Story | William Ha Photography | Chris Wynia, Nissan Canada, Porsche Cars Canada, Ford Media Cente
We are almost through winter, and with warmer days ahead, you won’t go wrong putting a deposit down on one of these three icons.
Nissan Z
Nissan looked to its past to build the Z for the future.
All-new for 2023, it is well-executed with retro-modern styling and 21st-century performance. Our tester came with a six-speed manual transmission, which we recommend for driving purists. A nine-speed automatic transmission is available and provides slightly quicker acceleration times, but dials down the cool factor and driver engagement.
Packing 400 horsepower from a twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine, the well-tuned drivetrain provides impressively strong acceleration throughout the entire rev range.
The 2-seat interior can easily accommodate tall people, and for added versatility, there are small divided sections of cargo space behind the seats that can hold an overnight bag or a few bags of groceries.
Standout features:
1. The front-end styling and hood surface lines resemble the original Datsun 240Z. The rear end is a nod to the 1990-1996 generation 300ZX. Beautiful front and rear LED lighting makes the car look sharp at both dusk and dawn.
2. A configurable 12.3” gauge cluster can display three different gauge themes. Lots of track driving information is provided, like engine oil and rear differential oil temperature gauges on the main cluster, plus an additional trio of analog gauges that tell the driver turbocharger pressure, turbine speed and charging system voltage.
Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet
The 911 is still the gold standard among high-performance sports coupes, and maintains its elite sportiness even in convertible form.
The twin-turbo flat 6 engine fires up with menace and is always frenetic and hyper. Even when driving normally, the car gets you up to speed quickly and always feels like a caged animal wanting you to unleash its power. The dualclutch automatic transmission shifts lightning fast and the handling is worldclass, thanks to the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV+).
The brakes are engineered to work hard all day on the track without fading, and provide excellent, progressive feel during normal driving.
The powered driver’s sports seat is comfortable with 14-way adjustment and the door panels provide lighting along with decent storage space to hold a bottle of water and small items.
The front cargo space is deep and easily able to accommodate luggage for a weekend away for two people, and can even hold two 20-litre jerry cans.
Standout features:
1. The power convertible top takes only 15 seconds to open and close whilst looking cool in action.
2. Easy-to-operate launch control provides additional adrenaline-boosting thrills. A 0-100 km/h run only takes 3.3 seconds, with pull so strong in the upper rev ranges that you can feel it in your chest.
Ford Mustang GT
Thanks to Ford, classic gas-powered American muscle remains alive for the remainder of this decade.
A redesigned Mustang is coming for 2024, but the current generation is still relevant and versatile because buyers can equip it in many ways. With the GT we drove, you get all the American muscle car hallmarks: a big V8 engine, strong straight-line power, furious exhaust tone and a hairy-chested demeanour.
If you enjoy these attributes, the Mustang is worth adding to your car collection. The exhaust tone is distinct, classic and masculine, but being rearwheel drive with so much power, driving and cornering hard requires some care and expertise.
The front seating and trunk are very spacious. Classic features, like a CD player and a mechanical parking brake lever, are still found in current model year Mustangs for drivers who value the old-school equipment.
Standout features
1. A class-exclusive Active Valve Performance Exhaust can be customized to enhance the legendary Mustang V8 exhaust sound to be fuller, while also featuring a ‘Quiet Mode’ to respect neighbours. Multiple drive modes that can noticeably change the car’s character include Normal, Snow/Wet, Sport, Track and Drag Strip modes.
2. It can be very well-equipped with countless available comfort, entertainment, safety, convenience and style features. Options include a heated steering wheel, heated/ventilated seats, a 12-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system and eight airbags.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Nissan 400Z | Porsche 911 GTS Cabriolet | Ford Mustang (2023) | |
| Canadian Price (as tested) | $46,498 ($58,498) | $185,800 ($210,000) | $50,965 ($64,150) |
| Engine | 3.0L twin-turbo V6 | 3.0L twin-turbo flat V6 | 5.0L naturally-aspirated V8 |
| Horsepower (hp) | 400 at 6,400 rpm | 480 at 6,500 rpm | 450 at 7,000 rpm |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 350 at 1,600 rpm | 420 at 2,300 to 5,000 rpm | 410 at 4,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed manual | 8-speed dual-clutch automatic | 10-speed automatic |
| Fuel Consumption
(City, highway, city/highway combined) |
13.4, 10.0, 11.9 L/100km | 13.7, 10.7, 12.3 L/100km | 15.2, 9.7, 12.7 L/100km |
| 0-100 km/h Acceleration | 4.9 | 3.3 | 4.3 |
