Ladies and High Performance Cars.

Women the world over have followed in the fashion footsteps of their favorite Hollywood heroines. Who's wearing what (or not) this season is always big news. That adulation and imitation doesn't stop at the wardrobe and jewelry department anymore. Some of the big screens most fashionable, sophisticated and sexy ladies have all had a turn behind the wheel of a sleek, sexy, high performance car. Audrey Hepburn tooled around Paris in her shiny Jaguar E-series. Bette Davis ordered a 1980 Ford Mustang for herself to celebrate her 72nd birthday. And who could forget Julia Roberts' "Pretty Woman" in that silver Lotus Esprit? Apparently, many women can't, haven't, and are following suit by putting themselves behind the wheels of their own high performance, high style vehicles. Let's look at five female-owned high performance cars:
5.) Volkswagen GTI - Possibly every college girls' high performance dream car, the VW GTI offers a lot of bang for the buck. Coming in (or driving off) at less than $25,000, the GTI may just be the most economical high performance car on the market. It's accessibility is making it quite popular with the younger lady driver who wants as much practicality as she does power. The GTI comes in a racy 3-door, or larger 5-door model. The GTI offers Mom and Dad peace of mind via Volkswagen's dependability, durability and German engineering, while it brings sex appeal, sporty handling and spirited performance to the lady behind the wheel. All will appreciate the GTI's economical wallet-friendly 22 - 30 mpg rating. The 2.0 liter engine delivers 200 horsepower, going from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds. The GTI doesn't scrimp on style, either. Its headlamps fairly wink at you, set at a tapering angle on either side of the honeycomb grill with its classic GTI badge in the center and a red stripe like a mischievous smile below. The rear spoiler hints at speed even while sitting still. Go for the optional sunroof, and while the GTI may not be as sexy as Hepburn's Jag was, there's still the exhilaration of the wind in your hair as you rev up the road.
4.) Land Rover Range Rover Sport - Who says you have to go small to win big? The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is the smallest of the big, or the biggest of the small, whichever way you might look at it. While being the smallest in the Land Rover family of vehicles, the Sport is typically bigger than what one might think of in a high performance car. Ladies love them, though, as they offer all the rough-and-tough-go-anywhere power and performance of its bigger brothers and sisters, plus sporty road handling and luxury touches. The Supercharged Sport generates 390 horsepower from its 4.2 liter engine, allowing it to go from 0 to 60 in a short 7 seconds. The all-time four-wheel drive will assure that you get where you are going, despite whatever Mother Nature may throw in your path. The Sport has all the "little touches" that make it a true Land Rover, from real wood trim to leather seats and a high-end nav system. Being an SUV, however, the Sport does have some truly appalling fuel ratings, clocking in at just 12 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the open roadFor ladies looking to make a big impression, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport might just be the little big vehicle to buy.
3.) Audi A4 Cabriolet - Like that sweet little black dress every girl has in her wardrobe, the Audi A4 series has a lot to offer. Take that little black dress and dress it down with a scarf and flats and you've got the A4 wagon. Restyle it with a shoulder bag, pearls and pumps and here comes the A4 sedan. Try one more time with Menolos, a tiara and $2 shades and look out - it's the A4 Cabriolet convertible! The A4 Cabriolet offers nimble handling and gracious styling - a ballet dancer on wheels. It doesn't have the speed or power of some of its competitors, but the Audi engineering makes up for it. All-wheel drive will ensure that you arrive in style, in spite of rain or snow. The luxurious and spacious cabin will delight with its high-quality materials and distinctive European ambience. She may not be the fastest thing on the road, but she's got style, class and sophistication - and she's finding a following among the "more mature" female driver who doesn't necessarily need to get there fast, but isn't quite ready for the slow lane, yet.
2.) Cadillac SRX - For the mom who likes a little zip in her trip to soccer practice or the grocery store, Cadillac offers the SRX. Don't call it a station wagon - they prefer "luxury utility vehicle" - as this isn't Grandma's old six-seater. The SRX has either a Northstar V-6 or V-8 under its hood, supplying plenty of power and speed. Like the GTI, going for the optional sunroof gives you even more of the feel of a sporty roadster, while still being able to haul everybody home from the school play. Of course, Cadillac always serves up a superb ride, and with GM's Magnetic Ride Control, handling is a dream. The SRX packs in plenty of niceties, to live up to its high-bred Cadillac standards - leather seats, pop-up nav system and a solid-solid-solid suspension that will have you wondering when they fixed the potholes in the road. If speed, performance and room for the whole family is what you need, add the Cadillac SRX to the shopping list.
1.)BMW Z4 Roadster - A whopping 62% of all owners of the BMW Z4 Roadster are women. That may just make it the most popular performance vehicle with the ladies on the road today. From its standard run-flat tires to its hard-top that raises and lowers with the touch of a button, it's little wonder the lady-friendly Z4 more than makes the cut. The Z4's inline 6 cylinder engine pumps out 225 horsepower, taking you from 0 to 60 in a lightning fast 5.9 seconds. Motor Trend called it "sultry" and indeed it is. It's sensible, too, with fuel ratings of 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. And what would a BMW be without some of those luxury car touches? The Z4's sound system will wrap you in your favorite tunes, be they Bach or Beyonce. With a power side window sealing system, you'll never have to worry about the seal between your window and roof ever again. Eight-way adjustable leather seats ensure you'll get just the right control and comfort, whether riding or driving. Choose the Z4's optional Sport package and you'll receive heated outside mirrors, sport suspension with a lowered, even sportier profile, and fog lights under the front grill. She's fast, she's sexy-sleek, she's in control and she knows it. That's both the car and her driver!