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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