Usually, when carmakers start to develop their new creations, they want to make them look good, and be potent too. Cases like these include the new Koenigsegg CC850 and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, but that isn't always the case as it turns out. Sometimes brands develop their performance cars with just one thing in mind, and that's what appears on a piece of paper.
Today we'll be having a look at some of the most gorgeous sports cars ever built, and in contrast, some hideous ones which had a superior top speed. Do keep in mind, that not every one of these stunning sports cars will necessarily be slow, but they will be outmatched by at least one heinous beast.
10 (Gorgeous) Volkswagen Karmann Ghia
Volkswagen was very self-aware when it came down to the Karmann Ghia's performance capabilities, they even poked fun at it in their propaganda. After all, it was a Beetle underneath, and its puny four-banger could only take it up to around 90 mph if you're brave enough that is.
That being said, the Karmann Ghia remains a phenomenal car and is currently one of the best classic cars to buy that won't disintegrate your wallet, unlike some other affordable classic cars. And did we mention it's beautiful?
9 (Faster) Lamborghini Countach LP400
Now hold on for just one second. The Lamborghini Countach was a good-looking sports car... eventually. But when it was first released, it looked rather disproportionate without its rear wing, and flimsy, thin body panels.
The base model Countach LP400 was powered by a naturally-aspirated 3.9-liter V12 engine that emitted 370 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque, which was stellar at the time, subsequently, it could reach a top speed of around 170 mph, and eventually, the Countach QV could achieve 185 mph.
8 (Gorgeous) Jaguar E-Type
The Jaguar E-Type is one of the most beautiful cars to ever exist, and that's an opinion, that's a fact. It had curves in all the right places, a hood the length of a giraffe's neck, and a tail the length of a Hobbit's bed, and it was all perfectly proportionate.
Its front-end wasn't elongated just for aesthetic purposes either since it inhabited a magnificent 4.2-liter straight-six that produced 266 hp and 283 lb-ft of torque. Back in the '60s, the E-Type was a rather rapid car too actually, and it had a 0-60 time of just 6 and a half seconds, and a top speed of 150 mph.
7 (Faster) Lister Storm
The Lister Storm was a supercar produced between 1993 and 1994, and it had a Jaguar-derived 7.0-liter V12 strapped underneath its hood as opposed to the traditional mid-engined layout other supercars from the '90s used. This resulted in the Storm having a misshapen rear end, and a freakishly long front end, and the combination of sharp body lines and awkward curves didn't do it any justice either.
Hence its repulsive appearance, just four of them were ever built, but because they produced up to 546 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque, they could reach an impressive top speed of 208 mph at least.
6 (Gorgeous) Aston Martin DB9
There's just something special about how the Brits craft their rides. The Aston Martin DB9 is arguably the best modern Aston Martin produced since it not only came with an optional 6-speed manual but this timeless piece of design was powered by a 5.9-liter V12 too.
In its base model, the DB9 exclaimed 450 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque which was enough to rocket it from a standstill to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, and it could keep the Aston running until it reached 186 mph.
5 (Faster) TVR Sagaris
The TVR Sagaris wasn't a beautiful car at the time – and still isn't – but it is however undeniably cool. The transparent rear spoiler, crazy color combinations, and gecko-like appearance made it stand out from the crowd, albeit for all the wrong reasons.
Accompanying its extravagant exterior was a 4.0-liter straight-six that pumped out 406 hp and 349 lb-ft of torque, and if you were brave enough, the Sagaris could continue running all the way up to 190 mph.
4 (Gorgeous) Alfa Romeo 4C
Via: Stellantis
The Alfa Romeo 4C is considered by many to be the compact, miniature version of an Italian supercar like a Ferrari 458. It only had a turbocharged 1.75-liter four-banger powering its rear wheels that generated 237 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, but because it weighed as much as a feather, it handled like no other.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of sheer power, the Alfa Romeo 4C could only reach a top speed of 160 mph before gasping for air, but even that figure is impressive for a car of this stature.
3 (Faster) Spada Codatronca
The Spada Codatronca is a weird one. It's a supercar that was built in Italy, but its 7.0-liter V8 power plant was derived from a Chevrolet C6 Corvette Z06, and it made 630 hp and 493 lb-ft of torque.
The Codatronca had a very promising design, but overall, the Batmobile-inspired silhouette, minimalistic rear end, and goofy front end couldn't quite make the magic work. At least it had a top speed of 211 mph.
2 (Gorgeous) Maserati GranTurismo
Not only is the Maserati GranTurismo one of the most affordable exotic sports cars on the planet – albeit best avoided – it's also one of the most awesome-looking ones, too.
It houses a Ferrari-derived V8 engine, and in its top-spec, the MC Stradale, its naturally-aspirated 4.7-liter V8 churned out 454 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. This was actually the first-ever Maserati to surpass the 300 kph (186 mph) mark since its top speed was claimed at 188 mph.
1 (Faster) Lamborghini Veneno
We still can't quite comprehend how the Veneno is street legal, but some things are meant to stay mysteries we guess. This Italian race car for the road features all the nifty styling queues and quirks you'd expect from a $4 million+ Lamborghini, and more.
Right in the center of its body is a gargantuan naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine that produces 740 hp and 509 lb-ft of torque, and since Lamborghini does what Lamborghini does, it's also mated to a single-clutch 7-speed transmission, just like the Aventador line-up. There is however one thing that differentiates the Veneno from other Lamborghinis, and if you couldn't guess by the looks of it, it's the over-the-top aerodynamics. Regardless of the added drag, the Veneno can still reach a speed well above 200 mph and is claimed to have a 221-mph top speed.