Slideshow: New Models Keeping Our Naturally Aspirated Dreams Alive
As the auto industry becomes increasingly dominated by turbocharged engines, the naturally aspirated holdouts are all the more precious. Let's look at some of the new cars staying true to the old ways.
Glory to a dying breed.
There's no getting around it: the domination of turbocharger technology over natural aspiration is all but complete at this point. There is a strong case to be made in turbo's favor, of course, though for all its efficiency, no amount of turbo strapping a smaller engine will lend it the same authentic roar as a classic V8. Such as it is, we think there's still a good market for naturally aspirated vehicles; so long as they're able to offer something that their turbo peers cannot, there will be demand for the,. even if they're realistically looking at a niche share of the industry as a whole. There's a rich, tactile sensation driving a NA car. It's increasingly rare to find cars that are keeping it classic. With only a handful of models still making a big emphasis on natural aspiration. That's all the more reason to give some of our recent favorites the spotlight.
Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
In contrast with Dodge, Corvette has shown themselves to be far less in keeping with vintage traditions; their all-but-confirmed switch over to a mid-engined layout for their upcoming C8 generation shows they've taken the smaller turbo engines as a further opportunity for change. Even so; Corvette would not have made it as long as they have if they didn't know what made driving a sports car so exhilarating in the first place. While their latest ZR1 may be their most stunning model to date, today we've got eyes set on the latest Corvette Grand Sport. Essentially a naturally aspirated variant on their track-ready Z06, the 2017 GS was one of the most aggressive Corvettes in recent memory-- and a thrilling one to drive at that. From the more recent reviews, it sounds like the 2018 edition was just as impressive.
Lexus LC 500
Starting things off with a surprise: who would've thought Lexus would be one of the proud stalwarts of natural aspiration in 2018? They've got a knack for "alternative" powertrains to be sure, although that usually means forward-thinking engines like hybrids and full electrics. Nonetheless, Lexus has paired their trademark luxury with the increasingly rare roar of natural aspiration in their new LC 500 sedan. Lexus wouldn't be the first automaker we'd have expected this from; it's to their credit that they recognize the luxury inherent in a vintage NA experience.
Dodge Challenger SRT
Dodge's penchant for big-bodied muscle cars mirrors their dedication to the vintage experience. Of course they were going to be on this list. While we just as well might have put the Dodge Charger here too, the Challenger's our favorite. While the Corvette has been pretty liberal with subsequent designs, and the Ford Mustang has looked for a mix of the old and the new, Dodge's sports cars have arguably kept closest to the vintage identity. Naturally aspirated or not, they've managed to uphold tradition at the cutting edge of the performance specs wars.
Chevrolet Camaro SS
While the Camaro has a less glamorous history than Corvette, as the "affordable pony car" so to speak, the nameplate has really come unto its own in the last few years, even giving Corvette a run for its money. If there's one thing to be said, it's that Camaro has stayed truer to muscle car traditions. With models like this naturally aspirated Camaro SS on offer, it's little wonder that Camaro has been reportedly outselling its big brother at a rate of five-to-one.
Ford Mustang GT350
While the Mustang GT offers a 5.0-liter Coyote V8, it's the GT350, with its 5.2 Voodoo powertrain that gets us excited. Packing 526 horsepower, and with an 8250 RPM redline, the GT350 packs the sort of engine a turbocharger might have trouble keeping up with. All told, the GT350 is one of the best examples of naturally aspirated power on the market today. The organic depth of the 350's engine roar is the best of its kind-- and isn't the sound one of the things people look for most in natural aspiration?
Ford lend the American icons they created the proper care they deserve; we've got strong hopes that the Mustang keeps up like this for a long time to come.
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