One of the best things that has come out of motorsport is the necessity of homologation specials. These sports cars give us the opportunity to own something that closely represents cars raced in real motorsport events, getting us one (albeit small) step closer to the action.
All competing companies will have their own interpretation of the complicated rules that quite frankly leave a lot to the imagination, and vary from one discipline to another. So, these vehicles range from one-off works of insanity to mass-produced cult classics, one thing they all do is give us the chance to feel like actual racing drivers behind the wheel of something pretty incredible. We would jump at the chance to get behind the wheel of one of these homologation specials.
10 Audi Sport Quattro
The wild monsters from WRC Group B years brought us some of the most incredible homologation cars, with more power than any road-going car would ever need and enough turbo-lag to test even the most seasoned drivers.
The Audi was less about how it made power, and more about how it harnessed that power. With more grip than any rival car in the almost exclusively 2-wheel drive field, it dominated (when it was able to finish a race) and revolutionized the sport. The road-going version is no less incredible, sending around 200 horsepower (European version) to all four wheels.
9 Lancia Delta S4 Stradale
Lancia realized the 2-wheel dive gig was up by 1985 and the car they developed was quite literally the car that ended an era; the Group B era.
A fatal crash in 1986 ended Group B rallying for good, making the S4 Stradale more infamous than famous in many ways. Attached to an era of excess, it made excessive power even in de-tuned road-going form.
8 Ford Sierra XR8
Only around 200 XR8s were made in South Africa to comply with homologation regulations for local circuit racing. It was a lot cheaper and a lot simpler than the yet to be released RS500 (1986), but made the same power.
Making a very reliable 200 horsepower from its naturally aspirated Cleveland V8, it went on to dominate the local racing scene in the 80s and become something of an icon.
7 Lancia Stratos
Few rally cars are as coveted as the Stratos, and for good reason. With an ultra-lightweight construction, otherworldly short-wheelbase, and Ferrari-sourced V6, it all adds up to make the Stratos one of the ultimate driving machines.
In a car that truly equates to so much more than the sum of all its parts, there is little wonder that the Stratos has inspired so many imitations and licensed kit-cars over the years.
6 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR
With only 20 of these (26 if you include the roadster) made, it won’t be easy to get your hands on one. Made to comply with GT1 regulations AMG spared no expense developing these cars, going as far as buying a McLaren F1 GTR to use as a benchmark!
It is truly astonishing, able to go from 0-60 in less than 4 seconds (this is back in 1997) and reach a top speed of 214 mph.
5 BMW M3 (E30)
This one really started something pretty special in the automotive world. Unlike a lot of the other homologated cars on this list, the M3 became a brand unto itself and likely sold more cars than any of the others on this list combined.
M Performance transformed the little family car 3-series into a fire breathing Porsche eater!
4 Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution
In the Rally Raid world, Mitsubishi wanted to give their Pajero something of an edge. So, they launched this special edition with a 276 horsepower V6 and a heap of off-road features to take on the grueling Dakar Rally.
It really did give them an advantage; Mitsubishi went on to dominate the event for many years.
3 Ferrari 288 GTO
Most people will gather the GTO is a homologation for racing purposes, but not many will know the 288 GTO was also going to be a Group B rally car, can you even imagine? In the end, it wasn’t to be, Group B was abolished.
But this Ferrari was still destined to be raced and what a Ferrari it was, able to go from 0-60 in 5 seconds and get to a top speed of 189 mph as its top speed (in the 80s).
2 Plymouth Road Runner Superbird
If there was ever a wing that will be forever be etched into history it must surely be the one on the Superbird. One of the most incredible cars to come out of the muscle-car era, this wasn’t just some big-block stuffed into a medium-sized car, this really was developed to race.
Taking NASCAR by storm it was eventually outlawed and relegated to history, but not before making a lasting impression.
1 Toyota GT-One
One day Toyota woke up and decided to compete in the GT1 class (aka; in pursuit of Le Mans), and much like the other brands on this list they really pushed the envelope when it came to homologation rules.
Strictly speaking, the two road-going cars never really saw the light of day, or tarmac if you will. Both were hastily cobbled together out of spare parts and both are still owned by Toyota!