Skip to main content
redline

Ford Raptor

Ford

The Raptor is the ultimate Ford F-150. Inspired by off-road race trucks, the Raptor has a 10-speed automatic transmission, a wailing EcoBoost motor, and a long-travel suspension that lets it suck up impacts that would flatten lesser machines. This makes the Raptor a favourite with drivers who like to do motocross-style jumps with their trucks. A YouTube search for “Raptor Jump Gone Bad” is guaranteed to produce memorable viewing. Think of it as the Redneck F-18.

Related Video: The three coolest cars at the Detroit auto show

Pagani Huayra

Pagani

When price is no object, this is the kind of car you get – a $2 million-plus masterpiece crafted from swooping carbon fibre and stuffed with genius engineering. The suspension arms could be displayed in the Museum of Modern Art, and the dash switchgear looks like it was crafted by a obsessed Swiss watchmakers. The Huayra’s assorted flaps and gills rise and fall with speed, giving it the presence of an alien creature on the move. Stunning.

Singer 911

Singer Vehicle Design

This the Stradivarius of the Porsche world. Hand-built in California by a team of engineers and master craftsmen, each Singer 911 is based on a 964-series Porsche (an air-cooled machine produced from 1989 to 1994 era). By the time the Singer crew is done, it’s a brand-new machine, packed with ingenious engineering and artistic detail. And the style is to die for, magically combining historic ambience with ruthless, modern purpose.

McLaren 675LT

Brightcove player

All McLarens are fast, high-tech machines, but the 675LT is special: LT stands for “Long Tail,” and if you study aerodynamics, you know that an extended planform is a major asset if you’re serious about speed. At street-legal velocities, this is rarely a factor, but the 675 LT is aimed at drivers who can afford track days. Seen up close, the 675LT reveals its technical virtuosity: carbon-fibre central tub, twin-turbo V-8 engine, cross-linked hydraulic suspension system, and more.

Jaguar F-Pace

Jaguar

This isn’t just a car – it’s a sign of the times. Jaguar made its name as a maker of classic sports cars like the E-Type, but now the iconic British builder has produced its first SUV. From a business perspective, it makes sense. SUVs are taking over the market, and rival sports car builders like Porsche have recorded record sales with SUV models. The F-Pace represents the future of the legendary Jaguar brand.

2017 Porsche 911 Carrera

Porsche

As automotive survivors go, the 911 is without equal. Fifty-three years after its introduction, it remains fresh and vital. The 2017 model retains the 911’s sacred profile, but updates the mechanical package with a twin-turbocharged motor, fatter tires and revised suspension. As a guy who worked on air-cooled 911s in the 1970s, I’m still amazed at the agelessness of this car – imagine Keith Richards with no wrinkles and a winning time in the Olympic marathon.

Nissan GT-R Nismo

Nissan

The Nissan GT-R’s nickname is Godzilla, and with good reason: this is a machine with crushing power and freakish capabilities. The Nismo version is even more omnipotent than the standard GT-R, with 600 horsepower and a suite of aerodynamic enhancements. Few cars manage to combine such brutal force with such all-encompassing refinement.

Mazda MX-5

Mazda

This is the latest edition of the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car of all time. Now in its fourth generation, the MX-5 has been with us for since 1989, which makes it easy to forget what a great machine it is. Inspired by classic British sports like the Lotus Elan and Triumph Spitfire, the MX-5 added some key ingredients – like Japanese reliability and build quality. Think of it as an MGB with lights that work, no oil leaks, and even better shifting.

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Instagram

Add us to your circles

Sign up for our weekly newsletter.