The 1990s marked an important milestone in the automotive industry. The vehicle design shifted from flashy futuristic ideas to more practical models aimed at an improved driving experience. Most brands gave up on the poor finishes and boxy design models that dominated the past decade. In addition, automakers have made significant technological advances to improve speed, efficiency, and comfort. This explains why many cars built in the 90s are becoming increasingly popular with collectors.
Although overall vehicle performance was generally improved in the 1990s, electric steering and advanced chassis control had not yet been implemented. Therefore, the iconic models built in this era are among the last to provide the mechanical connection from hand to wheel to road that is seldom found in today’s models. Here are some of those 90s Sports car These are still the favorites of most avid car enthusiasts.
10 Acura NSX
Via supercars.net
The NSX is among the best cars sold under different nameplates in different countries. Originally built as the Honda NSX, the car was sold as the Acura NSX in the North American market. The Acura NSX impressed many car enthusiasts with a unique exterior design inspired by the F-16 fighter jet cockpit. This model relied heavily on advanced aerodynamics and benefited from the contribution of the late Formula 1 World Champion Ayrton Senna.
Via moneyinc.com
The Acura NSX is the first production model with an all-aluminum body that is available in coupé or targa panels. Under the hood, the NSX packs either a 3.0-liter or a 3.2-liter V6 engine. These engine variants are coupled with a five-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic transmission.
9 Saab 9000
Via netcarshow.com
Following the success of the turbocharged Saab 900 and 90 models, Saab Automobiles introduced the Saab 9000 to continue its assault on the executive auto market. The Saab 9000 uses the Type 4 platform developed in collaboration with Fiat Automobiles. As a result, outwardly the Saab 9000 looks similar to Fiat’s Croma and Lancia Thema models, and there are even some interchangeable body parts.
Via netcarshow.com
Saab offered the 9000 as a five-door liftback or four-door saloon. Before production ceased in 1998, the Saab 9000 had several engine variants. 2.0 liter inline four, 2.3 liter inline four and 3.0 liter V6. Saab also offered turbo-charged variants for the 2.0-liter and 2.3-liter gasoline engines.
8th Ford Mustang Cobra R.
Via mecum.com
The Mustang Cobra R was an exclusive racing model for racing events or private collectors who never intended to drive it. The 1993 model was the first of three Cobra R models that were mostly recognized as the smallest and lightest. Ford excluded the rear seats, air conditioning, rear carpeting, roll-up tonneau cover, speakers, radio, fog lights and muffler from the base model, among other things, to make the Cobra R 450lbs lighter.
Via silodrome.com
Ford built only 107 units for the 1993 model year, all with Fox body design and vibrant red clearcoat. Despite the power steering, the Cobra R has manually operated door locks, mirrors, windows and bucket seats. This car is equipped with a 5.0 liter V8 small-block engine mated with a modified five-speed manual transmission T-5.
7th Porsche Boxster
Via pinterest.com
After the previous model, the 550 Spyder, the two-seater Boxster was the first roadster design model from Porsche. This iconic Boxster symbolized a commercial turnaround for Porsche after a sustained decline in sales and an outdated product range. Before the arrival of the Cayenne in 2003, the Porsche Boxster is considered to be Porsche’s largest volume seller.
Via pinterest.com
The Boxster is powered by a water-cooled 2.5-liter six-cylinder mid-engine, which enables almost perfect weight distribution, neutral handling and a low center of gravity. Although some factory models had a casting complication that resulted in the mixing of oil and coolant system fluids, Porsche put in new sleeves to help curb the recurrence.
6th McLaren F1
Via uncrate.com
The McLaren F1 made a name for itself in the automotive industry as one of the first production cars with a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. Like a high-performance car, the F1 is characterized by high performance and low weight thanks to high-tech innovations and expensive materials such as gold, titanium, magnesium, carbon fiber and kevlar.
Via uncrate.com
Unlike most modern sports cars, the McLaren F1 has a centrally located driver’s seat in front of two passenger seat positions. The McLaren F1 features a 60-degree 6.1-liter BMW S70 / 2 with 618 horsepower and a maximum torque of 586 lb-ft. The car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in three seconds and has a top speed of 240 mph.
5 Mazda RX-7
Via supercars.net
Mazda was already building the third generation two-door RX-7 coupé model in early 1992. This RX-7 model featured an updated body design and increased width, which moved it to the luxury sports car category of the upper class. After these upgrades, Japanese sales were impacted due to dimensional non-compliance.
Via pinterest.com
The third generation RX-7 has a 1.3-liter twin-rotor 13B-REW engine with two turbochargers and an output of 252 hp. In North America, the RX-7 is available in Base, R and Touring models. Mazda saw a sharp drop in RX-7 sales as they continued in the US market until 1995 before succumbing to a weak economy and escalating MSRP. Despite the challenges, the RX-7 prevailed on the Japanese market by 2002.
4th BMW 540i
Via carsandbids.com
The 540i belongs to the third generation of the legendary BMW 5 Series with the internal name BMW E34. BMW shipped the 540i in a five-door wagon and four-door sedan trim, though the first was not marketed in North America. The 540i has traction control and stability control.
Via pinterest.com
The BMW 540i features a 4.0-liter, 32-valve, naturally aspirated DOHC V8 that delivers 282 horsepower at 5800 rpm and a maximum torque of 295 lb-ft at 4500 rpm. The six-speed manual transmission in this model has a top speed of 250 km / h. BMW also offered a five-speed automatic transmission as an option. The 540i’s curb weight of 1,675 pounds allows it to cover 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds.
3 Mazda Miata
Via carsforsale.com
The Miata is popular among the 90s models because of its dynamically balanced, technologically modern, light, small and minimally complex design. Some avid enthusiasts refer to it as the spiritual successor to the Italian and British roadster sports cars that dominated the 50s and 60s. The first generation Miata was available from 1989, while the second generation started in 1999.
Via pinterest.com
The early Mazda Miata models had a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder with rear-wheel drive. A 1.8-liter engine variant was introduced in 1993 along with an optional detuned 1.6-liter budget model, which is characterized by pop-up headlights.
2 Dodge Viper GTS
Via pinterest.com
The Viper GTS Coupe was introduced for the 1996 model year as the second generation Dodge Viper. The GTS model was based on the design of the Shelby Daytona and was characterized by a pronounced double bubble roof, which enables the use of a helmet. The Viper GTS prides itself on being the first Viper model to feature airbags, air conditioning, electric windows, a rear muffler and electric door locks.
Via carpixel.net
The Viper GTS features an 8.0 liter V10 engine that develops 450 horsepower at 5200 rpm and a maximum torque of 490 lb-ft at 3700 rpm. Like most Viper models in the 1990s, the GTS model was available in three or four colors per model year. Although stripes were optional as of 1996, the 1996 model is the only one with stripes that run through the rear license plate area.
1 Ferrari 550 Maranello
Via carpixel.net
The 550 Maranello Grand Tourer is the first two-seat 12-cylinder model in 23 years to feature a front-wheel, rear-wheel drive engine. The Maranello is popular with many Ferrari fans because it is named after the city where the Ferrari factory and headquarters are located. The 550 on the nameplate stands for the model’s engine, a 5.5 liter Tipo F133A / C V12 naturally aspirated engine.
Via carpixel.net
This engine is connected to a manual 6-speed transmission that produces 478 horsepower at 7000 rpm and a maximum torque of 419 lb-ft at 5000 rpm. The 550 Maranello has aluminum body panels, a tubular steel space frame, double wishbone suspension, front and rear stabilizers, rack and pinion steering, 18-inch magnesium alloy wheels and anti-slip control.
About the author
Nzilili Sam
(251 articles published)
Sam is a professional internet researcher and writer. He is mainly interested in and fascinated by cars and motorcycles. He’s been writing about the same thing over the past few years. Sam currently works full time for Valnet Inc. Hot Cars. He is also a professional graphic designer, digital marketer and sexual health consultant.
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