Supercar

The Lamborghini Miura, produced from 1966 to 1973, is often said to be the first supercar.[2][3][4][5] By the 1970s and 1980s the term was in regular use, if not precisely defined.[6][7] One interpretation up until the 1990s was to use it for mid-engine two-seat cars with at least eight cylinders (but typically a V12 engine), a power output of at least 400 bhp (298 kW) and a top speed of at least 180 mph (290 km/h).[8] Other interpretations state that "it must be very fast, with sporting handling to match", "it should be sleek and eye-catching" and its price should be "one in a rarefied atmosphere of its own"[9] or regard exclusivity (i.e. limited production volumes) as an important characteristic (such as those made by Ferrari or Lamborghini).[5] Some European manufacturers specialize in only producing supercars, such as McLaren, Pagani, and Koenigsegg.[10][11][12][13][14]

It is also claimed that the definition of a supercar has always been subjective and a matter of blind prejudice.[8]

During the 1960s, cars that are now considered to be muscle cars were then referred to as supercars.[15][16]^: 8 The term was sometimes spelled with a capital S.[17] In 1966 the sixties supercar became an official industry trend.[15]^: 8 For example, the May 1965 issue of the American magazine Car Life includes multiple references to supercars and "the supercar club"[18] and a 1968 issue of Car & Driver magazine refers to "the Supercar street racer gang" market segment.[19] In the model name of the AMC S/C Rambler, the "S/C" is an abbreviation for "SuperCar".[20]

Since the decline of the muscle car in the 1970s, the word supercar came to mean a car that has high performance[15]^: 5 interpretations of the term are for limited-production models produced by small manufacturers for enthusiasts, and, less so, standard-looking cars modified for increased performance.[21]

The 1990s and 2000s saw a rise in American supercars with similar characteristics to their European counterparts.[22][23] American sports cars which have risen to be referred to by the supercar name include the Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper, and Ford GT.[24][25][26][27][28][29] Smaller American manufacturers have also made supercars, such as the Saleen S7, SSC Ultimate Aero, SSC Tuatara, Hennessey Venom GT, and Hennessey Venom F5.[30][31][32][33][34]

During the early 1990's Japan began to gain global recognition for making high-performance sports cars, but the automotive media first recognized the Honda NSX produced from 1990 to 2005 as Japan's first supercar, with its lightweight mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout.[35][36][37] The NSX was praised for being more reliable and user-friendly than contemporary European supercars.[38][39]

In the 21st century, other Japanese brands also decided to make their own supercars. From 2010 to 2012, Lexus produced the Lexus LFA, a two-seat front-engine coupe powered by a 4.8 L (293 cu in) V10 engine producing 553 hp (412 kW; 561 PS).[40][41][42] The 2009–present Nissan GT-R has also been praised as a modern supercar with every day practicality.[43][44][45] It features a twin-turbo V6 producing between 473–710 hp (353–529 kW; 480–720 PS), and has been lauded for its acceleration and handling through its all-wheel-drive drivetrain and dual-clutch transmission.[46][47][48][49]

The second generation of the Honda NSX from 2016 to 2022 marked a change in approach for Honda, by using all-wheel drive, a hybrid powertrain producing up to 602 hp (449 kW; 610 PS), turbocharging and a dual-clutch transmission, elevating the NSX marque to contemporary supercar standards.[50][51][52]