BMW Z4

BMW Z4

Starting price: $48,950

The rear-drive BMW Z4 is one of the top handling sports cars in the world. It is also unique amongst the top-performing cars in that the company includes a folding hardtop as standard equipment for the vehicle. The car is designed to have the build of the engine mounted behind the front wheels of the vehicle which gives it a mid-engine car feel. Rated as an above average daily driver, the Z4 handles exceptionally well on the open road and racetrack. The engines sold with the auto range from 240 to 335 total horsepower. The Z4 can go from zero to 60 MPH in 5.6 seconds, and the top overall speed of the vehicle is north of 150 MPH.

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MERCEDES-AMG GT S

MERCEDES-AMG GT S

Starting price: $129,900

The Mercedes-AMG GT S has not only been a highly successful succeeding auto to the SLS AMG model, but it has quickly become one of the best handling sports cars in the world. The AMG GT S is not only an excellent handling automobile at high speeds, but it also does significantly above average as a daily driver. The car’s engine is rated at 479 ft-lbs of torque and 503 horsepower. The car has a zero to 60 MPH time of 3.5 seconds, and it has a top overall speed of 193 MPH. The auto manufacturer has even expanded the trunk size so that it can fit up to golf bags for those who like to hit the links or take their sports car to the super market.

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NISSAN GT-R NISMO

NISSAN GT-R NISMO

Starting price: $149,990

The Nissan GT-R NISMO supercar is one of the best handling sports cars on the market today. The auto lives up to its six figure price tag when it comes to driving the auto on the highway, and it handles just as good at high speeds as it does driving it around town. The stock engine in the vehicle is rated at 481 ft-lbs of torque and 600 horsepower. The GT-R is also fast. It can go from zero to 60 MPH in just 2.9 seconds, and it runs the quarter-mile in 10.9 seconds with a top overall car speed of 193 MPH. Although consumers who can afford to drive this car likely don’t worry much about fuel economy, the GT-R is rated at a decent 16 MPG (city) and 23 MPG (highway).

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BMW I3

BMW I3

Fuel efficiency: 124 MPGe

The BMW i3 is one of the most fuel efficient cars on the road today. Seeing an impressive 124 MPGe, the auto sees an impressive 124 MPGe on battery and costs just $41,350. The auto is also rated at a nice 39 MPG on fuel, and for the U.S. market, consumers will see an almost $8,000 discount on the price of the vehicle with the U.S. Federal tax credit. The i3 sees a cool 81 miles on a single charge of the vehicle before the driver must stop to recharge the automobile. BMW’s entry into the efficient car market is impressive and growing in popularity.

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DODGE VIPER GTS

DODGE VIPER GTS

Between 1998 and 2002 Dodge sold a heavily modified Performance Viper with the GTS badge. Modifications included a reworked engine with higher power and less weight, an almost completely redesigned chassis that was made 60 lb (27 kg) lighter and 25% stiffer in torsional rigidity, a redesigned suspension, and reduced braking distances. Top speed of the Viper GTS was 185 mph and zero to sixty time was 4.0 seconds. The Engine had a power output of 450 horsepower. The only negative aspect of the Viper GTS was the lack of ABS brakes. Without ABS the stopping distance of the Viper GTS was considerably longer than all other cars in it’s class. In every other aspect the Viper GTS proved superior to it’s competition. In 2002, the last year of the Viper GTS, ABS was finally introduced to the vehicle.

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AUDI TT

AUDI TT

Design for the Audi TT began in 1994 and was released in 1998. The vehicle was built using laser beam welding technology, enabling seamless design features. The name TT is derived from the motor racing tradition of NSU in the british Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT). The engine was a 1.8 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that produced 222 horsepower. The early models of the TT gained press coverage due to a number of high speed crashes in Europe. The crashes were reported to have occurred at speeds in excess of 110 mph during abrupt lane changes or sharp turns. This led to Audi recalling the vehicles and improving predictability of the cars handling at high speeds. An electronic stability system, rear spoiler, and suspension modifications were among the modifications.

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MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO VI

MITSUBISHI LANCER EVO VI

The sixth generation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was sold between 1999 and 2001. Changes from the older models included a larger intercooler, larger oil cooler, and new pistons, along with a titanium-aluminide turbine wheel. The engine was a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. The engine was able to produce 303 horsepower. The Lancer EVO was built to be a rally car, so the suspension is finely tuned to be able to handle more aggressive driving than the average car. The all-wheel drive system coupled with the suspension allowed the vehicle to fly around corners without losing control, as long as the driver knew what they were doing. Zero to sixty for the Lancer EVO was listed at 6.5 seconds and it’s top speed was 148 mph.

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MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER (R129)

MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER (R129)

Produced from 1989-2003 the Mercedes-Benz SL roadsters were great sports cars for their time. The vehicles had automated electro-hydraulic textile tonneau covers. They also came with a detachable hardtop that could be fitted after the canvas roof was folded down. There were various engine choices, but the most popular one was the 500SL’s engine: a 32 valve DOHC V8 that produced 322 horsepower. A 5-speed manual was standard, with a 4-speed automatic optional. The suspension was set to provide a luxury car feel, with sports car performance. The SL Roadster was the first convertible/roadster to offer an automatic rollbar that deployed in the event of car rollover. The driver can also choose to manually raise or lower the rollbar should they choose to. This gave the SL Roadster a clean look without sacrificing safety.

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TOYOTA SUPRA (A80)

TOYOTA SUPRA (A80)

Another vehicle that gained more popularity due to the Fast and the Furious franchise was the Toyota Supra. This version of the Supra took a large step in the direction of serious high-performance. Two engines were available, one without a turbo that made 220 horsepower and a twin-turbo model that made 276 horsepower. The model exported to America and Europe had larger fuel injectors and smaller, steel wheeled turbochargers. This increased horsepower to 320. A six-speed manual transmission was standard in the turbo model. The Supra was able to reach 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, and ran the ¼ mile in 13.1 seconds. The turbochargers ran in sequential mode, much like the Mazda RX-7. A targa top was optional on the non-turbo models, and standard on models with turbochargers.

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PORSCHE BOXSTER

PORSCHE BOXSTER

The Boxster was the first original road vehicle designed by Porsche since the 550 spyder. Introduced in 1996, the design was heavily influenced by the 1992 Boxster concept. The Boxster’s name is derived from the word “boxer”, referring to the vehicle’s horizontally opposed or “boxer” engine, and the word “roadster”, referring to the vehicle’s two-seat capacity and convertible top. The Boxster was equipped with a six-cylinder engine that produced 201 horsepower and was able to reach 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. The diminutive size and low center of gravity gave the Boxster increased stability when coupled with the perfectly tuned suspension. Many attribute the Boxster with saving Porsche from acquisition, as the company was in financial trouble until it’s release.

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MCLAREN F1

MCLAREN F1

Once the crowned king of the road, the McLaren F1 was designed to be the ultimate road car, and in many respects it was. The McLaren F1 was produced from 1992 to 1998, a total of 106 cars were manufactured. In the 90’s the F1 was coveted by everyone who knew about it, and it adorned many walls in poster form. The top speed of the F1 was 243 mph, faster than many supercars that were built after it. The engine produced 627 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque, with the engine’s redline set at 7500 rpm. The McLaren F1 was the first car to use a complete carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) chassis structure. Aluminium and magnesium were used for attachment points for the suspension, injected directly into the CFRP. To this day this vehicle remains one of the coolest cars ever built.

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NISSAN SKYLINE R33

NISSAN SKYLINE R33

The Fast and the Furious franchise has done a lot to bring the Skyline R33 into the spotlight, as one of the films protagonists frequently drives a highly modified one. The R33 was released in 1993. There were various engines available for the R33, the most powerful of which was the 295 horsepower, turbocharged RB28DET engine. Some models came equipped with a new version of the High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering (HICAS) 4-wheel steering system called Super HICAS. This computer controlled system was first used on the R32 GT-R. Super HICAS used electric actuators to steer the rear, as opposed to the hydraulic HICAS. An active limited slip differential was available instead of the standard viscous LSD. The unit would lock the rear diff if it detected traction was lost by one of the wheels.

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MAZDA RX-7 THIRD GENERATION

MAZDA RX-7 THIRD GENERATION

The RX-7 was an awesome car when it first came out, and only got better with each generation. The third generation was released in 1993, and was the best RX-7 yet. The vehicle was the first ever mass produced sequential twin turbocharger system to be exported from Japan.  The sequential twin turbocharged system, introduced on this series in 1992, was a very complex piece of engineering. The system was composed of two turbochargers, one to provide boost at low RPM. The second unit was on standby until the upper half of the rpm range during full throttle acceleration. The first turbocharger provided 10 psi of boost from 1800 rpm, and the second turbocharger was activated at 4000 rpm and also provided 10 psi. This significantly increased the power output of the vehicle, and forced test drivers to adjust their driving styles so they didn’t understeer the vehicle.

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MAZDA MIATA 2ND GENERATION

MAZDA MIATA 2ND GENERATION

The Mazda Miata has been a popular since it’s release in 1989. Enthusiasts praise the vehicle due to its low center of gravity and low weight, while at the same time having a moderately powered engine. The second generation Miata was one of the slickest vehicles of the 90’s, taking its styling cues from the Mazda RX-7. The engine was a 1.8 liter capable of outputting 140 horsepower and 116 lb-ft of torque. The Miata had a four-wheel independent suspension and enlarged anti-roll bars at the front and rear. The suspension was able to handle anything the road threw at it, easily damping any road imperfections. The low center of gravity allowed the Miata to navigate sharp turns with relative ease

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MASERATI 3200 GT

MASERATI 3200 GT

Announced in 1998, the Maserati 3200 GT was designed to be both a luxury car and a sports car. Sold mainly in Europe, the 3200 GT was powered by the twin-turbo, 32-valve, dual overhead cam 3.2-litre V8 engine featured in the Maserati Quattroporte Evoluzione, The engine produced 365 horsepower and was mated to a manual transmission. The tail-lights were LEDs arranged in the shape of a boomerang, giving the 3200 GT a unique look. The suspension used a double-wishbone setup all around, with forged aluminium control arms and uprights, two anti-roll bars, and high end dampers. This gave the vehicle exceptional handling and stability. Brembo supplied the braking system, consisting of vented and cross-drilled disks with four-pot calipers on all four wheels.

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LOTUS ESPRIT V8

 LOTUS ESPRIT V8

The Lotus Esprit V8 was a modified version of the standard Lotus Esprit model. The Esprit V8 used Lotus’ self-developed all-aluminium, twin-turbocharged (Garrett T25/60 turbos) 90-degree V-8, Code-named Type 918. The engine was so powerful, it needed to be detuned to prevent damage to the transmission. Originally the engine was capable of 500 horsepower, but it was reduced to 350. A Renault UN-1 transmission was used for the Espirit V8. The Espirit V8 was able to rip to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and had a top speed of 175 mph. 50 special edition models of the V8 Espirit were made in 1999, dubbed the “Sport 350.” The engine put out 350 horsepower (hence the name) and had numerous engine, chassis, and braking improvements to make it more of a race car.

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LAMBORGHINI DIABLO

LAMBORGHINI DIABLO

The Lamborghini Diablo is one of the most iconic supercars from the 90s. Development for the Diablo began in the mid 80’s, as the company wanted to be ready when it was time to replace the Countach. In keeping with Lamborghini’s tradition of naming cars after breeds of fighting bulls, the car was named Diablo, after a ferocious bull raised by the Duke of Veragua. This vehicle was built to turn heads as it screamed down the road. Under the hood of this mighty vehicle was a V12 engine that featured dual overhead cams and computer controlled multi-port injection. The total output of the motor was 492 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque. The Diablo came better equipped than the Countach, with standard features included fully adjustable seats and steering wheel, electric windows, an Alpine stereo system, and power steering.

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JAGUAR XJ220

JAGUAR XJ220

The Jaguar XJ220 was produced for only 2 years between 1992 and 1994, with only 275 total being manufactured . Built by Jaguar with collaboration from Tom Walkinshaw Racing, the Jaguar XJ220 was at one time the fastest production car in the world; until being unseated by the mighty McLaren F1. While it may not be the fastest anymore, the XJ220 is still one of the fastest production six-cylinder vehicle ever produced. The twin-turbo V6 engine puts out 520 horsepower, and reaches a top speed of 213 mph, with a zero to sixty time of 3.7 seconds. The XJ220 doesn’t just have a great deal of power, it’s also a beautiful car. Sleek body lines, aggressive aerodynamics, and a low stance make this vehicle a serious head turner.

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SAAB 900 NG

SAAB 900 NG

When it debuted in 1993, the Saab 900 was offered with 2 different body styles: 3 or 5 door. Engine options were a 2.0 liter 130 horsepower,  2.3 liter 150 horsepower, or 2.0 liter turbocharged 185 horsepower engines. Enthusiasts flocked to the Turbo SE model of the Saab 900, and they were not disappointed. The 900 had a well made suspension, able to handle most of what was thrown at it, and easily upgraded to make it more competent. The Saab 900 also offered a specialty transmission for their Turbo SE model: The Sensonic system. In effect, the Sensonic system retained a conventional gear lever but dispensed with the clutch pedal, using instead a hydro-electric cylinder to work the clutch (a specially beefed up unit) very rapidly when the system sensed that the lever was being moved, effectively letting you rip through gears.

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PLYMOUTH PROWLER

PLYMOUTH PROWLER

The Prowler is a great looking car that suffers from an underpowered engine. In the late 90’s Chrysler engineers were given free rein to design whatever they wanted in a hot rod or sportster type vehicle. Thomas C. Gale, Chrysler’s design and international director had a love for 1930s-era hot rods, even owning one himself, and with that in mind the design team created the Prowler. One of the most prominent design features on the Prowler are the open, Indy racer style front wheels. The downside of the Prowler is the engine. While the 3.5 liter V6 did produce 214 horsepower, it wasn’t enough the really get the car moving. The Prowler took 7.2 seconds to hit 60 mph and topped out at 118 mph. These stats aren’t terrible, but considering the Prowler looks like a race car, they should have installed an engine that gave it more oomph.

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BMW M COUPE

BMW M COUPE

The BMW M Coupe was a high performance vehicle built by BMW and based on the M Roadster. The coupe is 2.7 times torsionally stiffer than its convertible counterpart, making it more stable and able to handle harder cornering. A number of engines were available for the M Coupe, but the S54 engine was the most powerful.The S54 had a power output of 315 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque. The unique styling of the M Coupe made dealers weary, and they opted to sell the more profitable M3 models to consumers. This makes the M Coupe a rarity and sought after by performance enthusiasts, especially certain color combinations. The M Coupe is a great example of a superb car that was released before its time.

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JAGUAR XJ X300

JAGUAR XJ X300

The Jaguar XJ (X300) is a luxury saloon manufactured by Jaguar between 1994 and 1997. It was the first XJ produced after Ford took ownership of the company, and can be considered an evolution of the outgoing XJ40 generation. Like all previous XJ generations, it features the Jaguar independent rear suspension arrangement. The design of the X300 placed emphasis on improved build quality, improved reliability, and a return to traditional Jaguar styling elements. The X300 series is the result of a £200 million facilities renewal program by Ford, paving the way for Jaguars return to the great car it once was. To honor the achievements made by Jaguar, Queen Elizabeth II visited the factory in 1994, and ordered a British Racing Green XJ for her personal use.

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FERRARI F355

FERRARI F355

The Ferrari F355 was built between 1994 and 1999. It was an evolution of the Ferrari 348 and was replaced with the Ferrari 360. Design emphasis for the F355 was placed on significantly improved performance, as well as drivability across a wider range of speeds and in different environments (such as low-speed city traffic.) One of the main changes to the engine from the 348 was the introduction of a 5-valve cylinder head. The new design offered better intake permeability and resulted in a more powerful engine capable of producing 375 horsepower. Ferrari spent over 1,300 hours doing wind tunnel analysis to improve the aerodynamic design of the F355. The vehicle incorporates a Nolder profile on the upper tail and a fairing on the underbody that increases downforce.

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CORVETTE ZR-1

CORVETTE ZR-1

After acquiring Lotus in the late 80’s, GM’s Corvette division approached Lotus with the idea of building the world’s fastest car. With help from GM, Lotus designed a new engine for the current C4 Corvette, dubbed the LT5. Shortly after, the ZR-1 was born. The ZR-1 was available only as a coupe and was distinguishable from other Corvettes by it’s wider tail section and larger rear tires. The ZR-1 had amazing acceleration and handling capabilities. The 375 horsepower engine was able to hit sixty mph in 4.4 seconds and had a top speed of 175 mph. A total of 6,939 ZR-1s were made over the six year period it was available, before being discontinued due to lack of interest. Later the Z06 became the spiritual successor to the ZR-1.

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FERRARI F50

FERRARI F50

Introduced in 1995, in celebration of their 50th birthday Ferrari created the F50. Only 349 models of the vehicle were produced. The engine used in the F50 was the same one used in Ferrari’s 333 model. The car had a fixed roof, large rear spoiler, new front spoiler and many other adjustments. The 4.7 litre V12 engine was tuned to generate around 750 horsepower and 347 lb-ft of torque. The suspension was tuned to handle both aggressive street driving and the race track, giving the vehicle the ability to handle hard corners with ease. The look of the F50 was another point of praise for the vehicle. The low stance, removeable top, and aggressive aerodynamics made the vehicle a sight to behold.

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BMW 7-SERIES E38

BMW 7-SERIES E38

The BMW 7-series has always been the top tier of the BMW sedan lines. The third-generation E38 was produced between 1994–2001. It was the first 7-series to be available with a diesel engine and the first to have the option of a five-speed automatic transmission. BMW was also the first European car manufacturer to offer an integrated satellite navigation screen which featured on the E38 7 Series. The 1997 model was the first production car with front passenger head airbags. The popularity of the E38 lead to it being used in a number of films, notably the 18th James Bond filmTomorrow Never Dies. The E38 was phased out to make way for the new E65, which unlike the E38 was not received well by critics.

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ASTON MARTIN DB7

ASTON MARTIN DB7

The Aston Martin DB7 is a beautiful supercar built by Aston Martin. It was available as a coupe or a convertible and was built between 1994 and 2004. The DB7 was the highest production Aston Martin ever made, with more than 7,000 built. The vehicle was based on the recently cancelled Jaguar F-type. After Ford cancelled the vehicle, Aston Martin picked up the design and did some styling changes. The engine was a supercharged six-cylinder that produced 335 horsepower and 361 lb-ft of torque. The chassis and body was built using steel rather than the traditional aluminium that Aston Martin is known for. A special driving dynamics package was offered for the DB7 which greatly enhanced performance and handling for drivers that wanted a more aggressive setup.

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BMW E39 M5

BMW E39 M5

The BMW M5 has always been a pretty sweet ride, but the E39 model released near the close of the 90’s was the best version of that decade. The E39 M5 had a significant increase in power and was produced in much greater numbers than the previous generations. The E39 M5 has a S62 V8 engine under the hood that produces 394 horsepower mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The suspension uses thicker front and rear anti-roll bars than previous models, polyurethane auxiliary springs, and steel balljoints. These upgrades give the E39 M5 a rigid suspension, able to handle the roughest roads, while still giving the occupants a smooth ride. The E39 M5 is no slouch either, with a zero to sixty time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph.

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BIGFOOT

BIGFOOT

Year created: 1975

Bigfoot is known as the original Monster Truck, and it was created in 1975 and introduced to the public in 1979. The truck is both owned and operated by Bob Chandler. The truck has the distinction of being the inspiration for the term “Monster Truck” that was coined by Truck-a-Rama promoter Bob George. Bigfoot is the first truck to be used in promotions for driving over junk cars in the first even car crushes, and would go on to see a number of different versions of the truck over the years. To date, there have been 21 Bigfoot trucks driven in competitions, and similar to the Undertaker, the trucks can be entered in more than one competition at a time. The company has established strong relationships with Summit Racing, ViCor, and Firestone as well as Microsoft.

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GRAVE DIGGER

GRAVE DIGGER

Year created: 1981

Grave Digger is one of the most popular monster trucks of all time. The truck was originally conceived in 1981, and the lead driver and creator of the auto, Dennis Anderson, actually keeps several machines running to allow the truck to compete in multiple events at the same time. Anderson was also one of the early pioneers in Monster Truck competitions in the United States making the current schedule of competitions possible for other professional truck drivers. Anderson would go on to sell the Grave Digger team to USA Motor Sports in 1998, and still drives for the company to this day. To date, there have been 32 trucks with the Grave Digger title, and the current auto is powered by a 555 cubic inch Merlin engine rated at approximately 1700 horsepower.

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