Unicorns we will never see the likes of again...

[CS Garth]

I'm thinking of cars that were unique products of their environment and or created to achieve a sole objective and it seems most unlikely we will see there ilk again.

To get the ball rolling I'd suggest

-Clio V6
-Evo VI (conflict declared as I own one so happy to take some challenge but I'd suggest nothing closer to the pinnacle of road going rally car has hit the road bar a 22B)
-BMW 320 Si - oddball engine

Over to you

[generationx]

If the World Rally Championship regulations continue the way they are I think we´ve seen the last of lowish-volume "homologation specials" - think Lancia Delta Integrale, Ford Escort Cosworth, Toyota Celica 4WD Turbo, Nissan Sunny GTiR etc

More´s the pity.

[MDMA .]

320si or 320is ? the 320is was a good car, the si, not so good. friend just sold one recently after a complete new engine rebuild. break for fun apparently.

[dudleybloke]

Reliant Ant.

[SirSquidalot]

M5 V10 - An engine like that in a family car will never ever be seen again.

[MDMA .]

SirSquidalot said:

M5 V10 - An engine like that in a family car will never ever be seen again.

new w12 flying spur ? 616bhp, 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. 199mph. not sure if classed as a family car though ( has 4 doors and a big boot )

[300bhp/ton]

SirSquidalot said:

M5 V10 - An engine like that in a family car will never ever be seen again.

The fact it's a V10 or something else? Plenty of impressive engines in family cars these days.

[CS Garth]

MDMA . said:

320si or 320is ? the 320is was a good car, the si, not so good. friend just sold one recently after a complete new engine rebuild. break for fun apparently.

Si - yep engines die but that's because they are aluminium/carbon fibre race engines dropped into rep mobiles, sadly not in tuned race spec. Purely foisted on the public so they could go racing

[Dan_M5]

Just NA in general over the next generation

[Valgar]

Mazda Xedos 9 2.3i Miller cycle engine, the aim was to get 3.0 litre power with 2.0 litre economy and it pretty much worked!

Although I realise I should stick Nissan into this too with their recent 1.2 DIG-S Miller cycle engine although with all the lying about economy now days not sure if it worked for them, no-one else seems to be interested in the Miller cycle.

TVR with their affordable supercar speed cars, I don't think it can happen now days.

[Ozzie Osmond]

Three wheelers. (No, not those bike-like things - actual cars.)

[jamieduff1981]

300bhp/ton said:

SirSquidalot said:

M5 V10 - An engine like that in a family car will never ever be seen again.

The fact it's a V10 or something else? Plenty of impressive engines in family cars these days.

Probably a characterful, V10 configuration naturally aspirated, particularly thirsty very revvy engine with fairly poor low down torque in what was otherwise a pretty dull car that wasn't really the sort of package you'd expect to be revving that high to achieve the performance. Almost all other "supersaloons" do indeed have impressive engines, but they're broader, flatter torque curves aimed at easily accessible performance.

[SirSquidalot]

300bhp/ton said:

The fact it's a V10 or something else? Plenty of impressive engines in family cars these days.

Just that engine/car combo. I cant name many car's that feature a NA 8250prm redline V10, let alone a saloon, just seems madness!

[anonymous-user]

Valgar said:

Mazda Xedos 9 2.3i Miller cycle engine, the aim was to get 3.0 litre power with 2.0 litre economy and it pretty much worked!

Although I realise I should stick Nissan into this too with their recent 1.2 DIG-S Miller cycle engine although with all the lying about economy now days not sure if it worked for them, no-one else seems to be interested in the Miller cycle

Vw are going to make engines usibg the miller cycle according to the news.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

CS Garth said:

I'm thinking of cars that were unique products of their environment and or created to achieve a sole objective and it seems most unlikely we will see there ilk again.

But unicorns never existed at all

[Valgar]

The Spruce goose said:

Vw are going to make engines usibg the miller cycle according to the news.

Oh that's interesting to hear, I enjoy the principle behind the miller cycle and would love to see it used very well.

Also regarding V10 in saloons, don't forget the 2006-2011 S6 and the S8 using a detuned Lambo design.

[lostkiwi]

Any road going version of a Group B car.

[vtecyo]

Pretty much anything to come out of Japan in the 90s with a manual gearbox and a turbocharged petrol engine.

[300bhp/ton]

Not saying we won't see them. But certainly more of a rarity. Proper rugged simple 4x4's, actually capable of real off road work.

[vsonix]

Matra Rancho? Although arguably the Skoda Yeti harks back to it a little bit. Subaru Brat? Chevy El Camino? Suzuki x90?