Everyone at one time or another has experienced a brief moment of weightlessness when crossing a small bridge or crest in the road at speed. Similar in feeling and experience to moments felt when riding the fastest and biggest rollercoasters. Being in control at that moment in time adds danger and excitement, none more so than when driving a fast car, not entirely sure how the car will handle the landing, or even sure if the driver can maintain full control.
Now imagine taking an expensive sportscar with several hundred horsepowers, possibly costing more than a small home. The rush of adrenaline, like speed, is addictive, once a driver has experienced it they will seek it at every opportunity.
9 Jaguar F-Type - Flying Cat
Jaguar's F-Type R V8 is an impressive road car, with a soundtrack loud enough to wake the dead. Using the tried and tested Jaguar 5.0-liter V8 Supercharged engine in R Spec produces 550hp, the 3600lb car can reach 62mph in 3.4 seconds, and a top speed of 186mph.
Although fitted with 4-wheel-drive the F-Type is intended as a road car, not for rallying, especially in convertible form.
8 Porsche 911 - Evolution In Motion
Current 911s with their 3.0-liter flat 6 turbocharged engines produce 420hp, mounted behind the rear axle. With the weight of the engine aiding traction, the 911 can accelerate 0-62mph in 4 seconds before reaching its top speed of 180mph. Weighing 3300lbs with a 62-38 weight distribution, this image is showing why the rear-engine design is beneficial.
7 Lamborghini Gallardo - Easy To Drive Fast
Gallardo is the most successful Lamborghini ever produced, with better build quality and reliability, helping it find new owners. Reputedly the easiest to drive sports car with the 5.2-liter V10 engine providing 550hp, added 4-wheel-drive helping the Gallardo accelerate to 62mph in 3.2 seconds. Flat out the Gallardo is capable of 204mph, in a relatively small chassis it is little surprise to see the baby Lamborghini getting airborne.
6 Toyota Supra - Affordable Japanese Sports Car
Toyota has produced "Supra" badged cars since 1978, but it wasn't until the arrival of the twin-turbo model arrived in 1989 that things got serious. All-new for 2019, Toyota launched the 5th generation Supra. Featuring a BMW sourced 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbocharged engine, providing the Supra with 335hp.
Unfortunately restricted to 155mph flat-out, the Supra can still reach 62pmh in 4.3 seconds. With the Supra extensively tested at the Nürburgring with its many elevations providing lots of opportunities to get airborne.
5 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - Loud Factor 10
ZR1 spec Corvettes have always had ample power and performance, the 2019 model being no exception. Beginning with the 6.2-liter LT5 V8 engine with the addition of the Eaton supercharger boosts power to 755hp and 716lb-ft.
With huge power gains over the previous model, the increase comes largely due to the 2.65-liter supercharger, itself 50% bigger than on the Z06. Estimated to reach 0-62mph in 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 210mph, the ZR1 will be the fastest Corvette produced.
4 Dodge Viper ACR - Rally Winner
Unexpectedly, a Dodge Viper ACR wins against Subaru WRX STi in a rally? No that isn't a mistake, winning the Adelaide Shannons rally by over 50 seconds. In standard form weighing 3415lbs, the Viper isn't light but it does have a powerful engine.
Featuring a massive 8.4-liter V10 engine producing 645hp and 600lb-ft, little wonder the Viper can reach 62mph in 3 seconds, carrying on until its maximum speed of 193mph.
3 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt 5.0
2019 marked the return of the Bullitt Mustang, a reflection of the original 1968 fastback model used in the Movie. In place of the originals 335hp engine, Ford has used a smaller more powerful 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 480hp.
With the increase in power comes more performance, with 0-62mph arriving in 6 seconds and a maximum of 163mph. As with the original Bullitt Mustang, the current model is a mid-range model rather than a full-blown sports car.
2 Nissan GT-R Track Edition - With Added Nismo
Already a potent track car, the Nissan GT-R has been reworked by Nismo to produce the track edition. Using the same 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8, but in track edition spec producing 600hp due to the uprated turbochargers borrowed from the GT3 class car.
Additional changes include Nismo tuned suspension and wider wheels completing the package. Performance gains mean improved acceleration from 0-62mph in 2.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 193mph. Weighing 3918lbs and getting airborne is no mean feat.
1 McLaren F1 - Exclusivity Comes At A Price
At speeds over 200mph, this owner of the very rare $15 million McLaren F1 manages to get airborne briefly. Built entirely from carbon-fiber, with just the doors, hood, and trunk replaceable items, one momentary loss of control could be terminal.
Powered by BMW's 6.1-liter normally aspirated V12 engine, the driver has 618hp available with no traction control to keep things under control. McLaren produced just 106 McLaren F1's, making them a very rare sight.