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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