The Sports Cars Of 2022, CariCarz’s Top 8 Selections, A European Built Excellence

Revving from all corners of the world, creating chaos in the streets and burning rubber wherever they go, sports cars are truly incredible machines.

Built to destroy straight lines or bend corners like liquid, each and every one of these creations are experts in their own respect.

With all the different breeds roaming out there, it’s hard to thin down the herd and select the most outstanding ones, but fret not. 

For all the gearheads tuning in, CariCarz has come up with eight worthy European sports cars of 2022, and in no particular order, the list starts with:

1. Aston Martin Vantage

The 2022 Vantage is head to toe style and substance. Although it slots at the bottom of the least expensive Aston Martin model available, it just means that it’s more accessible to more people.

Be it with the V8, the V12, or the F1 edition, it is guaranteed to provide its owners a great behind the wheel experience.

Its V8 has 503 hp and does 0 to 97 km/h in 3.6 seconds. The F1 edition outputs the same readings, but with an extra 24 hp. Whereas, the V12 juices it up to 705 hp and a 322 km/h top speed. 

Whether on the track or the road, the Vantage has precise handling and a gorilla grip, along with an interior that is bathed with luxury.

2. Audi R8 Performance

Prime example of power, handling and functionality, the 2022 R8 is a great introduction build for all the first timers entering the world of sports cars.

Audi says the next R8 will be an electric build, regardless, the outgoing model is still the desire of many, courtesy of its incredibly exceptional engine and gearbox setup.

Lurking in its chassis is the same V10 heart found in the Lamborghini Gallardo and Huracan, and paired to the mill is a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

This R8 comes with the choice of Audi’s famous Quattro AWD or a RWD option. And for the interior, comfort is not neglected as it is built to the specifications of a German luxury car.

3. McLaren 765LT

When it comes to insane speed and practical design, the McLarens are hard to top. And the 2022 765LT is one example which was built significantly for the track.

The LT, or Longtail, has a faster gear shifting ratio and a more aerodynamic body compared to other McLaren models. 

A real redline machine, it goes from 0 to 97 km/h in just 2.7 seconds, while screaming down the track at a top speed of a whopping 330 km/h.

Noted that the interior doesn’t come with air-conditioning, but going at that insane speed, who would even notice.

4. Maserati MC20

Rejoining the sports car game after laying dormant for 18 years, Maserati’s 2022 MC20 has been designed to compete with the NSX, the R8 and the Porsche 911.

Unlike the brand’s previous MC12 model, the MC20 is built in-house instead of being a Ferrari with different skin.

Maserati said it will be coming out with an electric version in the future, but for now, the MC20 underpins what the company has dubbed the Nettuno engine.

It's a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, which makes 620 hp with the help of F1 technology. It can dash from 0 to 97 km/h in just 2.6 seconds, with a top speed well over 208 km/h.

5. Porsche 911 Turbo S

Porsche has always been at the peak of sports car engineering, and so is the development of its 911 Turbos, specifically the 2022 911 Turbo S. 

Weighing in at 1,649 kg, this rear-mounted-engine 911 Turbo S takes corners like a champ thanks to its all-wheel-drive system.

Harboring in its chassis is a 3.7-liter twin-turbo flat 6, producing 640 hp of output and a neck-splitting torque of 800 Nm.

Mated to an eight-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission, the setup can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds, while hitting a top speed of 330 km/h.

6. Porsche 718 GT4 RS

Another Porsche speeding its way into the list, and this 2022 718 GT4 RS promises even better performance, compared to the 911 Turbo S.

Versatility is its nature, as it blends everyday sports car prowess with the skills of a race car. The steering is sharp and has excellent feedback, courtesy of its stiff suspension and low ride height.

Under the hood, it shares the same engine found in the 911 GT3, though without the turbo. It generates up to 414 hp and a top speed of 304 km/h.

Uniquely, it looks special due to its aerodynamic kit and sounds special with a sports exhaust that can be turned on for highway and track use, and off for streets and in the neighborhood.

7. Ferrari 296 GTB

Gran Turismo Berlinetta is what its moniker stands for, and this 2022 296 GTB is the successor of the LaFerrari, which was the first Prancing Horse to underpin a hybrid drivetrain.

Foreshadowing the next generation of Ferraris, this GTB hybrid sports a mid-mounted engine with an electric motor that is married to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Just with its turbocharged V6 engine alone the GTB makes 663 hp, but when combined with the power from the 6.0-kW battery packed electric motor, it rockets up to 819 hp.

Thanks to its compact size and lightweight architecture, this Italian Prancing Horse is super-fast, as it can go from 0 to 97 km/h in just 2.9 seconds.

8. Lotus Emira

Maintaining decades long tradition of handling greatness, this Norfolk newcomer, the 2022 Emira is the last hurrah for internal combustion engines at Lotus. 

Very un-Lotus-like, it weighs in quite heavily at 1,440 kg, and sports a supercharged Toyota 3.5-liter V6 matched with a six-speed manual gearbox. It does 0 to 97 km/h in 4.3 seconds.

Despite that, its build is focused on maneuverability, as such it’s a considerably fast car with a beautifully balanced and damped handling.

Expertly, it provides a highly responsive steering, speeding through bends with quick-witted agility, while its extra mass aids to shrug-off unsettling bumps, further boosting confidence.

To sum up, all these eight European machines from the 2022 crop of sports cars are great to drive, each with their own distinct identity.

That said, these are just a few of the abundant examples that are cruising in the streets right now, and what defines them to be great are highly individual, so take your pick.