At least that’s how the British marque references the newest addition to its lineup. The descriptor reflects the additional power the model gets over the previous DB11, complemented by new suspension—with next-generation adaptive dampers—and unique 21-inch rims.
Despite the badge, the DB12 won’t come with Aston’s venerable 12-cylinder engine. Instead, its Mercedes-AMG-sourced twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 gets a boost in output to 671 hp, up from the DB11 V-8’s 528 hp. The power-train configuration also lowers the zero-to-60 mph acceleration metric to just 3.5 seconds. See it on the street and there’s no mistaking this new coupe for anything but an Aston, with its larger front grille, its swept-back headlights, and glorious and sculpted DBS-inspired lines. From $248,086
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Ferrari Roma
Image Credit: Ferrari S.p.A. Roma. Say it with a full Italian-style shrug of the shoulders and open palms—just like Pacino would. Here is a true bella macchina, a sleek, front-engined, V-8-powered GT coupe that’s everything a hard-charging, grand touring Ferrari should be. See it in the metal and it’s nothing less than a piece of automotive art, with its drop-dead-gorgeous silhouette, shark-like nose, and shoulders bigger than those of Joan Collins in Dynasty, circa 1981.
It’s surprisingly practical too, with rear seats just big enough for adults on short trips, and decent luggage space beneath that high-lifting tailgate. Based loosely on the Portofino hardtop convertible, it comes with a 612 hp version of Ferrari’s lusty 3.9-liter twin-turbo V-8, which is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch transaxle. It’s a power train that delivers zero-to-60 mph blasts in 3.2 seconds and a 200 mph top speed—all coupled with the car’s nimble handling and a surprisingly smooth ride. From $247,310
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Maserati GranTurismo
Image Credit: Maserati S.p.A. Back after a nearly five-year hiatus, Maserati’s elegant GranTurismo gets a new design and a version of the potent 3.0-liter Nettuno twin-turbo V-6 used in the MC20 supercar. In Modena trim it’s good for 483 hp, while the hotter Trofeo version packs 542 hp. Want even more power? Then opt for the all-electric, tri-motor Folgore version, with 750 hp.
All internal-combustion-engined GranTurismo examples come with an eight-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive configuration, plus a soundtrack surely inspired by Pavarotti hitting the high notes in Nessun Dorma. Inside, it’s all exquisitely hand-stitched, sculpted leather and some wonderful textures and colors. Maserati calls its new GranTurismo “an elegant expression of power.” We would agree. From $174,000
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BMW 8 Series
Image Credit: BMW It’s hard to believe that BMW’s full-bodied, grand-touring 8 Series Coupe has been around, essentially unchanged, since 2018. That equates to a lifetime in car years. But this big, bold, brutish two-door still commands the love and respect of BMW devotees looking for a head-turning, old-school, fastback coupe.
Take your pick from the 840i, with its 335 hp, turbocharged inline-six, or the M850i xDrive with its 523 hp, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8. But for the top-tier 8 Series experience, it’s the hardcore 617 hp M8 Competition Coupe that’s guaranteed to jack your pulse rate. This track-ready bruiser comes with all the M-for-Motorsport technology, like adaptive suspension, active M differential, and M-tuned xDrive all-wheel drive. From $90,800 / $138,800 for M8 Competition
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Nissan GT-R
Image Credit: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. The car they call “Godzilla” is still delivering big horsepower thrills close to 15 years after it thundered on to the super-coupe scene. Essentially unchanged since then, the latest Nissan GT-R still packs a 565 hp punch that’s enough to catapult this portly 2+2 to 60 mph in under three seconds. Power, as always, comes from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission driving all four wheels.
Much of the model’s enduring appeal and rabid fan base is due to its seemingly physics-defying handling and massive stopping power. For the ultimate in GT-R performance, nothing compares to the fabled $220,990 NISMO version with its 600 hp V-6 developed from Nissan’s GT3 race program. From $120,990
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Shelby Super Snake
Image Credit: Shelby American, Inc. Ford would love to sell you its just-announced 800 hp Mustang GTD model, with its carbon-fiber-clad body, bulging fenders, trick adaptive inboard suspension, and rear wing inspired by Formula 1. But production of the $300,000 muscle car is more than a year away. One tempting alternative is the mighty Super Snake from Vegas-based Shelby American.
Powered by an 825 hp Whipple-supercharged Ford Coyote 5.0-liter V-8, the Super Snake can strike from zero to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds and run the quarter-mile in 10.9 seconds. Then there’s the upgraded suspension, Shelby tuning, and sublime brakes. Sublime looks too, with the optional Wide Body package, one-piece forged aluminum 20-inch wheels, and air-gulping hood nostrils. From $140,270
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Dodge “Last Call” Challenger SRT Demon 170
Image Credit: Dodge Time’s running out on Dodge’s long-running Challenger two-door coupe. Production ends on December 31, and then they’re gone. To make the most of the Challenger’s exit strategy, parent company Stellantis has been offering a series of six “Last Call” model variants featuring some of the highest output yet for the line. And they have some of the most-creative names, like Shakedown, Scat Pack Swinger, and Black Ghost.
The seventh and final offering is the 1,025 hp Challenger SRT Demon 170. With an SRT-massaged 6.2-liter D170 V-8 engine coupled to a massive three-liter supercharger under the hood, it boasts 945 ft lbs of torque. On the drag strip, with high-ethanol gas in the tank, this Challenger can bolt from zero to 60 mph in only 1.66 seconds, and it can cover the quarter-mile dash in 8.91 seconds at 151.17 mph and 2gs of acceleration. Only 3,300 examples will be built. From $96,666