It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Old versus new is always an interesting topic to discuss with friends and colleagues, be it on a professional level or just with a drink at a bar. Whether it’s about sports, music, films or performance cars, at the end of the day nobody really has the perfect formula, otherwise there really wouldn’t be much to discuss.
But let’s just focus on sports cars. Over the years, the jury is still undecided as to whether the automakers really did the right thing. Modern sports cars of today have become faster, safer and significantly more efficient than ever before, but at the expense of complexity and the lack of “organic” driving experience thanks to modern automotive technologies. Some tend to miss the “purity” and the terrifying experience that analog cars used to have, especially those without safety features such as traction control and ESP, cars that of course had the good old stick shift.
These cars on our list may be polar opposites, but they are all designed to push the limits of performance. Let’s take them down, yeah?
10
Analog: McLaren F1
favcars.com
There’s really no need for an introduction to cars like the McLaren F1 as it is perhaps the greatest supercar ever built. It long held the record as the fastest production car with a top speed of 240 mph.
favcars.com
The record may have been broken by many other hypercars of the 21st century, but the F1 remains the only car that has reached 240 mph with a naturally aspirated engine.
9
Digital: Ferrari LaFerrari
about supercars
In the early 2010s there was this thing called Hypercar Holy Trinity, and they were the most iconic cars of the last decade. The LaFerrari made up 1/3 of that trinity as Ferrari used F1-derived technology to boost the performance of the ultimate hypercar.
via Alain Class Motors
It was the first Ferrari production car that formed an engine, with the combination of a 6.3-liter V12 engine and an electric motor called HY-KERS with 950 hp. The LaFerrari has 21 on-board computers that control the car’s driving modes, stability, traction, active aerodynamics and magnetic suspension systems for maximum performance.
8th
Analog: Honda NSX (first generation)
via the CAR magazine
Here’s an interesting fact; Gordon Murray himself said the first generation Honda NSX had a huge impact on how the McLaren F1 was supposed to do its job as an everyday supercar.
About WSupercars
The fact that the NSX stood out against more powerful and more expensive sports cars is clearly a big compliment to Honda. Well, maybe that happens when a legendary Formula 1 driver like Ayrton Senna provides valuable input for the development of the car.
7th
Digital: Porsche 911 GT2 RS
Via drivemag.com
From a technical point of view, the design of the Porsche 911 is fundamentally flawed due to its engine arrangement in the rear. Why does the Porsche 911 GT2 RS do really well and is it even one of the fastest road cars that have lapped the Nürburgring?
Römer International
The reason for this is that Porsche kept the same layout for 40 years and developed it to the point where it works very well. Not to mention the car was equipped with electronic devices like Porsche’s heavily refined PSM, which has been keeping 911 handling in check since 1998.
6th
Analog: Porsche Carrera GT
via PCarMarket
The Porsche Carrera GT was one of the last truly analog super sports cars ever built. This is evidenced by the lack of driver assistance systems and a drive train consisting of a V10 engine that was originally intended for use in a Formula 1 car, combined with a six-speed manual transmission.
via PCarMarket
It was a car that demanded a lot of respect and needs an experienced driver behind the wheel to keep it in check. We all knew what happened to Paul Walker and Roger Rodas, and these guys weren’t bad drivers at all.
5
Digital: Nissan GT-R
via NetCarShow.com
People are quick to forget how the Nissan GT-R left its opponents in the dust in 2007 – wheel drive, all for a significantly cheaper price than its European supercar rivals.
via Pinterest
13 years later, the Nissan GT-R still remains relevant in the supercar segment. And while newer cars have surpassed it in terms of performance, it remains a brute force valued the world over for its capabilities, and that alone makes the GT-R special.
4th
Analog: Dodge Viper
via autoblog.com
The Viper was originally born in 1992 as a modern version of the 1960s Shelby Cobra, and as we all know, cars back then had no driver assistance at all. Until its final year of production, the Viper received no real driving aids and remained one of the most unforgiving and simplest sports cars you can ever have.
via carpixel.com
Its massive V10 engine only grew in size and horsepower over the years, but the driver’s right foot still remains the only one in control. For some, it may be one of the hardest cars to drive, but for the select few who enjoy a real car-driver connection, the Viper is definitely your best bet.
3rd
Digital: Ford GT
over bring a trailer
Fifty years after Ford’s famous Le Mans 24-hour victory with the GT40, the iconic GT nameplate is back to honor its forefather with a stunning design that is complimented with incredible track capabilities.
over bring a trailer
It’s basically a racing car that’s road legal and equipped with the latest technology from Ford. The 3.5 liter V6 Ecoboost engine gives it 660 hp and 560 lb-ft of earth-shaking power, and its aggressive aerodynamics ensure positive downforce in all conditions.
2
Analog: Mazda Miata MX-5
Via: NetCarShow.Com
Not many sports cars have done as well as the Mazda Miata. Since its introduction in 1989, the Miata has remained a fun little sports car that is fun to drive through its four generations.
via Auto Express
Over the years, the Miata has seen minor improvements such as performance features and ABS, but the feeling of being one with the car has never been compromised. Quite simply, it’s not just a good entry-level sports car, it’s one of the most addicting, organic, and one of the most rewarding examples out there, pound for pound.
1
Digital: Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
Via gtspirit.com
In a modern super sports car world dominated by rear-wheel drive midships, the front engine and the rear transaxle layout of the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series make it such a polarizing figure.
PerformanceDrive
Under the long hood is the most powerful Mercedes-AMG V8 series engine ever built with 730 hp from the 4.0-liter biturbo engine. In addition, all sorts of electronic magic have harnessed all the power, so that the AMG GT Black Series set a new record for unmodified road vehicles on the Nürburgring.
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About the author
Jan Millard Lacuna
(168 articles published)
Jan Lacuna is an engineer, car enthusiast, sim racing, and real-life racer from the Philippines who now works as a writer for HotCars.com. He enjoys writing about the world of racing and his experiences with Japanese cars and their culture.
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