LAMBORGHINI DIABLO GT

LAMBORGHINI DIABLO GT

Top Speed: 210 mph

Only 80 examples of the Lamborghini Diablo GT were produced for sale. The Diablo GT was a completely race-oriented model differing in nearly every aspect from the more mainstream Diablos. The cars were fitted with radically altered aggressive bodywork, a stripped-down interior, and an enlarged engine. The V12 engine normally found in a Diablo was stroked, increasing the displacement of the engine. This took it from a 5.7 liter to a 6.0 liter. The engine output 575 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The transmission was given a different gear ratio to give the vehicle a more race oriented setup. The top speed of the Diablo GT was 210 mph. Even though it was stripped down for racing, A/C was still installed on the vehicle.

Read More

PORSCHE CARRERA GT

PORSCHE CARRERA GT

Top Speed: 205 mph

Built to be a fast, beautiful car, the Porsche Carrera GT achieves its goal with ease. Under the good is a 5.7 liter V10 engine producing 612 horsepower and 435 lb-ft of torque. The Carrera GT is a mid engine car, with the engine directly behind the vehicle occupants. What was innovative about this car is the way that its engine is placed: with the use of a clutch made of a high-tech ceramic material, it allowed the engine to sit lower in the chassis than in any other supercar. This feature not only makes the Carrera GT a road car with the looks of a race car, but also improves its aerodynamics and lowers its center of gravity. The Carrera GT lacks any electronic driving aids that are usually found in newer cars, in order to give the vehicle a true race car feel. The top speed of the Carrera GT is 205 mph.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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).

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

CHEVROLET CAPRICE PPV

CHEVROLET CAPRICE PPV

In the fall of 2009, General Motors announced their latest addition to the police vehicle market with the upcoming Chevrolet Caprice PPV (Police Patrol Vehicle). The previous edition of the Caprice targeted to law enforcement was produced between1991-1996. The updated model continues to be sold to law enforcement agencies, and it features the 6.0 L77 AFM V8 that was standard with the cars sold in 2011. Beginning in 2012, the standard 3.6 L LLT SIDI V6 engine was adopted as an optional package for law enforcement agencies who demand greater fuel efficiency from their police cruisers. Both engine models are designed to be compatible with E85 ethanol capable fuel, and the cars feature a wider wheel base than the Caprice models sold to the general American public. The PPV edition of the vehicle also features a dual engine exhaust, console floor shifter, and a touch screen for radio and HVAC controls of the vehicle.

Read More

CHEVY CAMARO Z28 B4C

CHEVY CAMARO Z28 B4C

The Chevrolet Camaro Z28 B4C was sold to law enforcement in the United States between 1991 and 2002. General Motors equipped the vehicle with a special service police package also known as the B4C Special Equipment Options code. Featuring the Chevy 350 V8 engine, the automobile was one of the fastest police cars employed in the U.S. GM combined a stock Camaro and included some of the strongest components from the Z28 and other racing packages for the auto. Popular with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Camaro was also popular with law enforcement agencies in other states that demanded an automobile suitable for high speed pursuits. Additional features of the police edition of the Camaro include a certified 145 MPH speedometer, high output alternator, and four wheel disc brakes.

Read More

FORD MUSTANG SSP

FORD MUSTANG SSP

The Ford Mustang SSP (Special Service Package), or Mustang LX Highway Patrol Car, was produced for American law enforcement agencies between 1982 and 1993. The primary purpose of the adapted sports car was to deliver a faster option for law enforcement as compared to the heavier sedans being offered by auto manufacturers to police agencies at the time. Although the vehicle has not been produced in more than a decade, it remains in use in many locations throughout the United States. Featuring Ford’s 5.0 V8 engine, the automobile was sold in both a coupe and hatchback edition and had the option for either a four speed automatic or five speed manual transmission. As the legacy Mustangs age, their role in active law enforcement has been transitioning for use as DARE cars, display automobiles, and specialized training autos.

Read More

FORD CROWN VICTORIA P71 INTERCEPTOR

FORD CROWN VICTORIA P71 INTERCEPTOR

The Ford Crown Victoria is ubiquitous with police cars in the United States. Beginning in 1979, the LTD, LTD-S, and LTD models of the car began to see widespread use across the country. In 1992, the PPV edition of the automobile was deployed as a major upgrade for law enforcement and was succeeded by the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor (CVPI) model from 1998-2011. The car is powered by an upgraded version of the 4.6 Liter, SOHC V8, and is well-known for its high durability. The body-on-frame construction of the car makes it one of the most appropriate vehicles for police use. The feature allows repairs to be made to the automobile after an accident without having to straighten or conduct major repairs to the vehicle chassis. Although the car is no longer produced, Ford continues to maintain the majority of market share for police cruisers in the country.

Read More

JAGUAR F-TYPE R

JAGUAR F-TYPE R

Price: $99,000

For more than two decades, owning a Jaguar has been synonymous with exotic cars. The company’s latest offering is the F-Type R sports car that features a supercharged, 5.0 liter, V8 engine rated at 550 horsepower with quicker acceleration than found in past models produced by the company. Starting in 2015, the F-Type R also comes in an all-wheel drive version for car enthusiasts who demand greater control of the vehicle and also includes faster acceleration. The F-Type R can go from zero to 60 in 4.0 seconds and gets respectable gas mileage for an exotic car at 16 MPG city and 23 MPG highway. Jaguar carries its standard four year or 50,000 mile basic and powertrain warranties on the auto which just looks cool to drive.

Read More

AUDI R8 SUPERCAR

AUDI R8 SUPERCAR

Price: $117,500

The Audi R8 Supercar was recently unveiled in Geneva. It is the second generation of the Supercar for Audi, and it does not disappoint fans of exotic cars. The company intends to sell the auto with the option of either a V-10 engine or an e-tron hybrid. Audi has made a number of upgrades to the body of the vehicle compared to the original R8. The company now uses the MSS architecture that is mostly aluminum with a carbon fiber for the transmission tunnel, firewall, and B-pillars. These changes make the car significantly lighter than the original as well as up to 13% stiffer in the body. For those who don’t want the power of the V-10, the company is also offering a 4.2 liter, V-8 engine that can still get one 444 bhp while the V-10 sees approximately 542 bhp. Consumers will also have the option to add a heads-up display on the auto for the first time with the second generation model.

Read More

MERCEDES AMG GT S

MERCEDES AMG GT S

Price: $150,000

The Mercedes AMG GT S is a significant upgrade to the legacy SLS model of the automobile. The exotic car contains a new, turbocharged 4.0 liter, V-8 engine that generates 503 horsepower and is capable of going from zero to 60 MPH in 3.7 seconds. The car is powered by a 4.0 liter, twin tubocharged V-8 engine rated at 503 horsepower.  The AMG GT S is a lighter auto than the SLS model that it has replaced. With the bodyweight of the AMG GT S being located low on the auto body, the auto is very sharp on the corners and the auto delivers a more dynamic performance than many other exotic sports cars on the market.

Read More

ACURA / HONDA NSX SUPERCAR

ACURA / HONDA NSX SUPERCAR

Price: $151,500

The Acura / Honda NSX Supercar is finally here. It took the company just shy of four years to finally go from concept car to reality for this exotic automobile. The vehicle features a hybrid all-wheel drive powertrain that is powered by a twin-turbocharged V-6 engine. The company takes this further by mating the engine to a nine-speed, dual-clutch transmission that is subsequently connected to three electric motors in the automobile. One of the few exotic cars that is a hybrid, the Supercar uses one of the motors to power the rear wheels while the other two provide power to the front wheels. The company will not release additional performance metrics until the auto is officially released, but it is expected that the Supercar will see some decent numbers for those into exotic hybrid autos.

Read More