Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance CarsHigh Performance, High Efficiency
For drivers who have their eyes on new high-performance rides, chances are fuel economy is not their topline new-car priority. That said, with advances in technology and many high-performance models downsizing to smaller-displacement turbocharged engines, performance and fuel economy are no longer mutually exclusive. A surprising number of today’s performance cars achieve respectable fuel economy when cruising the open road — not the same level as a compact hybrid, but good enough to consider taking an adventurous road trip. The vehicles here earn a U.S. EPA fuel economy rating at or above 25 mpg on the highway, with the list sorted by highway fuel economy.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS
14 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 18 mpg combined
Audi’s V10-powered, mid-engine sports car meets the 25-mpg bar thanks to a new rear-wheel-drive version for 2018. At the Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi announced the addition of the R8 V10 RWS (Rear-wheel Series) to the R8 lineup — the first rear-wheel-drive R8 ever offered. All previous R8 models have quattro all-wheel drive, but the limited-edition R8 V10 RWS follows the layout of the rear-wheel-drive R8 LMS race car. Limited to total production of 999 vehicles, the R8 V10 RWS will be offered in both Coupe and Spyder versions. Powered by a 540-horsepower 5.2-liter V10 combined with a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, the R8 V10 RWS is 110 pounds lighter than the quattro version and rated at 25 mpg highway — 3 mpg better than the V10 quattro rated at 22 mpg highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Audi RS 7
15 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 18 mpg combined
The top performance version of Audi’s A7 4-door coupe, the RS 7 is powered by a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that produces 560 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, combined with an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. The RS7 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds with a top track speed of 174 mph, yet it gets rated at 25 mpg highway. The RS 7 Performance trim gets a power increase to 605 horses and 553 lb-ft of torque, but the EPA rating drops to 24 mpg highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2017 Bentley Continental GT V8 S
15 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 19 mpg combined
The Bentley Continental GT reigns as the ultra-luxury coupe that jumpstarted a Bentley resurgence when it debuted 15 years ago as a 2003 model. Massaged and refined over the years, the Continental GT has retained its distinctive styling. In 2013 a 500-horsepower V8 version joined the lineup alongside the 567-horsepower W12. Today the Continental GT V8 S is powered by 521-horsepower turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. With 502 lb-ft of torque on tap, the Continental GT V8 S will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and achieve a top track speed of 192 mph. Perhaps most impressive, this 5,000-pound car is rated at 25 mpg highway. The new Continental GT debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and will be powered by a new 6.0-liter W12 engine producing 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. Combined fuel economy is expected to be 20 mpg, so we’ll have to wait for official ratings to see if it will make this list.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe
16 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 19 mpg combined
The BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe debuted as a 2014 model, powered by the same twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine that motivates the ALPINA B7 xDrive, producing 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. The BMW ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds with a top track speed of 198 mph. Cruising at highway speeds, the ALPINA B6 xDrive Gran Coupe is rated at a commendable 25 mpg.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 BMW ALPINA B7 xDrive
16 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 19 mpg combined
The high-performance version of BMW’s flagship 7 Series, the ALPINA B7 xDrive is the third ALPINA B7 variant available to the U.S. market. Motivated by a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine that produces 600 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, the Alpina B7’s power gets delivered through an 8-Speed Sport Automatic Transmission with ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The ALPINA B7 xDrive will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds with a top track speed of 193 mph, but will also cruise at 25 mpg on the highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 BMW M3
17 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 20 mpg combined
The BMW 3 Series is one of the most recognized and most revered sport sedans of all time, and the M3 sits atop the 3 Series lineup. The fifth generation M3 to be offered in the U.S. market, the current model is powered by an M Performance TwinPower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine that produces 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with the standard 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, the M3 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, dropping to 3.9 seconds when equipped with the optional M 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 2018 M3 is rated at 25 mpg highway with the manual transmission and 24 mpg with the M-DCT.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 BMW M4
17 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 20 mpg combined
For the 2015 model year, BMW 3 Series coupes and convertibles were renamed 4 Series and the 2-door M3 models became the M4. Powered by the same 425-horsepower M Performance TwinPower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder as the M3, the M4 Coupe will also accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, dropping to 3.9 seconds when equipped with the optional M-DCT. Both the coupe and the convertible are rated at 25 mpg highway with the 6-speed manual transmission.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 BMW M550i xDrive
16 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 19 mpg combined
The BMW 5 Series is new for 2018 and until the next M5 arrives, the M550i xDrive is the top performance model. Powered by a M Performance TwinPower Turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine good for 456 horsepower and 458 lb-ft of torque, this all-wheel-drive performance sedan can rocket to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds, and has an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph. BMW performance sedans are legendary, but 25 mpg on the highway is still impressive.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 BMW X4 M40i
18 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 21 mpg combined
BMW’s compact SUV with a sloping, coupelike roofline, the high-performance version of the X4 is the X4 M40i, powered by a M Performance TwinPower turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder producing 355 horsepower and 343 lb-ft of torque. Power gets delivered through an 8-speed STEPTRONIC Sport automatic transmission and BMW xDrive all-wheel drive with M Performance tuning for suspension, steering and brakes. The X4 M40i will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds yet is also rated at 25 mpg on the highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Cadillac ATS-V
17 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 20 mpg combined
The high-performance version of Cadillac’s premium compact sedan, the ATS-V is powered by a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine producing 464 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque, combined with either a 6-speed manual transmission with Active Rev Match or a paddle-shift 8-speed automatic. The ATS-V will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a top track speed of 189 mph. The ATS-V is rated at 25 mpg highway with the automatic transmission, and 23 mpg highway with the manual.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Chevrolet Corvette
15 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 18 mpg combined
The Chevrolet Corvette is now 65 years old and has evolved into a world-class sports car to challenge the best high-performance cars from around the world. The current seventh-generation Corvette debuted as a 2014 model, powered by a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine producing 455 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque. Paired with either a 7-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic with paddle shifters, the Corvette is rated at 25 mpg highway. The 7-speed manual is rated slightly better in the city with 16 mpg city / 19 mpg combined.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Chevrolet Camaro SS
16 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 19 mpg combined
One of the iconic pony cars of the 1960s, Camaro returned to the Chevrolet lineup as a 2010 model and was redesigned for the 2016 model year. The 2010 design drew from the popular 1969 model, and the 2016 moved forward with a more sculpted, taut look, although the new Camaro SS is powered by the same 6.2-liter LT1 small-block V8 engine that debuted in the Corvette, producing 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque while still delivering 25 mpg on the highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Dodge Challenger SRT
15 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 18 mpg combined
For 2018 the Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack, 392 HEMI Scat Pack Shaker, T/A 392 and SRT 392 are all powered by the 392 cubic-inch 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine producing 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, combined with either a TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission. With retro-inspired styling, the Dodge Challenger delivers old-school V8 power, but the high-tech 6.4-liter HEMI earns an EPA rating of 25 mpg highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Dodge Charger SRT
15 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 18 mpg combined
The 2018 Dodge Charger is a modern version of the 1960s muscle car and offers the R/T Scat Pack, Daytona 392 and SRT 392 powered by the 392 cubic-inch 6.4-liter HEMI V8 producing 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, combined with a TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission. Unlike vehicles of the 1960s muscle car era, the 2018 Charger SRT with 485 horsepower will deliver 25 mpg cruising on the highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2017 Ford Mustang GT
15 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 18 mpg combined
The 2017 Ford Mustang GT is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 435 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The GT with V8 power has long been one of the best performance values in the market, and the 2017 model when equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission is rated at 25 mpg highway. The 2018 Ford Mustang GT goes on sale this fall and will be the fastest ever, powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 460 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Combined with a new available 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, this descendant of the original pony car will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds with help from Drag Strip Mode and an available Performance Pack with custom-designed Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Fuel economy ratings for the 2018 GT are not yet available.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2017 Lexus RC F
16 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 19 mpg combined
The high-performance version of the RC Coupe, the Lexus RC F has a normally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 467 horsepower and 389 lb-ft of torque. Power gets delivered to the rear wheels via an 8-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission with Lexus G Force Artificial Intelligence Shift Control and a standard Torsen limited-slip differential. An optional Torque Vectoring Differential is offered to precisely control rear wheel torque, adjusting left-to-right distribution in 1/1000 of a second. The RC F sits lower and wider than the standard RC Coupe with wider wheels and tires, an active rear wing, cooling ducts and available carbon fiber body elements. The RC F is rated at 25 mpg on the highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Mercedes-AMG E43
19 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 21 mpg combined
The second AMG performance model of the E-Class, the AMG E43 is powered by a twin-turbocharged AMG 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 396 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque from 2500 to 5000 rpm. Power is delivered through an AMG-enhanced 9-speed automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4MATIC all-wheel drive with a torque split of 31 percent front / 69 percent rear. AMG Sport Suspension is standard, and the AMG E43 is rated at 25 mpg highway. At the top of the line is the AMG E63, the most powerful E-Class ever offered at 603 horsepower, but it doesn’t make the list since it’s rated at 22 mpg highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Mercedes-AMG SL63
16 mpg city / 25 mpg hwy / 19 mpg combined
For more than 60 years, the Mercedes-Benz SL roadster has been one of the most admired and sought-after convertibles on the road, and today’s high-performance Mercedes-AMG versions push the SL straight into supercar territory. The Mercedes-AMG SL63 is powered by a hand-built 5.5-liter AMG biturbo V8 producing 577 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque combined with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed transmission. The AMG SL63 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds with top track speed limited to 186 mph. Remarkably, the AMG SL65 will cruise at 25 mpg on the highway. At the top of the line is the AMG SL65, powered by a hand-built 6.0-liter AMG biturbo V12 that produces 621 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, but it doesn’t quite make the cut at 22 mph highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Audi RS 5
18 mpg city / 26 mpg hwy / 21 mpg combined
The most powerful and top performing version of Audi’s A5 coupe, the 2018 Audi RS 5 receives an all-new 2.9-liter TFSI biturbo V6 engine that produces 450 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Power is directed through a sport-tuned 8-speed Tiptronic transmission combined with permanent quattro all-wheel drive, yet the RS 5 is rated at 26 mpg highway. The new design features a wider and flatter Singleframe grille, large air inlets with black honeycomb, additional air inlets next to the headlights, a rear diffuser, large oval exhaust tips and a rear spoiler. Inside are RS sport seats with available diamond stitching, a flat-bottom sport steering wheel and special RS displays for the Audi virtual cockpit.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 BMW M2
20 mpg city / 26 mpg hwy / 22 mpg combined
The BMW M2 is the smallest of BMW’s M cars, but is probably the most fun to drive. Powered by a M TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 365 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque on overboost, the M2 is offered with either a 6-speed manual transmission of an optional M Double Clutch Transmission. The M2 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 second when equipped with the M-DCT, with its top track speed electronically limited to 155 mph. The M2 is rated at 26 mpg highway with both the M-DCT and the 6-speed manual transmission.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2017 Ford Focus RS
19 mpg city / 26 mpg hwy / 22 mpg combined
One of the hottest hatches on the market, the Ford Focus RS is powered by turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine producing 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, combined with a 6-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive. The Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring can deliver up to 70 percent of the power to the rear wheels and distribute the power side-to-side depending on driving conditions. The Focus RS delivers rally-inspired performance but is still rated at 26 mpg highway when cruising on the open road. For the end of the current-generation Focus RS model, Ford will produce 1,500 limited-edition versions for the 2018 model year with special features including a new mechanical limited-slip differential.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Lexus LC 500
16 mpg city / 26 mpg hwy / 19 mpg combined
The new Lexus LC 500 flagship coupe brings concept car looks to the street with a design nearly identical to the LF-LC Concept that debuted in 2012. In production form, the LC 500 is powered by a normally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque delivered to the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission with manual shifter mode and paddle shifters. The LC 500 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds and is rated at 26 mpg on the highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 4Matic
17 mpg city / 26 mpg hwy / 20 mpg combined
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class receives an update for 2018 and the AMG S63 gets a new hand-built AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo engine with cylinder deactivation that replaces the previous 5.5L Biturbo V8. The new 4.0L V8 Biturbo produces 603 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque and is combined with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9-speed transmission replacing the previous 7-speed transmission. AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive is standard. The 2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 is rated at 26 mpg highway a 3-mpg improvement over the 2017 model.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Infiniti Q60 Red Sport
20 mpg city / 27 mpg hwy / 22 mpg combined
Infiniti’s beautiful Q60 Sport Coupe traces its roots back to the original G35 Coupe, and still pushes the competition with forward-thinking design and performance. The Q60 Red Sport is powered by a new twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque combined with a 7-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive. Standard equipment includes sport-tuned Digital Dynamic Suspension, large sport brakes and 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. The Q60 Red Sport is rated at 27 mpg highway; with all-wheel drive the number drops 1 mpg to 26 highway. The Q50 Red Sport Sedan also is rated at 26 mpg highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Mercedes-AMG C43 4MATIC
20 mpg city / 27 mpg hwy / 23 mpg combined
One of two high-performance versions of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class compact sedan, coupe and convertible, the AMG C43 derives motivation from a twin-turbocharged AMG 3.0-liter V6 engine producing 362 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque from 2000 to 4200 rpm. Power is delivered through an AMG-enhanced 9-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive with a torque split of 31 percent front / 69 percent rear. The AMG C43 sedan and coupe are both rated at 27 mpg highway, with the AMG convertible coming in at 26 mpg highway. The top-line AMG C63 sedan is powered by an AMG twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 producing up to 503 horsepower, but it didn’t quite make the cut since it rates at 24 mpg highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Audi RS 3
19 mpg city / 28 mpg hwy / 22 mpg combined
The Audi RS 3 is offered for the first time in the U.S. market, powered by a new generation of Audi’s turbocharged 5-cylinder engine, producing 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. The 2.5-liter TFSI engine gets bolted to a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, and the RS 3 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds while still achieving 28 mpg highway. Based on the new Audi A3 sedan and designed for the U.S. market, the RS 3 is the first compact Audi sedan to offer an RS version. Audi also offers the S3 powered by a 292-horsepower 2.0-liter TFSI engine, also rated at 22 mpg city / 28 mpg hwy / 25 mpg combined.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Honda Civic Type R
22 mpg city / 28 mpg hwy / 25 mpg combined
The Civic Type R may be the most powerful Honda model ever sold in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean it isn’t also efficient. Previously offered in other markets, the 2018 Civic Type R arrives for the first time in the U.S. powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 306 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Power gets delivered to the front wheels through a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission with automatic rev matching and a mechanical helical-type limited-slip differential. The Civic Type R is rated at 28 mpg when cruising on the highway, but don’t expect to get that kind of mileage on the racetrack.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Porsche Panamera
21 mpg city / 28 mpg hwy / 24 mpg combined
Porsche’s 4-door sport sedan was redesigned for the 2017 model year, and the base Panamera is powered by a 330-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine combined with an 8-speed Porsche PDK automatic transmission. The Panamera 4S is powered by a 440-horsepower 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 and the Panamera Turbo is powered by a 550-horsepower twin-turbo 4.0-liter engine. Both the Panamera and the Panamera 4S are rated at 28 mpg highway; the Panamera Turbo is rated at 25 mpg highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Audi TT RS
19 mpg city / 29 mpg hwy / 22 mpg combined
The most powerful Audi TT ever produced, the Audi TT RS coupe has the same 2.5-liter TFSI 5-cylinder engine as the Audi RS 3, producing 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. Replicating the distinctive exhaust note reminiscent of the original Audi quattro, the 5-cylinder engine is combined with a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive with an electrohydraulic clutch that can send nearly all the power to the rear wheels. The current design retains elements from the original TT, but the TT RS is the most aggressive interpretation.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2017 BMW i8
28 mpg city / 29 mpg hwy / 28 mpg combined / 76 mpge
BMW’s high-performance plug-in hybrid sports car, the i8 looks like a futuristic concept car but still delivers the performance to challenge other sports cars. The rear wheels are spun by a 228-horsepower 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, while the front wheels get motivation from a 129-horsepower electric motor. Combined output of 357 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque moves the AWD i8 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds. The i8 doesn’t look like anything else on the road with its sleek silhouette, big wheels, narrow grille and crazy aerodynamic angles at the rear. The unique scissor doors lift and pivot upward toward the front, and the doors don’t swing out much farther than standard car doors. On the highway the i8 is rated at 29 mpg, but the city rating is equally impressive at 28 mpg.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Porsche 718 Boxster
22 mpg city / 29 mpg hwy / 25 mpg combined
Porsche’s 2-seat mid-engine roadster was redesigned for the 2017 model year and renamed the 718 Boxster, now powered exclusively by a choice of turbocharged 4-cylinder horizontally-opposed engines. The Boxster is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter producing 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, while the Boxster S draws power from a turbocharged 2.5-liter producing 350 horses and 309 lb-ft of torque. Both the Boxster and the Boxster S are offered with either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK automatic transmission. The Boxster is rated at 29 mpg highway with PDK and 28 mpg highway with the manual, while the Boxster S is rated at 28 mpg highway with the PDK and 26 mpg highway with the manual.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Porsche 718 Cayman
22mpg city / 29 mpg hwy / 25 mpg combined
Porsche’s 2-seat mid-engine coupe shares mechanical components with the Boxster, and was also redesigned and renamed for 2017 as the 718 Cayman. As with Boxster, the new Cayman is now powered exclusively by turbocharged 4-cylinder horizontally-opposed engines. The standard Cayman is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter producing 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, while the Cayman S pulls power from a turbocharged 2.5-liter producing 350 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. Both the Cayman and the Cayman S are offered with either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed PDK automatic transmission. For 2018 the EPA rating for Cayman are the same as Boxster: 29 mpg highway with the PDK and 28 mpg highway with the manual for Cayman, and 28 mpg highway with the PDK and 26 mpg highway with the manual for Cayman S.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance CarsVolkswagen Golf R
22 mpg city / 29 mpg hwy / 25 mpg combined
The VW Golf is offered in many variations, but it’s the R that sits at the top of the stack. In fact, with its 292-horsepower turbocharged engine the R is the most powerful Golf Volkswagen has ever sold. Power gets transmitted to all four wheels via VW’s advanced 4Motion all-wheel-drive system. When cruising or coasting, the system can disengage the rear wheels for improved fuel economy; however, when needed, the rear wheels can re-engage in fractions of a second. Golf R can be equipped with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox — the latter offers better city mpg and considerably quicker sprints to 60 mph.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Audi S4
21 mpg city / 30 mpg hwy / 24 mpg combined
Audi’s high-performance premium sport sedan, the redesigned 2018 Audi S4 is powered by a new turbocharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 that produces 354 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, combined with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. The new turbocharged engine is both more powerful and more efficient than the previous supercharged 3.0-liter V6, with 21 additional horsepower and 44 lb-ft more torque while improving fuel economy by 4 mpg to 30 mpg highway. With maximum torque available from 1370 to 4500 rpm, the 2018 S4 will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Audi S5
21 mpg city / 30 mpg hwy / 24 mpg combined
The Audi S5 Coupe and Cabriolet are redesigned for the 2018 model year and the all-new S5 Sportback 5-door is added as well. All three S5 versions are powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 354 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, combined with an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. The S5 Coupe and Sportback are both rated at 30 mpg highway, with the S5 Cabriolet rated at 29 mpg highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Jaguar F-TYPE
23 mpg city / 30 mpg hwy / 26 mpg combined
For 2018 the Jaguar F-TYPE offers a new base engine; the Ingenium turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder produces 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Powered by this new 2.0-liter engine, the F-TYPE will accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and is rated at 30 mpg highway. The F-TYPE is rated at 28 mpg highway when powered by the supercharged 3.0-liter V6 rated at 340 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance Cars2018 Porsche 911
22 mpg city / 30 mpg hwy / 25 mpg combined
Since its initial introduction in 1963, the Porsche 911 has become one of the most iconic sports car on the planet. Although the 911 Turbo has topped the 911 lineup since the 1970s, all 911 Carrera models are now powered by turbocharged engines; the only exception is the normally-aspirated limited edition 911 GT3. The standard engine for the 911 Carrera is a twin-turbo 3.0-liter horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder unit producing 370 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, rated at 30 mpg highway. At the top of the Carrera range is the Carrera GTS, powered by a 450-horsepower 3.0-liter engine rated at 26 mpg highway. The 911 Turbo S derives power from a twin-turbo 3.8-liter 6-cylinder producing 580 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, but still manages 24 mpg highway.

Fuel-Efficient High-Performance CarsAlfa Romeo 4C
24 mpg city / 34 mpg hwy / 28 mpg combined
The Alfa Romeo 4C 2-seat mid-engine sports car is a small, lightweight design inspired by Alfa Romeo’s racing heritage. Built in Modena, Italy, the Alfa Romeo 4C is offered in both coupe and spider versions, with Italian styling and a carbon fiber monocoque chassis which not only increases structural rigidity — important for controlled, precise handling — it also makes the car very light. The 4C is motivated by a small but powerful 1.75-liter turbocharged engine that produces 237 horsepower and makes it very entertaining to drive on twisty backroads or favorite racetracks. This light weight also gives the 4C an advantage in fuel economy, topping our list of high-performance but fuel-efficient cars with an EPA rating of 34 mpg highway.

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