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The Greatest Supercars of the 1990s

The Golden Era – Homologation, The Big Mac and the Rise of the Everyday Supercar. Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Supercars from the 1990s

This is our first in a series of posts about the awesome cars of the 1990s. In this post we curate the best supercars from the 1990s, an era stacked with exotic masterpieces. Some of the defining features of the 1990s supercar era includes the amazing McLaren F1 and the revelation that was the Honda NSX as well as the spirit of competition amongst top manufacturers in prototype racing that created some awesome limited run homologation specials for the road.

The high performance supercar market went from niche to mainstream in the 1980s. Supercars like the Lamborghini Countach, Porsche 959 and Ferrari F40 had collectively wowed car fans the world over in the late 1980s and with Wall Street humming and the global economy in good shape, the appetite for exotic cars only grew going into the early 1990s. As the 1990s started, many pundits wondered however whether we had already reached peak car. After the extraordinary supercars of the eighties, many supercar manufacturers entering the nineties asked “how on earth do we follow that?”

It is impossible to talk about the 1990s supercar era and not mention the impact of the mighty McLaren F1. McLaren came along in the mid-90s with the ultimate supercar, the McLaren F1. The F1 did not just beat the other supercars at the time, it blew them away so convincingly that it wasn’t until the Bugatti Veyron came along more than a decade later that its acceleration and top speed records were beaten. It was Gordon Murray, the former F1 engineer and his obsession with weight savings and attention to detail that redefined what a supercar could be. It was like no other supercar before it (or like any other since), a car that redefined what it meant to be a supercar.

At the other end of the spectrum was the Honda NSX. It came along in the 1990s and shook up Lamborghini, Ferrari and Porsche. Here was a major manufacturer known for small compact Honda Civic cars who created a supercar that was easy to drive, was fast and agile and didn’t break down. Anybody could drive it. It forced all the sports car makers to get better and ushered us all into the world of the everyday supercar. Speaking of everyday Supercar, the 1990s saw the 911 Turbo genuinely scare the top players with more than 400 horsepower, all wheel drive and astonishing performance in a daily driver.

On our list of the best 20 cars, no less than six cars raced. In fact, five of the cars on our top supercars of the ‘90s list were expressly built to race and are known as homologation specials. Carmakers had fully embraced the “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” mantra in the early 1990s and channeled vast amounts of money into trying to find racing glory. Racing homologation rules (stipulating that road-going versions of cars had to be manufactured for homologation) inspired automakers to produce these machines. The FIA GT1 class therefore produced some of the best race cars of the mid-1990s and (thanks to those loosely interpreted homologation requirements), some of the wildest street cars too. These included the Porsche GT1, Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR and the insane Dauer 962 LM.

In terms of awesome supercars, the 1990s were the golden age. Fun times indeed. Please read on for our take on the greatest 1990s supercars.

Criteria note: We focused on the first year of manufacture as our criteria for a car making it into the decade. If the car had first been manufactured in the 1980s and was carried over into the 1990s largely unchanged then it belongs in the 1990s (aka Ferrari F40). If it was initially built in the 1980s but was substantially updated or had a sub-model in the 1990s then it could make the 1990s list (aka Ferrari F512 M).

Author note: This initial article was written by JACK MATTHEWS in May 2017 and was updated by Nick Dellis (with help from car nut Kenny Herman) in May 6th 2019.

20 Best Supercars from the 1990s

Read on for our ranked list of the greatest supercars of the nineties. We discussed whether to rank the cars versus just have an unranked list and realized it was way more fun to have people argue about rankings than not.

20. Lotus Esprit Sport 350

The best Lotus of the 1990s. Rare, fun, a little underpowered though.

Power: 349 bhp @ 6500 rpm / Torque: 295.0 ft lbs @ 4250 rpm / Engine: 3.5 liter twin-turbo V8 / Produced: 1999 / Base Price: £64 950 / Units made: 50 / Top Speed: 175 mph (281.6 kph) / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 4.7 seconds

Having raced the Esprit in GT2 and GT3 classes, Lotus began to develop a new version of the car to race in GT1 class racing. Development of the car was entrusted to the newly formed Lotus GT1 Engineering group, which included many staff from the recently dissolved Team Lotus. For us however the more impressive Lotus of the 1990s was the 1999 Lotus Esprit Sport 350.

It was the ultimate incarnation of the Esprit. Only 50 were made. Taking the V8 GT further, the Sport 350 was one of the most exclusive Esprits made. It featured the standard-spec V8 with blue-painted intake manifolds. What set the 350 Sport apart from the VT GT was a number brake, suspension and chassis improvements. Lowering the kerb weight was a primary design focus for Sport 350. Apart from the weight reduction, the other major change to Sport 350 was its braking system. While exclusivity was offered with the Sport 350, it is a shame Lotus never tuned the engine beyond its standard specification. This is strange given the fact that every other aspect of the car was up-rated for track use. It was one of the closest cars to emulate the track experience on the road.

19. Porsche 911 Turbo S (993)

All wheel drive. Twin turbo flat six engine. Over 400hp. Ludicrous performance. Porsche delivers a daily driver that destroys supercars. The ultimate air cooled 911.

Power: 424bhp @ 6250 rpm / Torque: 423 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm / Engine: 3.6 L twin-turbo Flat-6 / Produced: 1997 / Base Price: N/A / Units sold: 183 cars produced / Top Speed: 183 mph / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 4.4 seconds

Considered by many Porsche enthusiasts as the “ultimate 911”, the type 993 represented a unique blend of power and simple elegance. The car had a more streamlined look and was “lower slung” than earlier versions of the 911. The styling was perfect and it is still the best looking 911 series. This was the last of the “air-cooled” Porsche 911s (insert sad face here).

The turbo-version of the Type 993 Porsche 911 was also introduced in 1995 and featured a bi-turbo engine that was at the top of the performance pack for the time. For Turbo 993s the 3.6 liter got twin KKK K16 turbos and made 402 hp although you could customize your order (on Turbo S and GT2 models) to up that to 444 hp. The 993 Turbo was the first 911 Turbo with all wheel drive, essentially lifted from the 959 flagship model.

During the second to the last year of production of the 993 (1997), Porsche offered the 993 Turbo S. The X50 power pack had larger turbos, intake and exhaust upgrades, and a new computer. Power upgrade got it to 424 hp and included extras like carbon fiber decoration in the interior as well as very cool yellow brake calipers, a slightly larger rear wing, a quad-pipe exhaust system and air scoops behind the doors. This was the last of the air-cooled 911 Turbos and our favorite.

18. Nissan R390 GT

The fastest and most expensive Nissan road car ever developed. 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds and 0-100 mph in 6.5 seconds. Road car was capable of 220 mph.

Power: 549.9 bhp @ 6800 rpm / Torque: 470.0 ft lbs @ 4400 rpm / Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V8 / Produced: 1998 / Base Price: ~US$1,000,000 / Units sold: 1 (road car) / Top Speed: 220 mph / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.9 seconds

The ultra-rare Nissan 390R was basically a detuned Le Mans racer offered for sale to the public at a hefty $1,000,000. Only two were made. It was the fastest and most expensive Nissan road car ever developed was created to comply with the Le Mans GT1 Class regulations which required manufacturers to build at least one street-legal version of the race car.

Unlike many others, Nissan built the road car first and built the racing version from it. The R390 GT1 design was the work of Ian Callum at Tom Walkinshaw Racing. Behind the driver sits the heart of this true supercar, the VRH35L twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre double-overhead-camshaft V8 engine with electronic sequential port fuel injection which produces 549.9 bhp @ 6800 rpm while complying with all European market exhaust gas regulations. R390 GT1 performance as one would expect is staggering and includes a sub 4.0 second zero to 60 mph time and top speed north of 220 mph.

Inside are normal road car appliances such as full instrumentation and leather-covered driver and passenger racing seats. The short-throw gear lever for the Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox and tiny racing steering wheel are reminders of the close alliance between the road car and the vehicle which captured four out of the top-ten spots in the 1998 Le Mans 24-hour race.

17. Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Big, bruising and totally nuts. This twin-supercharged V8 Aston was the most powerful car in the world for a while. Handling sucked, quality was iffy, but it was still very cool.

Power: 550.0 bhp @ 6500 rpm / Torque: 550.0 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm / Engine: Twin Supercharged V8 / Produced: 1993 – 2000 / Top Speed: 186 mph / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 4.5 seconds / Base Price: NA / Units sold: 281 cars made

Bullish, aggressive and in many ways a tad ham-fisted when compared to today’s lithe, delicate yet calmly aggressive Astons, the Vantage battered its way to 186mph with the help of its 5.3-litre supercharged V8 mounted ahead of the driver and sending power to the rear.

The Vantage was one of the cars that emerged during the era of Aston Martin’s ownership by Ford Motor Company, and featured harsher edges to its styling than had been seen on many Aston Martins previously. This styling was taken a step further in 1999, with the release of the Aston Martin Vantage Le Mans. The special edition’s looks came somewhere between that of a bull and a shark, which fit the 600bhp machine’s personality quite well.

16. Ferrari F512 M

Last production mid-engine flat-12 model and the final iteration of the famed Testarossa. Updated chassis and engine massively improved performance and driving experience.

Power: 440 bhp @ 6750 rpm / Torque: 368.8 lb/ft @ 5500 rpm / Engine: 4.9 L Tipo F113 G Flat-12 / Produced: 1995–1996 / Base Price: N/A / Units sold: 501 produced / Top Speed: 196 mph / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 4.6 seconds

We chose the F512 M over the 512 TR as our favorite Ferrari Testarossa. The result of constant evolution, the 512M shared almost all of its engineering from the 512 TR that came before it. The F512 M was the last version of the Testarossa.

The F512 M sports had the same 4.9-litre Tipo F113 G longitudinally mid mounted flat-12 engine with 440.0 hp at 6,750 rpm. Most of the changes were limited to slight body upgrades that many consider ruin the lines of the original design. In our eyes it looks better so it got the nod over the 512 TR. The front and rear lamps received a design change. The pop-up headlamps were replaced by two fixed square units. The rear tail lamps were round and the bumpers had been restyled to yield a more unified look as well as the addition of cool twin NACA ducts.

15. Porsche 911 GT3 (996.1)

This is where the GT3 legend begins. Porsche wanted to go racing in the GT3 endurance category and developed this 3.6 liter Mezger engined masterpiece. Thank you Porsche.

Power: 360 @ 7200 rpm / Torque: 273 lb/ft @ 5000 rpm / Engine: 3.6L Water Cooled Flat-6 / Produced: 1999–2001 / Base Price: $90,000 / Units sold: ~1,868 cars produced / Top Speed: 187.7 mph / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 4.5 seconds

The GT3 we love today all started in 1999 with the 996 model GT3 and it all started because Porsche wanted to enter the GT3 class of the FIA. Porsche began investing in developing both the race car and the road-going version which was required by GT class homologation rules and the GT3 was the result. The GT3 became the 996’s range-topping model until a new GT2 was launched.

Based on the 996 Carrera, the 996 GT3 was a really a track focused sports car that was lighter, sharper and more potent than its everyday sports model siblings. To help in the performance stakes, the GT3 the water-cooled flat six was loosely based on the GT1 and got a dry-sump crankcase with an external oil tank making it more powerful and higher revving. Gone were the rear seats, sunroof, air conditioning, radio and a boatload of sound deadening.

Major design changes included a more aggressive front end with larger headlamps shared with the Boxster, a sleeker body, and a more raked windshield. Design and aerodynamic features exclusive to the GT3 included slimmer air vents for the front bumper, a front splitter, new side skirts, a revised rear bumper, new wheels, and massive rear wing.

The GT3 quickly became the choice for drivers because of its remarkably sharp throttle response, better steering, steady balance, and amazing engine. While a Turbo had it beat for outright speed, this was the ultimate drivers Porsche. Its lighter body and race tuned suspension tuning also made it a perfect machine for attacking weekend drivers who wanted a track car.

If you are in the U.S you may at this point wonder why you can’t find any GT3s from the era for sale. Porsche did not bring the GT3 to the United States until 2004 (see the 996.2 model just below).

14. Pagani Zonda C12-S

Brought back the magic to the supercar world

Power: 550 bhp @ 5500 rpm / Torque: 553.2 lb/ft @ 4100 rpm / Engine: Mercedes AMG V1 (7010 cc) / Produced: 1999-2002 / Top Speed: 210.1 mph (338.0 km/h) / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.8 seconds / Base Price: NA / Units sold: US$325,000

My favorite car debuted in 1999. Most people think the Zonda was a car from the early 2000s. While it was the 2002 Zonda with the upgraded 7.3-liter V12 that people remember, Pagani had already been successfully marketing the Zonda for three years up till that point. It was originally launched as the C12-S in 1999.

13. Dodge Viper RT/10 ‘Phase II SR’

8 liters of truly brutal American muscle

Power: 415.0 bhp @ 5200 rpm / Torque: 488.0 ft lbs @ 3600 rpm / Engine: Naturally aspirated 8 liter V10 / Produced: 1996-2002 / Base Price: US$58,500 / Units sold: NA / Top Speed: 170.0 mph (273.6 kph) / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 4.7 seconds

Some might not consider the original Dodge Viper a supercar, but at the time of its release it was a revelation with its aggressive looks and insane 8-liter V10 engine. The 1996 RT/10 could be referred to as a second generation Viper and it featured a host of upgrades over earlier Vipers produced from 1992 to 1995. It was a much better car. Outwardly the main difference to the 1996 Viper was the absence of side exhausts which were replaced with two standard exhausts exiting the rear. The three spoke wheels were also gone and replaced with 5-spoke counterparts. Inside, the cabin remained largely unchanged, but a removable roof was standard as was sliding plastic panels for the windows. Underneath, the chassis was stiffened, suspension geometry revised and a more robust rear differential was installed.

Our pick of the 1990s Viper’s was the GTS which was launched in 1996. It was a more powerful version of the RT/10 with 450 hp and a new double bubble coupe body. Beyond more power though, the GTS had over 90% new parts compared to the RT/10. In 1997 and 1998 model years the Viper would continue to receive minor updates and the GTS would get second-generation airbags, revised exhaust manifolds, and a revised camshaft for 1997, and the RT/10 would gain a power increase up to 450 hp (336 kW; 456 PS) for 1998.

12. Toyota GT-One

A pure-bred Le Mans car, created specifically to contest the world’s most famous 24-hour race with no compromise in terms of design or engineering. Road version equally nuts.

Power: 600 bhp @ 6,000 rpm / Torque: 479 lb/ft / Engine: 3.6 liter 90-degree V8 twin-turbo / Produced: 1998 / Base Price: US$1,400,000 / Units sold: 2 / Top Speed: 236 mph (380 kph) / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.2 seconds

The Toyota TS020, better-known in Europe as the Toyota GT-One, is a pure-bred Le Mans car, created specifically to contest the world’s most famous 24-hour race with no compromise in terms of design or engineering. The engine had its heritage in the twin-turbo V8 which powered Toyota’s Group C cars in the late 1980s.

In accordance with the FIA rules of the day, the GT-One had also to be developed as a legal road car. In fact the differences between the race and road versions were small: in road-going mode, the rear wing was set lower and the suspension ride height was raised. A smaller fuel tank was fitted and the addition of catalytic converters ensured the vehicle complied with emissions regulations. Toyota says the engineers at Toyota Motorsport GmbH created just two ‘production’ TS020 GT-Ones – one is on display in its museum, the other in Japan.

11. Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion

Porsche wants race. Takes 993-based 911 and grafts it to the rear-end of a 962. Adds twin-turbo 3.2-liter water-cooled flat-six engine capable of developing 600 hp. Done.

Power: 544 bhp @ 7,000 rpm / Torque: 443 ft lbs @ 4,250 rpm / Engine: 3.2-liter twin-turbo flat-six / Produced: 1996-1998 / Base Price: ~US$900,000 / Units sold: 23 / Top Speed: 193 mph (310 kph) / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.4 seconds

Porsche management wanted to compete in factory-based GT racing programs. It developed a brand new car. Basically it was 993-based 911 and essentially grafted it to the rear-end of a 962. dropped a twin-turbocharged 3.2-liter water-cooled flat-six engine capable of developing 600 hp. A futuristic 911-inspired carbon fiber shell finished the exterior packaging.

In order for Porsche to enter the highly competitive GT1 category back in 1996, a total of 23 road going-machines had to be built. To be specific there were two 1996 cars, 20 1997 cars and only one variant was built in 1998. The Strassenversion (road going) uses a 3.2-litre twin-turbo flat-six engine which puts out 536bhp and 443lb ft of torque. Now these might not seem like big numbers compared to modern supercars like the Porsche 918, but considering the GT1 only weighed 1120kg, the GT1 could get to 62mph in around 3.4 seconds. Unfortunately the GT1 was routinely beaten on track by Mercedes’ ferocious CLK-GTR. As a result, Porsche – along with a number of other manufacturers – pulled out of the GT1 class for 1999, effectively killing the championship class.

10. RUF CTR-2 & Ruf CTR-2 Sport

Might be based on a Porsche 911, but the Ruf CTR2 is far from a typical German sports car. Almost 520 hp from a Le Mans-derived twin-turbo engine. Straight line monster.

Power: 520 bhp @ 5800 rpm / Torque: 505.2 ft lbs @ 4800 rpm / Engine: 3.6 liter air-cooled twin-turbo flat-6 / Produced: 1995-1997 / Base Price: US$315,000 / Units sold: 16 standard CTR2, 12 CTR2 “Sport” / Top Speed: 220 mph (354 km/h) / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.5 seconds

Based on the 993-chassis 911 Turbo the CTR2 featured either the standard rear-wheel drive or an optional all-wheel-drive. It had a totally upgraded and custom suspension system, uprated brakes and integrated roll-cage as well as a very custom and cool wing. The body was made out of kevlar to save weight. The heart of the CTR2 was the race derived air-cooled Porsche 3.6 litre. It had twin-turbos and was based on the engine used in the Porsche 962 Le Mans Group C car. The team at RUF tuned it to produce 520 hp 505 ft lbs of torque.

In addition to the “regular” CTR2 was the CTR2 Sport. Built up from a Porsche 911 Turbo body-in-white, RUF manufactured the CTR-2 Sport for ultimate outright performance. The specially built engine was tuned to produce almost 600 hp depending on boost. Options included a roll-cage, a clutchless RUF EKS transmission, adjustable torque bias, adjustable boost control. This is the ultimate in straight line insanity, able to accelerate to sixty in 3.5 seconds (in 1995) and onto a top speed north of 220 mph. Crazy.

9. Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR

Homologation special madness by the crazy Germans at Mercedes-Benz. Only car here that can easily do a backflip for those fun “what-the-f**k” moments.

Power: 612.0 bhp @ 6800 rpm / Torque: 571.6 ft lbs @ 5250 rpm / Engine: 6.9 liter Mercedes-Benz M120 V12 / Produced: 1998–1999 / Top Speed: 191 mph / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.4 seconds / Base Price: US$1,547,000 / Units sold: 20 coupes, 6 roadsters

The CLK GTR was born out of Mercedes-Benz desire to duke it out against Ferrari and Porsche in the FIA GT Championship. Essentially taking elements of a CLK racer and some road car trimmings and mashing them together, they produced the prototype in time for the 1997 season.

Although the 1999 GT1 class was cancelled, Mercedes-Benz had already promised 25 road-going homologation versions to customers and was obliged to produce these. Customer cars featured a 6.9-litre V12 which produced 604bhp, bestowing the GTR with ballistic performance – 0-60mph took 3.8 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 214mph.

This came at a steep price; despite comforts being kept to a minimum in an effort to save both weight and cost, the production CLK GTR was listed at the time as the most expensive production car ever built in the Guinness Book of World Records, costing $1,547,620.

In 1999, Mercedes-Benz were due to race a CLR – a track-focused version of the CLK GTR – at Le Mans, until in qualifying on the back straight of the Circuit du Sarthe Mark Webber’s car took off, flipping several times as it tumbled into the bushes. In the race itself, a second similar incident took place while Peter Dumbreck was at the wheel, leading Mercedes to withdraw from the event and move away from sports car racing.

8. Jaguar XJ220

Jaguar’s first production supercar, the XJ220 was a bold step. Crappy sounding engine and huge turbo lag. Held top speed record till McLaren F1 came along.

Power: 542.0 bhp @ 7000 rpm / Torque: 475.0 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm / Engine: TWR 6R4 V6 (twin turbo) / Produced: 1992 – 1994 / Top Speed: 217 mph (349.2 kph) / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.9 sec / Base Price: US$700,000 / Units sold: 281 cars made

The XJ220 started life as a mid-engine, four-wheel-drive concept car developed by Jaguar employees in their spare time. That initial concept was planned around a V12 powerplant. By the time the first customer cars were delivered in 1992, a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 sat mid ship, delivering 542bhp. The basic shape and aims of the car remained the same however.

With a top speed of 212mph, the XJ220 was the fastest production car from its launch through to 1993, when it was topped by another British-built speed machine. This peaked initial interest in the car, but between the 1990s financial recession and the car’s retail price of £470,000, few took up the offer of ownership and only 281 cars were produced throughout its run.

It was handy on the track too; it went straight to the top of the Nurburgring time sheets in 1991, recording a lap of 7:46:36; Hardly surprising, considering it was built with help from Tom Walkinshaw racing.

7. Lamborghini Diablo GT

Lighter, faster and better handling than all other Diablos. Race car modifications finally made the outrageous Diablo a serious road racing supercar.

Power: 575.0 bhp @ 7300 rpm / Torque: 465.0 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm / Engine: 6.0 liter 60 Degree V12 / Produced: 1999-2000 (Diablo GT) / Top Speed: 215 mph / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.6 seconds / Base Price: US$309,000 / Units sold: 83 cars made

Lamborghini were never ones for making their own job any easier. This is the manufacturer that built the Miura then gave itself the task of following it; they managed that – in terms of impact if not necessarily driving experience – with the incredible Countach. Entering the nineties, they had to do it again.

Enter Diablo, the name literally translating as Devil (check). At launch it was fitted with a 5.7-litre V12 producing 485bhp, enough to launch its sleek and flash, yet still muscular body from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 196bhp.

The Diablo, despite its nefarious name, was somewhat tamer than the car that came before it. It featured carbon fibre in the cockpit, but this was surrounded with luxurious leather trim.

That’s not to say it wasn’t without its evil side, most potent in later iterations the 510bhp SV and the rear-wheel-drive SE30 Jota – featuring that 5.7-litre V12 bumped up to 595bhp and various racing-focused changes that revealed the Diablo’s darker side. Only 15 Jotas were delivered from the factory, though 28 kits were produced, making this one of the rarest Lambos of the era.

Our pick of the litter is the Diablo GT. Lamborghini introduced the Diablo GT in 1998 based on the formula of the SE30 and the SE30 Jota. It combined the modifications of the GT2 race car with the outrageousness of the Diablo to offer serious road racing performance. So much so, it remains as the fastest road-going Diablo ever made by the factory. At the time of delivery in September 1999, the Diablo GT was also one of the fastest supercars as well, reaching a top speed of 215 mph (346 kph). It was easily the best Diablo made.

For the detailed oriented, about is a picture of the GTR. It took the GT and made it even crazier. Interior was stripped bare, it got a full roll cage and things like the stereo, soundproofing, and air conditioning were all removed. Add some Plexiglass windows, a fire suppression system, and single seat with a six-point harness. Hardcore.

6. Ferrari F50

Ferrari’s most undeservedly underrated supercar. Superb.

Power: 513.1 bhp @ 8500 rpm / Torque: 347 lb/ft @ 6500 rpm / Engine: 4.7 L DOHC 65 degree Tipo F130B V12 / Produced: 1995 – 1997 / Top Speed: 202 mph / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.7 seconds / Base Price: $480,000 / Units sold: 349

So far in this countdown, we’ve had a lot of homologation-special racing cars repurposed for the road to meet the entry requirements for their respective championships. The F50 was different in that it featured components of an actual racing car, toned down only slightly for the road.

The Ferrari F50 began life with a tough act to follow. Its predecessor, the F40, had blown the motoring world away through the eighties and well into the nineties. Ferrari had to pull something very special out of their hats to follow Enzo’s final sign off for the company.

Their starting point was one of their old racing engines; the 3.5-litre V12 from the company’s 1990 F1 car. This was bored out to 4.7-litres before being mounted mid-ship in a carbon fibre monocoque chassis.

The resulting machine produced 513bhp, sent to the rear wheels in a car that weighed just 1320kg. The result? 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, a claimed top speed of 202mph and a deafening driving experience that shook owners to their cores. For those seeking an even more visceral experience, the roof could be removed.

Sadly the F50 could never live up to its legendary predecessor. In tests, its top speed came up far short of the F40’s 201mph, and the more bloated F50 was never as pure an experience as the car that went before it. Still, we feel it deserves a place on the list of the greatest supercars of the nineties.

5. Dauer 962 Le Mans

Dauer showed up to Le Mans with road and race versions and promptly won. FIA changed the rules to make sure the 962 wouldn’t be back in 1995. Now that is badass.

Power: 730.0 bhp @ 8250 rpm / Torque: 517.0 lb/ft @ 5000 rpm / Engine: 3 liter water-cooled twin turbo flat-six / Produced: 1994 / Base Price: $1,200,000 / Units sold: 13 / Top Speed: 253 mph (405 kph) / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 2.7 seconds

One of the weirder footnotes in Le Mans history is the Dauer 962, which won the race in 1994 thanks to some creative rulebook interpretation.

From 1983 forward, the Porsche 956 and its 962 IMSA spec version dominated for a decade. Porsche manufactured nearly 150 956/962s and sold many of the cars to private teams. Dauer took a handful of these Porsche 962s and modified them for street use. It is one of the most extraordinary cars to be sold for the streets, but that’s what allowed Porsche to enter the 962 in the GT category at Le Mans in 1994.

Of the companies that have produced a 962 road car, the most successful has been Dauer. After displaying their first 962 at the 1993 Frankfurt Show, Dauer partnered with Porsche to manufacture a contender for the 1994 24 Hours of LeMans. At the 24 hour race, Dauer showed up with both a road version and race version of the Porsches 962, a design which had already won Le Mans six times. After winning the race, the FIA declared it would be creating rules to make sure the 962 wouldn’t be back in 1995. However, with a Le Mans win under their belt, and with support from Porsche, Dauer continued to build their road-going 962.

4. Porsche 911 GT2

Wide arches, rear wheel drive, Turbo engine. GT2 craziness begins here.

Power: 444 bhp @ 6000 rpm / Torque: 431.5 lb/ft @ 4500 rpm / Engine: 3.6 L twin-turbo Flat-6 / Produced: 1995–1996 / Base Price: NA / Units sold: 57 cars produced / Top Speed: 187 mph / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.7 seconds

I dread to think what the nineties supercar scene would have been like had it not been for homologation requirements. The track-focused, road-going 911 GT2 was introduced in 1993, initially to meet the requirements for GT2 regulations.

The formula of ultra-light, high-power and track credentials seemed to strike a chord with Porsche’s customer base, as the German marque kept the twin-turbo track rocket on its order sheets all the way through to 2012.

424bhp came courtesy of the rear-mounted 3.6-litre power plant, fed air through neatly-positioned intakes at either end of the GT2’s colossal rear wing. Other contemporary road-going 911s of the day also had four-wheel-drive, though this was scrapped in the GT2 in favour of racier rear-wheel-drive.

This made the 993-generation GT2 quite the handful on track or on the road, and a certain level of driving prowess is required to keep one pointing in the right direction over a “spirited” series of bends. You know is good when it gets a top 20 finish in our best Porsche’s ever list.

3. Bugatti EB110

With a quad turbo, 3.5-litre V-12 the Bugatti EB110 GT seemingly defined the term “supercar”. It was one of the most technologically advanced cars of the 1990s.

Power: 650.0 hp @ 8000 rpm / Torque: 477 lb/ft @ 4200 rpm / Engine: 60 Degree quad-turbo V12 / Produced: 1992 – 1995 / Top Speed: 217 mph / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.35 seconds / Base Price: US$380,000 / Units sold: 31 cars made

Initially revealed on the company’s founder, Ettore Bugatti’s 110th birthday in 1991, the EB110 came to be the last Italian-produced Bugatti before VAG took over the troubled automaker.

These days the Bugatti name stands purely for all-out speed and refinement, and though the EB110 was never a record breaker at the top end of the speed stakes, topping out at 216mph in the era of the McLaren F1, it was capable of reaching 62mph in just 3.2 seconds in 1992 Supersport trim – one of the fastest cars of its era over that dash.

That rapid acceleration was mostly thanks to the Bugatti’s 3.5-litre, quad-turbo V12, which transferred 604bhp to the road through all four wheels.

There’s something really appealing about all of the little design details on the EB110 which could be easily overlooked; from the cluster of circular air intakes just behind the doors, to the elegantly simple interior, all the way down to the gearshift layout positioned on the transmission tunnel, keeping the gear knob uncluttered.

2. Honda / Acura NSX

The car that shook the supercar world. A supercar that could be driven every day, didn’t break down and anybody could drive. Thank this car for today’s supercars being usable.

Our Pick: 1998 ACURA NSX-T / Power: 290 bhp @ 7100 rpm / Torque: 224 lb/ft @ 5500 rpm / Engine: 3.2L VTEC 6 Cylinder 290 hp / Produced: 1990-2005 / Top Speed: 162.2-mph / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 4.8 seconds / Base Price: $88,725

1991 saw the launch of a supercar that caused a shock across the whole automotive scene. With the NSX project, Honda set out to build a true supercar that had none of the ergonomic issues or reliability problems that plagued exotica at the time.

Sold under the Acura brand in the States, and the Honda brand across the rest of the world, the NSX featured a 3.0-litre V6 with Honda’s trademark VTEC technology supplying the power, mounted mid-ship with extra consideration to the positioning of the seats and fuel tank for optimal weight distribution.

Honda’s pedantic construction of the car paid off; famous fans of the NSX included none other than Ayrton Senna himself, and the handling was enough to take the fight to the supercar elite of the day and cement the NSX’s place in supercar history – even becoming the reference point for a certain McLaren still to come on our nineties list.

Our pick of the range is the 1997 NSX-T. Acura increased the DOHC 24-valve VTEC V-6’s displacement from 3.0 liters to 3.2 and replaced the five-speed manual with a six-speed box for 1997. That meant 290 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque from the normally aspirated, 8000-rpm-redline engine. The immediacy of the NSX’s reflexes is matched with elegance and phenomenal precision and the engine’s flyweight reciprocating assembly loves to rev.

1. McLaren F1

The best ever. Period. The end. Obsessive focus leads to the creation of the greatest supercar of all time.

Our Pick: McLaren F1 LM / Power: 671 bhp @ 7800 rpm (F1 LM) / Torque: 520 lb/ft @ 4500 rpm (F1 LM) / Engine: 6.1 L (6,064 cc) BMW S70/2 V12 / Produced: 1993–1998 / Top Speed: 240.1 mph (386.4 km/h) / Acceleration (0-60 mph): 3.2 seconds / Base Price: ~US$650,000 / Units sold: 106 cars

If cars like the Ferrari F40 and Porsche 959 began the chase for something beyond the supercar, then McLaren birthed it with the F1. Gordon Murray’s masterpiece was for a long time the fastest production car ever made. Its top speed of 240 mph puts much of even today’s supercar crowd to shame, and ergonomic features like the driver-centered, three-seat cockpit have rarely been seen since.

The technical challenge of getting a road car to such incredible speeds was one unlike any other manufacturer had undertaken. McLaren, after initially seeking out Honda power given the two company’s success together in Formula One racing, eventually settled on a 6.1-litre BMW V12. This was mounted in the middle of the car, and put 618bhp through the rear wheels.

The F1 was also the first production car to use a carbon fibre monocoque chassis, and gold famously lined the engine bay to aid with heat dispersal. This effort paid off, granting the F1 a staggering 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds and that all-important 240 mph top speed.

After delivering 100 customer cars McLaren stopped production after seven prototypes, 64 road cars, 5 special F1 LMs (built to commemorate victory at Le Mans in 1995), three F1 GTs (road going versions of the long tail 1997 F1 GTR race car) and 28 F1 GTR road cars. Of these, the Sultan of Brunei owns the most, and has two very special black F1 LMs with striking Pininfarina graphics as well as an exact replica of the F1 GTR that won LeMans.

This Ultra Rare Ferrari F40 Prototype Is for Sale

You Know You Want a Piece of Automotive History

The Ferrari F40 is a legendary supercar of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Only around 1,300 examples were produced. Even fewer of the prototypes were made. Only eight to be exact, and one of them burned in a fire. Those super rare prototypes were never sold to the public, but now this one can be had thanks to Tom Hartley Jr. in the UK.

The car’s specifications aren’t listed in the posting, but they shouldn’t differ from the regular F40 much. That means the car has a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 478 horsepower.

According to CarBuzz, the main differences between the prototype and the production version of the F40 were the mirrors, additional vents, a thinner rear wing, different kevlar weave in the tub, and a quilted headlining. The publication also notes that the car was recently given the Red Book Classiche Certification by Ferrari and officially claimed as a prototype.

Since the car left the factory in 1987, it accumulated only 4,971 miles on its odometer. That means hardly anyone drove it over the past several decades. That is a true shame considering how good the car must be to drive. The dealer says the owner received the car as a gift from Enzo Ferrari.

For more information, you can visit Tom Hartley Jr.’s website. The price is not listed. There are also several other amazing machines for sale at the dealer, including a regular production F40 if that’s more to your fancy.

April 9, 2019 / Comments Off

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Ferrari Restores Vintage 275 GTB Competizione Le Mans Car

A Beautiful Yellow Ferrari

If you want one to see a beautiful restoration of a Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione, then look no further than this masterfully restored one from the Ferrari Classic division. The owner brought his 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione to the division for a full restoration, and it was featured in Ferrari’s official magazine.

The car was originally painted ‘Giallo Fly’ yellow livery. Just four days after it left the Ferrari factory it competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. During that race, it placed second in its class and 10th overall. This car is a piece of automotive history and it deserved the practiced hands at the Ferrari Classic division.

The car competed in several events. These included the Mont Ventoux hill climb and the Marathon de la Route race at the Nürburgring in the 1960s. It changed hands and was worked on by several different people over the years. when it arrived at the Ferrari Classic division, it was painted red and not in great shape. There were odd parts and vents all over the car from years of racing. The owner wanted to return the car to its former glory.

The experts at Ferrari were able to bring the Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione back to its original state. It’s now as it was once it left Maranello in 1966.

April 5, 2019 / Comments Off

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Watch the HPE800 Ferrari F12 by Hennessey Performance At the Track

They Call This Validation Testing

Hennessey Performance recently posted a video of its HPE800 Ferrari F12 testing on a racetrack, and it’s pure elegance and madness all at once. The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is no typical car, and after Hennessey gets its hands on it, the car is an 800 hp pissed off beautiful Italian creation.

In its standard form, the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta has a 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 that makes 730 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque. After the tuner company takes it into its garage and has its way with it, the car comes out with 800 hp and beautifully angry exhaust note.

Hennessey doesn’t have a whole lot of information about the car on its website at this time. The video description that accompanies the video below simply listed the company’s main website instead of a specific page for the car. All we do know is that it will make 800 hp and look darn good doing it.

This seems like the best way to forget about the Ferrari 812 Superfast. That particular car comes with 789 hp from the factory and this model beats that out. Suddenly, the Superfast doesn’t look so super fast.

Hennessey has several other projects in the works right now judging from the company’s news page on its website. It’s safe to assume the tuner company will keep putting out amazing cars. Watch the video below to see what we mean.

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April 3, 2019 / Comments Off

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Should the Ferrari P80/C Have Been a Spider?

It Sure Looks Good As a Spider

We get why the Ferrari P80/C one-off was a coupe, but this recent P80/C Spider rendering by Aksyonov Nikita makes us think the person who commissioned the car from the company made a mistake, or maybe he should order another.

Unfortunately, that will probably never happen. The P80/C, as Carscoops points out, was a one-off that was not homologated for road use and does not meet any racing series regulations. Because of that, the use of the car is pretty limited. A convertible version of the car would likely have even less use, but it sure does look good.

The P80/C is a modern interpretation of the 330 P3/P4 and Dino 206 S. It was built using the 488 GT3 as the base. From there it was fully customized. The car has a longer wheelbase than the street-legal 488. The engine and its specs were not released, but we’d assume it was the same 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 that’s in the 488.

The car is an amazing project for an unnamed buyer. All Ferrari said was that the collector is a Ferrari aficionado. As much as we loved the look of the coupe version of the car this Spider takes the cake for us. Too bad it will never be.

April 1, 2019 / Comments Off

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David Lee’s 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO Comes to Jay Leno’s Garage

The Collector Shares The Joy

David Lee is one of the best-known Ferrari collectors in the world among many other things. Jay Leno recently invited him to the show and Lee brought one of the most beautiful Ferraris of all time to Leno’s garage, a 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO. The car is unique for many reasons. Chief among them is the fact that the car was never sold in the U.S.

Lee, who made his money selling watches and jewelry, told Leno this was the hardest car for him to buy. Ferrari only made 272 of the 288 GTO and as Leno said, the car was overshadowed by the F40 that came out directly after it. People who weren’t avid supercar fans more or less forgot about the 288 GTO once the F40 hit the scene.

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Ferrari built the vehicle for Group B rally racing, but Group B was ended due to safety concerns. When it ended, Ferrari decided to sell street versions of the car. It’s this scenario that made it such a rare car and such a low number of vehicles produced. The car gets a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8. That engine makes 400 hp, which in the 1980s was an astronomical amount. Lee says the car can do a 0-60 mph run in about five seconds, which was extremely quick for the time period of the car.

What’s so impressive about the 288 GTO today is how modern it looks on the outside. It’s sleek and attractive even today. The interior is an analog lover’s dream with switches and toggles on the center console and a tall, gated five-speed shifter. It’s a gorgeous example, and we’re glad Lee decided to share it with the world.

March 27, 2019 / Comments Off

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Ferrari P80/C: One-Off Racecar Took 4 Years to Complete

A new Ferrari Special Project was recently released. The Ferrari P80/C uses the Ferrari 488 GT3 as its base. Built exclusively for the track, the P80/C is a one-off, built by Ferrari for a special client.

Being a race car, don’t expect to see this special edition lapping Knightsbridge anytime soon! Ferrari say that the design has been inspired by iconic models from Ferrari’s history: the 330 P3/P4 and the 1966 Dino 206 S particularly. Ferrari have been working on the design aspects since 2015.

Ferrari P80/C: One-Off Racecar

Unlike other special projects, this race car needed some special consideration. Changing the setup of the 488 GT3 so dramatically meant that aerodynamics needed a complete revision. The result is a 5% improvement in efficiency. The large buttresses encase a greenhouse. The effect is that of visor with the glass spread horizontally across the middle.

Due in part to the GT3’s 50 mm longer wheelbase, the P80/C looks more can-forward than anything Ferrari has produced to date. The rest is a modern take on the wedge design, not dissimilar to the look of the new Ford GT. Interestingly, the front is wider than the rear.

No details have been released about the engine. The 488 GT3 uses a 3.9-litre turbocharged V8. We suspect that Ferrari have fitted this version with a de-restricted version of that engine!

March 27, 2019 / Comments Off

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The Ferrari P80/C Is a Crazy One-Off Project

A 330 P3/P4 and the 1966 Dino 206 S Inspired Car

Ferrari calls the P80/C “the most extreme one-off design ever,” and we’re inclined to believe it. Based on the 488 GT3 chassis the car’s design begins with one of the best racing chassis of all time. Of course, it’s going to be the most extreme when you do that, and we’re sure glad the company did.

The P80/C is a car that shares some parts with the GT3, but the body and the front splitter are entirely unique. Ferrari made the body entirely of carbon fiber. Many of the functional parts and components of the car are left out in the open and unpainted. What is painted gets a gorgeous coat (likely several) of Rosso Vero.

The car features the best styling elements of several historic Ferraris, including 250 LM, the Dino 206 S and 330 P3/4. The more you look at the car, the more you can see little bits of other beautiful Ferrari models in this special one-off project. It’s a simply stunning car from all angles.

It’s safe to assume the car features the 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, but Ferrari didn’t reveal the specifications for the vehicle. The engine is just one small little piece of the whole package here anyway. Ferrari got to design and build a car without the need to comply with specific standards, which allows the design team to really experiment.

The car features an aerodynamic shape like no other. It’s curvy and sleek and timeless. The huge carbon fiber wing dominates the rear visually. Once you get past it, you see all the other little details. You notice the massive exhausts, the rear diffuser, and the view of the engine.

Ferrari didn’t name the customer. It only said that he was a “great connoisseur of the Ferrari world.” The customer wanted Ferrari to build a “modern sports prototype.” He also wanted the car to come in two configurations. He wanted a racing package and an exhibition package. The car you see in the photos is obviously the racing package. It’s absolutely gorgeous, and we can’t wait for Ferrari to release the technical specifications.

March 25, 2019 / Comments Off

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Ferrari Wants to Keep the V12 Naturally Aspirated

Let the Glorious V12 Roar On

Nothing says Ferrari like a V12. The 12-cylinder engine has been one of the hallmarks of the top-of-the-line Prancing Horse models for a long time. The engine in a Ferrari car is an iconic feature. That’s why the company says it wants to keep the V12 in its lineup without having to mess with it.

That means no turbochargers and no hybridization. The Italian automaker wants to continue with the naturally aspirated version of the engine in its lineup. It would make sense for the company to do so. There will likely always be a certain group of folks who want a Ferrari with a V12.

When discussing hybridization with Top Gear, Ferrari technical chief Michael Leiters said that you have to downsize the gasoline engine, and the V12 is not a downsized engine.

A naturally aspirated V12 engine is not a downsized engine, and for me it doesn’t make sense as a hybrid. We will fight for the V12, of course. We will do everything we can to keep it as it is core to our brand. But a real hybridization of the V12? I don’t see it.

With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how the company moves forward with the V12. Leiters told Top Gear that he and the rest of Ferrari will have to look at emissions moving forward. That could make a V12 more difficult to produce than ever before.

March 15, 2019 / Comments Off

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This Video Takes a Closer Look at the Performance Technology of the Ferrari F8 Tributo

Everything You Need to Know

The Ferrari F8 Tributo is Ferrari’s most-advanced internal combustion engined car ever. While some people decried it too similar to its predecessor, it’s actually a notable step forward for the brand. The F8 Tributo takes each performance aspect up a notch. If that’s not enough, then we don’t know what is.

Ferrari recently released a video that goes into detail about the F8 Tributo’s design and performance technology. It starts with the engine and works its way quickly through the car. It’s only a couple of minutes long, but the video shows how the F8 Tributo sets itself apart from the competition and from previous Ferrari models.

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One of the key performance aspects of the car not touched on in the video is the aerodynamics of the car. Ferrari took special care to make sure the car’s aero performance was better than ever before. The spoiler at the rear increases verticle load, the rear of the vehicle is flat, and the front diffuser is designed to improve brake cooling. The rear active rear diffuser is probably the coolest, though. It can impact downforce in the corners and help make the car more slippery through the air during heavy acceleration.

Ferrari is hard at work on its next hybrid models, but until those cars debut, the F8 Tributo is the king of the Prancing Horse’s lineup, and we couldn’t be happier to see it on top.

March 14, 2019 / Comments Off

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Ferrari’s New V6 Hybrid Could Make 723 HP

For the New Dino, Perhaps?

We’ve known for a while that Ferrari is working on a new V6 hybrid powertrain for some of its future vehicles. What exactly those vehicles are is yet to be seen. UK publication CAR Magazine recently reported that the new powertrain could make as much as 723 hp and 800 lb-ft of torque.

That’s quite a lot of power and would be perfect for a new Ferrari Dino that has been rumored for some time. CAR reports that the Dino has been an on again, off again project for the company for some time now. Several people high up with the company liked the idea of a new Dino, especially the late Sergio Marchionne. However, as of yet, nothing has come.

There’s also the chance that a future Ferrari SUV could have the powertrain. That would make it a serious contender with the other SUVs on the market from Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Lamborghini. Ferrari has not said yet what will power its upcoming SUV, though it has said the name will be Purosangue.

It will be interesting to see where the V6 hybrid powertrain lands in the Ferrari lineup. It would make sense for the company to use the powertrain in multiple models, so there’s a chance that it could end up in the Dino and the Purosangue. Only time will tell.

March 13, 2019 / Comments Off

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Top Gear’s Matt LeBlanc Drives the Ferrari 812 Superfast

He Says the Superfast is Too Fast for the Road

How much horsepower and speed do we really need on the road? That’s a question Top Gear’s Matt LeBlanc essentially asks while driving the Ferrari 812 Superfast. He said the 789 hp machine doesn’t really make that great of a grand touring car because it has too much power and too much of a penchant for the racetrack.

To be fair, he makes a good point. A good grand touring car should be fast and fun, but it should also be supremely comfortable and lovely to drive. While the 812 Superfast appears to check most of those boxes, according to LeBlanc, it’s too hopped-up and race-ready for you to drive comfortably.

The car keeps you on your toes, which is an appealing feature in many cases, but if you were on a long road trip, it’d be the last thing you’d want. Your nerves would be shot after only traveling for a portion of your journey. Of course, you could drive the 812 Superfast like a grandma, but that’s not what this car is about.

LeBlanc also takes the 812 Superfast to the racetrack to prove its prowess there. It’s a killer car, but it’s not truly designed for the racetrack either. That begs the question, where does it really belong? There’s no denying the 812 Superfast is one of the best Ferrari cars yet, but it brings up some fair questions about horsepower, speed, and the true purpose of the grand touring car.

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March 11, 2019 / Comments Off

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5 Awesome Things About the Ferrari F8 Tributo

Ferrari just released the new F8 Tributo. Critics say it’s too much like the 488 GTB, but we’re of the mind that this is a meaningful step forward for the mid-engine, two-door Berlinetta in Ferrari’s lineup. The car looks absolutely stunning and the engine and aerodynamic improvements are nothing to ignore. The F8 Tributo is a force to be reckoned with, and there’s plenty to like about it. Here are five things that stand out.

1. The Turbo V8 Makes 710 hp

Ferrari went with a turbocharged V8 engine in the F8 Tributo, and we can’t blame them. The engine is a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 to be exact. It manages to punch out a whopping 710 hp and a super strong 568 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to be right on par with the competition from McLaren and Lamborghini.

2. 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 Seconds, 211 mph Top Speed

Speaking of being right on par with the competition, the F8 Tributo can make the 0-60 mph sprint in as little as 2.9 seconds. It can continue on in its run and hit 124 mph in just 7.8 seconds. The car’s top speed is 211 mph, and that’s right up there with the best from McLaren and Lamborghini.

3. It’s More Aerodynamic Than Ever

The F8 Tributo takes what former Ferrari mid-engine supercars have done in terms of aerodynamics and gone a bit further. The car is more aerodynamic than ever and features what Ferrari calls an “S-Duct” on the front of the car. This directs air over the front and forces the nose of the car down. It is supposed to increase downforce by 15 percent.

4. There’s a Louvered Lexan Engine Cover

This is a feature that comes straight out of the Ferrari history books. The legendary Ferrari F40 featured a similar engine cover, and the addition of this to the new F8 Tributo is a not so subtle head nod to that car. The louvered Lexan engine cover will likely go down as one of the key standout features of the F8 Tributo, and we can’t imagine anyone not loving the look. It lets you get a peek at the engine while still keeping the car’s sleek lines.

5. The Interior Has a Classic, Driver-Focused Appeal

Too often automakers try to really pack in the technology and features, and it makes the car look rather silly on the inside. When you look at the F8 Tributo’s interior you see a simple (by contrast) interior that’s extremely attractive. It’s all black, and the instruments inside the cabin are all driver-focused. It’s not a huge departure from the 488 GTB, and that’s fine.

Overall, the F8 Tributo is a killer car and a move forward for Ferrari. It’s a significant change from the 488 GTB while still utilizing much of what worked well in that car.

February 28, 2019 / Comments Off

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Ferrari F8 Tributo brings the best of the 488 Pista to the masses

This is the Ferrari deemed worthy of replacing the 488 GTB, called the F8 Tributo. Let’s start with the red meat: 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 710 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers sound familiar? They’re the same as we got from the special edition 488 Pista, and they outdo the 488 GTB by 49 hp and seven pound-feet. The F8 Tributo warps itself to 62 miles per hour in a Pista-matching 2.9 seconds, takes two tenths longer to reach 124 mph at 7.8 seconds, but runs all the way to the same 211-mph top speed.

What’s more, the F8 Tributo weighs 2,932 pounds dry when graced with all of the lightweight options. That’s 111 pounds more than the Pista, but an 88-pound diet compared to the 488 GTB.

Rear-slanted radiators frame an evolution of the Pista’s S-Duct to redefine the front end. Ferrari said the under-over airflow trick delivers a 15-percent increase in downforce compared to the retiring 488. Redesigned headlights take a horizontal stance, making room for brake cooling ducts that obviated needing to fit larger brakes.

The Lexan engine cover and its three subtle louvers hearken to the F40, and the quad taillights hearken to Gran Turismo Berlinetta Ferraris of yore. The enlarged spoiler hunkers over that light cluster in 812 Superfast fashion, above a rear fascia that incorporates curved mesh grilles. Ferrari says the overall look is “the bridge to a new design language.” As a side benefit, it confers a 10 percent improvement in aero efficiency compared to the 488.

Ferrari’s updated its Side Slip Angle Control (SSAC), and made the revised Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE) available in Race mode “to make performance on limit easier to reach and control for greater number of drivers.” SSAC allows for more drifty attitudes, the FDE adds automatic braking inputs to reduce the need for sudden countersteering. Formerly, FDE was only available with the steering wheel manettino control in the CT Off position.

The cabin’s been overhauled, starting with a smaller steering wheel dotted with a couple of additional buttons for hands-free phone operation. The former oblong vents give way to round ones, there’s a new digital interface for the driver and 8.25-inch touchscreen for the passenger, and new door cards. We will be taking a much closer look at all of it come Geneva.

Related Video:

February 28, 2019 / Comments Off

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Ferrari F8 Tributo Details Released

Say Goodbye to the 488 GTB

Ferrari promised to reveal new info about its 488 GTB replacement and here it is. The car’s named the F8 Tributo and it carries on what makes the two-seater Berlinetta so good. The F8 Tributo keeps a V8 engine and some of the sexiest curves we’ve seen in a while.

At first glance, the car’s 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine may not seem all that impressive in the age of hybrid-powered supercars, but then you see the power numbers and smile. The engine produces 710 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque. Also, the peak torque comes earlier in the rev range, letting you more easily access all of that power.

This means the F8 Tributo will shoot from a standstill to 60 mph in as little as 2.9 seconds. It’ll hit 124 mph in just 7.8 seconds and 211 mph flat out. The car features the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer and Side Slip Angle Control. The vehicle appears to borrow quite a lot of equipment from the 488 Pista, which isn’t a bad thing considering that car’s prowess on a racetrack.

The F8 Tributo has a similar overall shape the car it’s replacing. With that said, it doesn’t look the same. The aero kit, headlights, taillights, and the body look different, but the car utilizes the same platform as the 488 GTB. The completely redesigned interior of the car looks breathtaking, but it, too, is similar to the outgoing car. Nothing is the same, but it has a very similar overall layout with improvements where needed.

The F8 Tributo takes its place in Ferrari’s lineup as the best V8 Berlinetta yet to come from the brand. It’s a notable improvement over the 488 GTB without throwing away everything that car got right. Ferrari will bring the car to the Geneva Motor Show where you can see it in person.

February 28, 2019 / Comments Off

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New Ferrari V8 Hybrid Supercar to Have More Horsepower Than 488 Pista

Coming Later This Year

Ferrari’s CEO Louis Camilleri recently told reporters on an earnings call that the company would unveil a V8 hybrid supercar later this year. According to Auto News Europe, the vehicle will get a V8 gasoline engine and an electric motor for power and will sit atop the Ferrari lineup.

The car will offer more horsepower than the 488 Pista. Ferrari said that the vehicle will not make its debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, which is shaping up to be an awesome show, according to the reports of what will debut there. Instead, Ferrari will unveil its new top-of-the-line supercar at a special event later in the year. The company expects to make the deliveries of the car in 2020.

Camilleri did not supply much information to the press when he mentioned the new model. However, he did say it would not be a limited-edition car. Instead, it will have a full lifecycle and be more profitable than a V12 vehicle could be. Camilleri brought up the profitability of the car because of investor concerns about whether or not a V12 would be more profitable.

This will be the second-generation for Ferrari’s hybrid technology. The now discontinued LaFerrari was the first and it brought a new era for the company. According to Auto News Europe, 60 percent of the company’s lineup will have a hybrid offering by 2022. This will allow the company to comply with ever-tightening emissions regulations and keep pace with other supercar and hypercar manufacturers.

When the new Ferrari makes its official debut, we’ll be here to give you all the interesting details. One thing is for sure. It will a wildly powerful Prancing Horse.

February 18, 2019 / Comments Off

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1984 Ferrari F40 LM

By now RM Sotheby’s is a regular at Men’s Gear seeing that it never runs out of cool cars to show. The above, a 1984 Ferrari F40 LM coupe, is just one of many now up for auction.

The F40 was actually the last car Enzo Ferrari oversaw. It came out in 1987 to commemorate Italian automaker’s 40th anniversary. And also to capitalize on the 288 GTO, which was developed for the FIA Group B racing formula.

This particular model, chassis no. 74045, carries quite a history. The factory intended to use it as nothing more than a pre-production prototype, but Le Mans and IMSA driver Rene Herzog decided to buy it in 1992. Herzog sent the car to Michelotto for conversion to LM specification.

Shortly after its completion, however, Herzog ownership gave it to Charles Zuger. Then, in 1995, Stephane Ratel bought the car and raced it in the European GT Championship in the same year. Then he sold it mid-season to the French Pilot-Aldix team for use in the BPR Global GT Series.

That’s some historic imprint for a car never meant to be more than just a raw road car. If anything, it proves a great car can come from anywhere with the right modifications. As such, the F40 LM has a 2.9-liter V8 engine went up to 700 horsepower from 471 in stock trim. And it was slimmed down by more than 400 pounds following adjustments and chassis modifications.

This particular F40 LM model finished 12th overall in the at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans. Not only that, but it achieved such a feat eight years after it was built. No one does it like Ferrari.

BID HERE

Photos courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

February 1, 2019 / Comments Off

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Ferrari 812 Superfast By Novitec

Novitec is a custom shop that believes fast cars can be faster. Its latest handiwork? The Ferrari 812 Superfast, which, already beastly enough as it is, got an extra boost, at least visually, thanks to the crafty (and perhaps mad) folks at Novitec.

Unfortunately, this customized car doesn’t have more power than a regular 812 Superfast. In other words, Novitec did a purely visual upgrade. However, the shop says its engineers are working on a “performance upgrades” for the ride’s base 6.5-litre V12 engine.

If true, that means we could be getting something even faster than the machine’s standard 789 horsepower, and perhaps something more impressive than its already amazing 0 to 60 acceleration in just under three seconds.

So yes, it’s a bummer Novitec didn’t make a faster car out of a fast car, but don’t fret. It did make an already cool-looking ride even cooler. Novitec swapped out huge body parts in favor of carbon fiber ones. Among them are the wind-tunnel-developed chin spoiler and front grille attachment, rocker panels, a rear spoiler lip, and the rear fascia.

You can take that even further with an optional shocks package. It lowers the whole ride to 1.37 inches. On the other hand, there’s also a hydraulic lift that can raise the front end by 1.57 inches. Pricing information is yet to come, unfortunately. Expect the cost to be astronomical, of course. Certainly much more expensive than a regular 812 Superfast. We’ll update this article once we learn more, so stay tuned.

MORE INFO HERE

Photos courtesy of Novitec

January 24, 2019 / Comments Off

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Novitec Ferrari 812 Superfast Revealed

The Ferrari 812 Superfast has been in the market for a little over a year now. It is a highly sought after car with long waiting times and rumours of a production run that is entirely sold out. Novitec have only recently managed to get their hands on one. The Novitec 812 Superfast has officially arrived!

What we have here is the first stage of Novitec’s performance packages. Normally there is a relatively subdued version of their V12 supercars which is followed by an insane N-Largo version with widebody elements and all sorts of additional aero. For their first attempt, Novitec’s kit is relatively simple, albeit, constructed to a very high quality.

NOVITEC Ferrari 812 Superfast

Novitec offers a new front spoiler lip, surrounds for the central air intake. The rear gets a new spoiler lip and carbon fibre elements are added to the rear facia. At the side, there is a new side skirt and the hood gets two carbon air outlets with carbon surrounds for the side air outlets aft of the front fender wells. Finally, Novitec can also supply carbon fibre mirror caps for the finishing touch.

Novitec’s wheels are produced in cooperation with US wheel manufacturer Vossen. At the front they measure 10×21 inches, at the rear 12.5×22. The Novitec NF8 Directional and NF9 rims can be finished in any colour. For the suspension, Novitec offers sport springs calibrated to the production suspension, which lower the ride height of the front-engine sports car by about 35 millimetres. A front lift system does the opposite and raises the front by 40 millimetres.

Novitec normally offer a range of performance enhancements for the 812 Superfast. At present, Novitec plan to have performance enhancements on offer, however, there are no details on what these will entail. Novitec are still working on a package. What is available is a high-performance exhaust system with 110-millimeter tailpipes finished in stainless steel. The system can be ordered in Inconel should you wish.

As ever, Novitec can cater for any taste when it comes to interior appointments. Alcantara, leather and carbon fibre are no problem, it really depends on taste and the size of your wallet!

January 23, 2019 / Comments Off

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Man Crashes Ferrari into Ocean Because Jesus Told Him To

A month ago, pictures and video emerged of a strange incident involving a police officer, a Ferrari and a dock. In the video, a man can be seen speaking to a police officer before getting into his Ferrari 360 Modena and accelerating into the water, off a dock – apparently for no reason.

More details of the bizarre incident emerged recently as a police report was filed. It is not clear whether the driver, James A. Mucciaccio Jr, will be charged with anything in connection with the incident. The facts certainly suggest that Mucciaccio might either have been under the influence or suffering from some form of mental illness. You would have to be to drive a Ferrari 360 Modena off a dock for seemingly no reason.

When asked why he did it, Mucciaccio stated that: “Jesus told me to drive through a small gate and into a 6 foot window. Jesus made me the smartest man on Earth and it’s so hard to have this responsibility. Money is going to be irrelevant in two days, remember to smile.” He told the fisherman who rescued him from the water that he drove into the water because the “dock was Egyptian and he did not believe in Jesus.”

The officer was called to the scene of the incident after a bicyclist reported that a dark-colored Ferrari was speeding down North Ocean Boulevard. Explaining this, Mucciaccio is reported to have told the fisherman that “he was in a high-speed chase with Highland police and they let him go because he was Christian.”

January 18, 2019 / Comments Off

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