While scrolling through the many articles on this site, we noticed an interesting trend. When discussing "the best-looking cars," for instance, we see a lot of foreign cars—but not as many American-made vehicles.
Compared to manufacturers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, and other well-known car manufacturers, the average American cars simply aren't able to compete in terms of design. At least that was the case for a long time, but not anymore.
As of the past decade, the U.S. has become a much stronger competitor in the global automotive market. Part of their success is due to their outstanding performance updates; another reason is because of their appearance. The longer that time goes on, the better these American sports cars seem to look.
To showcase just how well American manufacturers have improved over the years, we gathered up a few of the coolest U.S.-based car designs of the last decade.
10 2020 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Starting us off is an American classic that's withstood the test of time. Despite a drop in U.S. sales in recent years, the Chevrolet Camaro has been going strong for over 50 years. As of the last ten years, we'd say the latest 2020 Camaro ZL1 is their best version to date!
Compared to the standard Camaro, the ZL1 is certainly more track-focused. The additional aerodynamics kit (spoiler, splitter, diffuser, etc.) increases downforce by a significant sum, while also vastly improving its appearance. Perhaps it's just us, but the more race-like a car looks, the better it is.
9 2013 SRT Viper GTS
Sometimes, it feels like nothing good can last for too long. Nevertheless, we should enjoy it while it's still here. Live "in the moment," so to speak. As such, we should do exactly that with the now-discontinued fifth-generation SRT Viper.
Although the fifth-gen Viper didn't sell very well in the end, it's still lingering around. In a recent article by Robb Report, it was shown that—despite ending over three-years ago—the VX I Viper is still being sold by Dodge. Apparently, there's still demand for the Viper.
No wonder. After all, the Viper's design is a lot like Porsche's. Rather than doing drastic changes over time, they remain true to the original style. Sadly, it didn't seem to work as well for Dodge as it did for Porsche. Regardless, we love the VX I all the same.
8 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing
It seems like someone at Cadillac got an Xbox Live membership. How else can you explain the substitution of the "S" in CTS-V with a "5?" All joking aside, though, the CT5-V—while it’s name may be different—is still very much the CTS-V we know and love, and with a bit of a boost, too.
That aforementioned boost is what Cadillac has dubbed the 'Blackwing' models. Contrary to the standard CTS-V/CT5-V, the Blackwing is (like the ZL1) a track-oriented version of the base V. We don't know exactly how it will look just yet, yet if the spy shots and base CT5-V are any indication, it should be awesome!
7 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon
It's truly shocking how—with just a few simple mods—a car company can completely change their vehicle's aesthetics in a very subtle way. For instance, this applies to the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and the limited-run SRT Demon.
Both the Hellcat and Demon are special editions of the base Challenger. However, while the Hellcat is a beefed-up Challenger, the Demon is a beefed-up Hellcat! While 707 hp is nothing to sleep on, neither is 900 hp!
It’s not all about the performance stats, however. In terms of the exterior design, the Demon still resembles the normal Challenger, albeit with bolt-on fender flares, a wider body, spoiler, and an exposed air-intake (in the headlight).
6 Hennessey Venom GT
Leave it to the United States to take a British car (the Lotus Elise) and make it even better than they could've initially anticipated. Of course, we're talking about the world record-breaking Hennessey Venom GT!
As we hinted to, the Hennessey Venom GT looks like a Lotus Elise because it is one, for all intents and purposes. However, the Venom GT is an Elise turned up to '11.' Using a twin-turbocharged Corvette V8 (LS7) and a wholly redesigned aero/body to fit it, the GT shocked the masses by taking the record for the world's fastest production car in 2014.
As Jon Stewart once said, "No one is better at NOT beating America than England." Good luck topping that one, Britain!
5 SSC Tuatara
Next up is the new world's fastest production car. Well, technically it's that for the second time, as their "legendary" first attempt turned out to be a false one. Yes, it's the 2020 SSC Tuatara.
Let's ignore the controversial top speed test for now. Instead, let's pay attention to its appearance alone. As you can see, the Tuatara is certainly a looker. It feels like an American alternative to a Koenigsegg. Both sit very low with an aggressive look to them. Along with that, each is mind-blowingly fast, so perhaps that's why we're making the connection.
Regardless, we'd wager that the new SSC is as pretty as the Koenigsegg Jesko. Quite the 'hot take', we know. But we're probably not alone in thinking it.
4 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500
Following Carroll Shelby's passing in 2012, we were concerned about the viability of the Shelby brand, especially the Mustangs. Thankfully for car enthusiasts around the globe, our worries were unfounded, as evidenced by the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500.
Ford and Shelby pulled off all the stops for the current GT500. Inside, the GT500 has a hand-built custom V8; a cross-plane-crank with a supercharger, to boot! Outside, it follows the Challenger Demon in styling choices. An updated exterior/aero setup, a greater focus on outright speed, etc.
3 Tesla Roadster
Elon Musk has been on a roll for the past decade. He's got SpaceX, Tesla, The Boring Company, and more. His success means delivering higher-tech products to his consumers, including motorists who drive Teslas. The one that has all of us 'biting at the bit' is the upcoming droptop: the Tesla Roadster.
Don't confuse this new Roadster with one of Tesla's first cars, the original Tesla Roadster. Clearly, the upcoming one is a reboot of the classic, in every way, shape, and form.
With how Tesla designs their other models (the Model S, 3, X, and Y), we knew the Roadster would also be a modern, minimalistic type of car. What we didn't anticipate, though, was just how far he'd take it. Inside and out, the Roadster looks like something out of I.Robot—sleek lines and flat-screen displays abound.
2 Chevrolet Corvette C8
If you'd have told us just ten-years ago that the Chevrolet Corvette would soon become a mid-engine supercar, we would've had you committed to an institution. And yet, to our shock, they actually pulled the trigger! With the release of the C8, the Corvette will never be the same.
Now that the Corvette has a mid-engine layout, its overall shape/chassis has been completely redone. Instead of being a front-end mounted muscle car, the C8 looks more like a McLaren 570S or a Ferrari 488 in terms of its side-profile.
Not only does it look like a European sports car, but it can also keep up with one, too. With a bit of time to warm-up to the C8, we think we're starting to fall in love.
1 Ford GT
Last, but certainly not least, is a supercar that also managed to dominate motorsports shortly after release: the second-generation Ford GT (2017 to present). After an eleven-year hiatus, this was one heck of a comeback!
To be honest, we didn't think Ford could come up with such a unique design. The wide openings throughout the car, butterfly doors, modern-style minimalism, and so on. All of it is just perfect!
The coolest part, though, is how much it still resembles the original GT40. Although redesigned and fitted with a V6, the new Ford GT is just as worthy as the early-2000s and late-'60s siblings of the title of 'GT'.