which is best in terms of speed and acceleration?

This has to be the easiest question I'll answer all day. By no means was that a demeaning statement towards the asker, but the R8 is head and shoulders above all the other cars. As for an order the list would go as follows: Audi R8, Nissan 350Z, Saturn Sky, Mitsubishi Lancer. Remember this is for all base models, if the Lancer was an Evo than that would jump the car from last place to 2nd.