The content of the article:
- Rating of the best cars
Top Gear experts have compiled a list of the best cars in the history of the automotive industry. The top 10 is complemented by interesting facts from specific models and manufacturers.
Rating of the best cars
1. Sports car Lamborghini Miura from Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A
In 1966, three engineers developed and presented a new car model to the president of the company, Mr. Lamborghini. In order not to upset the owner, the creators had to give their best, carefully working out every detail. A car with such transcendental technical characteristics could not but please the owner of the company.
It was Lamborghini Miura that made Mr. Lamborghini famous all over the world in the field of sports cars. Miura got its name in honor of the surname of the Italian bull breeder.
The first Lamborghini Miura P400 sports car had the following characteristics:
- 12-cylinder 3.9-liter engine generating 350 hp. with.;
- accelerated from 0 to 100 km / h in 5.7 s;
- the maximum speed is 270 km / h.
Such data and today make it one of the best. To give the car a stunning dynamic, the engineers used aluminum in the bodywork. In 3 years, 275 of these sports cars were produced and sold at a price of $ 20,000 per unit.
In 1969, Miura was modernized. A more powerful engine was installed, which added 20 hp. with. and increased the speed by 10 km / h. The interior has been updated, making it more comfortable. Sales of the updated Lamborghini Miura S from 1969 to 1971 totaled 338 units.
The most famous model, the Lamborghini Miura P400SV, was produced in 1971. The modernization affected the engine and allowed to increase the maximum speed to 300 km / h. One of the owners of this sportscar model was the American musician Frank Sinatra.
During the economic crisis of the seventies, President Lamborghini was forced to sell the tractor plant and 49% of the auto company. The last 763 P400SV to be produced in 1973 was a black Miura with a white leather interior.
Today sports cars are in private collections, and their cost, regardless of modification, exceeds 400,000 euros.
2.Ford Escort Mexico from Ford Motor Company
In 1970, five Ford Escort cars won the London-Mexico City rally-marathon. Thanks to this triumph, Ford decided to immortalize the popular subcompact and create the signature Ford Escort Mexico series. The car was analogous to sports racers, but was equipped with a weaker power unit. Model specifications:
- 1.6 liter 120 hp engine with.;
- the maximum speed is 162 km / h.
In 1970-1974, 9382 rolled off the assembly line of such cars.
3. Land Rover Defender from Land Rover
The British Land Rover Defender model is the longest lived in the world. Over the course of 60 years, it has undergone many modifications, but remains similar to its ancestor.
In the post-war years, Rover's production halls were destroyed, and the cars were made in an aircraft factory. But the production capacity was so huge that it seemed impossible to load the models of passenger cars produced by the company at that time.
The Wilkes brothers had to create something new, cost-effective and simple in design. It was then that the first Land Rover model was created. The aluminum body, steel strip chassis and single ladder frame have become the hallmark of the famous SUV.
In the process of modifications, the length of the car, the parameters of the wheelbase and the number of doors changed.
Features of Land Rover Defender with gasoline engine:
- 4-cylinder 2.5 liter 85 hp engine with.;
- 3.5 liter V8 generating 134 hp with.;
- 3.9 liter V8, 182 hp with.
Since 2004, petrol-powered SUVs have been discontinued. The most common model has become Defender with turbodiesel:
- 4-cylinder engine with a volume of 2.5 liters and a capacity of 113 liters. with.;
- 5-cylinder 2.5 liter, generating 122 hp. with.
Defender is mainly used to participate in rally races, as it has no equal on the off-road.
4. Lancia Stratos from Lancia Automobiles S.p.A.
In the photo: Lancia Stratos HF
The design of the Italian sports car Lancia Stratos in the period 1972-1978 was carried out by the famous designer M. Gardini. The legend of 1972 was the Stratos HF Zero model, capable of accelerating to 100 km / h in 6 seconds. The exterior of the car was streamlined and resembled a spaceship. The model had the following features:
- weight - 980 kg;
- maximum speed - 230 km / h;
- luggage compartment with a volume of 148 liters;
- fuel consumption - 16 liters per 100 km.
The Lancia Stratos HF was the first car designed specifically for rally racing. The car has a 6-liter Ferrari engine and a crescent-shaped windshield. Serial production was stopped in 1974, which makes the model unique.
Today, the road version of the Lancia Stratos costs about $ 100,000, and the racing version is $ 1 million.
5. Fiat 500 from Fiat Automobiles
The incredible popularity of the Fiat 500 is due to its reliability, economy, compactness and affordability. This is confirmed by the sales volumes of the model of almost 4 million units.
The latest modified version is produced with two types of engines: gasoline and diesel. The Italian four-seat hatchback has the following features:
- 1.2 L petrol engine generating 69 hp sec., with a maximum speed of 162 km / h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 12.9 seconds;
- engine with a volume of 0.9 liters, 85 liters. sec., maximum speed of 173 km / h;
- a turbo engine with a volume of 0.9 liters, capable of developing 105 liters. and a top speed of 188 km / h;
- a 1.4 liter engine that generates 100 liters. with.;
- diesel engine 1.3 l, 95 hp with.;
- luggage compartment with a volume of 185-550 liters;
- compliance with environmental standards - Euro-6;
- high-quality fabrics and materials in the interior decoration.
The main achievement of the manufacturer is the introduced new technology Uconnect, which does not give boredom in the new Fiat 500. This is an audio system that includes a 5-inch display, steering and navigation system.
The car has a powerful braking system with hydraulic booster, 7 airbags, dynamics stabilization. To save the fuel mixture, a speed change signaling system is installed. Despite its extremely small dimensions, the Fiat 500 is a favorite car not only of women, but also of the stronger sex.
6. Citroen DS Decapotable by Citroen
Thanks to its technical capabilities and luxurious design, the Citroen DS Decapotable is one of the most legendary cars in the world. The model was so progressive that it will give odds to many cars today.
The plush seats are designed on the basis of upholstered furniture, which makes them incredibly comfortable. The absence of a tunnel on the floor facilitates the adoption of any imposing position. Frameless doors have different opening angles.
The motor is started by turning a small key and pressing the black button. Smoothness during the ride is carried out due to the hydropneumatic suspension. Pedals vary in size and shape. The brake pedal looks like a large rubber button raised to the throttle level. The clutch is very low.
7. Ariel Nomad by Ariel
British car company Ariel was founded in 2001 and immediately became famous thanks to the Atom sports car. This track car was designed specifically for racing. It has excellent dynamics due to its low weight. After a great start and 1,400 units of the Ariel Atom, the British automaker decided to create an SUV-like sports car.
The exterior of the Ariel Nomad is unusual - it looks like a competition buggy, but is designed for public roads, which confirms the certification. Of interest is the lack of windows, doors, body panels and a radiator grill.
The basic equipment includes plastic fenders like motorcycle fenders and round headlights. But the windshield, fabric awning or roof optics are available only for an additional fee.
The car is based on an aluminum frame with a steel roll cage. Due to its lightweight design, its weight is 670 kg. There is no trim in the car dealership, everything is metal all around, with the exception of the toolbar, which is made of hard plastic.
The steering wheel is decorated with Alcantara, and information from the instruments and gauges is displayed on a small display, backlit in blue. The two sports car seats are made of plastic and do not have any finishing.
Specifications:
- modified 2.4 liter engine generating 351 hp with.;
- acceleration to 100 km / h is achieved in 3.4 seconds;
- maximum speed - 200 km / h;
- clearance - 30 cm;
- 6-speed manual transmission.
The absence of a stabilization system and ABS makes the ride very exciting. Braking requires caution to avoid wheel locking.
8. Ferrari 288 GTO from Ferrari S.p.A.
The Ferrari 288 GTO is the first car to cross the 300 km / h mark for public roads. This car was designed specifically for rally racing.
The base of the model was taken from the 308 GTB and modernized. They reduced the engine size and equipped it with two turbochargers with intercoolers - this was necessary due to the allowed norms for participation in the competition.
The turbocharged 1.4-liter engine produced 400 hp. s, which made the car absolutely unique in those years. During the year, 277 units of this model were produced, 5 of which are racing (GTO Evoluzione), without access to driving on public roads.
Features of the Ferrari 288 GTO:
- 2.9 liter V8 petrol engine;
- 5-speed manual transmission;
- acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.9 seconds;
- the maximum speed is 304 km / h.
The Ferrari 288 GTO is the ancestor of the fastest Ferrari cars. She experienced the technology of turbocharging, which determined the direction of development of all subsequent models.
9. BMW i8 from Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
In 2009, BMW presented a prototype vehicle equipped with a diesel engine in conjunction with two electric vibration motors. The successor to this concept car, which appeared in 2010, was the BMW i8.
The appearance of the car is quite unusual. The rectangular twin headlights are complemented by LED marker lights. The impressive bumper is set off by carbon fiber air vents. High-strength plastic doors with pivoting mechanisms open upward, which makes the exterior of the car more sporty.
The width of the car is increased due to the rear fenders, and the massiveness is given by the wheel arches. The spoiler is striking in its originality, starting on the roof and ending at the logo on the trunk.
The body and rear bumper of the BMW i8 are made of carbon fiber. Car painting includes a combination of three colors (silver, black and blue), which is the only solution to the color scheme.
Polished carbon fiber, transparent plastic and durable plexiglass are used in the decoration of a rather large car dealership. The salon is designed for 4 passengers. At the back, instead of a sofa, there are 2 anatomical car seats, separated by an armrest. Slim backrests provide extra space for people in the back. Safety is provided by belts with pretensioners.
Hybrid model specifications:
- a petrol 1.5 liter engine plus an electric motor, generating a total of 400 hp. with.;
- acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.4 seconds;
- top speed - 250 km / h;
- luggage compartment volume - 154 liters;
- 6-speed automatic transmission;
- fuel tank for 30 liters (installation of a 42 liter tank is available at an additional cost).
There are 3 options for vehicle equipment. When buying, you can choose a gasoline engine, an electric motor or a combined view. The car is economical (only 2.1 liters per 100 km) and environmentally friendly (Euro-6).
Due to the combination of two motors, a hybrid car does not emit toxic substances for 50 km (electric traction). A full recharge takes 105 minutes from 220 V. Manufacturers claim that the BMW i8 is unmatched in its category.
10.Porsche 911 Singer from Porsche AG
In 1963, the world was struck by the sports car Porsche 911, which later underwent improvements many times. The first three generations had an air-cooled engine. The advantages of the motor were obvious, therefore, in subsequent models, an air cooling system was used with the introduction of the latest technologies.
The 2011 Porsche 911 Singer is not much different from its 1964 ancestor. The main material of the 60s, steel, was replaced by materials of different structure. Strengthened the bodywork with a support frame, extended the suspension and improved headlight illumination, while maintaining the old design.
In the 2011 model, the interior is trimmed with high-quality green leather, noise insulation has been improved, the standard seats have been replaced with branded Recaro and a steering wheel. Plus they added a navigation system, bluetooth and the ability to connect an iPod to a media system.
The updated model is equipped with engines:
- 3 liter with a capacity of 300 liters. with.;
- 3.6 liters with a capacity of 360 liters. with.;
- 3.8 liter boxer, delivering 425 liters. with.
The modifications made it possible to increase the top speed to 275 km / h and accelerate to 100 km in just 3.9 seconds.
Conclusion
Time does not stand still and every year the cars are being modernized, improving their technical characteristics. But we must remember that each of these cars was at one time a real breakthrough in the automotive industry.
