In the most recent past decades, sports cars coming out of Asia have shaken up the industry. From the most recent Kia Stinger GT2 to the classic 2JZ-GTE-powered Toyota Supra, it is practically impossible to deny that Japanese car manufacturers have given their German rivals something to have night sweats over. While German companies focused on counter-attacking the Japanese invasion, automakers from less popular markets put their energy into designing instant classics.
Though the French tend to be overlooked when it comes to sports cars, they have produced some of the most exquisite sport-oriented vehicles ever. It is fair to say that a lot of French mean machines are among the most underrated sports cars of the 21st century. From the track-ready hatchbacks to the sleek supercars, the French have a lot to offer when it comes to sports cars.
10 1980 Renault 5 GT Turbo
The 1980s were quite an interesting decade. In the United States, the once mighty muscle cars had become the shadow of their former selves. Until today, the most memorable car of the '80s remains the 1987 Buick GNX. Across the Atlantic Ocean, a speed storm was brewing. European automakers released one instant classic after the other. The M3 E30 may have been the ultimate sports car of the '80s, but the Renault 5 GT Turbo was definitely the best hatchback out there.
The Renault GT Turbo is the forgotten forefather of hot hatches. The mid-engine supermini packs a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline-four unit that cranks out 158 hp at 6,000 rpm and 163 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm. Power is sent to the back wheels thanks to a five-speed manual transmission. With its large shoulders, curb weight of only 2,138 lbs, and top speed of 126 mph, the Renault 5 GT Turbo is the original nervous hot hatch.
9 1991 Alpine GTA Le Mans
It is well-known among European car fans that Alpine is far from being just the name of a street. Responsible for the creation of the A110 Berlinette, Alpine was once one of the most revered French sports car manufacturers. Following countless victories in professional racing, it was clear that the collaboration between Renault and Alpine led to fruitful outcomes.
Taking a quick look at the GTA Le Mans will let anyone know that the sports coupe means business. Though looks can be deceiving, the GTA Le Mans is not all bark. Underneath the hood sits a turbocharged 2.5-liter V6 that pumps out 197 hp at 5,750 rpm and 214 lb-ft of torque at 2,250 rpm. With a top speed of 149 mph, the GTA Le Mans is far from being your average French car.
8 1995 Venturi 400GT
To the average car enthusiast, legitimate supercars come from Europe. With names such as McLaren, Koenigsegg, or Pagani, it is fair to admit that Europe is the home of the most exclusive car brands on the market. With that said, a fair amount of names has fallen under the radar. Venturi, one of the most obscure French carmakers, is one of them.
Venturi is one of those obscure carmakers that manufacture one underrated beast after the other. When it comes to the Venturi 400GT, things get really serious. Equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter Renault V6 producing 402 hp at 6,000 rpm and 391 lb-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm, the supercar could from a standstill to 60 mph in a whopping 4.7 seconds. Dubbed the French F40, the Venturi 400 GT still is one of the most regarded French supercars ever made.
7 1996 De La Chapelle Roadster
It is well-known that the French are masters of wine and cheese-making. What is a lot less known is the fact that France is also home of several outstanding, yet small, car companies. De La Chapelle is one of them. First created in the 1970s by a former Venturi executive, De La Chapelle essentially produces Bugatti replicas. Every now and then, the company comes out with its own beast.
In 1996, BMW released its iconic Z3. At the same time, De La Chapelle started offering its own roadster. Offered with either a four or six-cylinder unit, the Roadster develops anywhere between 138 hp and north of 250 hp. With a curb weight of 2,183 lbs, the Roadster is a beautiful vehicle that could beat the Miata at its own game without any effort.
6 2004 Renault Clio V6 Phase 2
Anyone that has ever stepped foot in Europe knows that roads on the old continent are narrow and curvy. In fact, wanting to open a classic muscle car on a European country road can turn out to be a death wish. Moreover, as in any other urban center, European major cities tend to cherish every single square foot, thus making driving a full-size American pickup truck a real nightmare. Micro cars, such as the Renault Clio, are a great fit for urban dwellers.
The Renault Clio V6 is the logical successor of the Renault 5 GT Turbo released in the '80s. Following a very similar configuration, the Clio V6 is a mid-engine micro beast fitted with a 3.0-liter V6 that makes a staggering 255 hp at 7,150 rpm and 221 lb-ft of torque at 4,650 rpm. With only 1,309 units ever made, it is fair to say that the Clio V6 Phase 2 will appreciate in value in decades to come.
5 2014 Peugeot RCZ
Amazing compact sports coupes usually come out of Germany. From the BMW Z3 to the Audi TT, it is clear that German car companies made some of the greatest small and powerful racing machines. While it is true that German carmakers dominate the European car industry, the French are not trailing too far behind. Peugeot once had a go at producing its own sports coupe, and it was a success.
Despite having some resemblance with the TT, the RCZ does have its own identity. Marketed by Peugeot as the ultimate sports coupe, the RCZ comes stock with a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four engine that pumps out 266 hp at 6,000 rpm and 243 lb-ft of torque at 1,900 rpm. The small yet powerful unit helps the RCZ go from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph.
4 2017 Genty Akylone
In the last two decades, several startup companies decided to enter the hypercar scene. Following the success of the Bugatti Veyron, an increasing number of demented petrol heads set up shop in order to fulfill the fantasies of the richest people on the planet. Although French automakers are known for creating outstanding concept cars that never make it to production, some of them had the guts to bank on their wildest dreams.
The Genty Akylone is another hypercar that very few people will ever get the chance to see in real life. With 15 units ever made, it is fair to admit that the Akylone will only be made available to a very exclusive clientele. The Akylone packs a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V8 that develops 1,200 hp at 7,300 rpm and 861 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The Akylone goes from a standstill to 60 mph in 2.7 seconds and has a top speed of 220 mph.
3 2020 Renault Megane RS Trophy
Hatchbacks were not popular until recently. With cars such as the Corvette churning out north of 500 hp, an imported vehicle fitted with a turbocharged engine the size of an ant was not the name of the game. However, thanks to a variety of factors, hatchbacks have increased in popularity among petrol heads. If there is one hatchback domestic car fans are missing out on, it is definitely the Renault Megane RS.
There are several reasons why the Renault Megane RS is the most underrated hot hatch ever. Though more expensive than the Honda Civic Type R or the Volkswagen Golf R of the same year, the Megane RS feels more exclusive and polished than the aforementioned hatchbacks. Equipped with a turbocharged 1.8-liter capable of cranking out 296 hp at 6,000 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at 3,200 rpm, the 2020 Renault Megane RS Trophy goes from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and has a top speed of 163 mph.
2 2022 DS9 E-Tense 4X4 360
The sports sedan market belongs to German car companies. Despite being under the threat of both South Korean and Japanese brands, the German have kept their spot at the top of the food chain. However, with the change in customer preferences, car manufacturers from countries such as France have been able to get a seat at the big boys table.
The DS 9 E-Tense 4X4 360 is the French sedan every American petrol head should look into. The turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four petrol engine combined with the two electric motors produces 355 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. On top of being quite powerful, the DS 9 is all-wheel drive. Thanks to all its performance parts, the DS 9 goes from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. The DS 9's presidential look will never fail to turn heads wherever it goes.
1 2023 Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered
When Peugeot became part of Fiat, and that Fiat became Stellantis, it was clear that things were about to change. In an effort to increase its sales volume, Stellantis cleaned up the lineups of its companies. Nameplates and trims were retired, while innovation and added-value became the norm. Peugeot's latest sports sedan is the prime example of what can be done under Stellantis.
There are tons of reasons why car enthusiasts love the Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered. First of all, it is the first Peugeot sedan in a long time that lives up to the 1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16. Unlike its predecessor, the 508 Sport Engineered includes a hybrid engine that develops a combined power output of 355 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The 508 Sport Engineered goes from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph.