Every non-turbo, naturally-aspirated sports car still on sale

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With the electrified era of motoring well and truly underway and turbocharging now a crucial part of making more efficient combustion engines, where does that leave naturally aspirated sports cars?

Due to increasingly strict emissions regulations, atmospheric sports and performance cars are unfortunately beginning to die out – but in some cases, they will live on as electrified alternatives. 

If you want to buy a sports car and love a pure driving experience, the options to choose from are few and far between. 

Here are the last remaining naturally-aspirated sports cars you can currently buy in Australia, listed from most affordable to the most exotic. 

Prices listed are all before on-road costs 

Mazda MX-5, 1998cc four-cylinder engine – from $38,460 

As one of the most iconic sports cars in the world, the MX-5 spans four generations and is currently available in Australia in ND guise starting from $38,460 before on-road costs. 

Available in both hard-top RF (retractable folding) specification or soft top convertible, the current MX-5 is a lot of fun behind the wheel and the cheapest car in this list. It’s truly been built for driving engagement. 

Initially available with either a 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, the 1.5-litre has now been scrapped in favour of the revised 2.0-litre unit. It produces 135kW of power and 205Nm of torque. 

Subaru BRZ , 2387cc flat-four engine – from $40,290

If you love the art of driving and winding your way through the mountains, there are few cars that will do it as well as the Subaru BRZ and its twin – the Toyota GR86. 

The BRZ is also one of the cheapest remaining atmospheric sports cars available in Australia, offering more affordable thrills than many of its competitors. 

The BRZ uses a 2.4-litre flat-four engine that produces outputs of 174kW/250Nm and is mated to either with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. 

Toyota GR86, 2387cc flat-four engine – from $43,240

Part of the Toybaru twin development, the Toyota GR86 has slightly different suspension tuning to the BRZ, including a lower front and higher rear spring. 

Engines between the two cars are identical – both use a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre flat-four engine developed by Subaru. This powertrain produces 174kW/250Nm. 

The GR86 is priced slightly higher than the BRZ but is still attainable as one of the only budget rear-drive sports coupes on the Australian market. 

Ford Mustang GT, 4950cc V8 engine – from $65,290 

Some say it’s a grand tourer, others say it’s a classic American sports or muscle car. No matter what the answer is, the Ford Mustang has proved popular down under and continues to be powered by a 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine. It produces a hearty 339kW of power and 556Nm of torque. 

The next-generation Ford Mustang is around a year away, but you can still snap up the current Mustang if you look hard enough. 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, 6162cc V8 engine – from $170,000 

We were lucky enough to test the new mid-engined Corvette in 2022, which you can read about here. It packs a 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine with enough punch to rival European competitors. 

The engine produces 369kW of power and 637Nm of torque – all of which goes to the rear-wheels exclusively. 

The best news is the fact that the flagship Z06 version is coming to Australia soon with a smaller, yet more powerful 5.5-litre V8 engine and supercar levels of performance. 

Porsche 718 Boxster GTS 4.0, 3995cc flat-six engine – from $189,700

It might not have the same heritage as the iconic 911, but the Boxster offers drop-top thrills and can still be had with a naturally-aspirated flat-six engine in GTS 4.0-litre specification. 

If you choose a Boxster, you’ll have 294kW/420Nm to play with and a 7800rpm rev limit to hear every single second of that lovely flat-six engine. 

Lexus LC500, 4969cc V8 engine – from $201,461

Arguably one of the greatest sounding naturally-aspirated engines comes from this LC500. With its engine designed in part by Yamaha, the LC500 is more grand tourer than sports car, but doesn’t mind the corners. 

The 5.0-litre V8 engine from the LC produces 351kW of power and 540Nm of torque. A hybrid V6 engine is also available, however our pick is the fantastic sounding 5.0-litre V8.  

Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0, 3995cc flat-six engine – from $187,000 

While it might not be the flagship RS variant, the 718 Cayman GTS 4.0 still gets flat-six power – 294kW/420Nm to be precise – using the same engine as the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder. 

Although you don’t get the drop-top looks of the Boxster, the smart and sophisticated silhouette of the Cayman has become popular with Porsche enthusiasts.

Porsche Cayman 718 GT4 RS, 3995cc flat-six engine – from $312,700

While the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS has certainly been getting universal acclaim from motoring writers across the world, it’s also the most expensive Cayman to ever go on sale.

But this is a special car, indeed. Using the same engine as the Porsche 911 GT3 which develops 368kW/450Nm, what makes this engine particularly special is the addition of individual throttle bodies and a specialised carbon-fibre air intake system. The result is one of the most beautiful sounding engines currently in production.  

Porsche 911 GT3, 3996cc flat-six engine – from $388,600

Some say the 911 GT3 is the mecca of performance cars. Each year, Porsche continues to develop some of the best driver’s cars in the world – but they don’t come cheap. 

The current 911 GT3 with its 4.0-litre flat-six engine starts from $388,600 before on-road costs. The flagship GT3 RS is now priced from $500,200.

Ferrari 812 Superfast – 6494cc V12 engine – from $610,000

Much like its biggest competitor, Lamborghini, Ferrari has continued to use a atmospheric V12 engine, despite new emissions regulations looming. 

The V12 engine fitted to the 812 produces a staggering amount of power and torque – 585kW/718Nm – all without turbocharging. Ferrari’s V12 is an amazing piece of machinery and something we will all miss when electric cars become the majority. 

It might cost more than a one bedroom apartment in Australia, but the Ferrari 812 Superfast is a future classic.