The definition of a supercar has changed over time, with upgrades in external profiles, internal software, and performance capabilities. The rate at which supercars are being built has created intense competition and a shift in customer preference.
We would say it's about the modern auto market, but many nice classic supercars have been underrated since their introduction. These cars go unnoticed under the radar, with little to no hype at all. They possess sleek aesthetics, superior quality, satisfying handling, and exceptional performance that characterize supercars, but they still fail to command as much attention as they should.
10 Mercedes CLK GTR
The CLK was produced in 1998 and 1999 by AMG, with just 30 vehicles built in total. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the CLK GTR was listed as the most expensive production car made at that time.
Mercedes-AMG listed the car as a race car and sports car with a price tag of $1,547,620. The CLK was also the quickest accelerating vehicle during its era, with the capability of clocking a 0-60 mph time of under 3.8 seconds. The race car version was built to participate in the FIA GT Championships series that took place in 1997.
9 Lexus LFA
With the Lexus LFA being so expensive, the love it gets does not equal its price tag. The two-seat coupe sports car was built as the second model in Lexus’ marque F performance series. The engineering mission for the LFA was to focus on being driver-friendly and fun-to-drive at the same time. However, it is an uncommon sports car with less than 500 produced.
The LFA comes with a 4.8-liter V10 engine with a manual single-clutch gearbox and a torque tube attached to the rear transaxle. The unique thing about the LFA is the balanced weight distribution of 53 percent in the rear and 48 percent at the front.
8 Maserati MC12
Initially developed as a homologation vehicle, the MC12 is Maserati’s only modern supercar. The car was designed as a long-tail, 2-seater mid-engine coupe with a hardtop. It was built using the same chassis as Ferrari’s 2002 Enzo supercar with the aim of returning to international GT-racing.
The Maserati MC12 is rated as the fastest Maserati model ever made, with acceleration from 0-120mph in under 10 seconds and a top speed of 205mph. Powered by a 65 degree, 48-valve, dry sump, and double overhead camshaft V12 engine, the MC12 can generate 630 bhp at 7,500 pm.
7 Saleen S7 Twin Turbo
The Saleen is a less common mid-engine American performance car produced as a supercar coupe with two seats and two doors. The profile of the S7 is described as a less bashful, elongated interpretation of the McLaren F1.
The Saleen is powered by a 750bhp turbocharged 7.0-liter V8 engine. The car accelerates from 0-62 mph in under 2.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 236mph. The Saleen was available exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive system.
6 Noble M600
The M600 is a unique British sports car that is hand-built using carbon fiber and stainless steel. The vehicle is available in three specifications; the standard with a fiberglass body, the carbon sport with a carbon-fiber body, and the speedster.
The M600 uses a 60 degree 4.4-liter V8 Yamaha-derived engine equipped with variable boost twin Garrett turbochargers. An interior knob allows the driver to choose from 450bhp, 550bhp, and 650bhp for an exhilarating driving experience. The power to weight ratio of 541 horsepower per ton is actually more than the Bugatti Veyron offers, which is pretty impressive.
5 Bugatti EB110
Romano Artioli created the Bugatti EB110 at the beginning of the 1990s as the first super sports car of modern times. The EB in this Bugatti model stood for Ettore Bugatti’s initials, while the 110 represented his 110th birthday. The lightweight monocoque made of carbon was the first of its kind for a production car.
The EB110 relies on a 60 valve 3.5-liter V12 mid-engine equipped with four turbochargers to generate 553hp and 451lb-ft of torque. The 6-speed manual transmission enables the Bugatti EB110 to sprint from 0-60 mph in the mid-to-low 3-second range as it charges to a maximum speed of 212mph.
4 Jaguar XJR-15
Jaguar Sport built the XJR-15, a collaboration between Tom Walkinshaw Racing and Jaguar cars in the late 1990s. It is the first road-going car manufactured entirely out of Kevlar composites and carbon before the McLaren F1 could rely on the same technique.
The chassis for this Jaguar model was inspired by the XJR-9 that won the 1988 Le Mans. Further, the 450bhp 6.0-liter dry sump B12 engine was also derived from the same winning model. The XJR-15 featured aluminum pistons, Cosworth crankshaft, connecting rods, and a fuel injection system from Zytek.
3 Honda NSX
In essence, the new NSX has been compared to the Porsche 918 Spyder due to its combination of electric motors, petrol engine, and four-wheel-drive system. The titanium connecting rods, aluminum monocoque, and its 23-step paint job process made the NSX unlike any other car on sale.
The complex system in the NSX combines a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine with three electric motors. Two of these motors are equipped to operate on the front axle, making it a four-wheel-drive car. The output from the engine of 573bhp and 476lb-ft of torque can push the car from 0-62mph in sub-three seconds.
2 McLaren Mercedes SLR
After partnering in a Formula 1 program, McLaren and Mercedes-Benz collaborated to manufacture the SLR. The SLR was available in five iterations; Stirling Moss, Coupe, Roadster, 722 Edition, and 722 Roadster. All the variations featured a long, sleek exterior design and an enticing hand-stitched leather interior.
The McLaren Mercedes SLR was the first production car to incorporate a front crash structure made from carbon fiber, a full carbon-fiber monocoque, and the first car to feature an in-house built AMG V8 engine. The SLR is powered by an all-aluminum 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine that makes 617bhp and 580lb-ft of torque.
1 Bristol Fighter T
The fighter T debuted in 2006 as a different version to compete with the already existent Fighter, and Fighter S. The Fighter T was a compact and enjoyable car that could multitask as a daily commute car or an exciting track car.
The Fighter T highlight is its inter-cooled 8.0-liter V10 twin-turbocharged engine with the capabilities of producing 1012bhp at 5600rpm and 1036lb-ft of torque at 4500rpm. The Fighter T featured a revamped intake grill, rear wake diffuser, new side exhaust pipes, and a redesigned structure for the chassis.