In a world where everyone roots for the underdog, there are hundreds of cars that never quite achieve the glory they richly deserve, such as these underrated German sports cars we'd like to take for a spin.
Success is a measure of popularity, and cars are one of the areas where no one ever agrees on just what makes a car good or bad. In truth, there are no bad cars these days. Just ones that are more popular than others.
German carmakers have a long history of engineering perfection—a quality that attracts return customers—and yet the nation's carmakers still turn out the occasional great car that doesn't quite hit the mark.
9 BMW Z1 - Dared To Be Different
No other car offers quite the same unique driving experience as the Z1. Its unique downwards retracting doors might seem like a gimmick, but they are actually a by-product of clever design and improved side crash protection.
The forward-thinking design also makes the Z1 cheap to repair, with every panel easily removed in the unfortunate event of an accident, bringing with it the added bonus of endless customization possibilities. Under the skin, most of the oily bits are borrowed from the BMW 325. Its strong engine and chassis made the Z1 a great driver's car despite the low sales figures of 8,000 cars.
8 Porsche 928 - The Best Long Distance GT Car, Ever
Every gearhead knows that for the ultimate adrenaline rush, nothing beats the 911. Yet for pure long-distance ability, the 928 is one of the greatest grand tourers ever built. Its ability to cover huge distances in comfort was unrivaled.
First introduced in 1977, the 928 was originally planned to be the German carmaker's flagship model, only a late change of internal politics saved the 911. Instead, the 928 would serve as a luxury coupe powered by a range of silky smooth V8 engines capable of cruising at 170 mph all day if necessary. Despite its long life and incredible cruising abilities, just 61,000 cars found homes among gearheads. Those who sampled the 928 adored it, while everyone else chose the 911.
7 BMW 850CSi - Masterpiece Of Engineering And Performance
Proving that a small badge goes a long way, BMW's 850CSi struggled to sell 16,500 cars between 1992-99. The CSi model was effectively the high-performance version that would normally wear the now-famous "M" badge.
Developed over a 6-year period at a cost of 1.5 billion DM, the 8-series represented a new direction in design. BMW utilized modern CAD software to arrive at the now-familiar shape, honed to perfection in the wind tunnel. Under the hood, BMW's M70 V12 engine was capable of producing up to 375 hp and a potential top speed of 155mph. The only fly in the ointment are the huge running costs. While undeniably a great driver's car when it launched, the 850 CSi never took off due to its high retail price.
6 Audi S4 - Understated Styling On An Otherwise Great Car
Performance sedans are a big deal among carmakers, attracting customers who want sports car performance with the practicality of a family car. Audi's S4 should be a hit with gearheads then, fitted with a turbocharged V6 engine producing around 350 HP guaranteed a sub-five second sprint to 60mph.
However, success isn't assured with the S4. It received a lot of criticism for its "average" appearance with little to separate the sports model from standard production cars. Without a doubt an underrated driver's car, but for serious drivers, there can only be one German sports sedan in this class, and that one wears a BMW badge.
5 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren- The Forgotten Supercar
In the early 2000s, gearheads were spoiled for choice when it came to supercars—Ferrari Enzo, Lamborghini Murcielago, Porsche 911, just to name a few. And then there was the long-forgotten Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, a 200 mph+ supercar that no one talks about.
Originally intended to be a concept car, the SLR made its first appearance in 1999 and would later enter production with UK-based McLaren Automotive carrying out the final assembly. Final customer models featured supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engines with 617 hp. The SLR had all the tools it needed to compete with its rivals, except it looked like just another Mercedes coupe.
4 Volkswagen Phaeton - Lacking Badge Prestige
Entering the luxury limousine segment was a bold move for Volkswagen. After all, this is the market dominated by BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, and Audi. At the very least, the Phaeton would have to be a unique car.
Developed under the VAG umbrella brings a host of unique opportunities to use the very best components from Bentley and Audi, but it would be Volkswagen's own W12 engine that separated the Phaeton from its rivals. Although the Phaeton remains in production, the model failed commercially, unable to match its rivals' badge prestige, despite having one of the best engine and chassis combinations on the market.
3 BMW 228i - Small BMW That Has A Few Rough Edges
It is widely accepted that smaller cars weigh less and can get away with smaller engines. However, much of the criticism aimed at BMW's 228i would argue the case that more is definitely better.
Sure, the 228i isn't perfect. The lack of cabin space and quality of materials isn't one of BMW's best efforts, and it's a similar case under the hood. Adopting a front-wheel-drive platform has its implications, as the 2-liter turbo engine with 228 hp lacks drama. BMW's answer is to amplify the noise through the interior speakers. Despite these issues, the driving experience is one of the best in its class, if only owners could overlook its flaws.
2 Porsche 924/944 Turbo - Predictable Handling, Safer Performance
Porsche's 924/944 series are often viewed by enthusiasts as the "poor" man's Porsche. Anything less than a 6-cylinder engine is deemed as a budget offering and not worthy of the badge.
While both models were initially offered with naturally aspirated engines, relying on handling alone to prove the excitement, it would be the later turbo models that gained a reputation for performance among amateur racers. Where the front-engine layout scores over its bigger 911 brothers is the predictable handling that allows owners to enjoy more of the car's performance before reaching its limits.
1 Mercedes-Benz CL600 - Underrated Timeless Luxury Coupe
Nothing satisfies the look-at-me-feeling of a big-engined Mercedes, that is until the question of costs, maintenance, and running bills come into the equation.
The initial reception for the Mercedes CL600 was good with promising early sales, but the trend didn't last and most owners either traded down or sold up, completely leaving the big Benz coupe as one of the most underrated luxury performance coupes.
The lure of a 5.5-liter V12 engine producing 510 hp is hard to resist, with enough torque available to accelerate out of any tricky situation. Unashamedly pretentious it might be, but the CL600 screams class that few other cars can live up to.