Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

It has 638 hp. Enough said. This is a no-excuses domestic exotic. Sure, it's pricey, but consider: The ZR1's power-to-weight ratio is better than that of a $270,000 Ferrari 599 GTB. It'll do a quarter-mile in close to 11 seconds flat and easily clear 200 mph. Whoa. Ramping the power to over 600 required the use of Eaton's new quieter, more efficient supercharger. Throttle response is instantaneous, and it's all too easy to melt those Michelins. The ZR1's capabilities are monumental, but easily approachable if you're a little brave—or very foolish. Aside from eyeball-watering acceleration, the carbon-ceramic brakes are so good, we couldn't hammer them hard enough to activate the ABS. There seems to be no limit to how far you can get into the corners while still on the gas. The other takeaway is the willingness of this chassis to turn, grip and decelerate at the same time. And much of that grace comes from the latest version of the magnetorheological (MR) shock absorbers that adjust quickly to provide optimum damping. But the car's polish is what's most amazing. The ZR1 is the performance champ of 2009.