Hooniverse Asks- What Country Makes The Best Supercars?

Robert Emslie
44

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Of the major auto-producing nations, each country has had at least one. In addition, some come from countries not known for their automotive production or engineering acumen, but still they come. Supercars, those amazing, frustrating, uncompromising machines which may typically be found one the pages of buff books; in the garages of Saudi princes, and on the walls of teenage kids bedrooms. The question is, who builds the best?
The world has suffered through two world wars and since the last has seen an escalating battle for who can produce the most insane rocket on four wheels. The Italians lobbed the first volley, which was immediately answered by the surly Germans, while the Americans and Japanese attempted to keep pace.
Switzerland, Sweden, and even Spain – sticking only to S in the Alphabet –  have each established a beachhead as makers of extraordinary uber-automobiles, even though their numbers may be few. The criteria for a supercar is simple- performance must be scrotum-flapping, the price must be equally so, and school-age boys must have a poster of it on their wall. That’s all it takes- no exploding planet or S on the chest – to make a car super.
So, as you are all experts on automotive opinion, and were once probably teenage kids, what country gets your vote for best maker of supercars? And remember, if we could afford it, it can’t be that super.
Image sources: [Global Motors, Allpar.com]

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Robert Emslie

Robert Emslie

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44 responses to “Hooniverse Asks- What Country Makes The Best Supercars?”

  1. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    Saudi Arabia – I don't think they haven't yet, but when they decide they're going to, they're going to build the most super of all cars.

    Reply
  2. muthalovin Avatar
    muthalovin

    'Merica:
    <img src="http://www.vipermagazine.com/assets/images/issues/2009/spring/articles/burnout/grey_viper_burnout.jpg"&gt;
    <img src="http://image.motortrend.com/f/10918292%2Bw750/112_0810_03z%2B2009_chevrolet_corvette_zr1%2Bburnout.jpg&iact=hc&vpx=582&vpy=142&dur=153&hovh=152&hovw=244&tx=130&ty=99&ei=Vz9QTOblC4O8lQfN7fDaCQ&page=1&tbnh=129&tbnw=206&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0"&gt;
    <img src="http://www.stangbangers.com/05_FordGT_Burnout.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. engineerd Avatar
      engineerd

      You forgot
      <img width=600 src="http://img.donanimhaber.com/upfiles/681178/257246D4FEE34D5BBFEF2EF81A0081D9.jpg"&gt;
      <img src="http://media.techeblog.com/images/aero_1.jpg"&gt;
      <img src="http://s3.hubimg.com/u/33238_f520.jpg"&gt;
      <img width=600 src="http://www.dragtimes.com/images/1081049860_mosler-mt900.jpg"&gt;

      Reply
      1. muthalovin Avatar
        muthalovin

        How could I forget these lovelys? I did not, I just wanted to get my three up at the top of the pile.

        Reply
        1. engineerd Avatar
          engineerd

          I can't blame you there.
          I saw a Vector W8 this last weekend in the flesh. Never been that close. Unfortunately, the memory card on my camera was full. Fortunately, there's no shortage of pics on the interwebs of the W8.

          Reply
          1. vectorfiles Avatar
            vectorfiles

            What color was this Vector and where did you spot it? Very few cars were made and only a handfull gets seen on the street. Most W8s are stored in provate collections.

      2. OA5599 Avatar
        OA5599

        Don't forget about prewar supercars.
        <img width=600 src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Duesenberg_Convertible_SJ_LA_Grand_Dual-Cowl_Phaeton_1935.jpg"&gt;

        Reply
    2. JeepyJayhawk Avatar
      JeepyJayhawk

      America, home of the smokey burnout!

      Reply
    3. sc296 Avatar
      sc296

      hell yeah

      Reply
  3. dukeisduke Avatar
    dukeisduke

    Definitely not the Italians – at least lately. I see way too many pictures of Italian supercars on fire.

    Reply
    1. Balestra Avatar
      Balestra

      That's another reason why Italy is king of supercars. They don't regard rules.

      Reply
  4. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    Definitely the Italians win for overall quantity of Supercars. When you think Supercar you think Ferrari, Lamborghini, and to a lesser extent Maserati. At least as far as cars sold in the US in the last 30 years it seems the Italians only know how to make two kinds of cars: Supercars and small crappy cars (with the possible exception of a few Alfas).
    Of course my personal favorite Supercar comes from England. The McLaren F1.

    Reply
  5. engineerd Avatar
    engineerd

    America, obviously.
    <img src="http://www.stangbangers.com/05_FordGT_Pic4.jpg"&gt;
    I'd give second place to Germany. Between the top of the Porsche model line, the Audi R8, BMW's past supercars (think M1 and even the present M3 and M5), the AMG-ified Mercedes, and the VAG-owned Bugatti Veyron and Lamborghini (I know, it's a stretch, but stick with me here), the Germans have been applying their special brand of "zuper" to cars for ages. They have manged to create some of the world's best supercars. It may have something to do with their passion for blitzing.

    Reply
    1. Balestra Avatar
      Balestra

      The Ford GT is pure,undiluted sex, isn't it?

      Reply
      1. engineerd Avatar
        engineerd

        I want to have a threesome with a Ford GT and a Bugatti Type 57 Atalante.

        Reply
    2. retro Avatar
      retro

      Britain.
      <img src=http://i30.tinypic.com/hwcpz8.jpg width=500>
      Yours is just a pale imitation 🙂

      Reply
      1. SeanKHotay Avatar
        SeanKHotay

        And today there's TVR, McLaren, Morgan (still), Radical, Vanwall (again)…

        Reply
      2. thahammer Avatar
        thahammer

        The GT40 MK IIA (in your pic) was American engineered and built. Only the chassis was made in Britain. Completely built up in the U.S. by Holman and Moody. American Ford engine, American Ford/Kar Kraft trans-axle. Halibrand wheels, bodyshell redesigned in the U.S. "shops". The MkIIB even modified the chassis and interior. It was about as British as Elvis. The Mk I Gulf cars were, however, entirely British engineered (albeit with an American Ford small block, and a Mk I body which was tested in University of Maryland (and later Ford's own) wind-tunnel.)

        Reply
  6. Feds_II Avatar
    Feds_II

    Oh Canada, Our home and native land
    True patriot love, in all thy son's command
    With glowing hearts , we see the rise
    The true north strong and free
    From far and wide, Oh Canada
    We stand on guard for thee
    <img src="http://www.chooseyouritem.com/autos/photos/108500/108796.1975.Bricklin.SV1.jpg&quot; width=500">

    Reply
    1. P161911 Avatar
      P161911

      I take this to mean you are a big Bricklin fan.

      Reply
      1. Feds_II Avatar
        Feds_II

        Nah, I'm just a Canadian patriot, like Luis Riel, Isaac Brock, and John Candy.

        Reply
        1. Alff Avatar
          Alff

          and Nick Kaczur

          Reply
          1. Feds_II Avatar
            Feds_II

            Touche.

  7. SSurfer321 Avatar
    SSurfer321

    This one is for Mitch.
    <img src="http://www.hybridcars.com/images/stories/bricklin-sv1-300.jpg"&gt;
    Oh wait, wrong car…
    <img src="http://www.rpmgo.com/images2009/htt_plethore_lc_750.jpg"&gt;
    750hp tunable to 1300hp. Eat your heart out Bugatti! HTT Plethore LC-750

    Reply
  8. Peter_Dushenski Avatar
    Peter_Dushenski

    Germany has given us the Carrera GT, 959, 300SL, R8, and the Veyron, Japan has given us the GT-R, Supra, NSX, and LFA, and other commenters have already talked about Italy, but Britain gave us the best supercar of all time: The McLaren F1.
    <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/3669155731_b3eab325f3.jpg&quot; width="500" height="375" alt="McLaren F1 (Black-Burning rubber-rear)" />

    Reply
    1. Balestra Avatar
      Balestra

      Agreed. F1 rocks!

      Reply
  9. Deartháir Avatar
    Deartháir

    Gotta go with Germany, since, you know, they make all of them. Audis, Porsches, Mercedes… Lamborghini is German now, Bugatti is German now. Bentley and Rolls are German now. McLaren uses German engines. Ferrari makes godawful ugly cars for douchebags.
    Second place definitely goes to America. The Ford GT is a thing of beauty. The Corvette is… well, we'll say it's also considered a supercar by some. Much like the Shelby Mustang. A distant third is Japan, who sure do try.
    Of course, I think we all know that Australia would probably kick everyone else's ass if they were properly given the chance.
    <img src="http://www.flexfuelkit.com.au/content_images/2/V8%20supercar%20holden_commodore_vz_5.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. engineerd Avatar
      engineerd

      That can be said about most things. American football vs. Rugby, boxing a person vs. boxing a kangaroo, and drinking.
      I looked for a Ford pic to counteract your Holden POS. Unfortunately, Fords tend to keep all 4 tires on the ground.

      Reply
  10. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    I don't like to admit it but it has to be Germany. Even if the cars hail from somewhere else, the engines typically come from the fatherland. It won't suprise me, though, if the answer to this question becomes India or China at some point during my lifetime.

    Reply
    1. JeepyJayhawk Avatar
      JeepyJayhawk

      Depending on the translation some of them have it in the name now.

      Reply
  11. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    Anyone, from any country, who orders an Ultima GTR (and manages to see the project through).
    <img src="http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/content/gtrgallery/gtr00.jpg"&gt;
    "It’s the ultimate g-machine. It’s got the best braking, the best handling and the best acceleration. There isn’t a car on the planet that can run with it."
    Cameron Evans, Popular Hot Rodding TV

    Reply
  12. Feds_II Avatar
    Feds_II

    I approve of this image.
    <img src="http://outlandinstitute.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/magnum.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
    1. joshuman Avatar
      joshuman

      That deserves a Selleck waterfall sandwich.
      <img src="http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kwk9y6NpZZ1qahzc3o1_500.gif"&gt;
      Go here for more: http://selleckwaterfallsandwich.tumblr.com/

      Reply
  13. MarionCobretti Avatar
    MarionCobretti

    Those are GTOs, though, not 308s! The turbo engines in those cars are the predecessor the one in the awesome F40.
    Although I would agree that the McLaren F1 is the greatest supercar of all time, I'm going to go with the Italians on this one. Besides the aforementioned Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Pagani, there are cars from Alfa Romeo (the 8C), and then there's the DeTomaso Pantera.

    Reply
    1. Feds_II Avatar
      Feds_II

      Sorry to disappoint guys, but Red '80's Ferrari = Tom Sellek. All day, every day.

      Reply
  14. jim-bob Avatar
    jim-bob

    Japan. From the Prince R380 to the 2000GT to the Skyline GTR to the Lexus LF-A, Japan has been making excellent supercars for well over 4 decades. Plus, unlike the Italians, they are not shoddily built pieces of crap disguised with a nice interior either. They tend to be reliable and well built in addition to being awesome to drive.

    Reply
    1. engineerd Avatar
      engineerd

      The LF-A makes me sad. It proves that Toyota still knows how to do fun. However, the price proves they don't want to.

      Reply
  15. JeepyJayhawk Avatar
    JeepyJayhawk

    these guys did try to kill the Stig, doesn't that earn points?
    <img src=http://a.imageshack.us/img295/6137/loadimageasppathnewsimagestigfrontsidevm8.png>

    Reply
  16. Balestra Avatar
    Balestra

    Italy, no question. What other country could produce that kind of excellence? Just consider this: no other country can produce a bare bones supercar where the door is opened by a piece of string, the dash is made of carpet and you can see the resin that bonds the kevlar and carbon fiber cloth and yet be the sexiest amongst its competitors. The F40 was sexy almost 25 years ago and still is as desirable today as it was then. Plus, nobody else has the correct insanity-flair-style mixture so right. Where else could the Pagani Zonda hail from? That's right. Nowhere else on earth!

    Reply
  17. dragon951 Avatar
    dragon951

    Ich bin ein SUPERCAR!
    <img src="http://www.sportscarcup.com/cars/silver-porsche-carrera-gt.jpg&quot; width="400" height="300" />
    <img src="http://www.searchpictures.net/transportation/sports_cars/red_racer,_porsche_959.jpg&quot; width="400" height="300" />
    <img src="http://www.ssip.net/upload/porsche-911-gt1-back-2_74.jpg&quot; width="400" height="300" />
    <img src="http://imcdb.org/images/002/562.jpg&quot; width="400" height="300" />
    <img src="http://blog.niot.net/blog-images/27_apr/sibling-rivalry-porsche-and-audi-fight-over-rs-name.jpg&quot; width="400" height="300" />
    <img src="http://www.ssip.net/upload/porsche-550-spyder-front-1_166.jpg&quot; />
    And that's just from one company…

    Reply
  18. Bret Avatar
    Bret

    Seven of the greatest Ferrari of my teen years make this the best picture ever! The 288 GTO screams supercar to me.

    Reply
  19. name_too_long Avatar
    name_too_long

    Given the criteria, it has to be Italy. Other countries have had their moments but, here in the US at least, Italian and Supercar are virtually synonymous in the minds of many normal people (note, I did not say hoons… we're special).
    Germany can make a good argument, especially if you count their hostage French and Italian marques, but BMW, Audi, and most of Mercedes' monsters are too attainable once depreciation has been allowed to run its course and to the untrained 12 year old eye Porsches are all the same. Yeah, there's the SLR and SLS but they aren't crazy enough, the M1 only looks nuts because it was designed by Lamborghini (before German influence). The Carrera GT is the only German car that just screams "Look at me! I'm a Supercar!".
    Yes, we know Italy makes plenty of cheap little cars but ask a random person on the street to name an Italian car maker and chances are it's going to be Ferrari, Lamborghini, or Maserati. If they're a bit more clued in they may throw in Pagani or Alfa Romeo. FIAT? Lancia? "I thought they went out of business in the '80s…" – if they remember them at all.

    Reply
  20. Buickboy92 Avatar
    Buickboy92

    Holy Mother of God, that is awesome!!!!!

    Reply
  21. Buickboy92 Avatar
    Buickboy92

    Why Germany of course 🙂

    Reply
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