Sports Cars

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. 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.

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.

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.

Sports Car Innovators

The history of American sports cars is the story not only of machines, but also of the men who made and drove them. There have been many key players in the development of the modern sports car, but some stand out as truly significant figures.

Among those innovators to remember are Alexander Winton, Zora Arkus-Duntov, and John DeLorean. Each made a lasting impression on the sports car scene.

Alexander Winton

Alexander Winton was the first truly successful automotive magnate in the United States. His cars participated and excelled in virtually every major racing and touring event of the late 1890s and early 1900s. Winton cars were perceived as the model of American automotive engineering.

Winton's success and belief in his vehicles led him to accept a challenge from an upstart from Detroit named Henry Ford. In a much-ballyhooed 1901 contest, Ford and Winton squared off in one-on-one race.

Winton's Sweepstakes racecar suffered from mechanical problems during the contest and his two-cylinder, 28 horsepower racer finished a distant second to Ford, who found his career revitalized after the publicized victory.

Despite often being remembered as the man who lost to Ford, Alexander Winton was a true American sports car pioneer and laid the groundwork for many manufacturers who followed in his footsteps.

Zora Arkus-Duntov

After World War II, American manufacturers began to produce readily available sports cars, in contrast to the limited production, high-dollar versions from earlier in history. After Ford made a splash with the Thunderbird sports car, Chevrolet sought to capture its share of the growing market with the 1955 introduction of the Corvette.

The Corvette, whose distinctive appearance was brought to light be famous designer Harley Earl, was a

beautiful package containing a ho-hum gift. The car had a two-speed automatic transmission and a standard Chevy 6 cylinder engine. Sales stagnated.

A Russian migr and Chevrolet designer named Zora Arkus-Duntov took the reigns of the Corvette project after its second lackluster year. He redesigned the new Chevy V8 to fit in the Corvette and replaced the automatic transmission with a sportier 3-speed manual tranny. His design changes vaulted the Corvette to fame and admiration.

Arkus-Duntov continued his affiliation with Corvette, ushering it into its heyday as the most respected and admired American sports car.

John DeLorean

A brash young auto executive at Pontiac named John DeLorean had an idea. He could take the under performing Pontiac Tempest, make a few minor exterior alterations, outfit it with a big and powerful V8 engine and upgrade some of the other components. His revitalization effort turned the lowly Tempest into the Pontiac GTO the car that sparked the muscle car era in America.

DeLorean's efforts to build better and more interesting sports cars continued as he opened his own auto company. He introduced the stainless steel DMC-12 sports car later popularized in the Back to the Future movies. The innovative vehicle was never a hot-seller but was an inspiration for countless future designs from other automakers.

The controversial DeLorean was plotting an economy-priced plastic sports car that was never released. He passed away while the vehicle idea was still in its infancy.

Sports car enthusiasts remember cars. They can tell you the specs of many significant sports cars and can trace the history of many sports car lines. It's important to remember these cars did not materialize from thin air. There were men behind the cars who brought them to the limelight. Three of the great innovators Winton, Arkus-Dontav, and DeLorean deserve to be as remembered as any sports car to ever hit the road.

The Art & Spirit of the Exotic Sports Car

Anyone who has seen the Lamborghini Reventón or the Aston Martin DBS knows that unmistakable feeling. It's the thrill & the allure of the exotic sports car, overhauled & updated for the 21st century. Since their inception, sports cars have continually pushed the boundaries of both engineering & art. These are the cars that exemplify speed, power and beauty.

Alfa Romeo: The Grandfather of Exotic Sports Cars

Alfa Romeo first began producing racecars in Milan, Italy in 1910. Their first endeavor, the HP 24, turned some heads with its superior speed and handling. Chief Designer Giuseppe Merosi worked on all Alfa Romeo models from 1910 to 1923. When Merosi retired, racecar driver Enzo Ferrari persuaded Vittorio Jano to leave Fiat and take over Merosi's work.

In 1925, Alfa Romeo unveiled the P2 Grand Prix Car, Jano's first car with Romeo and widely considered the

first "supercar." The P2 was powered by a straight-8 cylinder supercharged engine, and placed first in 14 Grand Pix races between 1924 and 1930. Today, the P2 Grand Prix is considered one of the most rarified of the collectible antique cars, with less than a dozen still intact.

This year marks the return of Alfa Romeo to the United States. Their current sports car, the 8C Competizione, is stunning with its sleek lines, 4.7L 6-cylinder engine & a top speed of 181 mph. This car is destined to send ripples throughout the US market.

Ferrari: High Performance, Luxury Cars

After racing Alfa Romeos in the 1920's & 30's, Enzo Ferrari decided that he wanted to build his own racecars. He prototyped a few models in the 1940's, but it wasn't until after World War II that he found success. Notably, Ferrari's exotic sports cars took first place in the Formula 1 World Championships, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Sportscar Championships throughout the 1950's.

Ferrari's Gran Turismo series remains its most successful lines, with the 2007 599 GTB Fiorano bringing even more luxury and innovation to the table. Patrons of the Ferrari Club of America cite performance as the primary reason for purchasing a Ferrari over other collectible cars.

 

 

 

Lamborghini : Exotic Sports Cars for a New Generation

Ferruccio Lamborghini had a successful business building tractors in Italy before his eyes turned to the exotic sports car. And it wasn't a love for performance that stirred his fire, but a disdain for Enzo Ferrari.

According to Lamborghini's family, Ferruccio purchased a Ferrari 250 GT in the early 1960's and was unhappy with the handling & response of the clutch. He brought it into Ferrari's factory and met with Enzo Ferrari to voice his concerns. Ferrari was immediately upset with Lamborghini's complaints so he mocked Lamborghini and sent him away. Lamborghini went home, dismantled the car and discovered that the clutches installed in Ferraris were from the same manufacturers he used for his tractors. He installed a new clutch and vowed to create a higher-quality, luxury sports car than Ferrari.

While Lamborghini has countless models that produce awe and wonder in car enthusiasts, it's the 1974 Countach that remains their most iconic. Designer Marcello Gandini, then just beginning his career, placed his focus on style over aerodynamics. With its scissor doors, sharp lines and low, wide frame, the Countach raised the bar for Lamborghini. The Diablo, the Murciélago, and even the 2008 Reventón follow in its wake.

Modern Sports Cars

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

America's Sports Car

One of the most classic American sports cars is the Chevrolet Corvette, which was first introduced in 1953. It was the first completely American sports car built by an American car company, which is why it is often referred to as "America's Sports Car".

Today, Corvettes are manufactured in the city of Bowling Green, Kentucky, where they are created with great care. Though the main complaint with the car was its handling, Corvettes' handling has been continually improved to be on a par with popular European sports cars. However, they still remain relatively affordable, which is perhaps another one of the reasons why they continue to be such popular sports cars.

Corvettes are also created to be far simpler than the technical sports cars seen in Europe, which is one of the

reasons they are cheaper. Due to their simplicity, Corvettes tend to be smaller and weigh less than sports cars manufactured abroad. The famous car designer Harley Earl was the person who originally designed the beloved Chevrolet sports car. He noticed that soldiers after the Second World War were bringing back European sports cars and that America didn't really have one. At the 1953 Motorama car show, the Corvette that Earl designed was finally unveiled to the shocked public.

The body of the car was originally made with fiberglass, which was brand new at the time. The performance of the car was similar to other Chevrolets produced at the time, but when Chevrolet released it with the first V8 engine in 1955, it became more powerful and therefore quite popular.

Since it was first introduced, there have been six different generations of Corvettes. The first version of the Corvette had about 290 horsepower and a relatively new fuel injection system. There were several options available to it, including power windows and a convertible top. The second version of the Corvette is also quite important as it was known as the Corvette Sting Ray and had four-wheel disc brakes. There are only five of these coveted models left in existence.

The third version had the oddest introduction of the entire group, as it was shown to the public through Mattel's Hot Wheels line, which had been released a few weeks before the actual car was meant to be shown. The fourth generation was praised for its aerodynamic design, which was uncommon at the time. The fifth generation celebrated the Corvette's fiftieth anniversary, but also improved the car's power in nearly every area. The sixth generation Corvette was recently released and has focused on improving the power of the car, rather than creating a new look.

Even though the Corvette name has been around for over fifty years, it continues to be noteworthy to automobile enthusiasts. In 1984 and 1998, it won Motor Trend's Car of the Year and has appeared on dozens of Ten Best Car lists. The car truly is a piece of automobile history. In fact, the oldest Corvette in existence recently sold at an auction at the price of one million US dollars. The classic American sports car truly is the Chevrolet Corvette, which is why it has been able to survive and remain popular for over half a century.

Your Sports Car's Color

If you are buying a new sports car, you may have the opportunity to select its cover from the ever-growing palette provided by auto manufacturers. When selecting a color for your sports car, there are a few factors one should consider.

Individuality may be more of a concern for some than it is for others. If one is seeking an original, or individual look for their sports car, they may be interested in the results of the annual DuPont car color survey. Every year, the survey examines each class of passenger automobiles and finds out which colors are most commonly chosen by consumers.

Based on the results of the DuPont survey, you should avoid a silver paint job if you are trying to stand out in a crowd. Silver has been the most popular color for sports cars each of the last two years and one out of every five sports cars purchased is silver. Those seeking a unique look may also want to think twice about going with red, blue or black color schemes. These three hues were the next most commonly used colors. In comparison, the number of yellow sports cars and green sports cars combined would still only equal approximately half of those sold with a red paint job.

There are few things that are researched as much as consumer habits. Not only are popular colors evaluated by research teams, they have also examined resale values for cars of different colors. Paint schemes that are particularly unique, it appears, are harder to sell used. Of course, this is not surprising. Thus, if you are preoccupied with eventual resale concerns, you might want to pick one of the more popular colors so the sports car will appeal to more prospective buyers.

If you plan on driving the sports car as a primary vehicle or with great regularity, you should consider your environment and usage habits when picking a color. For instance, one who must access a dirt road regularly should probably reconsider a desire for white or similar light hues. Alternatively, a light color might be perfect for someone living in a sunny climate and is more concerned about heat retention and paint fading than with showing a little dust.

When determining which color best suits you and your sports car, there is one factor you should not take into consideration. There is a venerable urban legend that claims car insurance is pegged at higher rates for those driving red cars. Proponents of this myth claim the insurance companies determined those who drove red cars were more prone to accidents and they accordingly increased rates. Today, there is absolutely no evidence to support the red paint insurance story. So, don't let the fear of a higher insurance premium dissuade you from buying a candy apple red sports car if that is your desire.

One should, however, consider the available interior packages when picking out their paint color. Generally, a dealer will recommend a complimentary color scheme, but many of us have seen cars with interior/exterior color combinations that were anything but flattering. Don't neglect to consider the look of the interior and the exterior together. Will the red paint really compliment the gray interior or neutral brown interior better? Make sure you put together a combination you will enjoy.

One of the great things about buying a new sports car today is the flexibility it affords you. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter cars with few options and limited paint schemes. Today, you can assemble your car to your custom specifications, including the paint job. When picking your color, be thorough in your thinking and you are likely to end up with the perfect sports car.

The World's Fastest Sports Car

Many things go into making a car a sports car, but chief among the factors that separate standard autos from sports cars is speed. Speed is not the sole measurement by which a sports car can or should be judged, but great acceleration and top end speed are factors that are always considered by sports car enthusiasts. While there are cars that can reach 60 mph quicker, the overall fastest production sports car in the world is the McLaren F1.

The McLaren holds all known records for speed among publicly available, street legal sports cars. Its 6.1liter V12 engine (which was designed by BMW) provides an awesome 627 bhp. To put that number in perspective, 627 bhp is more than double the power output of the engine found in one of the world's most famous sports cars, the Astin Martin DB5.

Various sources have tested the McLaren F1. All have been able to push the vehicle to speeds in excess of 230 miles per hour. Some have reached speeds over 240 miles per hour in the F1.

The world's fastest sports car is quick off the line, too. It can go from a standstill to 60 miles per hour in only 3.1 seconds, an amazing clip. It took only slightly more than 6 seconds for the car to achieve 100 mile per hour rates from a dead stop. The McLaren F1's body was constructed from carbon fibers; an automotive innovation and it boasted gull-wings similar to the Lamborghini Countach and Delorean DMC12.

The F1 was originally offered in 1993. Production seems to have stopped in 1998. According to one noted source, only around 100 McLaren F1's were ever produced-and only 65 were designed for road use, making it not only the fastest sports car ever, but one of the most rare, as well. It is considered among the most exotic of all exotic sports cars.

The 100 F1's in existence are sure to fetch more than their original price tag if offered for sale today. That is of particular interest because the McLaren F1 was not cheap to begin with. The limited production sports car listed at one million dollars new. The car's seats were custom molded to fit their owner's physique perfectly and every purchaser was given a custom made Tag Hueur watch engraved with the F1's chassis number. Purchasers were also rewarded with a gold-plated titanium tool kit. As of the late 1990s, there were only seven F1's in the United States, two of which were maintained in Ralph Lauren's private collection.

The McLaren F1 is a notable sports car for a variety of reasons. It's rare nature, high cost, unique story, construction innovations and gorgeous design alone would make it a noteworthy piece of automotive history. When one also considers the massive power supplied by the V12 power plant and the resulting acceleration and speed, the McLaren F1 is elevated to the status of legend.

Early American Sports Cars

Sports cars are often thought to have appeared in the United States after the conclusion of the Second World War. Soldiers who were exposed to British and other racing and sports cars returned stateside and created a market for American-produced vehicles that larger auto manufacturers were happy to serve.

Although it is true that the sports car market really did not mature in the U.S. until the late 1940s and early 1950s, it is not entirely accurate to peg that moment in time as the birth of American sports cars. Sports cars, albeit in very limited numbers, did exist prior to the 1940s domestically. Some even predated the First World War.

These often-forgotten pioneering sports cars deserve attention. Their performance was startling for the era and many of them competed and fared favorably against their better-known French and British counterparts. Here are three early American sports cars that deserve to be rescued from the dustbin of history.

The Stutz

Stutz Motor Car Company, which produced vehicles from its plant in Wisconsin, produced an assortment of exceptional sporting cars. Stutz cars won the American Road and Track Championship in 1915 and were capable of reaching average speeds well in excess of one hundred miles per hour.

The Stutz featured a 4 cylinder, 4-valve motor with a compression ratio of 5 to 1. Stutz competed admirably in races for an extended period of time, placing second in the 1919 Indianapolis 500 and winning the then-prestigious New Zealand Cup on three separate occasions during the 1920s.

The Mercer

The Mercer Raceabout is sometimes described as the true first American sports car. Mercer, a New Jersey company, hand-built top-performing sports cars featuring a T-Head motor. The success of the Mercers in major races made the Runabout nearly famous and made a minor hero of its driver, Eddie Pullen.

Raceabouts were capable of traveling over 80 miles per hour even on the horrible roads of the day. Those who currently operate Mercers will argue they perform nearly as well as many modern cars, with the noted exception of the unrefined braking system.

Raceabout existed only in very limited numbers and the company ceased production outright in the mid 1920s after a series of disasters, accidents and personnel changes.

Winton

Alexander Winton was one the earliest racing car manufacturers in the United States and was, for some time, the most successful. Winton's Sweepstakes model was popularly considered the marvel of its day and was successful in many exhibitions and races.

The Winton Sweepstakes, however, is probably best known for a famous racing loss. Henry Ford, a young automaker who had seen his new Detroit auto manufacturing business go under, challenged the impressive Winton Sweepstakes to a race in 1901.

The Sweepstakes took an early lead on Ford, but developed mechanical problems and lost the race. The highly publicized event thrust Henry Ford into the limelight and gave him sufficient cache to revive his automotive career.

The Winton Sweepstakes used a 2-cylinder water-cooled engine and produced a then-impressive 28 horsepower when operating at full throttle.

The earliest sports cars in America's history were not available to mass audiences, nor did they boast the performance characteristics of the models that began to appear in mass production after World War II. Nonetheless, they were marvels of their time and proof positive that sports cars did exist in the U.S. for decades earlier than we often think.

Sports Cars - Distinction With Performance

When talking about sports cars, it is important to make the distinction between cars which have been produced solely for this purpose, and normal road-going vehicles which have been modified to achieve sports car performance. One notable example of such a vehicle is the popular Golf GTI series.

Generally speaking, the term 'sports car' refers to vehicles which have the following characteristics:

• 2 seats
• 2 doors
• Rear-wheel drive
• Light-weight
• Low ground clearance
• A powerful engine (although this is not essential)

Many classic British sports cars such as the MG series have lacked powerful engines. However, due to their light frame and chassis, they still managed to attain exceptional levels of ride, handling and performance.

True sports cars are vehicles which have been specially designed to be fun to drive, with great handling and ride together with high performance. In many cases, these qualities are attained at the expense of practicality, driver comfort and fuel economy. However, many modern sports cars allow the driver the full sports car experience, without compromising on practicality, reliability or comfort.

Sports cars come in a number of guises. In their simplest form, they are designed for an uncompromising 'pure' racing experience. One of the best examples of this type of sports car is the Lotus Elise. Although lacking in the kind of specification and equipment one would normally expect from a road-going car, the Elise is one of the most fun to drive cars around.

At the other end of the scale, luxurious models such as those offered by Aston Martin and Bentley have spectacular performance, whilst at the same time offering a truly luxurious and decadent driving experience.

Traditionally, owning a sports car was a costly affair. Early incarnations were less than reliable and were notoriously temperamental. They also lacked the refinements we have come to expect from modern vehicles.

Nowadays, due to advances in technology, sports cars are as trustworthy and comfortable as passenger cars. This means that their owners can quite happily use them everyday.

British sports cars

Although none of the British sports car manufacturers are now independently and privately owned, Britain can still be proud of its illustrious motorsport heritage. Luxury British marques include Aston Martin, Bentley and Jaguar, while those looking for that pure racing experience need look no further than the stables of Lotus and TVR

Italian sports cars

Nobody makes sports cars with more passion and flair than the Italians. Select have a full range from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati.

German sports cars

German cars are famed for their build quality and reliability, not qualities one would normally associate with a sports car! However, Audi, BMW, Porsche and Mercedes have a range of luxury cars which are as fun to drive as they are dependable.

Japanese sports cars

Combining fine racing pedigree with the technology and innovation we've come to expect from Japanese manufacturers, Honda's S200 and Subaru's Impreza are perfect for those who want a fun driving experience, without compromising on everyday dependability

Many of us have dreamed of owning a sports car. Thanks to Select Vehicle Leasing's range of affordable sports car leasing you can make this dream a reality.

Learn About Sports Cars Before You Buy One

Nothing beats the exhilaration brought about by speed. Anyone who has ever driven an automobile has at least dreamt of taking the role of Steve McQueen in "Bullitt", getting into a high-speed car chase. If not Bullitt, each driver has dreamt playing Michael Caine's Charlie Cosker in "The Italian Job", driving that gorgeous convertible into the very heart of the gold heist.. Anyone who has ever taken control of the wheel has at least once dreamt of driving not just to get from point A to point B but to go from point A to B in flair. And driving a fantastic sports car fulfills this dream.

In making an automobile or any land vehicle for that matter, a lot of factors are being considered: cost of material, safety, efficiency, and performance are only some of these at play on the drawing board of a car maker. A sports car however, in definition gives priority to performance above all other factors. By performance, speed is usually the first thing that comes to mind. Speed relies heavily on the power of the car's engine.

Most sports cars do have muscle engines which can outrun even the fastest sedans easily. A sports car engineer therefore puts it first on the list of factors that he has to consider: how to travel the distance with the least amount of time possible.

But of course, even if performance is a cut above every other consideration, the other factors are never neglected. Safety cannot be compromised, because even the fastest sports car needs a driver on the wheel at all times, and safe at all times. Besides, everyone wants to drive from start to finish in one piece, after all. So a performance-oriented vehicle must pay attention to the other factors and not rely solely on the car engine's power.

A number of sports cars compensate for a not-so-powerful engine with a light body, paying due respect to the laws of physics: the lighter the mass, the smaller amount of force required to move this mass. This is also the reason why a sports cars usually are smaller, and do not have backseats. If these cars do have backseats, these are not as convenient as a sedan's and is only a throwaway to please the insurance companies. One may also notice that a sports car quite often only has two doors, and it shares the same reason as that of the backseat.

Because it can outperform any of the regular four-seater cars out in the market, sports cars are sold obviously at a higher price. Another reason is because quality materials are almost always being used to withstand the heavier wear and tear in this type of vehicle.
This also explains why purchasing a sports car remains a pipe dream to most car enthusiasts. But it doesn't have to be that way anymore. It is easier to get one's hands on the steering wheel of a sports car than most people think. One just has to have the imagination and acumen to do so.

Buying a sports car does not have to mean going to your nearest car dealer and getting a brand new vehicle off the rack. There are quite a handful of these vehicles beyond the dealer's garage, in very good condition and sold at a lower price. You can always check out car auctions and watch out of sports car models being sold at pancake rates. Pre-owned sports cars are always available on your local car magazine or website; sometimes it just requires you to pay more attention to these ad placements; you'll never know when the sports car of your dreams is right under your nose.

Buying second-hand sports cars maybe the best way to go if one is facing monetary constraints. If a pre-owned sports car is taken cared of properly, it will give one the same excitement that a new one can provide.

There are also private sellers particularly of sports cars. More often than not, owners of these sports cars found themselves short of cash and are willing to dispose of their sports cars at considerably low prices, much to their resistance. Desperation is in a way good for buyers on the look-out: they get their dream vehicles at bargain prices.

And once you have spotted the car of your dreams, it is wise to exercise routine vehicle inspection, the way one does when buying a regular car. Do not forget to visually inspect the engine, the interior and the body. It is a folly to disregard these simple reminders, especially when buying a pre-owned sports car. You as a buyer can easily assess the condition of the car, how well it was maintained by the owner, simply by looking at it. Then, the proof of the pudding is in the eating: do not forget to test-drive your prospect sports vehicle before closing the purchase. Give it a go and see how it feels. If it feels good - and you feel like Steve McQueen in Bullitt - it is time to call that sports car your own.

Pre-war Car Petr Novague ECO Car Concept Inspired by F1 Technology

The concept vehicle is christened as ECO and features tube car frame, half-hood body and carbon components that add minimum possible weight to this energy efficient and eco friendly vehicle. Created by Petr Novague as a mark of respect for Laurin and Klement, a pre-war Czech company, Further, chromium-molybdenum steel made lattice truss frame in the front part of the car is attached to the carbon frame with inside honeycomb.

The concept vehicle is combines the old traditions of pre-war cars with the modern and innovative technology and system logic.

Pre-war Car Petr Novague ECO Car Concept Inspired by F1 Technology

ECO is powered by the electric motors that are located in the narrow wheels. Electric motors are powered by the batteries located under the tilting front lid, which also works as door. With zero tail pipe emission, ECO offers clear and green ride added with comfort and range of 500 km per charge.

Hailed as “ECO,” the concept car features tube car frame, half-hood body and carbon components, which makes it a lightweight and energy efficient vehicle.

Pre-war Car Petr Novague ECO Car Concept Inspired by F1 Technology

Moreover, the ECO car can change it ground clearance, thanks to the double-wishbone axel disposes of the push rod suspension, uniball endings and impact dampers, according to the road or terrain.

Attaching the lattice truss frame, made in chromium-molybdenum steel, to the carbon frame with inside honeycomb upfront that is inspired by F1 technology, the retro-futuristic car also touts electronic drive-line (4 x 4) with stabilization system, which reduces the weight of mechanical connections by a huge margin.

2010 Volkswagen Sports Cars - VW Solar Powered Supercar Concept

It is a luxury supercar, it will only be built in a limited number of 200 units. It was designed to be able to cruise around in the year 2020. Volkswagen supercar presented at the 2010 Swansea Metropolitan University Degree Show in automotive design by Peter Wilkins not only promises to run by solar power with greater efficiency but also offers a competitive design styling.

2010 Volkswagen Sports Cars - VW Solar Powered Supercar Concept

Peter Wilkins has designed one helluva eco-friendly car for the 2010 Swansea Metropolitan University Degree Show. His supercar would run off of an electric motor powered by photovoltaic cells, or a hydrogen fuel cell stack. Peter Wilkins’ design is one of the sexiest eco-cars I have ever seen. Making earth-friendly cars that look good is a great idea.

The unique design of Wilkins permits each of the four wheels of the vehicle to be driven by an independent electric motor powered by solar energy stored in photovoltaic (PV) cells. The upper external surface of the vehicle stores the PV cells that further supply power to the mid-mounted hydrogen fuel-cell stack, which is directly linked to the electric motors. Placement of the PV cells and hydrogen fuel-cell stack form an integral part of the elegant design of the eco car that looks like part of a supercar.

The “VW Solar Powered Supercar” by designer Peter Wilkins is a concept car that demonstrates the aesthetic aspect of eco-friendly vehicles to attract more people toward sustainable commuting.

Simply known as the “VW Solar Powered Supercar”, this vehicle shows how just clean and green travel can get, and fast too. To power up, the car turns its face away from the smelly gas pump and integrates photovoltaic cells in its body instead. It uses these to juice up with solar power.

 2010 Volkswagen Sports Cars - VW Solar Powered Supercar Concept

The energy generated is used to power up a mid-mounted hydrogen fuel cell stack, resulting in a drive without the smoke and the pitch-black carbon footprint supercars usually leave behind these days.

2011 Jaguar Sports Cars XKR 175

 Jaguar celebrates its 75th anniversary with the debut of the limited edition 2011 Jaguar XKR 175 Coupe at the McCalls Motorworks Revival at the Monterey Jet Center during the Pebble Beach Automotive Weekend. This is the first appearance of the exclusive sports car in North America.

2011 Jaguar Sports Cars XKR 175

The Jaguar XKR 175 is powered by a supercharged V8 with 510hp and 461 lb-ft of torque and top speeds raised to an electronically-limited 174mph. To ensure that the Jaguar XKR 175 remains stable at high speeds, a revised aerodynamic package incorporates a new front air dam, new side sills, a new rear diffuser and a larger rear spoiler providing increased balance and a reduction in lift. New 20-inch Kasuga 10-spoke alloy wheels, red brake calipers and Ultimate Black exterior paint adorn the car's exterior.

Inside, door sill tread plates reading "XKR 175 - 1 of 175" greet the driver and passenger while the leather is finished in Warm Charcoal with Cranberry stitching, all accompanied by Piano Black wood veneer.

Production of the 2011 Jaguar XKR 175 is limited to 175 vehicles at an MSRP of $104,500 (including destination charge). There will be 15 Jaguar XKR 175 models for the Canadian market as well. The XKR175 will be a North America-specific model while the XKR 75 will be available in the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands and Belgium.

2011 Jaguar Sports Cars XKR 175

To ensure that the XKR175 remains stable at high speeds, a revised aerodynamic package incorporates a unique front air dam, unique side sills, a current rear diffuser and a larger rear spoiler providing increased balance and a reduction in engage. original 20-inch Kasuga 10-spoke alloy wheels, red brake calipers and Ultimate shadowy exterior paint adorn the car’s exterior.

2011 Volkswagen Beetle Ragster Concept Car Second Generation

Volkswagen to Launch the 2011 Beetle Based on the Beetle Ragster Concept car. Continued development of second generation of the Volkswagen Beetle that will be presented this year in November, as a concept car at the Salon in Los Angeles. Volkswagen is working on the second-generation of the new Beetle. The new car is expected to make a debut in concept form at the 2010 LA Motor Show later this year and will go on sale in 2011. A second generation Volkswagen Beetle will be launched next year, which would have more focus on driving dynamics rather than retro styling. The production version will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2011, and the year after arriving variant Cabriolet.
The Beetle will continue to be assembled in the plant in Puebla, Mexico, where it will be produced also the new Jetta. The two cars will share the new platform, characterized by a large step that will provide more cabin space for Beetle.

2011 Volkswagen Beetle Ragster Concept Car Second Generation

The second generation Volkswagen Beetle is a 2.0-liter engine producing 210 bhp (213 PS, 157 kW) could be seen on the car, more powerful than any engine currently sold on the vehicle. Also expected are 1.4-liter 160 bhp (162 PS, 119 kW) and 1.2-liter 105 bhp (106 PS, 78 kW) petrol engines. Diesel offerings could include 2.0-liter 140 bhp (142 PS, 104 kW) and 1.6-liter 105 bhp (106 PS, 78 kW) units. Customers in the US might get the chance to purchase the car with a five-cylinder 2.5-liter model cranking out 170 bhp (172 PS, 127 kW).
It is also said that the new car will have a heavily revamped interior. Engines will include the already existing 2.5-liter five-cylinder, a new 2.0-liter turbodiesel and a brand new hybrid version, powered by a 1.4-liter gasoline engine and a 27-horsepower electric motor. The engines will be mated with five and six speed manual transmissions and the new Volkswagen DSG dual-clutch gearbox.

2011 Audi Sports Car R8 GT

INGOLSTADT, Germany, May 1, 2010 Audi presents a limited-production version of it R8 high-performance sports car, the R8 GT, even more powerful, lighter and faster. The output of its 5.2-liter V10 has been increased to 412 kW (560 hp); vehicle weight has been reduced by roughly 100 kilograms (220.46 lb). The R8 GT accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (198.84 mph).

The R8 high-performance sports car has been a winner from the very beginning. This applies to both the production models, winners of the “World Performance Car” Award in 2008 (R8) and in 2010 (R8 V10), and to the race car, the R8 LMS, which won 23 races in its first season and claimed three championships. The genes of the race version are now coming to the street – in the R8 GT. The exclusive series is limited to 333 units. Each R8 GT has a badge with its production number on the shift lever knob.

The extremely high strength of the body is the basis for the high-performance sports car’s precise handling, and it also offers good vibration comfort and first-rate crash safety.

The engineers also fought to shave every possible gram of weight from the technical components of R8. They shaved one kilogram (2.20 lb) from the power brake system, four kilograms (8.82 lb) from the aluminum caps of the brake discs and 9.4 kilograms (20.72 lb) from the battery. The engineers also found 2.3 kilograms (5.07 lb) in the air intake module and 2.8 kilograms (6.17 lb) in the insulation of the engine compartment.

The modified V10, whose cylinder head covers are painted red, gives the Audi R8 GT breathtaking performance. The R8 GT sprints from a standing start to highway speed in 3.6 seconds, and from zero to 200 km/h (124.27 mph) in 10.8 seconds. And the thrust does not let up until the top speed of 320 km/h (198.84 mph) is reached.

Changes to the engine electronics coaxed an additional 26 kW from the ten-cylinder, which now produces 412 kW (560 hp) from a displacement of 5,204 cc. The torque curve peaks at 540 Nm (398.28 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm, 10 Nm (7.38 lb-ft) more than in the production version. The V10 has a specific power output of 79.2 kW (107.6 hp) per liter displacement. Its power-to-weight ratio is 3.70 kilograms (8.16 lb) per kW or 2.72 kilograms (6.00 lb) per hp. The engine redlines at 8,700 rpm.

The normally aspirated engine consumes an average of 13.7 liters of fuel per 100 km (17.17 US mpg) – very good fuel economy given the tremendous power. The FSI gasoline direct injection system injects the fuel into the combustion chambers at up to 120 bar of pressure. The turbulent mixture cools the cylinder walls, enabling a compression ratio of 12.5:1. A variable intake manifold and the continuous adjustment of the chain-driven camshafts ensure that the combustion chambers are fully filled. Flaps in the intake ports facilitate the formation of the mixture by inducing a tumbling motion in the inflowing air.

2011 Audi Sports Car R8 GT

The 19-inch forged wheels are 8.5 J x 19 up front and 11 J x 19 at the rear, and are shod with size 235/35 and 295/30 tires, respectively. Audi will mount 305/30 tires together with optional wheels on the rear axle upon request. Cup tires, which offer the ultimate in performance on dry roads, are available for racing enthusiasts. At Audi, reducing weight means increasing performance and efficiency, but not sacrifice. The 2011 Audi R8 GT, which Audi sells in Germany for €193,000, comes with an automatic climate control system and power windows, a navigation system with MMI operating logic and a powerful sound system.