The League Of Great Supercars

I thought I'd write a post on 10 of the greatest supercars, in my opinion, that the world has seen.

Porsche 911 Turbo: Quite possibly the most recognizable supercar, the 911 Turbo is an everyday supercar and a benchmark in its class since its introduction in 1974. The latest iteration, the 997 uses a brand-new 500HP flat-6 3.8-litre twin turbo engine mated to a 6-speed twin-clutch Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe gearbox, or PDK for short (a 6-speed manual is also available), which gives it a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 312 km/h.

Porsche Carrera GT: Said to be Porsche's best supercar to date (bar the racing models), the Carrera GT is Porsche showcase of best technological know-how. Power comes from a 5.7-litre V10 engine, producing 650HP and has it transferred to the ground in the form of a traditional 6-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is 3.9 seconds and hits a top speed of 330 km/h. Production of the Carrera GT stopped in 2006.

Nissan GT-R: The Nissan GT-R is Japan's answer to Porsche's 911 Turbo. It comes in a long line of Nissan's infamous Skyline GT-R line of supercars, starting with the 1969 4-door PGC10 and ended with the powerful BNR34 in 2002. Launched in 2009, the latest model (also known by its codename CBA-R35) dropped the 'Skyline' name, as Nissan wants to differentiate the more powerful GT-R from the rest of the range. Powered by a 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 powerplant, this new GT-R has what is possibly the most-advanced all-wheel-drive system in a road car, driven by a 6-speed twin-clutch semi-automatic gearbox. 0-100 km/h time is 3.5-seconds and acceleration stops at the top-end of 310 km/h. It's impressive performance allows it to beat the Porsche at the Nurburgring Nordschleife curcuit.

Ferrari FXX Prototype: This prototype car makes it into my list simply because this could be Ferrari's best supercar ever. The FXX cars are used as a test-bed by Ferrari to provide data and information for their next-generation hypercar. This car is basically a highly-tuned Ferrari Enzo, which sees the base car's 6.0-litre V12 engine being uprated to 6.3-litre and producing 860HP. All this modifications allows it to grab the 'Power Lap' track time record crown in the hit British automotive television series "Top Gear", but was later disqualified for using slick tyres. The rules to qualify for a 'Power Lap' record is cars must be road-worthy, commercially available and be able to negotiate a speed bump.

Dodge Viper: This could be the car that changes the world's perception that American cars are only about big-blocks, straight-line accelerationand handling no better than a shopping cart, the Dodge Viper has seen great success in the world of drift racing. Featuring one of the biggest engines ever seen in a production American car, a 8.4-litre V10 putting out 600HP to the rear-wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h takes 3.6 seconds, maxxing out at 325 km/h. A hardcore road-going version of the Viper, the SRT/10 ACR was introduced with more aerodynamic aid parts such as a rear spoiler, front splitter and canards for more downforce.

Honda NSX: Japan's best supercar, the Honda NSX is christened with impressive handling and track performance. It is one of the most advanced cars on earth during its launch in1990, thanks to its lightweight aluminium chasis and body. Power comes from a naturally-aspirated 3.0-litre V6 engine producing 276HP in the first generation NA1 model while the second generation NA2 gets a 3.2-litre V6 producing 290HP. It's light kerb weight allows an impressive 0-100 km/h time of 4.7 seconds with a top speed of 280 km/h. Honda stopped the production of the NSX in 2005.

Audi R8: Audi's Porsche 911 Turbo beater, the R8 is first introduced to the public as the Le Mans Quattro Concept in 2003. It's 4.2-litre V8 engine makes 420HP and 0-100 km/h acceleration takes 4.4 seconds. Top speed is 300 km/h. A V10 version was introduced in 2009, dubbed the Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro. As the name suggests, its 525HP engine is of 5.2-litre and is shared with its 'sister' car, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. Transmission for both engine variants are a 6-speed manual or R-Tronic semi-automatic gearbox, driving all four wheels.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG: Mercedes-Benz's latest supercar is the SLR replacement. The German company claims that the SLS AMG is the spiritual succesor to the breath-takingly beautiful 300SL Gullwing of the 1954. The SLS is developed by Mercedes-Benz's in-house high-performance department AMG and features a 571HP 6.2-litre V8 engine capable of catapulting the aluminium bodied SLS AMG from 0-100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds and stopping at a electronically-limited 317 km/h.

Koenigsegg CCX: Koenigsegg, a Swedish supercar manufacturer introduced the CCX model in 2006 as a follow-up model to the 2004 CCR. Featuring a twin supercharger 4.7-litre V8 engine, it has all its 806HP transferred to the rear-wheels via a twin-clutch 6-speed sequential manual gearbox. The usual 0-100 km/h takes only 3.4 seconds and top speed is a blisteringly-quick 394 km/h. In 2007, Koenigsegg introduced the CCXR, a 'greener' and more powerful version of the standard CCX. Running on bio-fuel, the CCXR produces a colossal 1018HP. This green supercar has an even faster 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3 seconds compared to the stock CCX and can hit a claimed top speed of 400+ km/h.

Pagani Zonda F: Pagani Automobili S.p.A was founded by Mr. Horacio Pagani, a visionary Italian who formerly managed Lamborghini's composite department. Mr. Pagani established his company in 1992 with the introduction of the Zonda C12. The latest model, the Zonda F is the more powerful version of the C12 and has a Mercedes-Benz's AMG-tuned naturally-aspirated 7.3-litre V12 engine with 644HP. Accelerating from 0-100 km/h takes 3.5 seconds and top speed is 346 km/h.

AE86 Reborn!

After much rumours and countless artist's impression photos, the much-anticipated spiritual successor to the famous Toyota AE86 is finally coming to reality. The soon-to-be-revealed Toyota FT-86 Concept (a creation of Toyota Europe Design Development known as ED2) will feature a naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre D4-S 'boxer' engine co-developed by Subaru and is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox driving the rear-wheels. While many that are not familiar might think this engine is a diesel (no thanks to the D4-D engine found on the Toyota Hilux pick-up truck), the D4-S is actually runs on petrol. D4-S stands for D4-Superior, and was first seen on the V6 3.5-litre 2GR-FSE engine currently powering the Lexus GS, IS and RX45oh models as well as the Toyota Crown Athlete and Toyota Crown Hybrid. The body is 4160mm long, 1760mm wide, and 1260mm high with a wheelbase of 2570mm, giving it a compact feeling that is easy for the driver to handle the car while able to accommodate four occupants in comfort. This car is scheduled to be unveiled to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show 2009.

Toyota AE86

This is one post I had always wanted to do for a long time. My focus is on the JDM-spec model Toyota Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno AE86. The Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno, or better known as the AE86, is a highly-capable front engined/rear-wheel-drive (FR) sports coupe produced from 1983 to 1987. The AE86 came either in a 2-door coupe or 3-door liftback body style. Both Corolla Levin and Sprinter Trueno are generally easy to differentiate, with their fixed rectangular and pop-up headlight design respectively. Three different trim level were offered, namely the SR, GTV and GT-Apex variants. in 1986, minor facelift were done to the car, which resulted in different taillights design. It runs on the high-revving 1.6-litre 16V 4A-GE TVIS (short for 'Toyota Variable Intake System') engine, developed by Toyota with Yamaha which was also used in the first generation AW11 Toyota MR-2. Transmission was originally a 5-speed manual gearbox, but a 4-speed automatic gearbox was later offered. Limited slip differential (LSD) was an option, with exception to the GT-Apex model which came factory-fitted. In popular culture, the AE86 was featured in the "Initial D", a Japanese manga and anime about mountain pass drift racing. In this story the AE86 (a liftback 1983 Sprinter Trueno model) is portrayed as an extremely good car with a racing-spec 'Blacktop' 20V 4A-GE engine from a Toyota AE111 tuned for maximum mountain pass drift attack, racing and winning against more powerful cars in the form of the legendary Nissan Skyline GT-Rs and Mazda RX-7s. As in the world of motorsport, the Toyota AE86 has shown to the world that it is a force to be reckon with in drift racing, as proven by "Drift King" Keiichi Tsuchiya and Malaysia's very own Tengku Djan Ley. Its engine's lack of top speed is compensated with a free-revving nature and ultra nimble handling. My first proper encounter with the AE86 was after watching the 2004 live-action "Initial D" movie starring Jay Chou. It was an early morning schooling day on my awy to school when my transport went past one liftback Sprinter Trueno. Upon reaching school, I quickly went to my class, dump my bag at my seat and ran back out to where I spotted it for a better look. It had almost the same exterior looks as the "Initial D" version, save for the carbon fibre hood (it's vented instead of the OEM-style type) and the 'Fujiwara tofu shop' Japanese character sticker decal (replaced by huge "INITIAL D" logos on both doors). Today, the Toyota AE86 is a highly-sought after car eventhough it now ages well more than 20 years and seems to avoid the depreciation bug year after year.

Fast & Furious 4 Cars: Subaru Impreza WRX STi (GRB)

This is the other car driven by tuner head Brian O'Connor in "Fast & Furious 4". This GRB Subaru Impreza WRX STi has a VeilSide bodykit complete with a VeilSide hood and roof scoop. Like the Skyline GT-R, this Impreza's EJ25 engine has mild engine tuning, with a reflashed ECU, Perrin air filter and intercooler as well as full Remus exhaust system. Power is transferred via its stock drivetrain to the ground with those gorgeous black 18" Enkei NT03+M wheels wrapped in Continental SportContact 2 rubbers measuring 285/30 R19. The suspension and brakes has been left untouched too. The reason these two aspects has been left untouched was because director Justin Lin said that this car is tough enough to be trashed about on the set with its stock parts. Interior changes includes Momo steering wheel, VeilSide bucket seats with Takata 4-point harnesses, VeilSide gearknob and Matt Sweeney custom-fabricated rollcage.

Fast & Furious 4 Cars: Nissan Skyline GT-R (BNR34)

The famed Japanese tuner machine Nissan Skyline GT-R (nicknamed 'Godzilla') makes a return in "Fast & Furious 4". Driven by Paul Walker's character Brian O'Connor, this car is actually a kit car built by Kaizo Industries. As it is difficult to make Skylines street-legal in the United States, Universal Studios approached Kaizo to have a street-legal version of this Japanese monster that actually came in a rolling-shell form (read: without drivetrain) with the engine and gearbox assembled in the U.S, just to comply with the NHTSA's `assemblage of parts' ruling. This car looks very much like a sleeper with its understated Bayside Blue stock-looking exterior. The only difference are the Nismo front bumper and side skirts, gunmetal grey Volk Racing RE30 19" rims and Sunline Auto carbon fibre hood painted the same as the car. While the RB26DETT engine received mild mods, with a K&N air filter, Turbonetics intercooler and Cobb muffler being the only changes, the main power adder has to be the infamous NOS nitrous oxide system. With that kind of 'go' power, the 'stop' power has got to be equally impressive too, so Rotora's big brake conversion kit that includes cross-drilled and grooved disc with 6-pot front calipers and 4-pot rear calipers are called into task. Handling is courtesy of Nismo lowering coil springs, Eibach anti-roll bars and ARC front titanium strut bar, while wrapping those uber-beautiful Volk Racing wheels are Toyo's finest Proxes T1-R tyres, measuring 275/30 R19 all round. The interior has been revamped too. Momo steering wheel, OMP bucket seats with OMP 4-point harnesses seat belts and gearknob as well as a set of pedals from the V-Spec II Nur model of the BNR34. But the first thing that will catch your attention the moment you open the car's doors is the large LCD panel smacked right at the top of the centre of the dashboard. That is actually a Xenarc LCD computer screen that works together a Magden M.1B data recorder box. The LCD screen can be set to display a vehicle's parameters in analogue or digital graphic meter form. Many of these GT-Rs were used during filming, but there were also ER34 25GT Turbos used for stunt driving purposes. Heck, there's even a rolling-shell that uses the original Volkswagen Beetle's rear-mounted engine for off-road driving scenes!

Hyundai Genesis Prada Special Edition

Hyundai has worked with fashion label designer company Prada to come out with the Genesis Prada Special Edition car. The base car, a Hyundai Genesis, has impressed the motoring world and was awarded the 2009 North American Car of the Year award. The Genesis was conceived by Hyundai to take themselves to a higher level in the premium car sector. The Prada Special Edition has been fitted with many luxurious upgrades. The exterior has been coated in a special matte-finish dark blue paint. It wears exclusive 20-inch nine spoke alloy wheels while the interior includes illuminated flooring, door trims and white Saffiano leather on the seats and dash. Only 3 units of this special edition ride will be made, which one will be put on display at Hyundai Motors headquarters while the other 2 will be auctioned off at the Prada Transformer event with the procedes going to charity. So, while you already have the LG Prada phone, now it's time for you to have the car to compliment your phone gadget.

James Bond's Rides: Aston Martin V8 Vantage

In "The Living Daylights", James Bond drives a Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Q equips the car with spike-producing tyres, jet engine booster rocket hidden behind the rear number plate for that extra speed to escape from persuers, police band scanner radio, a pair of heat-seeking missiles concealed behind the front spot lights, heads-up display (HUD) for targeting the missiles, a self-destruct system, built-in lasers on the front hubcap (the modern equivalent of the DB5's telescoping tyre-slashers but with the ability to do more than slashing tyres) and extending outriggers on the side sills to enable it to ski on snow and ice. At the beginning of the show, the car was a Volante convertible version and did not display any particular 'special features', but later it was 'winterised' with a hardtop.

James Bond's Rides: Lotus Esprit

The white Lotus Esprit S1 used by James Bond in "The Spy Who Loved Me" was a really popular with fans for it can transform from a car into a submarine. It is equipped with a cement dispenser hidden behind the rear number plate for ground use, while underwater equipments include surface-to-air missiles, depth charges, smokescreen, a periscope, torpedoes, harpoons, limpet mines and a self-destruct system that was never used in the movie. There was a flaw in the car's submarine design though: it has no reverse, so the only way to slow down is by switching off the motors. Once underwater, the retractable wheels would fold beneath extendable covers and various fins, rudders and propeller units would appear out of nowhere. There were also black reinforcing bars for protecting the windows and glasses of the car from caving in under pressure. At the end of the underwater scene, the Esprit emerges at a beach full of people, giving those beachgoers a big surprise. A similar white Esprit would later be seen in "For Your Eyes Only", albeit this time being a Turbo model and only appearing for a brief while.

James Bond's Rides: Aston Martin DB5

The Aston Martin DB5 proved to be the most fmous Bond ride ever. It first appeared in "Goldfinger", followed by "Thunderball" and "GoldenEye" as well as cameo apparances in "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "Casino Royale". In "Goldfinger", the car came equipped with revolving number plates, pop-out machine guns concealed behind the front signal lights, telescoping tyre slashers, bullet shield behind the rear windscreen, a radar screen for tracking the homing devices Bond drops into other people's cars, smokescreen, spiked nails (calthrops) for puncturing tyres of villains in pursuit and also oil slicks ejector as well as the famous ejector seat to rid of any unwanted passengers, activated via a button hidden in the gearknob. Later in "Thunderball", a rear water cannon was added. When "Goldfinger" was released in 1964, the equipments in this DB5 was considered to be way ahead of its time. For its cameos in "Tomorrow Never Dies" and "Casino Royale", the DB5 is not equipped with any of those features above.