There’s a large push for environmentally friendly automobiles in and outside of the industry these days. Well, not from everyone, but enough that it’s created an impact. That doesn’t stop some companies from pumping out environmentally unfriendly monsters, though. These are the top 5 worst polluting cars on the market.
5. Subaru WRX STI
Sports cars and clean emissions rarely go hand in hand. As a rally car and performance model, with fantastic performance metrics, the same is true of the WRX STI. It boasts 300 horsepower, 290 lb-ft torque, and a 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four engine.
That performance comes at the price of emitting 1.01 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile driven. Not to mention the 17 mpg EPA rating. While it will remain a popular racecar, it’s certainly not an environmentalist’s first pick.
4. Dodge Viper ACR
Another performance model, the Dodge Viper ACR looks car-centric movie worthy. It is technically a racecar, but one that’s legal to drive on the road. You might want these Orange County car accident attorneys on speed dial if you choose to buy one.
It boasts 645 horsepower with a V10 engine, yet somehow gets 4 more mpg than the WRX STI. Regardless, it pumps out 1.30 pounds of carbon dioxide per mile driven, making it a lean, mean, polluting machine.
3. Aston Martin Vanquish
Stunningly gorgeous, a superb performer, and as high-end as high-end comes, the Vanquish from Aston Martin is certainly on top of many car enthusiast’s dream lists. It features V12 engine and a seemingly endless list of bells and whistles that make for a luxe ride.
It also eats up a gallon of gas every 21 miles on the highway, where it performs at its best, and dumps 1.28 pounds of carbon dioxide along the way. That’s poor performance for the EPA and the environmentally conscious consumer.
2. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Who doesn’t love the way a Camaro looks? Even Corvette lovers have to admit their arch-nemesis looks fantastic. The ZL1 boasts 640 horsepower as well as lb-ft of torque while offering a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine.
At the same time, all of that power comes at the price of emissions. You’ll only get 18 mpg on a good day, or 12 in the city, and you’ll be spewing out 1.37 pounds of carbon dioxide with each of those miles. While it is a powerful car, it’s also filthy for local air quality.
1. Lamborghini Aventador SV
It should come as no surprise that a Lambo tops this list. Raw power simply equals massive polluter, that’s all there is to it. The SV is a gorgeous looker packed with a V12 engine that pumps out a whopping 740 horsepower. Add that to the all-wheel drive, which comes standard, too.
Now onto the downsides. You’ll be lucky to hit 18 mpg with this model as well, but city ratings drop to a lousy 11 mpg. Each mile driven spews 1.46 pounds of carbon dioxide into the air. making it the top polluting car on the market today. So, the question becomes: sweet and powerful ride or caring about the air everyone breathes?
