It's no secret that Britain has been responsible for some of the best sports cars ever made, with a racing history stretching back almost as long as the motor car itself. Marques such as Aston Martin, Bentley, and Jaguar are all recognized globally for their racing heritage.
Fewer enthusiasts, however, appreciate the range of excellent sports cars the United Kingdom continues to make into the present day. From bare-bones track day specials to sleek sports coupes, the UK offers a spectrum of cars to compete with the best of the best. With that in mind, let's take a look at the underrated British sports cars that every gearhead should drive.
10 Lotus Exige Cup 430
Lotus' Exige range was first launched in 2000, and since then Lotus has been steadily making incremental improvements with each new model. This is their latest effort, the Cup 430.
As its name suggests, the Cup 430 produces 430 PS (424hp). That makes it the most powerful Exige to date, and to ensure it stays planted to the ground, the 430 produces 220kg of downforce. This killer combination means the Exige is a true track-day weapon, with enough everyday livability to be feasibly driven on road trips too.
9 Caterham 620R
For as long as they have been making cars, Caterham have always focused on making the experience of driving as pure as possible for the driver. The 620R is a direct evolution of the brand's original car, the Caterham Seven, itself based on the legendary Lotus Seven.
Whilst the 620R doesn't make any significant changes on the design front, it does sport a supercharged 311hp engine that's enough to propel the car from 0-60 MPH in 2.79 seconds. Given the open setup of the car's cockpit, the feeling of acceleration drivers get when pushing the car must be unforgettable.
8 Noble M500
Leicester, England's Noble recently announced the latest addition to their range, the entry-level M500. Designed to give would-be buyers a more affordable alternative to their top-spec M600, the M500 is to be "significantly cheaper", according to their press release.
Exact specifications and pricing have yet to be released. However, given Noble's reputation for making machines that deliver both razor-sharp handling and buckets of power, the M500 is certainly a sports car to watch in 2021.
7 Ariel Atom 4
Ariel's fabled Atom has featured on everything from Top Gear to Doug DeMuro's YouTube channel, and for good reason. There's nothing quite like it on the market, with a tubular chassis meaning drivers can see the road below both sides of their car as they drive.
For an experience that really connects the driver with the environment they're driving in, the Atom is unmatched. The Atom 4 is the latest iteration, and it's been subject to a complete mechanical overhaul to further refine its capabilities.
6 Ginetta G60
The Ginetta G60 has a complicated history, as the design of the car was actually first produced by another company, Farboud. When Farboud renamed itself Arash, it sold Ginetta the design rights to the car. Ginetta then used that design to produce the F400, and later, the G60.
The G60 carries most of the Farboud's original setup, with a Ford-sourced 3.7L V6 engine producing 310hp. It's estimated that less than 200 examples left the factory so even seeing one is a very rare opportunity, let alone driving it.
5 Radical Rapture
Debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2019, the latest road car from Radical is its most extreme yet. The car is essentially a purpose-built track car that Radical somehow managed to make road legal.
As expected from a car built for the track, the Rapture doesn't provide the most comfortable experience on the road. Rock-solid suspension, low ground clearance and no rear view all make this car a headache to drive anywhere but a circuit. As soon as it's at the track, though, it's unbeatable. It's probably best to keep it there.
4 TVR Griffith
Currently in the middle of a resurrection after undergoing several disastrous ownership changes over the past two decades, TVR is still fighting. Proof of that is the Griffith, the company's first car since it effectively shut down in 2007.
It was originally slated for deliveries to begin in 2018, but, predictably, production issues meant buyers are still awaiting their cars today. With a 5.0L Cosworth V8 producing 500hp, prospective owners are still waiting with baited breath for the day they can finally drive this latest piece of TVR's story.
3 Zenos E10 R
Boutique manufacturer Zenos was formed when three engineers from track day stalwarts Caterham left the company to form a new venture. The car was designed from the ground up to be an affordable entry point to open-top, track-focused sports cars.
The E10 R is the latest version of Zenos' only model so far. Promising 500hp per tonne, there's not many cars out there that will give you a more raw driving experience.
2 Morgan Aero GT
Morgan are best known for creating cars that look right out of the mid-20th Century, like the Plus 4 70th Anniversary Edition. Their Aero line of models was supposed to be a break from that tradition, mixing retro-inspired influences with modern lines and performance.
To celebrate the end of the Aero's production in 2018, Morgan built a special edition called the Aero GT. Inspired by Le Mans, the car's bodywork is given a full overhaul to massively increase downforce and improve handling. Its newly-improved performance, mixed with its unusual swooping looks, make driving this car a completely unique experience.
1 BAC Mono R
Despite what it may look like, this is very much a real car. The Liverpool, England based company has been making the F1-inspired Mono since 2011, and the R is the latest iteration.
The single-seater car uses carbon fiber and racing technology to keep its weight to a paltry 540kg (1,190lb). That, and it does away with all those unnecessary parts like doors, windows or a roof. Despite looking like something out of Cyberpunk 2077, the BAC is in fact road legal and can be purchased for a fraction under $240,000.