BoostAddict.com presents the best and worst of automotive performance and tuning in 2017

[Sticky]

With the holidays and New Year's officially over BoostAddict.com finally decided to compile of list of the best and worst in automotive performance from the past year. We toyed with this idea for a while and thought it would be good to recap what in our view was worth mentioning before getting back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Performance Car of the Year

Winner: McLaren 720S

Was there any doubt? The McLaren 720S set the performance car world on fire in 2017. McLaren proved they are without equal at the moment. Nobody is even close to the 720S. With roughly 700 horsepower at the wheels and a low curb weight nobody is touching this car in stock form with anything short of a Bugatti Chiron.

Runner-up: Audi TT-RS

The 720S may be the best but it also will run you $300k+ easy. The TT-RS won't. The TT-RS is arguably the best bargain in the performance car world and with it you get all wheel drive, a turbo inline-5, and a dual clutch transmission. All in a roughly 3200 pound package that will runs 10's on pump gas with just an ECU tune. Incredible.

Performance Engine of the Year

Winner: Audi 2.5 TFSI

This motor deserves all the credit in the world and then some. Not only has it won an incredible eight straight International Engine of the Year Awards Audi continues to improve it. It is lighter now with an aluminum block plus it gets a tuner friendly dual-injection fuel system. It's also a tuning bargain.

Runner-up: Ford Voodoo V8

While not introduced this year we are still going to honor it while it is on the market as high revving naturally aspirated V8's are an endangered species. This is one of the best ever made and in stock form impresses and sounds glorious thanks to the flat-plane crank. With a bit of boost though it really opens eyes and goes to show how good it is to have a great breathing motor with high volumetric efficiency as a tuning base.

Worst: Toyota 2UR-GSE

Are you even trying Toyota? This is the motor that powers the Lexus LC-F, GC-F, and LC500. All of which are a joke. This is a 5.0 liter naturally aspirated V8 that makes 467 horsepower in 2018. Ford trounces it for a fraction of the cost and offers better performance oriented technology with the 2018 Coyote 5.0 liter V8. BMW had a better 5.0 liter back in 2005. Mercedes-AMG built a better motor two generations ago with the M156 V8.

Enthusiast Oriented Company

Winner: Dodge

You have to give it to Dodge. For whatever reason Dodge does not get the recognition it deserves but just for a second dwell on the fact Dodge offers the fastest production car in the world in the 1/4 mile and the best track car in the world in the form of the Viper ACR. And those cars are bargains! Yes, the Viper is gone but Dodge produced a car at $120k that could beat the world's best and was everything enthusiasts claimed they wanted.

Runner-Up: Ford

From the Shelby GT350 Mustang, Ford GT, F150 Raptor, to the Focus RS Ford has everybody covered. Who else has as varied of a performance portfolio? Ford doesn't pretend people won't use their cars. They even offer a factory line lock for the Mustang and a drift mode for the Focus RS.

Worst: BMW

Don't even get me started.

Performance Development

Winner: Dual-injection systems

This is great to see in more and more engines as it is essentially the best of both worlds. From the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette LT5 to the 2018 Mustang GT Coyote manufacturers are increasingly adopting both direct and fuel injection systems which means easier fueling increases for tuners. 100% E85 anyone?

Runner-up: BMW F-Series OBD-II Port Flashing cracked

Can't keep us out forever, eh BMW?

Worst: The Internal Combustion Engine's days are numbered

Product

Winner: Syvecs Standalone ECU's

No one specific ECU just Syvecs standalones in general which are allowing tuners to extract the potential of modern direct injected platforms. Not to mention, Syvecs allows control of additional port injectors among a myriad of other features.

Runner-up: Singer's 500 horsepower air-cooled flat-6

It may cost an insane amount of money but the marketplace is better with someone like Singer delivering classic air-cooled Porsche cool with modern technology.

Achievement

Winner: M2K MOTORSPORTS APPROACHES 300 MILES PER HOUR IN THE STANDING MILE WITH THEIR TWIN TURBO FORD GT

We will see a car top 300 miles per hour in the standing mile in 2018. Let that sink in.

Runner-up: AMS gets the first Nissan GTR into the 6's

It was only a matter of time and others joined them eventually but the first one to do it gets the credit and rightfully so. Not only is it a great achievement but great presentation of the effort by AMS.

Tuner

Winner: AMS Performance

With the first 6-second GTR as well as continuing to expand their portfolio, AMS had a hell of a year.

Runner-up: APR

APR quite simply dominantes the Volkswagen/Audi market and for good reason. They're the best. In 2017 they joined Driven Performance Brands and they will be even bigger and better in 2018. Oh, and they are offering warranties on certain products as well. Quite simply, APR sets the professional standard in product releases, data, and support.

Worst: Dime Racing

Nobody else even comes close.

Article

Winner: BIGGER ISN'T ALWAYS BETTER - COMPARING ESS-TUNING'S TS-800 2.9 WHIPPLE & VF-ENGINEERING'S EATON TVS2300 LAMBORGHINI HURACAN & AUDI R8 SUPERCHARGER KIT EFFICIENCY & OUTPUT

Runner-up: WHY THE SIEMENS SDI21 ECU IS MAKING 2017 ON PORSCHE 991.2 CARRERA/S/GTS TUNING PROBLEMATIC AND HOW BDM TUNING CIRCUMVENTS THE ISSUE

Track Car

Winner: Porsche 911 GT2 RS

When you set the production car Nurburgring record it is pretty much a given you are the track car to beat. The GT2 RS is the current king and the 6:47.3 laptime is going to be tough to beat. There is a challenger waiting in the wings.

Runner-up: Mercedes-AMG GT R

What Mercedes-AMG is doing with the front engine GT platform is mind-blowing. This car is not exactly a lightweight special yet it offers performance up there with the top cars in the world and does so at a reasonable price point. AMG deserves tremendous credit.

Race

Winner: McLaren 720S vs. Bugatti Chiron

Seeing the 720S go toe to toe with the Bugatti Chiron truly put in perspective what kind of monster McLaren built. Not only that, you can see it make quick work of a Porsche 918 Spyder in the video.

Runner-up: BOLT ON 2013 GEN V VIPER WRECKING EVERYTHING - MCLAREN 570S, FERRARI 458, F13 M6, E85 GTR, FBO HELLCAT, C6 VETTE, NITROUS CAMARO, TT CAMARO, ETC.

Just a well done video showing a well driven Viper going up against everything. Very fun to watch.


Here is to hoping for a great 2018 in automotive performance!