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Supercharged performance cars are going extinct – these few remain

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Supercharged performance cars were once a staple of the enthusiast world, prized for their instant throttle response and unmistakable mechanical character. Unlike turbocharged engines that build boost gradually, superchargers deliver power the moment you press the accelerator. But in 2025, that experience is rapidly disappearing. As automakers chase efficiency targets and electrification, superchargers have been pushed aside in favor of turbos and electric motors.

Despite the shift, a small handful of sports cars continue to keep forced-induction purity alive. These remaining supercharged models aren’t just holdovers from a bygone era, they represent some of the most thrilling and emotionally engaging performance cars still on sale. Their linear power delivery, unmistakable sound, and old-school driving feel stand in sharp contrast to the increasingly digital nature of modern performance.

We explore the last three supercharged sports cars you can still buy. From how they deliver power to why they’ve survived while others disappeared, these final examples show why supercharged performance deserves to be remembered, and why its extinction feels especially bittersweet for driving enthusiasts.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources.

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There are only 3 supercharged performance cars left in America

Front 3/4 action shot of a 2025 Lotus Emira Credit: Lotus

The automotive market is moving into a hybrid era, one where turbochargers have become more efficient. Automakers are introducing electric motors to handle low-end torque. All these factors, in conjunction with the fact that big-displacement engines are becoming more and more rare, means that superchargers are slowly but surely starting to disappear. If you want a sporty car with a supercharger, you only have three choices left in 2025.

The last bastions

  • 2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
  • 2026 Lotus Emira
  • 2025 Jaguar F-Type

If you’re after a coupe, only two real sports cars still house a supercharger. If you don’t mind something with four-doors, Cadillac also makes use of a blower. This short list shows just how dire things are getting for the supercharger. Enthusiasts who crave the whine as you put your foot down have fewer options than ever before.

Trucks and SUVs are the exception

While superchargers have become pretty rare in performance cars, they have found a home in larger trucks and SUVs. There are a bevy of body-on-frame vehicles that still make use of a blower, from the Ford F-150 Raptor to the family-friendly Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. None of these are cars, though, and they definitely feel their weight.

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The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is a 205 MPH monster

The last sedan on the market to house a supercharger comes from Cadillac. The CT5-V Blackwing is perhaps the ultimate sports sedan. While people argue over whether a BMW M5 or Audi RS7 is better, we think that this American sedan takes the cake. While it may not be as plush as you may expect, with a fairly high asking price, there are few cars out there that deliver this kind of performance and engagement.

2026 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing performance

Starting MSRP

$97,600

Engine

6.2-liter supercharged V-8

Transmission

10-speed automatic or 6-speed automatic

Horsepower

668 HP

Torque

659 LB-FT

Driveline

RWD

0-60 MPH

3.5 seconds

Top speed

205 MPH

This Cadillac is a rare machine in a number of ways. Not only does it come with a massive supercharged V-8, but it also sports a rear-wheel drive platform and a standard six-speed manual. This sedan was clearly built for people who like to drive, with acceleration that will pin you to your seat and a top speed that is matched by very few new cars on the market.

Cadillac packs the CT5-V Blackwing with more than just power. It comes standard with launch control and a line-lock feature so you can smoke rivals in a drag race. It also comes standard with a limited-slip differential and a Performance Traction Management system, which allows you to keep your foot on the throttle while navigating tight turns. On your way home from the track, the magnetorheological dampers mean that this Caddy delivers a ride as smooth as this sedan is fast.

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Lotus packs their Emira with a supercharged engine and a six-speed manual

Perhaps you’re not after a four-door sports sedan, and you’d rather have something a little more pure. There are few brands out there that cater to those needs better than Lotus. The Emira comes with a choice of powertrains, but, for a relatively small upcharge, you can skip the Mercedes-Benz-sourced turbocharged four-pot and instead get a Toyota-sourced supercharged V-6.

2026 Lotus Emira performance

Starting MSRP

$112,900

Engine

3.5 supercharged V-6

Transmission

6-speed automatic or 6-speed automatic

Horsepower

400 HP

Torque

310 LB-FT

Driveline

RWD

0-60 MPH

4.2 seconds

Top speed

180 MPH

While the Mercedes-sourced turbo-four may produce a little more torque and get up to 60 miles per hour a little quicker, we think that the supercharged V-6 will better please enthusiasts and fans of Lotus. It is a rawer, more direct driving experience. Opting for the V-6 also means that you can get yourself a six-speed manual. A torque-converting 6-speed automatic is available too, though. Rear-wheel drive is the only setup.

While the Emira is definitely a Lotus for the modern age, it still stays true to the brand’s ethos of pure driving in a lot of ways. There are few coupes out there that feel like they surrender as much control to you as the Emira. It handles fantastically, and the steering is perfectly weighted. The only downsides we can find are the brakes, which feel a little too touchy for everyday driving.

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This is your last chance to grab a new F-Type before it’s completely gone

The F-Type as an exceptionally special sports car in our eyes. It is the last British sports car with a V-8, let alone a supercharged one. Jaguar has already ended production of this fantastic coupe, but there is still a chance that you can grab one new before stocks completely run out. It may not be as sharp as some of its rivals, but it has so much character that you can’t help but love it.

2024 Jaguar F-Type performance

Starting MSRP

$77,900

Engine

5.0 supercharged V-8

Transmission

8-speed automatic

Horsepower

444-575 HP

Torque

428-516 LB-FT

Driveline

RWD or AWD

0-60 MPH

3.5 seconds

Top speed

186 MPH

Every 2024 F-Type comes equipped with an old-school supercharged V-8. That standard P450 model makes 444 horsepower, but the P575 pushes output up to 575 horsepower. The P450 can be had with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, but the P575 is all-wheel drive only. In either form, the symphony that this engine produces is perhaps one of the most intoxicating sounds in the automotive world.

The F-Type was criticized for not being as responsive as some rivals. While this might be true, it is still an exceptionally engaging sports car that handles back roads and track days with vigor. It may not come with a manual like the other two sports cars on this list, but it is still incredibly rewarding to drive.

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