20 American Sports Cars Giving European Brands A Run For Their Money
Is The Better Sports Car Born In The USA?
We're used to the French petrol heads turning their noses up and the Italian Tifosi gesturing wildly with their hands at the mention of American muscle cars. However, we're here to argue that the land of the red, white, and blue has something to offer, too. In the early days, it was just raw power: a V8 engine placed in a much too lightweight body that could barely turn. Today, even the cars we previously associated with being like boats on the road have been elevated to levels where they could compete with the finest European sports cars. Here are 20 American sports cars giving European ones a run for their money.
1. Ford Mustang
The first couple of generations of Mustangs were muscle cars through and through, with fast straight-line speed and difficult handling. However, modern versions have finesse and driving dynamics that could rival a Jaguar.
2. Chevrolet Corvette C8
The eighth generation of the Corvette marked a turning point for the iconic sports car, thanks to the new mid-engine layout, which allowed for much more agile driving dynamics and better balance. The raw power of its predecessors persisted, but in a much more elevated package.
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3. Ford GT
The Ford GT outperformed the likes of Porsche and Ferrari when it took home the gold at Le Mans. However, this car isn't just about performance; it's a masterclass in aerodynamics with a lightweight carbon fiber chassis and cutting-edge precision.
4. Dodge Viper ACR
The Vipers of old were notoriously powerful but hard to drive and uncomfortable, lacking luxury features. 2016 saw Dodge step the Viper up many classes, completely redefining the American track car. The ACR was quick on turns, lightweight, aerodynamic, and incredibly quick, consistently breaking track records.
5. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
No matter what version of Camaro you're in, you can be sure it's a powerful car. However, none can beat the performance of the ZL1. Its aerodynamic design is not only gorgeous, but gives it the speed and agility to compete with a Porsche 911.
6. Ford Mustang Dark Horse
What's better than a classic Mustang? A special edition Dark Horse Mustang, designed specifically to break records on the track. Not only is it more powerful, but it also boasts aggressive styling and impressive handling.
7. Shelby Cobra
The Shelby Cobra was designed by one of the most iconic racing drivers ever, Carroll Shelby. The concept was to combine the lightweight body of a European sports car with the power of an American V8 engine. The result was nothing short of legendary.
8. Tesla Roadster
The original Tesla Roadster completely redefined electric cars, proving that an environmentally conscious car design can also be powerful, cool, and fun to drive. Its phenomenal torque, high top speeds, and nimble handling silenced all the nay-sayers and petrol heads in its path.
9. Lucid Air Sapphire
The Sapphire combined the comfort of a luxury sedan with hypercar-level EV performance. Created to compete with the likes of Tesla and Porsche, the engine boasts an impressive 1,234 horsepower, and it can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in an astounding 1.89 seconds.
10. SSC Ultimate Aero
The SSC held the world speed record between 2007 and 2010, the first American car to achieve this feat. It's a mid-engine hypercar with a lightweight carbon fiber body, impressive torque, and astonishing power.
11. Panoz Esperante GTR-1
Not only does the Panoz Esperante GTR-1 look like the Batmobile, but it's pure engineered American power at its best. An extremely high-performing race car with a bold design and a powerful rev, the GTR-1 quickly became a cult classic among car enthusiasts the world over.
12. Hennessey Venom GT
The Hennessey Venom GT is known for its astonishingly lightweight body with plenty of carbon fiber integrated, and impressive, record-breaking acceleration. With a manual transmission and exceptional maneuverability, it's a true driver-centered car.
13. Cadillac ATS-V
The ATS-V was designed to compete with the likes of the BMW M3 or the Mercedes-AMG C63, surpassing the German cars on some metrics, including track performance. The car handles exceptionally well, boasts fast acceleration, and offers better value than its European counterparts.
14. Dodge Challenger Black Ghost
The Dodge Challenger is known for being a powerful car, but it's not often considered very finesseful. The Black Ghost special edition is somewhat of an exception. While not as agile as a Porsche 911, it's a great example of a mighty American muscle car, but the power is a lot more controllable, with different driving modes that offer greater usability and agility.
15. AMC AMX
Known for its distinct styling and impressive power, the AMX was designed to compete with the Corvette, but it got a cult following all its own. It balances the raw power of an American V8 engine with a surprising amount of agility.
16. Pontiac Solstice
The Solstice was a gorgeous, fast, and agile sports car produced by Pontiac between 2005 and 2010. Despite its relatively short production time, it's garnered a solid fan base thanks to its cute design and fun handling.
17. Buick Regal GNX
The Regal GNX was a collaboration between Buick and McLaren, and the resulting car was an exceptionally quick and stylized elevated muscle car. It could outperform a Porsche 911 Turbo and a Ferrari Testarossa on straight lines.
18. Pontiac Tempest Le Mans GTO
The Pontiac Tempest Le Mans GTO is more than just a car; it's a legend, credited with launching the entire American muscle car era. Although it's not as elegant or as finesseful as a Ferrari, the Le Mans packed an exceptional amount of power into a lightweight and inexpensive package that was such an immense hit with the young and reckless new generation of drivers that it gave a new definition to American sports cars.
19. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
Few cars have the same cultural impact as the Firebird Trans Am. It's beloved for its aggressive styling, serious power, and audacious roar.
20. Saleen S7
The Saleen S7 is a supercar that captured the world's attention with its mid-engine lightweight design. With its 750-horsepower engine and 0 to 60 acceleration in 2.7 seconds, it proved that American engineering had what it took to compete with the likes of Lamborghini and Ferrari.
