Top 10 Green Cars You Haven't Heard Of

Current talk about green cars invariably segues to whether manufacturers will have enough green to make cars at all. GM is putting the brakes on the construction of a Chevrolet Volt plant. And while the Tesla Roadster is getting its fair share of press, so is the company. Depending on your point of view, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is either threatening to delay the Model S sedan or is simply thinking aloud about how nice it would be to get a slice of Detroit’s bailout bread.

So, while those two and a few others are getting most of the attention, there are a lot of green cars you haven’t heard of. Here are 10 of the best that are either on the road already or are in development.



No.10 - Tango T600
The Tango comes off, at first glance, rather like a giant wedge of cheese or maybe an oversize Trivial Pursuit wedge on wheels. However, if it’s good enough for a car guy like George Clooney, maybe it’s not all that bad. The tandem, two-seat electric car performs amazingly well, with 0-60 mph achievable in 4.0 seconds and a top end of over 130 mph, according to the manufacturer. Cool, yes, but not cheap. The T600 is sent to you as a mostly completed kit for $108,000 with a $10,000 deposit.



No.9 - Nissan Altima Hybrid
The Nissan Altima itself is no surprise, but the hybrid model hasn’t been widely offered. Unless you live in one of the nine New England or West Coast states where the Altima Hybrid is sold, it’s probably another of the green cars you haven’t heard of. And no, your local Nissan dealer won’t have one on the lot -- which is too bad. Most of what’s great about the gas Altima is also found in the Altima Hybrid. It has a great ride, looks good, handles well, and returns up to 35 mpg.



No.8 - Honda Insight
Don’t let the reincarnated name fool you, this won’t be a two-seat coupe like before. This time around the five-door gas/electric hybrid draws style cues from the Honda FCX Clarity and Toyota Prius. Coming in spring 2009, the new Insight will borrow heavily from the Civic Hybrid. EPA testing isn’t complete, but expect mileage in the 40 mpg to 45 mpg range. Pricing hasn’t been announced either, though it’s expected to undercut the Prius; figure about $19,000 and change.



No.7 - Subaru R1e
Of the major automotive players you’d expect to produce green cars, Subaru has been rather quiet on the matter. We did see an example of what they’ve been up to with the New York demo of the R1e. As a very compact hatchback, the R1e is all about electric power and efficiency. That means no off-roading with Foresters or autocrossing with the WRX. Ultimately, we’re not sure this car is the answer. However, with the automaker already behind in bringing a truly green car to market (its PZEVs don't really count), Subaru either needs to refine this car or develop another answer quickly.



No.6 - Mitsubishi i MiEV
In case you haven’t noticed, Mitsubishi loves odd acronyms for its concept cars. This time around, though, one of the green cars you haven’t heard of might also be tough to read. Get used to saying “i-meev,” since there’s a chance the Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle will reach your neighborhood. Based on the fairly refined home-market “i” minicar, the i MiEV makes a smart fortwo look huge. Mitsubishi is apparently serious about the car’s potential, having a stake in the joint-venture Lithium Energy Japan, manufacturing lithium-ion electric vehicle batteries.



No.5 - Wheego Whip
Its name does nothing for the machismo, and the looks remind us instantly of the smart fortwo. In actuality, this green car you've never heard of is based on the Chinese Shuanghuan Noble. The Wheego Whip, at least in a green sense, was built to be smarter than both. As a commuter car, the Whip could work. An eight-hour charge will be enough to travel 50 miles in this $19,000 two-seater, expected to reach the U.S. in May 2009.



No.4 - SSC Ultimate Aero EV
We’ve already gotten hints of green vehicles’ performance potential. The Tesla and the Tango both nail 0-60 mph runs in the 4.0-second range. If you want even more serious acceleration with supercar looks to match, look to the makers of the world’s fastest production car. Shelby Supercars is basing Ultimate Aero EV on its 256-mph Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo. We presume looks will be similar and the performance equally impressive. It’ll be February 2009 before we peek at the prototype, but Shelby asserts the green machine will be available for sale by the end of ’09.



No.3 - Tesla Model S
As we mentioned at the outset, Tesla clearly doesn’t want to be a one-hit wonder. Its follow-up to the Tesla Roadster lets you bring the family along for spirited zero-emissions driving. Known as the Model S, Tesla is planning to move operations and construct new facilities just to build the sedan. As if that doesn’t show commitment, Tesla has also tapped Mazda North America’s ex-design chief Franz von Holzhausen to ready the Model S for a late 2010 launch.



No.2 - MINI E
It isn’t low-dosage ecstasy, it’s high-voltage fun, MINI style. Five hundred people are testing the electric MINI Cooper in the Los Angeles and New York metro areas on one-year, closed-end leases of $850 per month. Besides a few other stipulations, participants are just expected to drive the MINI E and offer feedback. When it comes to the driving experience, reactions will likely be favorable. Zero to 62 mph is covered in 8.5 seconds, with a top speed of 95 mph. It’s no MINI Cooper S, but it does still have great handling and a lot of character.



No.1 - Honda FCX Clarity
Unless you know one of the 200 Southern Californians on board with this hydrogen/electric car, this will most likely be among the green cars you haven’t heard of. From regular folks to Jamie Lee Curtis, Honda has them roped in to three-year, $600-per-month leases with their second-generation fuel-cell car. With similar looks to other Hondas and roughly the size of an Accord, the FCX Clarity has room for four and returns an EPA-estimated mileage equivalent of 77 mpg in the city and 67 mpg on the highway.

old cars

Lexus LF-A Roadster

After a period when ‘topless’ cars ceased to be sold due to safety concerns, the manufacturers used technological advances to ensure that occupants would be sufficiently protected in the event of a roll-over. This led to a revival of roadsters which has continued to thrive, particularly in the US market.

The LF-A Coupe
So it’s not surprising that the designers at Lexus, Toyota’s luxury division which began business in the USA, have taken the top off the LF-A concept sportscar to create a high-performance roadster that will appear on the motorshow circuit during 2008. The LF-A Roadster uses the sturdy yet lightweight carbonfibre and aluminium body used for the LF-A coupe, which helps maintain the structure's strength and rigidity even without a top.
Like its coupe counterpart, the LF-A Roadster is powered by a high-revving V10 engine that is almost 5.0 litres in displacement. The V10, said to be capable of delivering more than 500 bhp and taking the sportscar beyond 320 km/h, is mounted in front of the passenger compartment but behind the front-axle centreline in what the engineers refer to as a "front-mid" configuration.
The engine is connected via a torque tube and propeller shaft to a transaxle that is controlled by paddle shifters. The torque tube is a structural member that adds rigidity to the drivetrain and chassis while also reducing vibration.
As can be seen, the styling is rooted in the Lexus L-Finesse design philosophy, conferring the LF-A Roadster's front end with a compact, low-profile, aerodynamic shape. Like its coupe counterpart, the LF-A Roadster stands just 1.2 metres tall, but the Roadster configuration adds a speed-adaptive rear wing.

The rear is marked by a pair of wrap-around, arrowhead-shaped taillights that bracket a pair of large grilles. These grilles vent the heated air from the car's two rear-mounted radiators into the LF-A Roadster's aerodynamic wake. The radiators are fed cool air by two large intake ducts mounted just above the rear wheel wells. This aft radiator positioning not only allowed the designers to keep the car's front profile low and tight but also aided the LF-A's chassis engineers in their search for optimal weight distribution.
Helping to provide balance and scale to the design, which features an overall length of 4460 mm and a wheelbase of 2606 mm, are high-performance tyres on turbine-styled alloy wheels. The front tires are 265/35R20s, while the rears are 305/30R20s. Like the LF-A coupe, the brakes consist of cross-drilled, vented discs.front and rear; the front brake calipers are 6-piston units and the rear calipers use 4 pistons each.

An "F" logo, located on each front fender of the Roadster, indicates the vehicle's status as a part of the new "F" marque. The name is derived from the original "F" designation for the first Lexus LS prototype. That vehicle was internally coded "Circle-F," with the "F" standing for "flagship." The Circle-F designation further evolved into the code name Flagship One, or ‘F1’, and the first F1 concept developed into Lexus' first production model, the LS400.
Since then, the "F" code has come to signify a special vehicle program within Lexus that falls outside the normal engineering and development process. In addition, Fuji Speedway is the IS F's home circuit, and the shape of the F-logo was inspired by many of the track's turns. The all-new Lexus IS F sport sedan is the first production vehicle to carry the F marque.

Top 10: Manly Cars

It's time for us acknowledge the rides that have an overt manly presence and make no apologies for it. In other words: Don’t expect to see any Miatas on this manly cars list.

The manly cars that did make this list aren’t exclusively new cars or old cars, and a few aren’t even cars at all. And just so we’re clear, this isn’t all about horsepower or raw performance numbers. The 10 manly cars that make this top 10 are here because of their character, whether they’re among the fastest in the world or they struggle to keep up on the freeway.

No.10 - Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser

1960-1984

To look at Toyota’s portly 2008 Land Cruiser, you don’t immediately think “manly car.” Go back awhile and consider the old two-door version, the Japanese Jeep known as the FJ40 Land Cruiser. Once upon a time, owners subjected their Land Cruisers to tougher duty than navigating mall parking lots. The inspiration for today’s FJ Cruiser (no manly slouch itself), the original Land Cruiser was just as rugged and capable as the rival Jeep CJ, but with tougher looks and better reliability. The timeless demand keeps collector values high and has even inspired a re-creation from TLC, a California company specializing in the restoration of these manly cars.

No.9 - Bugatti Veyron

2007-Present

Maybe it’s just as well that most of us will never experience this car firsthand, as we’d forever be spoiled from that moment. Yes, there’s the face-distorting acceleration and top speed. Remember, though, this isn’t just about the seven-figure sticker price, the 1,001 horsepower or the ability to top 55 mph speed limits by almost 250 mph. As a manly car, the Veyron has the look of an assassin. It's not overtly tough like Rambo, but that’s because it doesn’t have to be. If James Bond were French, this would be his car.

No.8 - Cadillac Eldorado

1953-2002

In the late 1960s, having a new Cadillac was a symbol of success, but not coolness. That changed when the division made Eldorado, a very distinct model instead of a premium trim level on the parade floats. This manly personal coupe wasn’t meek, but its sizable proportions were neat and purposeful, managing to look more sophisticated than other models and more appealing to younger male buyers. Sadly, it was short-lived. The Detroit Way of the era led to a bloated redesign of the Eldo for 1971, introducing the pimpmobile look and causing a drought of manly cars for the automaker that has only recently been addressed.

No.7 - Dodge Ram

1981-Present

Full-size pickups have always been manly, but when Dodge redid the Ram for 1994, and gave it a broad-shouldered, big-rig front end, the genre was redefined. Park a ’93 Dodge next to a ’94, and you’d swear they were made decades apart. On the basis of manliness, they were light-years apart. Buyers responded accordingly, and the years since kept enthusiasm going strong with variants featuring big diesels, crew cabs, dual rear wheels, and even a version with the Viper’s V10 under the hood. 2009 brings another update to the Ram, but Dodge has wisely chosen not to make radical changes, keeping this a manly car for a long time to come. 

No.6 - Lamborghini Countach

1974-1990

Few manly cars have a silhouette you’d recognize immediately. Of those few, there’s arguably none more unique than the Countach. If a poster of this manly car wasn’t on your bedroom wall when you were younger, something had to be amiss. If this manly car didn’t stir the testosterone pot, you were probably devoid of a pulse. To this day, the Countach is an uncompromising, temperamental brute with a “screw you” attitude. You’d better do everything just right when you’re stuffed behind the wheel or things could get very ugly very quickly. Somewhere along the way, you realize the bull in the emblem is apt, and you’re just the matador with a fine line of uncertain control

No.5 - Chevrolet Corvette

1953-Present

No other manly car on this top 10 list has been in production as long as the Corvette, and few ‘Vettes have a hard time living up to the manly car specs. The 1953-’54 cars are excused from this discussion, and some odd color options on the C4 of ’84-’96 dilute the manliness. The manliest is the C2 Sting Ray of ’63-’67. Some see a Sting Ray and think “phallic symbol on four wheels.” Others attribute the manliness to its road manner, which doesn’t suffer fools. Whatever it is, things weren’t quite the same when the Sting Ray designation took a year off for the ’68 redesign and returned as the "Stingray" in ’69.

No.4 - Ferrari GTO

1962-1964

With six decades of Ferraris to consider and remarkably few undesirables in the mix, it’s unthinkable to leave Maranello out of this discussion but challenging to select the quintessential car. Think back to some of the guys who’ve driven them: Steve McQueen had a Lusso, and Clint Eastwood had a 365 GT4 BB. Edging those and all other models is the original GTO. It was built to win races, so the design was the result of wind tunnel and test-track refinement, not an attempt to appeal to customers. Nevertheless, the manly V12 dominated the track and has become a legend. To this day, it’s just your average streetable race car -- if you dare to attempt it after finding a willing seller and parting with many, many millions. 

No.3 - Hummer H1

1992-2006

Just like the original Jeep became popular as a civilian model after World War II, the Humvee for public consumption was an instant manly car success after Operation Desert Storm. Arnold Schwarzenegger is credited with pumping up AM General to dress it in civvies, and this is no girlie-man’s car. The look is unmistakable and intimidating. The toughness and off-road prowess is incredible. It may have generated more publicity than sales during its run of public availability, but it will always be one of the manliest rides ever. 

No.2 - Dodge Viper

1992-Present

Some cars have had their lean years when they weren’t very manly at all. In other cases, it takes a special option package to beef up the works. That comes standard on the Dodge Viper, wholly a man’s car since it was launched as a 1992 model. It has always had a V10, and that’s always been tied to a manual transmission -- no paddle shifters here. What’s more, there isn’t much to save your bacon if you get too crazy -- no coddling electronic aids are going to make it all better. You either get it right or face the consequences -- truly the sign of a manly car. 

No.1 - AC Cobra

1962-1967

It wasn’t built to look good, but it did. It wasn’t built to overwhelm drivers, but it did. It wasn’t built to become part of automotive history, but it did. Carroll Shelby just built the AC Cobra to win, and you’d better believe it did that too. The car was virtually unmatched by anything else on the track or the street, and its performance is still formidable over four decades later. Whether equipped with a 260 cubic-inch, small-block V8 or the fearsome 427, the AC Cobra is our manliest car for its aggressive and timeless looks, untamed character and association with Ol’ Shel

Why Sports Cars Cost More To Insure

Although a great number of of the factors that figure out the make-up of automobile insurance quotes are not recognized, what is known is that insurance firms ‘group’ specific sorts of cars into categories. For this purposes, insurance providers have groups ranging from 1 through to 20. Group 1 is the least expensive sort of vehicle to insure. Group 20 is the most pricey type of auto to insure. So, if you ever buy a Fiat Panda, you’ll be classed a Group 1 auto driver. Get a sports auto, any sports vehicle, and you might be looking at becoming classed a Group 15 and above driver. Acquire a performance sports car, such as a Porsche 911, and you’ll definitely be Group 20 driver!

Theft

Over 2 million automobile crimes happen within the UK each and every single year. Aside from well-known model cars, such a Ford, the biggest automobile crime category is sports cars! Have a soft-top convertible sports auto, along with the chances of it being stolen are red hot! So, even for those who live out in the countryside with nobody else around for miles, you’ll still be seen as driving an very high risk vehicle in relation to vehicle theft. With increased risk, comes an increased premium!

Accidents

Insurance firms aren’t charities – they’re in the enterprise to make cash. As such, they maintain vast amounts of data and component of that information tells them that should you drive a sports auto there is an increased risk you’ll be in an accident and that the accident are going to be far more severe (and pricey) than in case you were driving a normal vehicle. As such, the premium charge is going to be greater.

Under 30?

Unless you’ve just won the Lottery, if you are under 30 you can find no appealing factors with regards to insuring a sports auto. Not merely do the insurance provider see the auto you drive as being a high risk automobile to insure, but you as the driver are far additional risky to insure as well. Consequently, car insurance premiums for those 30 years of age or under, driving sports cars, is almost certainly the highest of all types of auto insurance obtainable inside the UK currently.

5 Most Popular Sports Cars of All Times

Owning a sports car is additional of a luxury than a will need. They usually cost a fortune and their low cast chassis isn’t perfect for driving in the city. Then again for those who think you have the additional revenue to spend on these luxurious beauties and also to maintain them here are the top five picks ranked by the experts.

1. Ferrari 250 GTO is ranked the number one sports vehicle of all times. This car was developed by Giotto Bizzarrini and his team back in 1962. There were only 36 units produced of this model during the two year production period. Having a V12 engine this vehicle can drive at 302 hp energy. Its begin up time is 6.1 seconds with the acceleration reaching up to 100Km/hr.

2. Next in line is AC Cobra. This is most likely the speediest vehicle ever created mainly because inside just four.2 seconds it can accelerate to 100Km/hr. It was designed by AC Cars on the special request of race driver Carroll Shelby who named it immediately after taking it for a test drive. Its 7 liter engine and 60s chassis was developed through borrowing parts from Ford, Jaguar and VW Beetle.

three. Porsche Carrera GT is the third most favorite sports vehicle in the world. Right after over a decade of planning this auto was launched but being probably the most aggressive sports automotive ever created only its only 1270 units had been sold. It has 10 cylinders with 5.7 liter capacity displaced in a V shape. It has been tested to go from 0 to 100Km/hr in just three.6 seconds by some private test drivers.

four. Bugatti Veyron is on number four. While it truly is a Bugatti vehicle but its design was developed by Jozef Kaban from Wolkswagen. It has a 16 cylinder engine with the capacity of reaching speeds of 987 hp. This automobile has been testes and rewarded for its fastest acceleration reaching 100km/hr in just 2.four seconds.

five. Dodge Viper GTS redefined sports cars with its muscular look. The white strips on the bonnet are its trademark. With its maximum speed reaching 306km/hr, this auto can accelerate up to 100km/hr in just 4 seconds. Becoming inspired by Shelby Cobra it became a hit amongst automobile frenzy people immediately after a number of appearances in movies and preferred Tv shows.

Top 5 Green Concept Cars

We’ve seen, during late years many concept cars and most of them are to weird or to strange to see it in the near future, but I think that many of you must know more about top of my favorite concept cars.
No.1 – BMW Lovos Concept Car
BMW Lovos Concept was designed by Anne Forschner, a student of design at Pforzheim University in Germany.

BMW Lovos Concept Car

The car name, Lovos came from Lifestyle of Voluntary Simplicity and it was developed together with BMW, offering an aggressive design by its functions, as: solar photovoltaic panels (each one interchangeable), operable as solar cells when flipped around, collecting energy from its electric engine, aerodynamically aspect, organic-style flip, etc. I don’t think this car will become reality too soon, but I would love to drive one in the future.
No.2 – Mazda TONBO Concept Car
Mazda TONBO Concept was designed by Jan Dedek, Kazz Imomota and Aleksandra Sladek, as a collaboration project between Mazda Europe and Dedek Design.

Mazda TONBO Concept Car

Mazda TONBO Concept Car
This impressive concept was made as a perfect car for a weekend trip, because it has a racking system to carry sport equipment and it’s a good swimmer, too; it can go through the water like an amphibian. Also, the care has a safe parking system with an anti-vandal closing system, all green because of the fuel cells.
No.3 – Peugeot Omni Concept Car
Peugeot Omni Concept was designed as a continuing story of first idea (from 1973) of Bengt Ilon, Swedish inventor working for a company named Mecanum, AB, that formulated an idea for a wheel which could move in any direction, from here the term “omni-wheel”.

Peugeot Omni Concept Car
The original concept was to attach a number of free-wheeling rollers, around a rim, with the rollers oriented at 45º with respect to the wheel’s axis of rotation and this feature would allow the wheel to move not only perpendicular to the axis of rotation, but also at any angle between +45º and -45º degrees.
A basic omni wheel can be made with a variable number of rollers determined by the application and desired performance.

Peugeot Omni Concept Car
”Omni-wheel” is a concept of future, since today the basic problem of every metropolis is parking. Because of that, omni-directional wheels have been placed on the “Peugeot Omni” in order to enable fast and easy parking, anywhere you wish and movement in all directions, easily passing the obstacles on the narrow roads crowded by cars, trucks and pedestrians!

Peugeot Omni Concept Car
This car was perfectly design to respect all requirements related to environmental protection, because it’s powered by an electric engine and the emission of greenhouse gasses is zero. This engine is powered by rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries and the solar cells on its roof provide additional energy for recharging the battery and other electric devices in the car. The majority of materials applied are fully recyclable, in line with requirements of the modern living and protection of the human environment.
No.4 – Rinspeed iChange Concept Car
Rinspeed iChange Concept was designed by Swiss Automobile Visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht, a Concept Car with Adaptive Energy Concept.
Frank M. Rinderknecht have used highly advanced technology and a Swiss-based network of top automotive specialists for his project and the Rinspeed “iChange” fits perfectly to Esoros motto.

Rinspeed iChange Concept Car

Rinspeed iChange Concept Car

Rinspeed iChange Concept Car
“The „iChange“ is a symbol for the fundamental changes the auto industry undergoes worldwide,” said Frank M. Rinderknecht. “And it is clear that only those companies will survive that have innovative answers for the demands of a new automotive era. The „iChange“ is a signal for the coming global changes to individual mobility. We need to be ready to meet these challenges with new ideas.”
The „iChange“ concept weighs only 1,050 kg and is powered by a 150kW electric engine with a 6-speed pre-selector transmission from a Subaru WRX that can propel the car to 220 kmh with acceleration of 0 to 100 kmh (0-62mph) in just over 4 sec.
The car is powered with lithium-ion batteries that are available in two different stack configurations for short- and long-distance driving.
No.5 – Laminar 2 All Electric Concept Car
Laminar 2 All Electric Concept Car was designed by auto designer Daniel Fitzgerald and it is a futuristic three-seater electric car ready to face the near future.
The concept was designed with 2 rear in-wheel electric engines powered by Li-ion batteries for quick and green recharging.
The car impresses by many details, as: adjustable aerodynamics, electroluminescent hubcaps for night vision, passenger mirrors and many others.

Laminar 2 All Electric Concept Car

Laminar 2 All Electric Concept Car

Laminar 2 All Electric Concept Car
Laminar 2 All Electric Concept Car has an aerodynamic form by using a rotating front wing that allows it to cut efficiently through the air; when the front wing is at 40 degree position, the front facing profile of the car is changed and oncoming air is re-directed upward, making the down force necessary for safer cornering.

Best Sports Cars 2011 – 2012

Thinking about Top Ten Best Sports Cars 2011 – 2012? The stylish, sexy, sleek, streamlined, spirited and speed demon are all words used to describe sports cars, which are essentially two-door automobiles that are designed for high speeds, great power and smashing good looks.Sports cars are fantastic are they not? But the conception of sports cars for the public has not been around since the start of the modern car industry. In fact, the concept of modern sports cars is pretty new. It was the Italian manufacturer, Enzo Ferrari, who thought of the idea and produced the first super car for the public in 1929.

The manufacture of the modern-day sports car began only after 1945, when the economy started booming, technology developed dramatically and better roads were being built. They came in various shapes like convertibles, roadsters, coupes, grand tourers and sedans. Sports-car lovers are either devoted to timeless classics that have been souped up for current times, or are trendsetters looking for the latest kind of exotic car.

Ask any car enthusiast and they can likely give you a dozen or so of list of the top best sports cars ever made. You would think that the new ones are worth buying but the highly coveted ones were manufactured way back.

Check out my top picks of the best sports car ever made:

1. Lotus Elise Series 2

If you are going to buy a car to impress your friends, this will certainly evoke a lot of bells and whistles. It has an imposing and aggressive design that will stand out when included in an array of cars. If you have a penchant for small cars, this one combines a small frame with super performance that can go up to 60mph in just 4.7 seconds.

2. Porsche 911

This brand of car has perpetually been raising the bars when it comes to quality, design and performance. The 911 model is one of the best Porsche has to offer. Every inch speaks of being a sports vehicle meant for full speed racing. How fast can it go? It can travel up to 60mph in 4 seconds.

3. Nissan Skyline

Nissan is one of the front runners in the racing car business most especially in Japan. This one has a rather tamed look compared to the previous models but it has very low suspension that enables it to round those sharp corners with ease. It can also go for as far as 60mph in just 4 seconds.

4. Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

For something that is a little bit classic, this model of Aston Martin is definitely a good choice. It was first introduced to the car loving public way back in 1960. You will love its vintage look with its rounded hood. And despite the fact that it is vintage, performance-wise, it is still one to impress. It can go as far as 60mpg in a little over 6 seconds. In its time, it was probably the king of the road.

5. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

If you intend to woo ladies with your car, this is a good choice. It has two doors with an aggressive and impressive sleek design. It was coined as the fastest car that uses automatic transmission in the whole world. It can run for as fast as 60mph in just 3.1 seconds.

6. Lamborghini Diablo

The name alone sounds daunting. The over-all look of this car fits nicely in any car racing scenario. Maybe it is not as fast as the previous car but it can hold its own with its speed of 60mph in just 4.1 seconds. But this one will surely bust the bank.

7. Bugatti Veyron

You would love this if you are after speed. Its maximum speed can go as high as 60mph in just 2.46 seconds beating the record of Mercedes Benz. However, it holds not the fastest but the best acceleration award.

8. AC Cobra 427

This classic will surely impress the girls. Did you know that road speed limits where introduced in the UK mainly because of this car? It runs up to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds.

9. Dodge Viper

This one is a star and a show stopper. It may look familiar as it has been in quite a lot of television shows and movies already. With its speed of 60mph in just 4 seconds, who needs jets?

10. Porsche Carrera GT

Clearly Porsche hold the torch when it comes to car racing and this one proves that to be true. It can give you speed with its 3.9 seconds record for 60mph.

From powerful purring beauties like the Mercedes Benz SLK 350 to thundering thrillers like the Ford Mustang V-8, you can choose a sports car that matches your personality. In fact, sports cars are as much about personality as they are about performance – smooth aerodynamic bodies of carbon fiber, chrome pipes and fittings, rich leather upholstery, wide wheels, shiny wooden panels and snazzy paint jobs.

Enzo Ferrari was the pioneer of the modern sports car sector, but it soon caught on as wealthy men all around the world wanted to own a special, fast car, to set himself above the general public, who still cannot afford new modern sports cars.

Ferrari’s modern sports cars are well known all over the world. People are spellbound by the designs of Ferrari’s super cars and racing cars. Ferrari has been in Formula One racing since it started and they are the most popular racing team of all time. The Ferrari team has included such celebrated names as Michael Schumacher and Alberto Ascai, who quickly became popular heroes.

Different brands of sports cars adopt different principles of design. Some cars may be light in order to achieve greater acceleration, others may boast of extremely powerful engines for better car handling and performance, while still others may stress safety and comfort rather than style. The majority of contemporary sports cars have front-wheel drives as opposed to rear-wheel drives, which were more common in the earlier generation of sports cars. Many cars also have the engine in the center, driving the rear wheels, which is unique to sports cars. In these cars, the engine is placed behind the driver, at the middle of the chassis. Porsche is the only sports car that has the engine mounted at the rear, driving the rear wheels. This aspect is a crucial part of car design, as it affects the maneuverability or handling of the car, which is critical at high speeds.

The most well known brands today are Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Triumph. Companies which manufacture other cars also make some sports models; prominent among these are Ford, Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, Mitsubishi, Mazda, and Nissan. Today, the design and manufacture of sports cars is becoming more specialized and competitive, with newer, more attractive designs and a higher degree of technical sophistication being utilized.

The flagship of the Ferrari super cars is the F430, which is a two-seater coupe. It is constantly being enhanced and re-engineered. In fact, it has lately undergone a major revamp and now it is the most sought after modern sports car of the year. It is not only exceptionally beautiful, but it has great performance statistics too. The price tag is very reasonable for a car of this quality. However, at $160,000 plus, most people could not afford a new set of tyres for it.There are other producers of modern sports cars such as Dodge with it’s Viper, Chevrolet with its Corvette, Lamborghini and the Murcielago and Porche with its Boxter and $440,000 Carrera.

If you cannot afford any of these modern sports cars, you could purchase a kit car. With a kit car you can remove the shell of a relatively cheap car, like a Boxter, and substitute it with an exact reproduction body of say a Lamborghini Murcielago in fibre glass.

The latest Ferrari is the Superamerica hardtop convertible, which sells for $300,000. It became immediately sought after when it appeared in Ferrari showrooms across America. It has a fearsomely powerful V12 engine, which produces unbelievable performance. The engine is based on their Formula One racing cars and comes with gear changing paddles on the steering wheel.

The roof of the Superamerica is striking and pragmatic. It is made from electro chromic glass and carbon fibre and can be taken off to convert the Superamerica from a smart coupe into a chic open top super car in a matter of minutes. The drop-top Superamerica is one of the most beautiful modern sports cars in the world.

Ferrari bought another leading racing car manufacturer, Maserati, in 1997. Since then Maserati’s output from their production lines and the popularity of its cars has soared. The public just cannot get enough of Maserati’s modern super cars like the Quattroporte at $95,000 and the Spyder GT convertible, which costs a very reasonable $83,000.