Metro Atlanta drivers may moan about the price of gas, but they still seem to favor fast over frugal, sexy over sensible.

People at the Georgia World Congress Center on Sunday clustered around the high-dollar, high-horsepower cars on display for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution International Auto Show.

Jessica McGowan/AJC (ENLARGE)

Even during an era of high gas prices, high-powered speedsters get most of the attention at the AJC International Auto Show. This crowd gathered to gawk at a 2009 XR1 Corvette.

AUTO SHOW The AJC International Auto Show runs through April 27 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Show info: www.ajcautoshow.com. • Photo gallery • Check gas prices

The smitten stood sometimes three deep to take photographs of mid-life crisis cars such as the 480-horsepower Nissan GT-R and the V-8 powered Chevrolet Camaro convertible concept car expected in dealer showrooms in 2010.

Meanwhile, a bright red 2009 Honda Fit — a redesigned subcompact going on sale in late summer and promising 33 mpg on the highway — slowly spun on its oversized turntable with no one stopping to gaze.

And while young and old waited their turn to climb behind the wheel of a BMW Z4 Roadster or Jaguar XKR, the nearby practical, affordable Hyundais and Kias sat largely unmolested.

One high mpg car drew a crowd — but only because it looked as if there should be a rumbling V-8 under the hood. The clean lines and aggressive stance of the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in electric hybrid that may go on sale in two years, drew many admirers.

"I love this car," said Anna Lamb Creasey of Suwanee. "It's very sleek and my kids are grown now so I can get something like this."

The Volt will go up to 40 miles on an electric charge. After that, a 1-liter gas-powered generator kicks in, creating more electricity to drive the motor. It can go about 600 miles on 12 gallons of gas.

"It doesn't necessarily have to be electric," Creasey said. "I'd still buy it. I love it."

The cars with big engines drew the big crowds, but James Hamby of Carrollton was shopping small.

Hamby, who drives a 2001 Kia Sophia, walked the floor with his wife Carolin, 5-year-old son Jackson and 3-year-old daughter Sonora to see how the four of them fit into the sub-compacts on display.

"If $4 a gallon for gas is where we're heading," Hamby said, "fuel economy is very important."

But not so much to the people taking pictures Sunday.