Top Sports Cars Under 500,000 Dirhams in the UAE

Sports cars come in all shapes and forms, and there is no denying these are excellent machines. The UAE is chock-full of some of the best high-performance cars anywhere in the world, so these cars here truly made the list.

Whilst 500,000 dirhams may seem like a considerable amount of money, it really isn’t much for the well-heeled driving enthusiast. If you are into fast cars that are also fun to drive, then this article is for you. Let’s see what these cars have to offer.

1. Toyota Supra GR

Partnering with BMW (plus Toyota’s Gazoo Racing) and after a sabbatical of about two decades, the Toyota Supra nameplate made its comeback in 2019. The all-new Supra shares its engine and much of the drivetrain components with the new BMW Z4. Most of the interior is also shared with the bimmer, so the quality of materials in the Supra is pretty impressive.

The svelte curves on the outside of the Supra GR are paired with stylish six-lens LED headlights. The muscular haunches, flared nostrils at the front, and 19-inch forged aluminium wheels add to the aesthetic stance of this sportscar. The ducktail spoiler and functional twin exhausts make the Supra GR look sportier.

The exterior of the Supra GR has been designed to reduce drag and lift at higher speeds, while its direct & well-calibrated steering puts the driver in the center of all the action. The manual gearbox is also a treat to use.

The suspension is forgiving enough on public roads and allows the Supra to be flicked around racetracks without missing a single beat! However, the driver-focused interior lacks headroom for tall folks. The 2024 Toyota Supra GR starts at AED 214,900 in the UAE.

Specifications

(2024 Toyota Supra GR UAE specifications shown)

2. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

A technologically advanced and capable rear mid-engine sports car, even the entry-level Chevrolet Corvette Stingray offers plenty of thrill. It might be more expensive than the Supra GR, but the Corvette also promises more power and performance. The sharp and aerodynamically-tuned design of the Corvette Stingray looks snazzy if a touch too busy.

Equipped with the Z51 Performance Package, the exterior of the new Chevrolet Corvette integrates prominent air intakes & side scoops for optimum cooling. Then there is the front splitter, an extensive rear diffuser, and a large spoiler – they channel the air in such a way as to keep the drag to a bare minimum.

The beautiful sound of the N/A V8 is brought to life with the Performance Exhaust Package and shiny quad tailpipes. Customers can also opt for a transparent cover for this V8, revealing the engine in all its glory. There are air vents around the engine cover as well as in the heavily-sculpted rear bumper, a prominent ‘Stingray’ insignia, and stylish LED taillights.

The Corvette Stingray gets state-of-the-art independent suspension with optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control. These, along with the high torsional rigidity of the chassis, means racecar-like handling mixed with everyday ride comfort. The sporty-looking interior features high-quality leather & metal trim, along with plenty of carbon fiber. The cabin of the Corvette Stingray offers carbon-fiber sports seats and a fully-digital gauge cluster with different display modes.

The agenda behind the design of this interior is clear – the person in the driver’s seat matters most. The touch-infotainment screen is also angled towards the driver, while a horde of buttons can be found atop a wall-like structure on the center pedestal. Rounding off the Z51 Performance Package is a head-up display, a squared-off steering wheel, and high-performance Brembo brakes. The starting price of the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray in the UAE is AED 339,000.

Specifications

(2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray UAE specifications shown)

3. Jaguar F-Type R75 Coupe

Based on the Jaguar Land Rover D6a platform, the Jaguar F-Type is widely considered one of the finest and most beautiful-looking sports cars in the world. The outgoing model will be the swansong for the F-Type, so getting one of these would be a special event. It will appeal to those who want a compact and chic sports car from a luxury brand.

With its short overhangs, wide rear haunches, long hood, and ground-hugging stance – the Jaguar F-Type Coupe screams sportiness. The R body kit and Black Design Pack on the F-Type Coupe offer 20-inch alloy rims in a contrast dual-tone shade, sportier side sills & front splitter, and blacked-out grille & intakes. The slim LED headlights & taillights look great, too.

The metal treadplates in the cabin feature ‘Limited Edition’ branding and the leather steering wheel is ‘R’ branded. The instrument panel is finished in ‘Limited Edition’ aluminium trim, while the Black Pack option brings Ebony-colored materials & surfaces plus Performance seats. The quality of materials in the cabin might be good, but the interior design is now showing its age.

The pièce de resistance of the Jaguar F-Type R75 is its glorious supercharged V8. With its Active Exhaust engaged, this engine will make sounds that can make a grown man cry for joy. You could buy this car purely for the pops, crackles, and bangs its exhaust makes – it is that good. Joining in on the fun is the F-Type R75’s another part piece, its handling.

While the ride over regular roads is firm and not the most pleasant, all that changes when you show the F-Type some corners. Armed with adaptive dampers and an Electronic Active Differential with Torque Vectoring by Braking, the F-Type R75 remains flat and composed during quick directional changes. Prices in the UAE start at AED 420,945 for an R75 Coupe.

Specifications

(2024 Jaguar F-Type R75 Coupe UAE specifications shown)

4. Porsche 911 Carrera

The Carrera might be the base version of the legendary Porsche 911 family, but it comfortably punches above its weight. It is only as quick from 0-100 km/h as the Supra GR, isn’t as fast as the Vette, nor as stylish as the F-Type. The Porsche 911 Carrera is, however, a technical masterpiece of German engineering and the definition of the everyday sports car.

The general design ethos of the Porsche 911 hasn’t changed forever – evolutionary updates are part of the course. On the styling front, the 911 Carrera gets oval headlamps, a low nose with a sweeping hood, wide hips with staggered front & rear wheels, and a gently-sloped rear with sleek LED lights. Twin exhausts, subtle side skirts, and an electronically-actuated rear spoiler are present as well.

Speaking of exhausts, the dual tips are the real deal but they do not necessarily make any exciting noises. However, the interior design of the 911 Carrera is contemporary and feels solid – no sign of cost-cutting here. The steering wheel can be optioned with stitched Alcantara and is a treat to hold, while the flappy paddles and drive-mode selector are easily accessible.

The level of fit-and-finish and the quality of materials used in this cabin are both splendid. The driver looks straight at a large and high-definition digital instrument cluster, which is also configurable. A bank of rocker switches placed on the dashboard and center pedestal is used to control a variety of in-car functions, while another high-definition screen houses the car’s infotainment system.

The chassis setup and suspension tuning of the Porsche 911 Carrera are on point. The former makes the car feel taut and nimble while the latter ensures pliancy across speed regimes and road surfaces. The sporty seats are set low but the view out of the 911 is fairly good, and driving the Porsche 911 Carrera is an easy affair. The starting price of a 2024 Porsche 911 Carrera in UAE is AED 483,700.

Specifications

(2024 Porsche 911 Carrera UAE specifications shown)