2012 Nissan GT-R Black Edition

Japan's preeminent supercar continues to get better, with more power and a revised suspension for 2012. The Nissan GT-R is one of the fastest, most capable performance cars available for less than $100,000. What the GT-R may lack in tactility and driver involvement it makes up for in pure speed and grip. Driving the Nissan on public roads doesn't really do it justice, because only at breakneck speeds on a track is the car's true potential revealed. Three toggle switches on the center stack allow the driver to choose different modes for the suspension, stability control, and dual-clutch transmission. The track-oriented R mode enables launch control that sends the GT-R hurtling to 60 mph in as few as three seconds and on toward a maximum velocity of 196 mph. That performance is facilitated by a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-6, now upgraded to 530 hp and 448 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automated manual transmission that can swap gears in as little as 0.2 second. The Nissan GT-R's squared-off, angular body looks aggressive enough to match the car's on-track demeanor, but it's now starting to appear somewhat dated compared to less angular, more shapely supercars. The interior is finished in high-quality materials, with generous doses of brushed metal and optional carbon-fiber accents. The big touch screen can display all manner of information about the car's performance, from boost and oil pressure to lateral g-force and steering angle. There are few better choices than the Nissan GT-R for setting heroically fast lap times with a minimum of fuss.