"Mainstream" Supercars

[steviegunn]

Reading this month's Evo there's a good article on future icons, two of which are the Honda NSX and the Ford GT, both of these are what I would call Supercars from Mainstream Manufacturers, who else has done this over the years?

My list:

Audi R8
BMW M1
Chevrolet Corvette
Chrysler/Dodge Viper
Ford GT40
Ford GT
Honda NSX
Jaguar XJ220
Lexus LFA
Mercedes SLS
Nissan GTR
Nissan R390
Renault A610
Toyota 2000GT

Any more?

[steviegunn]

SV8Predator said:

DaveH23 said:

Does the VX220 make this list?

Just supercars, I think.

Was just thinking about cars that can rival the offerings from the usual Supercar suspects (Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, etc) in looks, performance and price.

[steviegunn]

I think the VX220 loses out on price and performance, good shout on the 8C, definitely on the list, the MG probably due to it's rarity and mad bhp options from the factory, but as a 4 seater I'm wavering (though I did include the GTR).

I think cars that that use exotic tech (eg the Lexus & GTR) and have a racing pedigree (e.g. the Corvette & Viper) count as well as the mid engined 2 seat exotica.

[steviegunn]

BULLITT Rich said:

The MG SV wasn't a four seater.

The RX-7 was Mazda's supercar, built to rival Porsche at the time and did rather well too. Originally classed as a giant-killer like the Skyline as in not much money compared to its rivals but could compete against the big boys.

If we're covering all ages then the Cobra was AC's supercar and a pretty iconic one at that.

Sorry I thought the SV was a 2+2, happy to be corrected, maybe the RX-7 and similarly the Supra in Twin Turbo guise, but since when was AC (or Shelby) a mainstream manufacturer?

[steviegunn]

Just to clarify, by Mainstrean I meant at least medium volume manufacturers who normally sell run of the mill hatchbacks, saloons and estates, Merc CLK GTR and Jag XJR-15 are perfect examples as Mercedes and Jaguar aren't specialised Supercar or even Sportscar manufacturers.

I didn't mean Ferrari even if they are owned by FIAT, Ferrari make more Supercars than normal cars (don't make any normal cars in fact), not the other way round, of course when you can buy a Fiat 458 Italia that would count, think of it as "Blue Collar" or "Working Class" Supercars.

Also I was thinking of including cars homologated for racing rather than rallying and should have production road versions so no concepts (though the Nissan R390 was limited to two road cars). No tuner cars, as they leave the factory of the Mainstream manufacturer.

Edited by steviegunn on Monday 16th September 18:21

[steviegunn]

Updated list:

Alfa Romeo 8C
Alfa Romeo Montreal
Audi R8 V10
BMW 850
BMW M1
BMW Z8
Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
Chrysler/Dodge Viper
Fiat Dino
Ford GT40
Ford GT
Honda NSX
Jaguar E-Type
Jaguar XJ220
Jaguar XJR-15
Lancia Stratos
Lexus LFA
Mazda RX-7
Mercedes 300SL Gullwing
Mercedes CLK GTR
Mercedes SLS
MG SV
Nissan GTR
Nissan R390
Renault A610/GTA
Toyota 2000GT
Toyota Supra Twin Turbo