17 Best Track Cars You Can Buy in 2023 | The Mechanical post

The popularity of high-performance cars has been growing higher than ever, thanks to social media influencers as well as manufacturers who are producing more powerful and sleek design cars.

And there is no better place for car enthusiasts to extract every horsepower from the engine than a race track. With perfectly smooth roads, twisty turns, and no worries about the speed limit, it’s a place where cars can unleash their true potential.

Buying a car for track means that you’ll need a trailer for transporting it, except if you have a Street Legal Track car that you can drive and reach. In recent years, there is an increase in the number of street-legal track cars being offered by the manufacturers. So, hang on and check out the 17 of the best track cars that are surprisingly street-legal.

1. BMW M2 Competition

The BMW M2 Competition is a car built for race tracks and yet it won’t break the bank with a starting MSRP of $58,900 in the United States. The M2 is a trim-down yet affordable option from the BMW M3. It is a driver-focused car and it is evident by the fact that BMW is offering a 6-speed manual gearbox along with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The M2 competition also features a wet-sump lubrication system along with a drivetrain that features an Active M Differential.

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) 4.2 seconds
Engine	2979 cc, 6 Cylinders Inline
Engine Type:	S55 Twin-Turbocharged I6
Max Power:	405 bhp @ 6250 rpm
Price	starting MSRP of $58,900 in United states

2. Nissan GTR Nismo 2021

Another capable machine in the GTR lineup is the GTR Nismo which is an upgrade to the existing Nissan GTR that replaces the original with a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 and has the same design as that currently used in Nissan GT3 race cars. The engine churns out 600hp and 481lb-ft of torque enough to propel the car from 0-60mph in a whopping 2.5 seconds. And all of this power is transmitted to the wheels with the help of a four-wheel-drive system and a 6-speed dual-clutch axle.

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) 2.5 seconds
Engine:	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6.
Transmission:	6-speed Auto-Shift Manual w/OD
Max Power:	600 horsepower @ 6800 rpm.
Price	$210,740 starting price in the United States

3. Porsche 718 Cayman GT4

The Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 is a track-ready car starting at $101,200 that comes equipped with a naturally aspirated flat-six engine producing 414 hp and going up to 8000 rpm. It also has a 6-speed manual transmission and 50 percent more downforce than the previous Cayman GT4.

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) in 4.2 seconds
Engine:	3,995 cc naturally aspirated flat-six 6 engine.
Transmission:	6-speed manual transmission.
Max Power:	414 hp at 7600 rpm.
Price	MSRP starts from From $ 101,200* in the United States

4. Honda Civic Type R

The simple Honda civic is quite popular and so is the Type R, which is a sportier and track-focused version. This is a proper 4 door daily driver car that can fit 4 adults and can transform into a track car as you floor the gas pedal out there on the tracks. Also, this car has a Front-wheel drivetrain along with a boot space of 420 liters. So if you’re looking for a daily use car that you can occasionally have fun with, this is it!

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) 5.3 seconds.
Engine:	2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4 engine.
Transmission:	6-Speed Manual
Max Power:	306 hp @ 6500 rpm
Price	Starting MSRP of $37,895 in the United States.

5. Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (2021)

One of the most well-known Ford cars has to be the Ford Mustang lineup. And with 760 horses under the hood, this engine is way ahead of most of the cars on the list in terms of horsepower. The 7-speed auto-shift manual transmission with rear-wheel drive & a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 just adds to the excitement.

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) in 3.6 seconds
Engine:	5.2L Intercooled Supercharged Premium Unleaded V-8
Transmission:	7-speed auto-shift Manual w/OD
Max Power:	760 hp at 7300 rpm.
Price	Starting MSRP of $72,900 in the United States.

6. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE

If you like the Camaro from the Transformers movie then you are gonna love this aggressive-looking street-legal track car. The 1LE model has an electronically controlled limited-slip differential along with rear-wheel drive, retuned suspension, larger brakes, a Carbon fiber rear wing, and a wonderfully sounding exhaust than the normal Camaro ZL1.

This is a very capable track car, yet it won’t cost as much as some cars on this list that go way over a million dollars. There’s no doubt that the 1LE version is specially built for tracks, still don’t believe us? Then check out what these people at TheStraightPipes have to say: (*not sponsored)

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) in 3.5 seconds
Engine:	6.2L supercharged V8 engine
Transmission:	6-speed manual
Max Power:	650 hp at 6400
Price	Starting MSRP OF $25000 in the United States.

7. KTM X-BOW R

KTM is known for making high-performance motorcycles that are even used in the MotoGP and this expertise of KTM is now available in a street-legal track car called the KTM X Bow R. This track car has a monocoque carbon fiber chassis, a 2L turbocharged mid-engine, rear-wheel drive with a limited-slip differential and a nearly flat underbody. Also, this car has removed the windscreen and there are no doors. The KTM X Bow R is built for people who want hardcore performance and handling.

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) 3.9 seconds
Engine:	Turbocharged 2.0L Inline-Four
Transmission:	6-speed manual
Max Power:	300 hp at 6400 rpm
Base Price	$104,500

8. BAC Mono

The only single-seater track car in this list is the BAC MONO. It doesn’t have the practicality of some of the other cars in this list as it is built only for racetracks and quite surprisingly it’s street legal. This car weighs only 635kgs which is incredibly lightweight and paired along with a 2.5 L Inline 4 naturally aspirated engine producing 332 hp, this car can go 0-60mph in just 2.7 seconds.

The fact that the car comes with a detachable racing steering wheel and a seat that is molded according to the driver gives the feeling of driving a Formula car. If you are an F1 fan and have always deep down wanted to own an F1 car but are way too far to get your hands on it, then this car can give you a somewhat feeling of driving a Formula car only for a very cheap starting price of USD 200,000+.

And yes this car also doesn’t come with a windscreen so a helmet is necessary as you take it for a spin.

Acceleration:	(0-60mph)  2.7 seconds
Engine:	2.5-litre Mountune Racing Duratec I4
Transmission:	6-speed sequential transmission
Max Power:	332 bhp
Price	Starts at $200,000+ in the United States

9. Caterham Seven 620

The Supercharged 2.0-liter Inline-4 rear-wheel-drive capable of producing 310hp and rocketing from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, the Caterham Seven 620 is another hardcore track car that is street legal. Unlike the KTM X Bow and the BAC Mono, this car has the option to come fitted with a full windscreen, roof, and side screens. This car weighs around 1,345lbs which gives it a solid Power to weight ratio.

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) 2.79 seconds
Engine:	Supercharged 2.0 liter Inline-4
Transmission:	5-Speed Manual
Max Power:	310 hp at 7,700 rpm.
Price	$65,000+ USD

10. Ford GT

How can we forget the legendary Ford GT? It’s a car with a long history and expertise behind it. With a lot of victories in the racing world including the Le Mans, this car needs no introduction. It is powered by a 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 647 hp. This sleek and wonderful-looking car can be yours at half a million dollars only if you’re fortunate enough to be approved by Ford.

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) in 3 seconds
Engine:	3.5L Twin-turbocharged and intercooler Miller-capable V-6
Transmission:	7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Max Power:	647 hp at 6250 rpm
Price	USD 500,000

11. Mercedes AMG GT R

If you love watching F1 just like me, you may have spotted it several times as the safety car. And not every car gets to be a safety car. With an incredibly sounding V8 that churns out 585hp, 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds, and expertise in the racing world this is a Mercedes born for the tracks. Straight-line speed is only halfway because the extra downforce achieved by its active aerodynamics, adjustable suspension, huge boot-mounted spoiler, and rear-wheel steering system translates that the GT R is faster even at corners.

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) 3.6 seconds
Engine:	3982 cc Twin-Turbocharged V8.
Transmission:	7-speed Dual-Clutch Automatic
Max Power:	585hp at 6250rpm
Price	$162,900 USD

12. Porsche 911 GT3

Another GT car on our list has to be the Porsche 911 GT3. This car too has some serious power packed inside it while still being able to be your daily driver. Under the hood is a 4 Litre 6 cylinder boxer engine capable enough to make the car go from 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds. Also, the 2021 GT3 lapped the Nurburgring in 6 minutes 59.927 seconds which is 17 seconds faster than the former-gen model.

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) in 3.4 seconds
Engine:	4.0L Boxer 6 Cylinder
Transmission:	7-speed auto-shift manual w/OD
Max Power:	502 hp at 8400 rpm.
Price	Starting at $162,450 USD

13. McLaren Senna

The car was named after the well-known Mc Laren F1 driver Ayrton Senna. The Mc Laren Senna is one of the finest, fastest and the best track-focused hypercar Mc Laren has to offer. With a lightweight carbon monocoque, active aero, and 789 horsepower the senna can do 0-60 in just 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 208mph. However, to get your hands on this fine piece of engineering, be ready to shell out more than $1 million.

Acceleration:	(0-60mph) in 2.8 seconds
Engine:	4.0 Litre Twin-turbocharged V8
Transmission:	7-speed dual-clutch
Max Power:	789 horsepower at  7,250 rpm
Price	$ 1 Million+ USD

14. Jaguar XE SV Project 8

The Second 4 door car on this list after the Honda Civic Type R but this one has got more horses and power than the Type R. Be it on the roads or the tracks this car has got enough power to keep your excitement levels up. Although being a proper 4 door coupe, the Jaguar XE SV Project 8 can do a 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds.

The SV Project 8 is built with track performance in mind with almost 600hp under the hood, carbon fiber body panels, carbon-ceramic brakes, an adjustable front splitter, a functional rear diffuser, lightweight forged alloy wheels, and a huge adjustable rear wing. No doubt that Jaguar is calling the XE SV Project 8 the “Most extreme track cars ever“.

Acceleration:	(0-60mph) 3.3s
Engine:	Supercharged 5.0L V8
Transmission:	8-speed automatic
Max Power:	592hp at 6500rpm
Price	The base price of USD 188,495

15. Ferrari F8 Tributo

The Ferrari F8 Tributo is sleek, aerodynamic, extremely good-looking with an equal amount of power beneath the hood just waiting to be unleashed out there on the tracks. The F8 replaces the entry-level mid-engine Ferrari 488. It’s a level upgrade to the Ferrari 488. The 3.9 Litre Twin-turbo V8 engine of this Ferrari can hit 0-60mph in just 2.9 seconds and has a top speed of 211mph.

Acceleration:	(0-60mph) in 2.9 seconds
Engine:	3.9 L Twin Turbo V8
Transmission:	7-speed Auto-Shift Manual w/OD
Max Power:	711 hp at 8000 rpm.
Price	MSRP $300,000 USD

16. McLaren 720s

If you are a hardcore Mc Laren fan however the Senna listed above is too expensive for you, then this might be your choice to go with. The Mc Laren 720s is one of the 4 cars on this list that crosses the 700 hp mark. Thanks to the 4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that enables it to reach 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds.

The 720s also has an instrument cluster that folds down revealing a small screen that displays only important information when you select the track mode so that you are not distracted and can enjoy your time on the tracks.

Acceleration:	(0-60 mph) in 2.8 seconds
Engine:	4.0L Twin Turbo V-8
Transmission:	7-speed Auto-Shift Manual w/OD
Max Power:	710 hp at 7500 rpm
Price	Starting at $301,500 USD

17. Lotus Evora GT

The mid-engine Lotus Evo GT can be your daily driver track car and comes with features that make it suitable for the roads as well as the tracks. However, the GT is not very luxurious with normal interiors and is focused on performance. This GT model has 416 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque as compared to 400 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque in the Lotus Evora 400. The 3.5L V6 can do 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and has an exhaust that sounds good.

Acceleration:	(0-60mph) in 3.8 seconds
Engine:	3.5 L Supercharged V6
Transmission:	6-speed manual
Max Power:	416hp at 7000rpm.
Price	MSRP $96,950 USD

So that’s an overview of the 17 best street-legal track cars you can buy today. Let us know in the comments which one’s your favorite.