Total Car Score Ranks Top 10 Best High-Performance Cars of 2012

(Newsroom America) -- Automotive ranking and comparison website Total Car Score has issued its list of the Top 10 High-Performance Cars for 2012, with the Infiniti IPL G Coupe at the top of the list.

The high-performance cars on the list come from a wide variety of vehicle types, including street-ready muscle cars, high-performance luxury sedans, and even a full-sized racing truck. Performance cars remain a vital part of most automakers' product plans, despite increasing sensitivity from the marketplace and government regulators regarding fuel economy.

Total Car Score's ranking of the top high-performance models for 2012 is based on the website's aggregate scoring model that incorporates the car reviews and rankings of top automotive authorities. The top 10 high-performance cars, listed in order of their Total Car Score, are as follows:

1. 2012 Infiniti IPL G Coupe – Total Car Score: 85.21, MPG 19-22 Combined

The 2012 Infiniti IPL G Coupe earns one of the highest Total Car Scores in the Luxury High-Performance segment, which is quite a feat considering that other cars in the category include the BMW M3 and the Boxster and Cayman from Porsche, Brauer said.

2. 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG – Total Car Score: 84.45, MPG 18-19 Combined

This is the high-performance, high-class, high-tech version of the company's premium midsize sedan, coupe and wagon, the E-Class. The 2012 model year has seen a radical change under the AMG version's hood. Where there was once a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8, there now resides a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8.

3. 2012 Cadillac CTS-V – Total Car Score: 83.65, MPG 14-16 Combined

The Cadillac CTS-V, with its sophisticated chassis hardware and powerful engine, is a genuinely strong contender among the usual suspects in the high-performance segment.

4. 2012 Ford Taurus SHO – Total Car Score: 83.22, MPG 20 Combined

While this performance-oriented version of the Taurus sedan has several admirable qualities, what makes it unique is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine and the firmer suspension tuning for confident handling.

5. 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 – Total Car Score: 82.59, MPG 17 Combined

The Chrysler 300 SRT8 makes the list mostly due to its 470-horsepower Hemi V8. Small improvements to its suspension, steering and brakes give the 300 SRT8 handling capabilities uncommon in full-size sedans.

6. 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 – Total Car Score: 81.77, MPG 17 Combined

Even with its aggressive styling and powerful Hemi V8, the Charger SRT8 can serve family transport duties due to its comfortable and well-designed interior.

7. 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 – Total Car Score: 80.00, MPG 14 Combined

The Grand Cherokee's standard features include heated and ventilated front seats, a navigation system and a rearview camera. Not bad, but the 6.4-liter V8's acceleration and sporty handling place it in the top ten.

8. 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 – Total Car Score: 78.80, MPG 16 Combined

The ZL1 sets a new performance bar for the pony car portion of the high-performance segment with the 580 horsepower coming from a supercharged V8, a sophisticated traction control system, a magnetic-ride suspension system, and one of the smoothest-shifting six-speed manual transmissions on the market.

9. 2012 Chevrolet Corvette – Total Car Score: 78.03, MPG 18-19 Combined

The Corvette's list of strong points includes its winning combination of sex appeal and bang-for-the-buck. With a 430-horsepower V8 engine under their hoods, both the coupe and convertible are strong performers.

10. 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor – Total Car Score: 77.93, MPG 13 Combined

The Raptor earned a surprisingly high Total Car Score given the fact that it is a pickup truck in a very competitive segment full of sports cars and sport sedans. The Raptor makes the list due to its powerful V8, long-travel suspension with advanced shock absorbers, and sophisticated electronic traction controls optimized for a variety of terrain types.