Mike Brewer's Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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SUPERCARS

Blackball Media Haslar Marine Technology Park Haslar Road, Gosport PO12 2AG EDITORIAL Editor-in-chief Mike Brewer mike@mikebrewermotoring.com @mikebrewer Editor-in-chief’s chief assistant James Baggott james@blackballmedia.co.uk @CarDealerEd Head of design Graeme Windell graeme@blackballmedia.co.uk @graemewindell CONTRIBUTORS Jack Evans, Felicity Bestwick, John Bowman, Dave Brown, Rebecca Chaplin, Craig Cheetham, Jess Ernerth, Jack Healy, Ryan Hirons, Jon Reay, Ted Welford, Adam Weller, Tom Wiltshire, Oliver Young ADVERTISING SALES Catherine Rowe – 01233 228750 tandemmedia.co.uk PRINT & PRODUCTION Kelsey Media kelsey.co.uk

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I

f it’s got an engine, four wheels and the merest hint of some character, I’m sold. While I love a good old hot hatch, a classic British sports car or some American muscle, there’s nothing quite like the allure of a supercar to really get my pulse racing.

Just take a look at them – all big wings, loud paint jobs, shouty exhausts and enough power to rearrange your eyeballs in your head. What’s not to love?

In this special bookazine I’ve taken a close look at the very special motors that are often reserved for the rich and famous. And fortunately, in the name of good investigative journalism, I’ve managed to hitch a ride in some of the most amazing models on sale today. I blagged my way into the driver’s seats of the Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster, the strangely named Ferrari 812 Superfast and McLaren’s new ultra super-lightweight track weapon, the 600LT Spider.

But that’s not all. I’ve recalled a very special test drive I once had in Jaguar’s unsold C-X75 supercar. You may recognise that monster from the Bond film Spectre, and will probably know it was killed off before the clever chaps from Coventry ever got the chance to build a production model, but I was lucky enough to get a go on a closed test track.

Elsewhere, I list my top 10 supercars of all time, reveal which ones you should avoid, and give you my top tips on buying, selling and looking after your supercar.

My favourite section to put together, though, was the cars of the decades. I’ve picked my favourite supercars from the Sixties through to the Noughties.

I’ve also taken my beady eye to some iconic supercars and pored over the details of the supercars that changed the world forever. Cars like the Ferrari F40 – yes please, I’ll take 10 – and the McLaren F1 (what a stunner), the game-changing Bugatti Veyron and the classic and utterly beautiful Lamborghini Countach.

And if you think you know your supercars like I know my supercars then prove it in my special quiz.

So, sit back and relax with a cup of builder’s tea, a slice of homemade cake as good as my lovely wife Michelle makes, and drink in my thoughts on some of the most amazing cars ever to hit the streets. Ta da!

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide To Supercars is published by Blackball Media Ltd (Company No 6473855) and printed by Kelsey Media.

All rights reserved. Conditions of sale and supply include the fact this title shall not, without our consent, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated way or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to any part of a publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever.

While the information within this guide is accurate at the time of publishing, prices and figures may fluctuate with the market.

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SUBSCRIBE NOW TO GET MIKE’S NEXT MAG Mike’s Ultimate Guide to Classic Cars is on its way... see p108 for more

CLASSIC CARS

the delights of owning a piece

MY CLASSIC CAR HEROES

A CLASSICAL MASTERPIECE THE JOYS OF OWNING A JAGUAR E-TYPE

of classic metal

THE BEAUTIFUL MACHINES I’D LOVE IN MY COLLECTION

PLUS: BREWER’S GUIDE TO OWNING A CLASSIC MINI COOPER

MY 10 FAVOURITE CLASSICS OF ALL TIME MY TOP TIPS ON...

HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR CLASSIC CAR

HOW TO BUY A CLASSIC CAR ON THE CHEAP

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

HOW TO BUY AND SELL A CLASSIC CAR

3

Inside

44

Dream Drives: Ferrari 812 Superfast

Mike Brewer's Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Contents Mike Brewer Interview

6

The Holy Trinity

10

My Top 10 Supercars of all Time

14

My Dream Supercar Garage

20

Exclusive Supercars

24

Brewer on: Ferrari F40

26

Supercar Quiz

28

How to Buy Your First Supercar

30

How to Look After Supercars

34

My Top 10 Selling Tips

36

How to Get a Supercar on the Cheap

39

Celebrities and Their Supercars

40

Footballers and Their Supercars

42

Dream Drives: Ferrari 812 Superfast

44

My World Tour

46

Supercars to Avoid

48

Brewer on: McLaren F1

50

Supercar Thrills for Up To £10k

52

The Best Track-Only Supercars

54

Gifts Made From Supercar Parts

55

Play Your Cards Right!

56

Most Expensive Supercar Options

58

Dream Drives: Jaguar C-X75

60

64

Dream Drives: Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster

86 Ford GT40 through to today’s GT

50 Brewer on: McLaren F1

60

Dream Drives: Jaguar C-X75

Dream Drives: Lamborghini

SUBSCRIBE NOW TO GET MIKE’S NEXT MAG Mike’s Ultimate Guide to Classic Cars is coming next... see p108 for more details 4

Mike Brew er’s IN ASSOCIATION WITH

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

Mike Brewer on...

CLASSIC CARS

the delights of owning a piece

MY CLASSIC CAR HEROES THE BEAUTIFUL MACHINES I’D LOVE IN MY COLLECTION

A CLASSICAL MASTERPIECE THE JOYS OF OWNING A JAGUAR E-TYPE

of classic metal

PLUS: BREWER’S GUIDE TO OWNING A CLASSIC MINI COOPER

MY 10 FAVOURITE CLASSICS OF ALL TIME MY TOP TIPS ON...

HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR CLASSIC CAR

HOW TO BUY A CLASSIC CAR ON THE CHEAP

HOW TO BUY AND SELL A CLASSIC CAR

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

30

How to buy your first supercar

Aventador S Roadster

64

Cost of Owning a Supercar

67

My Favourite Manual Supercars

88

Brewer on: Lamborghini Countach

68

Brewer on: Bugatti Veyron

90

Dream Drives: Ant Anstead’s Comet

70

Brewer on: Bugatti Chiron

92

Supercars Through the Decades

72

Rise of the Super-SUV

94

Dream Drives: McLaren 600LT Spider

84

Parts Bin Raiders

96

Ford GT40 Through to Today’s GT

86

Coolest Supercar Gauges

98

40

Celebrities and their supercars

106 Brewer on: Zonda C12

92

Brewer on: Bugatti Chiron

10 The holy trinity

70

72

Supercars through the decades

Dream Drives: Ant Anstead's Comet Best of British Supercars

100

Need for Speed

105

Brewer on: Zonda C12

106

Future’s Electric

110

Best Rallying Supercars

112

Crash! Bang! Wallop!

114

Supercar spotting

My easy guide to finding your favourite supercar in a jiffy!

Car Page No. Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 75 Apollo Intensa Emozione 24 Ariel P40 111 Arrinera Hussarya 47 Aspark Owl 47 Aston Martin DB5 74 Aston Martin DBS 83, 88, 97 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera 22 Aston Martin Lagonda 110 Aston Martin One-77 102 Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1977) 77 Aston Martin Valkyrie 100 Aston Martin Vantage (2018) 21 Aston Martin Virage 49, 96 Aston Martin Vulcan 54 Audi R8 22, 40, 42, 82, 89 Bentley ‘Blower’ 100 Benz Velo 105 BMW i8 42 BMW i Vision Dynamics 110 BMW M1 76, 97 Brabham BT62 47 Bugatti Chiron 25, 43, 92 Bugatti EB 110 81, 96 Bugatti Veyron 41, 58, 83, 90 Callaway Sledgehammer 79 Caparo T1 49 Chevrolet Corvette 42, 75, 88 Corbellati Missile 24 Covini C6W 49 DCC Comet 70 DeLorean DMC-12 79 De Tomaso Pantera 77 Dodge Viper 80, 88, 97 Eagle Speedster 101 Ferrari 308 GTB 77, 113 Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti 43 Ferrari 365 GTB 74 Ferrari 430 Scuderia 83 Ferrari 512TR 79 Ferrari 599 58, 89 Ferrari 812 Superfast 44 Ferrari California 49 Ferrari Enzo 42, 82 Ferrari F12 TDF 40 Ferrari F40 18, 26, 78 Ferrari F50 81 Ferrari FXX K 54 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso 21 Ferrari LaFerrari 11, 43 Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta 41 Ferrari Mondial 8 48 Ferrari Portofino 58 Ferrari SP12 EC 24 Ford GT 21, 40, 82, 86, 89 Ford GT40 15, 74, 86 Ford RS200 78 Gumpert Apollo 25 Hennessey Venom 46 Honda NSX 15, 22, 81, 89 Jaguar C-X75 60 Jaguar E-Type 75 Jaguar XJ220 15, 80, 102 Jaguar XK120 105 Koenigsegg CCX 82 Lamborghini Aventador J 24 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster 41

Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster 64 Lamborghini Countach 68, 76 Lamborghini Diablo 80 Lamborghini Espada 48 Lamborghini Huracan 22 Lamborghini Miura 16, 75, 105 Lamborghini Murcielago 82, 89 Lamborghini Reventon 99 Lamborghini Sesto Elemento 54 Lamborghini Terzo Millennio 111 Lamborghini Urraco 77 Lancia 037 113 Lancia Stratos 77, 112 Lexus LFA 99 Lotus Esprit 79, 97 Lykan HyperSport 24 Maserati Boomerang 99 Maserati Bora 77 Maserati Ghibli 75 Maserati Merak 49 Maybach 575 Xenatec Coupe 43 McLaren 600LT Spider 84 McLaren 720S 21, 98 McLaren F1 18, 41, 50, 81, 101 McLaren P1 10, 54 McLaren Senna 58, 102 McLaren-Mercedes SLR 54, 96 Mercedes-AMG GT R 20 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 105 Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR 17 MG X-Power SV 49 Mitsuoka Orochi 48 Morgan AeroMax 100 Nio EP9 47 Nissan GT-R 16 Noble M12 96 Noble M600 102 Pagani Huayra 99 Pagani Zonda 54, 80, 98, 106 Pininfarina Battista 111 Polestar 1 110 Porsche 911 (997) GT3 RS 17, 20, 83, 88, 113 Porsche 911 GT1 80 Porsche 911 GT2 81 Porsche 911 Turbo 76 Porsche 918 Spyder 11, 43 Porsche 928 76 Porsche 959 16, 41, 79, 112 Porsche Carrera GT 83, 89, 99 Praga R1R 47 Rimac Concept Two 110 RUF CTR ‘Yellowbird’ 78 Shelby Cobra 75 Spyker C8 99 Techrules Ren RS 111 Tesla Roadster 110 Toyota 2000GT 74 Tushek Apex 25 TVR Cerbera 98, 101 TVR Chimaera 97 TVR Sagaris 49 Ultima Evolution 46 Vandal One 25 Vector W8 79 Vencer Sarthe 46 Venturi 46 Zeclat Coupe 25 Zenvo ST1 47 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

5

INTERVIEW.

MIKE BREWER CHATS ABOUT HIS LOVE OF ALL THINGS SUPERCAR The fear, the exhilaration, the aspiration – and plenty more besides. There’s so much wrapped up in these four-wheeled beauties. They’re pure thoroughbreds that guarantee genuine automotive joy

6

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

My bedroom wall was adorned with supercars when I was growing up.

Lamborghini’s Miura and the Ferrari F40 were both up there.

The aspirational Ferrari F40 That’s me as a nipper! I’ve always loved cars

I

’ve been around cars all my life. New ones, classic ones, huge SUVs and dinky little superminis. Cars from all over the world, too.

Think of a make and model and the chances are I’ve owned it, bought it, sold it or restored it. During all my years on TV and in the trade, I’ve had some pretty special experiences, as you can imagine – and the best times of all have been with supercars.

Don’t get me wrong – there’s nothing wrong with the daily drivers you and I use to travel to work or take the family on holiday. But in terms of automotive, supercars take things to the next level.

I’ve been rolling back the years while we’ve been putting this magazine together and it’s been great to think back to the days when I was young and had my whole life ahead of me. I’m older now, of course, and hopefully a bit wiser!

The first supercar I drove was a Jaguar XJ220 – not a bad way to start my lifelong love affair with the best the automotive industry has to offer.

It must have been before the start of the new millennium when I got behind the wheel of that beauty. I can remember the sheer fear and terror I felt when the guys at Jaguar let me take it for a test drive. But the whole experience blew me away and the fear and anguish just vanished when I grew a pair and put my foot down. I remember the whole thing like it was yesterday. Magic.

Some people will tell you ‘a supercar is just a car – as long it can get you from A to B, who gives a monkey’s?’ But they just don’t understand the passion that people like me feel.

Supercars mess with your head – in a good way, for definite. They pull your senses in every direction possible. There’s so much power under your right foot – and they cost an arm and a leg to get hold of, of course – that there’s bound to be a bit of trepidation. But driving a supercar can make you just

The Lamborghini Miura was a childhood dream

feel so fantastic, so happy and lucky to be alive.

That XJ220 drive was the first time I seriously experienced g-force too. I was properly pushed into the back of the seat. I was exhausted after driving it for only 45 minutes – I could’ve slept for a day afterwards! It was almost like someone had given me a shot of adrenalin, and it was then that I realised what supercars are all about – they’re like a drug. I climbed back into my Ford Focus to drive home and I’d never felt so miserable! A car like the XJ220 really makes an impression on you.

People can be drawn to a supercar for a number of reasons. One is simply that they can afford

Tea time for me and Ant, my TV co-host

it – maybe they’ve won the lottery, or done well in business. A supercar is a badge of honour for someone who’s got a few bob in the bank.

Some get one because they like the idea of themselves looking good behind the wheel – and let’s not forget, supercars are popular with Premier League footballers. To be fair, if I was earning 200 grand a week for kicking a ball around, I’d probably have a fleet of Ferraris!

The thing about those footballers – and it kind of pains me to say it, but it’s true – is that most will never give their cars a decent workout.

Sure, they might go to the shops or the training ground, but they’ll never get the thrill out of them that the manufacturers intended.

My bedroom wall was adorned with supercars when I was growing up. Lamborghini’s Miura and the Ferrari F40 were both up there, and I had them framed and put up in my dealership when I first started that, too. I’ve always had posters of supercars on my walls, because they give you something to aspire towards. This was all years before I got the opportunity to have a set of keys in my hand belonging Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

7

INTERVIEW.

The McLaren Senna is a car I’m hugely excited to drive.

McLaren Senna – a proper hypercar

to something fast. I think it’s telling that one of the best-selling Haynes manuals is for the Ferrari F40.

Ferrari only sold around 200 of them – but Haynes sell thousands of manuals.

That says something about what supercars mean to people. They may never own one but the aspiration and the dream is always there.

If you’re lucky enough to own a supercar, you’re a member of a pretty special club – but there are a few drawbacks, even I admit. It goes without saying that they’re precious, expensive items – so aspects of driving them on a daily basis can be difficult.

Who’d want to leave a 100 grand Porsche in a Sainsbury’s car park, for instance? Anyway, you’d struggle to get most supercars into a typical parking space. Most of them are longer and wider than your average family hatchback, let’s not forget!

Added to that, you run the risk of your pride and joy getting dinged or dented. On a ‘normal’ car, you could be looking at a few hundred quid to sort it, but getting rid of a chip in the paintwork of a supercar?

You’re talking thousands. Ouch.

Parking isn’t the only headache. These days, we have all kinds of measures to slow us down and they’re a nightmare for supercars – speed bumps play havoc with such highly strung machines.

Supercars also don’t score too highly when it comes to practicality, either. You can’t have a weekend away in them unless you’re only going to pack a tiny holdall containing a credit card, a pair of sunglasses and a change of pants!

But let’s face it, absolutely nobody buys a supercar if they’re after something to take the kids and the dog to the coast for a few days.

Just think about what supercar ownership CAN give you. A fantastic Ferrari or a magical McLaren will deliver that thrill, that special feeling and a 8

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

moment of pure joy when you’re connected to the car and feel the sheer power of the engine and hear the roar of the exhaust.

As I’ve said, I’m 100 per cent in the camp that supercars need to be driven. I hate it when you see supercars with only a few hundred miles on the clock. When Ferrari manufacture a Portofino and put all that time and effort into research and development, do they do that because they want the car to travel 250 miles in 25 years? Course not.

They want it to be enjoyed and well used.

M

cLaren F1s can come on the market with less than 10,000 miles on the clock after years of ownership – it’s ridiculous, and it’s a crying shame.

I’m happier when I see a supercar for sale which has done 100,000 miles. I know it’s been driven, and that everything that could have gone wrong has gone wrong and been fixed. I know it’s had a happy life too.

Supercars don’t like to sit around. If you took a thoroughbred racehorse and left it in a stable, it

A McLaren F1 needs to be driven

would soon be out of shape – supercars are the same. They need to get that fuel pumping through their veins and their engines need a decent workout.

I’ve already mentioned my first supercar experience. And I’ve had some great times more recently, too. Already this year, I’ve driven the McLaren 600LT Spider, Lamborghini Aventador S and Ferrari 812 Superfast.

These cars are just unbelievable. The McLaren was a stand-out for me – it’s a very connected car which gave me a 22nd-century experience. You feel completely safe in the car, and the race pedigree and heritage is evident when you drive it.

Everything you see and touch is out of this world. The barking sound of the engine is frankly incredible, and you feel like you’re in some kind of closed Formula 1 car – it’s awesome.

But you also feel completely at ease because you can turn up the stereo and switch on the air conditioning – it has all the creature comforts you could want!

The 600LT Spider is a car that you can drive at 30mph when you’re going to the shops. Cars such as

I’d give my left nut for the keys to a Singer!

Singer Porsche

the Lamborghini Miura or McLaren F1, in contrast, are a struggle to drive slowly. They See page 64 want to go flat out – that’s how they’ve been designed. But manufacturers know that these See page 44 days they need to cater for the football players I mentioned who want to pootle around at 30mph.

McLaren properly captures the theatre of the supercar experience with the 600LT Spider. Driving one feels like an event. I didn’t feel the same about the Aventador S. Although it’s an amazing car, when you get behind the wheel you find yourself looking at the screen from an Audi R8 and that sense of driving something special is taken away. The feeling that you’ve joined an elite club just isn’t there, and you just feel like you’re in a posh Audi.

In the olden days, supercars were hand-made – they were constructed by a separate group within the factory and used very little of what the road cars used. These days, manufacturers are of the range – the more mundane, everyday cars. blending and borrowing things from their road A supercar should be beautifully hand-crafted and cars for their supercars in order to make them a bit something that only a select few people can get more accessible for the everyday person. McLaren their hands on. has built the 600LT Spider the old-fashioned The McLaren Senna is a car I’m hugely excited to way though – it doesn’t borrow anything from drive. I think it’s the next example of what a supercar anywhere. It’s what makes it feel very special. is and can be – a proper hypercar.

I’ve been lucky to drive most supercars though: t’s the same with Ferrari – they might be the McLaren F1, every type of Ferrari you can shake owned by Fiat but they don’t nick anything a stick at – even special Project Jaguars too! I’ve still from the Fiat parts bin. They design their cars got a few left on my to-do list though. in-house, and every part of the car has been But what’s the definition of a supercar? In my created in a bespoke way. eyes, it’s something that’s completely unique. The I know that manufacturers have to make these whole car is an individual piece of work, rather than cars more affordable for people, and they have to a borrowed, cobbled-together project. create a larger audience by making their vehicles Cars from the likes of Ferrari and even Apollo are feel more approachable and comfortable, but they real supercars – they’re genuine thoroughbreds that do lose a sense of purpose when they go too far. are thought up and designed by people who are It’s when the supercar isn’t separate from the rest trying to make the ultimate car.

See page 84

The Lamborghini Aventador S, McLaren 600LT Spider and Ferrari 812 Superfast.

- Read my Dream Drives to see what I thought of them

If there was one I could pick, money-no-object, it’d be the McLaren Senna – absolutely. The other one – which I consider to be a supercar, because it’s hand-made – would be one of Singer’s Porsches. I’d give my left nut for the keys to a Singer!

I

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

9

HYPER.

McLaren P1

Power (bhp)

903

950

875

Torque (Nm)

900

970

1,275

Top speed (mph)

217

217+

214

0-60mph (seconds) 2.7

2.4

2.5

Weight (dry, kg)

1,395

1,255

1,675

Total built

375

499

918

Price (circa)

£1.42m £2.35m £1.1m ($1.89m) ($3.13m) ($1.53m)

10

P1 Fe La rra Fe ri rr ar i Po Sp rs yd che er 9 18

How they compare

M cL ar en

Strange as it is to say, McLaren was something of an underdog when the guns were drawn at dawn in the battle for supercar supremacy.

While it had of course built the famous F1 in the early-1990s, this was still just the third time that the firm had built a road car on its own, following on from the MP4-12C. But of course that didn’t stop the P1 from coming armed with impressive performance figures. It combined a 3.8-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine with an electric motor for a total of 903bhp. The all-important 0-60mph sprint took just 2.7 seconds and it would continue to a top speed of 217mph – so very near the LaFerrari’s.

Of the three, the P1 was arguably the closest to a road-going racer, with 600kg of downforce in ‘race mode’, and even the ability to use an F1-inspired DRS (drag reduction system) that would cut drag by more than 20 per cent.

The P1 also featured race active chassis control, which independently controlled the car’s suspension to counter the already sparing amounts of body roll. Price-wise, the P1 was a middle ground between the Ferrari and the Porsche, with an asking price of £866,000.

Just 375 units were built.

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Hybrid hypercar trio

THE HOLY TRINITY

The 2010s marked the beginning of a new era for motoring, with electrification and computer systems becoming just as important to high performance as the engine and chassis. In 2013, three of the biggest car firms on Earth launched their take on the hybrid hypercar. This is the story of the ultimate trio, the three most sought-after, advanced cars to hit the road – the holy trinity

Porsche 918 Spyder

Ferrari LaFerrari

The first manufacturer to show its holy trinity hand was Ferrari, with its self-titled effort, LaFerrari (‘The Ferrari’ in English).

The LaFerrari effectively merged the firm’s past and future in the engine bay, with a 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V12 being helped to a total power output of 950bhp by a kinetic energy recovery system that made heavy use of the brand’s Formula One know-how.

The use of this system – which takes energy from the car’s braking forces to produce additional electric power – made it the first hybrid to hit the road from Ferrari. It was the only holy trinity ‘member’ not to be able to run on electric propulsion alone.

Thanks to the hearty dose of power, the LaFerrari can accelerate from a standstill to 60mph in an eye-watering 2.4 seconds and go on to a top speed of ‘217+mph’ – the Italians not willing to confirm how much the plus is worth.

The tech wizardry doesn’t stop with the powertrain, either. Subtle active aerodynamic systems are in-play throughout the car’s lightweight 1,255kg frame, helping the LaFerrari match its searing performance with impressive poise in the twisties if you dare wring its neck.

With this much earth-shattering performance, there was bound to be a large price tag involved – £1.15m was the asking price when new for one of the 499 units built.

Second out of the production-line blocks was Porsche’s challenger, the 918 Spyder. Relatively speaking, this was the budget-friendly option of the three, with a starting price of ‘just’ £591,000.

That’s not to say that the 918 was any less impressive than its counterparts, though.

Power came from a 4.6-litre naturally aspirated V8 that first found a home in a Le Mans racing car, coupled with a pair of electric motors. The result of the 918 Spyder’s total of three motors was a power output of 875bhp.

Critically, the 918 Spyder features four-wheel drive, making it unique among the holy trinity and quite the weapon on a circuit or any lessthan-dry surface. This does make it a weightier vehicle than its rivals, however – tipping the scales at 1,640kg when equipped with the slightly lighter Weissach Package spec and 1,675kg in standard trim.

The 918 Spyder was officially clocked at 2.5 seconds for a 0-60mph sprint, though some independent clocking has claimed that figure could be as low as 2.2 seconds – hardly time to draw breath! Given a long enough straight, it would ultimately push on to 214mph.

It also featured active aerodynamics, most notably a rear wing with 120mm of travel and a variable tilt angle, providing more aerodynamic grip or reducing drag. Beyond the engine, the 918 Spyder’s racing lineage is evident even in its name – its numbering is a reference to the 1970 and 1971 Le Mans-winning Porsche 917. To go along with its three digits, 918 were made.

...And my favourite is

It’s a tough thing indeed to pick out a favourite from this trio – it’s the ultimate three-car garage, isn’t it? Do I have to choose? Well, I’m a McLaren boy – so I think for me it’s going to be the P1. It’s the one I could imagine driving on a daily basis. The only reason I couldn’t go for a LaFerrari is because of the name!

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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TOP 10.

MY TOP 10 SUPERCARS OF ALL TIME Here’s the big one! I took a lot of time thinking this list over, and there are all manner of cars that could have quite easily made the cut.

Supercars are the pinnacle of motoring and as such it’s quite a tricky task to pick out favourites. However, I stuck to it and came up with a list of 10 supercars that I believe – above all else – are the best.

14

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Jaguar XJ220

In the almost never-ending quest for speed, the Jaguar XJ220 is one of the greats. Despite being massive, it could only seat two people – but the pair inside were treated to one of the most all-encompassing experiences of all time. Capable of hitting 217mph, which made it the fastest production car from 1992 to 1993, the XJ220 showed what Jag could really do when it put its mind to it.

Model: Jaguar XJ220 | Engine: 3.5-litre twinturbocharged V6 | Power: 542bhp | Price (today): circa £500,000 ($644,600)

Ford GT40

Similar to the McLaren below, the original GT40 broke the mould when it came to car design. It was famously low, but there was so much more to it than just height, or a lack of it. This was a signal of intent from Ford that it could compete with the big guns in endurance racing. I’d love to own one of these, and although getting in and out of it may be a bit of a struggle, I’m sure I could put up with it. It’s an intrinsic part of motoring history and one that most petrolheads would gladly do anything to get their hands on.

Model: Ford GT40 | Engine: V8 (various capacities) | Power: 425+bhp | Price (today): circa £9m ($11.3m)

Ford GT40 to the new GT Page 86

Honda NSX

The Honda NSX aimed to take on European supercar manufacturers at their own game and it largely succeeded. The NSX – or New Sportscar eXperimental – was powerful, good in the bends and great to look at. It’s almost comically compact by today’s standards and is dwarfed by even modern hatchbacks, but early models had pop-up headlights, and I think you’ll all agree that cars with pop-up headlights look infinitely better than those without. Them’s the rules.

Model: Honda NSX | Engine: 3.0-litre V6 | Power: 270bhp (early 3.0-litre model) | Price (today): circa £70,000 ($89,000)

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

15

TOP 10.

Lamborghini Miura

Lamborghini’s Miura is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cars ever made – in my eyes, at least. It put Lambo on the map and separated it from its tractor-building roots into a fully fledged supercar builder. I absolutely adore the way the Miura looks – there was no way this list would be complete without it! But it wasn’t just the pretty looks that made it a legend. It was powered by a transversely mounted V12, linked to the wheels via a meaty five-speed manual gearbox. Early cars hit 60mph in around seven seconds, which isn’t quick by modern standards but back in the mid-1960s it made for a very pacey car indeed.

Model: Lamborghini Miura | Engine: 3.9-litre V12 | Power: 345bhp (early P400 models) | Price (today): circa £1.3m ($1.6m)

Porsche 959

Porsche’s 959 was an all-gunsblazing assault on its motoring rivals – and most didn’t see it coming. In fact, the popularity of the 959 is the reason why Ferrari got the F40 turned around in about 12 months. Its twin-turbocharged, 2.8-litre flat-six engine was immensely powerful, and thanks to the inclusion of all-wheel drive it could actually put down all of the punch that it developed to the road.

Model: Porsche 959 | Engine: 2.8-litre twinturbocharged flat-six | Power: 444bhp Price (today): circa £890,000 ($1.1m)

Nissan GT-R

This wasn’t nicknamed Godzilla for nothing!

The Japanese monster is more computer on wheels than supercar, with clever algorithms working out everything from where to send the power to calculating how much g-force you’re generating. Thanks to clever traction control, as well as a complex launch control function, the GT-R can hit 60mph in under three seconds – and it’ll top out at 196mph.

Nothing, other than a surgeon, will rearrange your insides in quite the same way.

Model: Nissan GT-R | Engine: 3.8-litre V6 | Power: 562bhp | Price (today): circa £81,995 ($105,500) 16

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR

In terms of race cars for the road, the Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR took the biscuit.

Road cars were only slightly changed over the racing versions, although traction control was added to help those behind the wheel contain the engine’s fury. Merc claims that back in the day it could hit 60mph in 3.6 seconds and top out at 214mph. Then there’s the look of the thing. You’d do well to find a meaner, angrier and more focused-looking vehicle – and it’s why I think it’s among the best.

Model: Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR | Engine: 6.9-litre V8 | Power: 603bhp | Price (today): circa £3.5m ($4.5m)

Porsche 911 (997) GT3 RS 4.0

I had an internal argument about whether or not this could qualify as a supercar and I came to the decision that yes, yes it can.

Anything with 444bhp from a 3.8-litre flat-six, an 8,500rpm redline and a beautifully lightweight design should qualify as ‘super’, surely? As with most RS 911s, the 997 GT3 was scalpel-sharp, with a visceral, all-encompassing driving experience. It was full-on drama – the type that will leave you grinning from ear to ear – and fully deserves a place on my list.

Model: Porsche 911 (997) GT3 RS 4.0 | Engine: 3.8-litre flat-six | Power: 444bhp | Price (today): circa £118,000 ($151,000)

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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TOP 10.

Ferrari F40

Ferrari’s F40 is one of the best-known supercars of all time – and there’s a reason why it has experienced such immense fame.

Arguably one of the greatest drivers’ cars ever, the F40’s lightweight, high-powered nature has caused it to go down as one of the most dynamically accomplished Ferraris.

Yes, it may have been a little rough around the edges, but the F40 had the charisma and style you want from a proper supercar – and I absolutely love it.

Ferrari F40 in detail Page 26

Model: Ferrari F40 | Engine: 2.9-litre twinturbocharged V8 | Power: 471bhp | Price (today): circa £1m ($1.2m)

McLaren F1

This McLaren really is the daddy of all supercars – and if you don’t agree with me, you’re wrong. Groundbreaking, mesmerising and jaw-droppingly fast, it was everything a supercar needs to be. It was powered by a monstrous 6.1-litre BMW V12, and has gone down in history as one of the fastest naturally aspirated cars of all time. I’m a little biased when it comes to the McLaren F1 (it is British, after all), but its combination of striking looks and genuinely amazing technology means it’s hard to beat. The engine bay was even lined with gold foil to reflect heat – how cool is that?

Model: McLaren F1 | Engine: 6.1-litre V12 | Power: 627bhp | Price (today): circa £9.5m ($12.2m)

McLaren F1 in detail Page 50

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

19

LISTICLES.

MY DREAM SUPERCAR GARAGE I could wax lyrical about all of the super-exclusive, one-off supercars – and believe me, I really could – but which ones would I actually shell out my own hard-earned on and park in my garage? Well, sit back, relax with a cuppa and a cake, and let me guide you through my choices for space in my hallowed lock-up...

Porsche 911 (997) GT3 RS 4.0

I’ll admit that the 997 RS 4.0 may be pushed a little to the extreme in the wintertime in the UK, but this is one car you’d chance whatever the weather just to get some time behind the wheel. I absolutely adore this car, and it’s one that I’d be leaping into whenever I got the chance. Staggeringly fast and brutal yet lathered with that unmistakable Porsche character, it’s one motor I’d love to own.

Model: Porsche 911 (997) GT3 RS 4.0 | Engine: 3.8-litre flat-six | Price (today): circa £118,000 ($151,000 | Power: 444bhp

Mercedes-AMG GT R

The Mercedes-AMG GT R looks spiky, angry and like it’d be a right handful to drive – the reality is far different. On the road, the GT R feels, in truth, just like a big Mercedes – it’s even rather comfortable. Make no mistake, though, the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 under the bonnet is exceptionally powerful, so there’s plenty of punch to keep things lively each and every day. I’d even have it in this shouty green.

Model: Mercedes-AMG GT R | Engine: 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 | Price (today): circa £135,000 ($298,900) | Power: 577bhp

20 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

McLaren 720S

McLarens have been labelled ‘sterile’ and a little cold in the past, but this is something I really can’t agree with. The 720S is a supercar masterclass, and thanks to a decent driving position and a reasonable-sized front boot, it’s one you can use every day. It’s ferociously fast too – it’ll outpace a bullet train, this one – and it corners like someone’s been putting superglue on the tyres. Simply, it’s incredible.

Model: McLaren 720S | Engine: 4.0-litre twinturbocharged V8 | Price (today): £208,600 (circa $312,500) | Power: 710bhp

Ford GT

The latest Ford GT is the second to be built in homage to the original GT40. This most recent incarnation is a far different beast to the one it replaces – there’s a 3.5-litre V6 in place of the old V8 and it’s packed with tech, whereas the previous one was more old-school. With clever new suspension it rides beautifully, and its staggering performance is something that’d make even a trip to Tesco an event.

Model: Ford GT | Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 | Price (today): circa £320,000 ($410,000) | Power: 647bhp

Aston Martin Vantage

I’m a Brit supercar fan, which is why I’d have two of them in my garage, given half the chance. I mention the all-singing all-dancing DBS Superleggera in this list (turn over the page), but I think its baby brother – the Vantage – is worthy of a place in my garage too. It’s an excellent road car, and the compact size makes it easy to pilot on even the narrowest of roads. Plus it has a stonking V8 engine, is pretty practical and the ride isn’t bone-shakingly hard, either. Perfect, therefore, to be used every day.

Model: Aston Martin Vantage | Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 | Price (today): circa £120,000 ($153,800) | Power: 503bhp

Ferrari GTC4 Lusso

I admit, the GTC4 Lusso looks a little odd. It’s part-estate, part-812 Superfast – but the one thing you need to know is it’s all Ferrari too. Underneath that huge bonnet sits a colossal V12 engine (I’d have this over the V8 option every time), and yet you’ve still got space to seat four in comfort, along with their luggage. It’s also got a unique all-wheel-drive system, so when the weather does take a turn for the worse, there’s no need to put this Prancing Horse back in the stable.

Model: Ferrari GTC4 Lusso | Engine: 6.3-litre V12 | Price (today): £231,310 (circa $298,900) | Power: 681bhp Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

21

LISTICLES.

Audi R8 V10+

If I’m going to include the Lamborghini Huracan on this list (below), then the Audi R8 has to be here too.

Well known as one of the very best everyday supercars, its combination of quattro allwheel drive, comfortable cabin and decent visibility make it a great choice for those who want to enjoy their car every day. The V10 it’s powered by is an absolute peach, too – rev it hard and you’ll be treated to one of the very best soundtracks in the business.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

The DBS Superleggera is everything you’d want from a flagship Aston Martin. It’s fast (scarily so, in fact), beautiful to look at and exceptionally well finished both inside and out. It’ll also cover big distances without breaking your back, which is something most supercars can’t do. And I like my back in one piece, thank you. I’d argue that it’s one of the most beautiful Astons of recent times, particularly when it’s finished in traditional colours – green and red look fantastic.

Model: Aston Martin DBS Superleggera | Engine: 5.2-litre V12 | Price (today): £225,500 (circa $308,500) | Power: 715bhp

Model: Audi R8 V10+ | Engine: 5.2-litre V10 | Price (today): circa £142,000 ($182,000) | Power: 602bhp

Lamborghini Huracan

Honda NSX

Model: Lamborghini Huracan | Engine: 5.0-litre V10 | Price (today): £155,400 (circa $200,500) | Power: 593bhp

Model: Honda NSX | Engine: 3.5-litre V6 with electric motors | Price (today): circa £140,310 ($179,000) | Power: 573bhp

Though some have argued the Huracan, which shares many of its components with the Audi R8, is a little too watered-down to be a true Lambo, I’d have to disagree. A howling V10 engine, squat proportions and almost endless amounts of grip make this an ideal daily supercar. Plus, it’s actually got a relatively decent boot, so it’s not going to baulk at the prospect of a weekly trip to the shops.

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

The Honda NSX may look like it descended from space and started rounding up humans, but it’s actually far more conventional to drive than it looks. Although it’s a big car, it’s not tricky to place on the road, and the huge wing mirrors mean you’ve got a decent view. It’s also a hybrid and has all-wheel drive, which means it should be more adept than most supercars at tackling tricky conditions.

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

23

HIGH-END.

Corbellati Missile Lykan HyperSport

The Lykan HyperSport may have hints of Lamborghini in its design but this is an all-new thing – it’s the first sports car to be designed and created completely in the Middle East. It’s got a 3.7-litre twinturbocharged flat-six engine and there are jewels in the headlights too – 420, in fact.

Buyers can also add rubies and sapphires to their construction if they fancy. Over the top?

Yes, of course it is.

Model: Lykan HyperSport | Engine: 3.7-litre twin-turbocharged V6 | Price (today): circa £2.6m ($3.4m) | Power: 780bhp

Apollo Intensa Emozione

The Corbellati Missile looks a little like an unfinished kit car, don’t you think? The carbon-fibre body sits on a carbon-fibre chassis and doesn’t appear to have been painted properly – but then maybe that’s to increase its stealthy looks. Powertrain-wise, it’s got a huge 9.0-litre V8 with twin turbos.

Corbellati claims it pushes out an incredible 1,800 bhp, which sounds made up to me – maybe they’ll let me test it...

The Apollo Intensa Emozione is a distant relative to the Gumpert Apollo, made by the same firm but after it changed its name from Gumpert to Apollo. Confused? So am I. All you really need to know is this car has a MUCH bigger rear wing, uses a lot of carbon fibre for its chassis and has a shouty V12 powering it along. It’ll crack 60mph from dead in a kidney-cracking 2.5 seconds and lap around a circuit quicker than you can say: ‘You want how much?’

Model: Corbellati Missile | Engine: 9.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 | Price (today): N/A | Power: 1,800bhp

Model: Apollo Intensa Emozione | Engine: 6.3-litre V12 | Price (today): circa £1.7m ($2.1m) | Power: 796bhp

Ferrari SP12 EC

What do you do when you’re one of the most famous guitarists in the world and you fancy something a little different to the norm? Well, if you’re Eric Clapton you speak to Ferrari and ask them to make you a complete one-off vehicle. It’s how the lucky plucker got his hands on this: the SP12 EC. Based on the 458 Italia, it takes inspiration from the iconic 512 BB, and Clapton has owned three of those. But whereas Ferrari made plenty of 512 BBs, there’s just one SP12 EC – making it incredibly exclusive.

Model: Ferrari SP12 EC | Engine: 4.5-litre V8 | Price (today): N/A | Power: 562bhp

24 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Lamborghini Aventador J

Lamborghinis are pretty special as they are, but how do you elevate them to even higher levels? Well, in the case of the Aventador J, you lop the roof off the flagship supercar and build just one. That’s right, only a single Aventador J was created, making it as exclusive as the Ferrari above. Mechanically, it was pretty similar to the standard Aventador, but thanks to the lack of roof it was 80kg lighter.

Model: Lamborghini Aventador J | Engine: Naturally aspirated V12 | Price (today): circa £1.75m ($2.24m) | Power: 690bhp

Tushek Apex TS 900H

The Tushek Apex TS 900H looks futuristic on the outside, and what it’s packing underneath that sharp, edgy bodywork is pretty futuristic too. It uses a hybrid powertrain, with an Audi-sourced V8 linked to an electric motor. Tushek says that combined that will push out 1,340bhp and a staggering 1,690Nm of torque. What’s more, it can be driven 31 miles on all-electric power, so it’s almost environmentally friendly. Oh, and it’ll hit 236mph flat-out, in case you were wondering.

Model: Tushek Apex TS 900H | Engine: V8 and electric motor | Price (today): circa £1m ($1.2m) | Power: 1,340bhp

Gumpert Apollo

It’s not a particularly attractive name, I’ll give you that, but what the Gumpert Apollo lacks in naming, it makes up for in looks and performance. Top speed? That’ll be a heady 224mph. Engine? A bi-turbo 4.2-litre V8 with up to 800bhp. It also looks like it’s been designed by a six-year-old using a crayon.

Which, depending on the way you look at it, is quite a cool thing indeed.

Model: Gumpert Apollo | Engine: 4.2-litre bi-turbo V8 | Price (today): circa £268,232 ($343,600) | Power: 800bhp

Exclusive supercars They look like the sort of thing Batman might be seen driving around the streets of Gotham in, but these are real cars, sold to real people.

Meet the exclusive cars only the seriously rich can afford...

Zeclat Coupe

The Zeclat Coupe looks like it’s been dragged kicking and screaming out of the 1920s. It’s all shapes, curves and vents – and under it all is a 6.8-litre naturally aspirated V8, giving it plenty of punch to go with the presence.

Zeclat says it’s a ‘modern interpretation of classic designs’, and although I’d say it looks a bit like someone tried to describe a Morgan to its designer via Morse code, I kind of like it – but that might be the gin talking.

Model: Zeclat Coupe | Engine: 6.8-litre biturbo V8 | Price (today): up to £1m ($1.3m) | Power: Unconfirmed

Vandal One

The Vandal One is an all-American track car with Formula One aspirations. Just look at it – there are inlets, air ducts and vents dotted all over the place. And while it may have a relatively small 2.0-litre engine for power, it’s got 560bhp to play with – which equates to a worrying 1,009bhp per tonne. It’s made using a proper carbon-fibre monocoque construction technique, and that huge rear wing isn’t to do your ironing on but for pushing the back of the car down at speed.

Model: Vandal One | Engine: 2.0-litre engine | Price (today): circa £93,000 ($119,000) | Power: 560bhp

Bugatti Chiron 110 Ans

The Bugatti Chiron 110 Ans has been created to celebrate – you guessed it – 110 years of Bugatti. It was made as a tribute to France, which is why you’ll find the Tricolore colours of red, white and blue dotted around the car. They’re even under the huge rear spoiler. And of course, being a Chiron, it’s got almost boundless power and is ultra-exclusive – just 20 are being made.

Model: Bugatti Chiron 110 Ans | Engine: 8.0-litre W16 with quad turbocharger | Price (today): circa £2.4m ($3m) | Power: 1,479bhp Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

25

IN DETAIL.

Mike Brewer on the...

FERRARI A simple, purposeful design that valued functionality over flair, the F40 is likely to always be one of the all-time great cars to wear the Prancing Horse badge. Ferrari was meant to build just 400, but demand was such that the figure became 1,311 – yet it’s still an exclusive, sought-after dream machine.

At the behest of ‘il Commendatore’

The F40 was the final car approved and launched under the observation of company founder Enzo Ferrari before he died the following year in 1988. Demand for a hardened Ferrari road car with genuine racing feel was high at the time, and even Enzo himself had expressed a desire to see one last ‘true Ferrari’ leave the famous factory gates. The engineers turned to an aborted race car project – the 288 GTO Evoluzione – as the basis for what became the F40.

Handling

The F40 has often been compared to a Lotus Elise or go-kart on steroids, such is its handling prowess. It is direct and involving to drive on a track, and will always have you on the edge of your seat at the wheel. To put its track driving prowess into perspective, look no further than Ferrari’s private test track, Fiorano. The best time it achieved at the venue – 1:29.6 – is just 1.1 seconds off what the F430 managed 18 years later and ahead of the likes of the 575, 550 and 360 Modena.

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Forging a tradition

The F40’s legacy speaks for itself in terms of its desirability and popularity. And, of course, it also inspired Ferrari to make a once-adecade habit of building a flagship supercar or hypercar, which continues to this day with the mega LaFerrari.

Acceptable in the ’80s

It’s often said that the manufacturer couldn’t get away with a car like the F40 now, and I’d have to agree. The entire selling point of the F40 was that it was the opposite of excess, but you’d have to imagine that it would be difficult for a major supercar maker to offer a car with as few frills as this today.

Bare necessities

Inside, the F40 is famously barren. There are no carpets or radio, hardly any interior trim and not even a proper door handle. Instead, you get bare carbon fibre and a look at the sometimes less-thanmasterful craftsmanship that went into building it! Even while looking at the exterior, the reliance on carbon fibre is clear to see. Just two litres of Ferrari’s signature red were spared for each car as part of the Modena firm’s undying quest for a featherweight Fezza.

Speed

The F40 was the first road car to break the 200mph barrier, after Porsche failed to achieve the magic number with its 959. The F40 only just pipped it to the post, registering a top speed of 201mph, with 0-60mph achieved in four seconds and 100mph just 4.1 seconds later.

Racing

There were numerous racing F40s built over the years, not all of which came about via the blessing of the manufacturer itself. Aside from US entries at the tail end of 1989 and 1990, it wasn’t until 1994 that the F40 would see significant racing use in Japan and Europe. Its racing record could be branded ‘okay’, with the very occasional victory and a smattering of podiums being the high-water mark – however, it is still a fondly remembered racing car, considered to be a ’90s icon.

Engine Chassis

Despite being something of a hint to the future as a turbocharged supercar, the F40’s package screams old-school. The bodywork is largely carbon fibre, but the chassis itself uses tubular steel, which would make your average modern-day supercar crafter feel queasy. With just 1,100kg of weight to shift, it’s little wonder the F40 is still able to turn out incredible speeds, even if it was once slated by Gordon Murray for relying on ‘1950s technology’.

The sum of its parts

Very few cars are so well liked that individual details become iconic, but that’s definitely the case with the F40. From its simplistic steering wheel and triangular vent on its sides to its rear wing and pop-up headlights, there are dozens of little details on the F40 that enthusiasts rave about.

The F40’s twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V8 produces 471bhp – by modern supercar standards that’s admittedly not spectacular.

However, thanks to the handling dynamics and lightness, it’s more than enough to push the car on to impressive speeds.

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

27

QUIZ.

MY

SUPERCAR

Test your petrolhead wits with my supercar quiz – get ready to shift your brain into seventh gear!

1 A B C D

Which legendary race car designer was the visionary behind the McLaren F1?

Adrian Newey Colin Chapman Gordon Murray Ted Welford

5

Which engine configuration is used in the Porsche Carrera GT? A Flat-six B V12 C V8 D V10

6

The name Vulcan is not only that of an Aston Martin track car but also a…

A Big cat B Plane C Helicopter D Chocolate bar

2 A B C D

3 A B C D

4

Which supercar served as the vehicle of choice for Tony Stark in the Iron Man movies?

Lamborghini Diablo Ferrari F430 Audi R8 Porsche Carrera GT Who helped develop Honda’s NSX? Alain Prost Ayrton Senna Michael Schumacher Nigel Mansell

When did the Ferrari F40 go into production?

A 1987 B 1985 C 1991 D 1988 28

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

7 A B C D

8

Which classic Italian supercar stars in the opening scene of The Italian Job? De Tomaso Pantera Ferrari 250 GTO Lamborghini Miura Maserati Merak

Which track has been used to discover the top speeds of numerous supercars, including the Jaguar XJ220?

A Nürburgring B Silverstone C Bruntingthorpe D Nardo

9 A B C D

British firm Ray Mallock Limited (RML) helped build which American supercar?

Saleen S7 Hennessey Venom SSC Ultimate Aero Vector W8

10

Which German manufacturer supplied engines to Pagani for its Zonda supercar?

A BMW B Mercedes C Opel D Audi

14

21

15

22

Which of these firms is best known for injecting Porsches with extra power?

A HKS B Ruf C BBS D Brabus Which supercar firm did Romano Artoli own alongside Lotus in the 1990s?

A De Tomaso B Lamborghini C Bugatti D Cizeta

Which of these is NOT the name of a supercar manufacturer?

A W Motors B Manning C Zenvo D Rossion What does the Seat Arosa have in common with the Bugatti Veyron?

A A designer B The stereo C Radiator part number D Headlight

16

What was the name of Lexus’s V10 supercar?

A SC430 B LC C IS-F D LFA

17

Spyker and its signature C8 supercar call which country home?

A Netherlands B Germany C Austria D Sweden

11

Which British firm created a ‘Storm’ with a Jaguar-powered ’90s supercar?

A Williams B TVR C Harrier D Lister

18

12

19

What was Lamborghini’s first entirely new model after it was taken over by Audi?

A Gallardo B Murcielago C Diablo D Urus

A B C D

Which supercar borrows its engine from a Volvo XC90?

TVR Sagaris Gumpert Apollo Noble M600 Ascari A10

In what year did Dodge put the legendary Viper on sale?

A 1994 B 1992 C 1989 D 1991

13

Which nation is the home of Koenigsegg?

A Sweden B Germany C Norway D Finland

23

Volkswagen’s Nardo supercar concept was powered by what type of engine?

A V10 B W16 C V12 D W12

24

What is the name of Ferrari’s iconic racing team, which predates the company itself?

A Ferrari Corse B Scuderia Ferrari C AF Corse D N.A.R.T.

25

When the Audi R8 debuted as a concept car in 2003, which racing circuit was it named after?

A Nürburgring B Avus C Le Mans D Reims

SO, HOW DID YOU GET ON? Turn to page 114 to find out

20

Which of these is NOT a variant of Lamborghini’s Diablo?

A SV B SE30 C GTR D LP550

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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ADVICE.

MY GUIDE TO BUYING YOUR FIRST SUPERCAR Buying a supercar takes a little more time and effort than when you’re looking to get a set of keys for a ‘normal’ car. There’s a touch more research needed, and history is the name of the game. Here are my tips

Buying from a dealership Do your research

Doing proper research can make all the difference in these cases. It’s the same as for ‘regular’ cars, but with supercars a little extra time and effort spent poring over books and reviews could mean the difference between bagging yourself a well-looked-after model or a dog.

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Check it out online

Since you’re looking at a supercar in a dealership, it’s worth checking them out online. Here you’ll be able to see if other people have been treated well or if the company is worth steering clear of. The internet is one of the biggest tools at your disposal – don’t forget to use it!

Ask about warranties

Enjoy!

Phew! We got there, didn’t we? Now it’s time to kick back, relax and enjoy your new supercar – it’s a feeling like nothing else!

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Warranties are even more important when it comes to supercars. Even the smallest problem can mean a big bill, so a warranty will help alleviate some of this stress. Ask the dealer about any warranties that may be offered on the car, and remember that this may work out cheaper than having to pay for any future mechanical issues yourself.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Wow! Now that’s a cracking selection of motors!

Pick up the phone

Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone and call the seller for more information if things aren’t clear.

Ask them how long they’ve had the car, any issues they’ve had with it and how frequently it’s been serviced. Of course, you can now check an MOT history online – but it’s always worth asking the question.

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Head to the dealership

Once you’re happy with the general feel of a dealership, it’s time to take the plunge.

Supercar showrooms are luxurious places (well, they do house some of the most exotic metal on the planet), but don’t be swayed by the surroundings – you’re here to buy a car, after all. Check the place out, and if something doesn’t appear right then head out of the door.

Cash up front or finance?

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Time to haggle

It’s crunch time. Providing you’re happy with the condition of the car, it’s time to purchase it. Even though you’re dealing with a high-cost item, don’t be nervous about haggling. And again, as I’ve mentioned before, you shouldn’t be afraid to walk away if you aren’t comfortable either.

Don’t let a salesman push you towards a price you don’t like. Also, see if you’re able to get anything included free!

We’re talking about cars with big price tags here, and there are a variety of payment options for them. Going down the finance route helps spread the cost monthly, and this is a payment route taken by many supercar owners in order to help them change cars more frequently.

Test drive

If everything does feel right, it’s time for a test drive. Given the cost of the cars involved, they may run some checks on you – but this is par for the course when it comes to supercars. Out on the road, it’s time to get a feel for the car. Just as you would with a normal motor, listen out for squeaks, rattles and anything that doesn’t feel quite right. Make sure you start from cold too – this will highlight any mechanical niggles that may not be apparent once the car is warm. Does the performance feel smooth? Are the brakes responsive? These are all questions you should be asking yourself when out on the road. Problems in a supercar are even more apparent than usual because these are finely tuned instruments – you’ll notice if there’s something out of whack pretty quickly. If there is, don’t ignore it!

6

Run a background check

A background check does the hard work so you don’t have to.

It’s something I’ll always do on any vehicle I’m interested in buying, because it highlights any black marks in the car’s history that you might not have otherwise been able to find. There are plenty of companies that will run these checks for you – all you need to do is provide the car’s registration plate.

Turn over page to find out how best to buy privately Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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ADVICE.

Top tips for insuring your new supercar

W

hen it comes to insuring a supercar, every car and owner is different – and you definitely don’t want to find your pride and joy isn’t properly covered!

We suggest you chat to a specialist broker, such as Lancaster Insurance, where you can speak to a like-minded operator over the phone and go through your circumstances in detail.

More often than not, you’ll get a better deal!

While going online can seem a lot easier, it’s impossible for online comparison websites to offer all of the deals available.

With values changing every year, make sure you have the best cover and best price for your car. Check how much your vehicle is worth each time that you renew. It could be worth a lot more, so make sure your agreed valuation is correct!

Unusual cars can be difficult to find online, and if it’s particularly rare or modified the details may not be on the system, so it’s best to give the experts a call and have a chat.

Call now on 01480 220150 or visit lancasterinsurance.co.uk 32

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Buying from a private seller

f you thought you needed to research a car when buying from a dealer or franchise, then your efforts need to be doubled when it comes to private sellers. Although the choice is inevitably greater, the potential for purchasing a dud that will cost you a lot of money in the future is all the greater too.

Again, history is important here. Make sure you do your research, and that any specific mechanical work that needed to be routinely carried out has been. A background check is worthwhile again here – it can flag up anything that isn’t included in the car’s paper history.

As I’ve mentioned before, information is key when it comes to supercars. Ask as many questions as you can. Call the seller and chat to them – find out why they love the car, why they’re selling it and any issues they’ve experienced with it along the way. You’ll be surprised by how much you can learn from just speaking to them on the phone before you visit.

When you do meet the owner, relax and enjoy the process – buying a supercar is meant to be fun, after all! Have a chat with them and keep things casual – people are more likely to tell you betterquality information when they’re comfortable. You can tell when someone loves their supercar too – and it’s a better indication that the car has been looked after.

Then it’s time to get up close and personal with the car itself. Check everything you can. Supercars are famously temperamental, not just mechanically but in terms of bodywork too. Look at the arches and the door sills for rust or flaking paint, and make sure all the alloys are in good condition as well.

Consider taking it to an official dealer and paying them to check it over for you too.

Supercar tyres are expensive to replace – most wear performance rubber – so check all four corners have plenty of life left, otherwise you’ll be stung with a big bill early on. Devote some time to the interior too – leather seats are prone to cracking, and ensure any carbon fibre (on newer supercars) is straight and without blemish.

Once you’re happy, make the offer. Don’t worry about pitching in under the wanted price by some margin – it pays to ask. Make the deal and stick your hand out – you’ve bought yourself a supercar!

Don’t worry about pitching in under the wanted price by some margin.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Tom Jaconelli from Romans International Now I like to think of myself as the head honcho of supercars – be that buying, selling or identifying. But even people such as myself chat to like-minded people from time to time, and Tom Jaconelli, from supercar dealer Romans International, is just such a person So Tom, what would you be looking out for when it comes to buying a used supercar?

Specification is incredibly important. With the likes of McLaren, Ferrari and Lamborghini it’s possible to get anything from £5,000-worth of options up to £100,000-worth of options, and sometimes the paint alone can cost north of £10,000, so when looking through the classifieds a particular used supercar may look expensive at first glance, but in fact when you look at all the options it might be a bigger saving off the list price than a smaller-spec car which appears a lot cheaper.

Is there a benefit to finding a supercar with loads of toys fitted?

When it comes to resale, the higher-spec cars tend to sell a lot quicker.

And what about a car’s history?

It’s important to check the service history. It’s very important for supercars to be regularly maintained and also that the services are carried out by a franchised dealer, as cars are generally devalued if they don’t have a specialist history.

Are there sellers to avoid?

Always buy from a reputable dealership.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of brokers and companies who can create an online presence but are just in it to make a quick buck and have little or no care for the cars or for their customers, and if you take some bad advice it can end up costing you a lot of money in the long run.

Now, I’ve already talked about checking over a supercar’s bodywork – is there anything you’d add

when it comes to looking a supercar over?

There has been a massive rise in paint protection film on supercars, so a lot of cars are now protected from stone chips, but if not, then the likely areas to pick up damage are the front end, the side sills and the rear wings – these cars do tend to get driven fast so are really prone to road rash and stone chips.

Although it is more acceptable than it used to be for cars to be driven on track days, it’s worth checking the headlights and windscreen, which can be expensive to replace if peppered with chips from a track day.

I’m always hunting for the best deal, and I’ve given some of my hints and tips in these very pages – but Tom, do you have any other ways readers could get some extra wonga off their motor?

One way to get a good deal is to part-exchange your current car. If a dealership has an opportunity to get another car in stock to replace the one they are selling then they will probably be more open to applying some discount. Also, if you take dealer finance and some of their insurance products they are more likely to be flexible on the numbers. With supercars, though, and the varying specs of the cars and varying service you might get from a dealership, it’s just as important to find the right car and the right dealership as the right deal, because squeezing an extra couple of grand out of the dealer for the wrong car could end up costing you 10 grand further down the line when you come to sell it!

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TOP TIPS. How about matt?

Wax on, wax off, wax on again

With supercars often having incredibly expensive paint jobs, the last thing you want to do is accidentally scratch it while you’re carrying out a quick wash. My top tip for washing a car without putting in any marks is simply to grab yourself two buckets – one for clean water to rinse, the other for the car shampoo mix. Use a soft wash mitt and a soft microfibre towel for drying too.

We all love a chamois, but it’s all too easy to get dirt trapped in them and put some dreaded marks in your precious car’s paint.

You should bin the washing-up liquid too and chuck away any old sponges and rags at the same time. It’s not worth the risk. These methods work on any paint, too, so you can use them on any car, not just supercars.

The new-money kids aren’t huge fans of glossy paint – instead, they prefer matt and satin finishes, or wraps. This means that the usual goal of making a car as shiny as possible goes out of the window. Instead, special matt-specific products have to be used. A lot of shampoos contain gloss enhancers that can’t be used on cars with a flat finish, so pick your shampoo carefully for non-glossy finishes. And remember that they can’t be polished very easily either.

How to look after supercars Given how expensive and delicate supercars are, you’d be a fool to clean them with the same gritty sponge and old leather that you might use to valet an old Corsa. Supercars need a bit more TLC than your average motor, particularly if you want to keep them in tip-top shape and preserve their value at the same time. Here are my top tips to clean and look after your pride and joy.

Don’t mop believing!

The drying stage on a supercar is doubly important compared with your average motor. With gaps and crevices all over them, there are so many places where water can get trapped. Using a variety of ultra-soft microfibre towels is the easiest way to mop up the damp, but the best in the business prefer to use dedicated air blowers to dry off a car instead – think of them as detuned leaf blowers. These forced-air machines, as they’re known, also reduce the need to touch-dry the car.

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Don’t forget your supercar’s beating heart

Unsurprisingly, given supercars are all about speed and looks, most manufacturers choose to have their cars’ engines on view to all. Wouldn’t you? It’s vital that you look after the engine not just with frequent servicing but also when cleaning it. Older supercars tend to let water get into their bays – not good – so you should always mop any up after a wash. Mechanicals and water aren’t an ideal mix, after all. You might as well give it a quick spruce-up while you’re drying it, too. Never take a hose or pressure washer to an engine – it’ll end in disaster. Instead, use some gentle cleaning products, a range of brushes to get into all the nooks and crannies and plenty of cloths.

Take a brake

Flossing your supercar

Under pressure

A pressure washer is a much better option than a good old-fashioned hose.

Problem is, they can also do some damage if you don’t use them carefully. Holding the nozzle too close to your car can remove protective films applied to the paint, and you should also be careful not to blast water at air intakes or the big open engine bays. You certainly don’t want water getting in there!

Modern supercar designs are annoyingly intricate. To make them go faster and improve aerodynamics, they have hidden grilles, air intakes and fiddly areas dotted all over them, which makes cleaning a pain. It’s a good idea to invest in some special tools and soft brushes to help you floss these fiddly bits during your clean – and remember, don’t forget to dry them again afterwards.

Ditch the crisp crumbs

While supercars aren’t likely to be as crumb-infested and mud-splattered as MPVs tend to be, the interior is still a vital part of the car to keep in tip-top shape. Supercar cabins are often filled with high-quality leather, Alcantara and carbon, which need to be cleaned and treated to ensure they look their best. Soft leather brushes can be used on Alcantara as well as hide. Carbon is also exceptionally easy to scratch, so use soft cloths to avoid putting marks into the precious supercar’s cabin.

Another trend of the latest breed of supercars are ceramic brakes that offer huge stopping power. However, this braking ability comes at a price – and it’s a big one. Some brakes on the most extreme models cost as much as a cheap new car, so it’s important not to go wild when cleaning the wheels.

And while we’re on about wheels, they’re often frighteningly costly as well. The rims you see on this Ferrari cost £2,500 a corner.

The most important thing here is to use the softest wheel brushes going. You don’t want to scratch those beauties, that’s for sure.

Something for the weekend?

The finishing touches

On a supercar, the finer details are even more important, as small tweaks make a big difference – and these will ensure it stands out even more than it does already.

Apply tyre gel properly, polish the exhausts (providing they’re chrome and not in a satin finish like they are on the Ferrari Portofino shown on this page) and apply a non-sling dressing to the arches. These are all touches that help show a supercar off at its best.

While regular washing is the best way to look after your supercar, there are other ways of ensuring it’s protected. The first is the cheaper option – hard waxes or ceramic coatings. These are products that can be applied to nearly every surface and help to protect from light scratches, tree sap and God’s gift from a bird’s bum. They are best applied by professional detailers, though. The second option is paint protection film. Think of it as cling film wrapped around the car – it’s invisible, but protects against scratches and stone chips. The film is expensive and needs to be applied by a pro, but it’s worth it.

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ADVICE.

MY TOP 10 SELLING TIPS It comes to us all eventually – the sad day you have to wave goodbye and sell your supercar. Maybe you’re switching to another, or keeping the money for a rainy day – either way, you want to cash out for the best price. So how do you get the best deal?

Well, let me explain...

Prep school

This is a bit of a no-brainer, really. Getting your car into tip-top shape is the best way to show it off to a potential buyer. This isn’t an area to scrimp on, either – a little TLC in all the key areas can make the world of difference. Make sure you do both inside and out, and pay attention to the details.

Beautifully clean alloys, streak-free windows and a fresh smell inside show that you care about your motor – and in case you missed it, take a look at my complete guide to caring for your car on the previous two pages for all my top tips.

Snap happy

We’re not all professional snappers, but you should always ensure that you take the best photos you can when posting an advert. After all, what’s the point of going to the effort of painstakingly cleaning your car, only to take grainy, poor-quality pics? Don’t be afraid to take plenty, either. Get photos of all four wheels, any interior details you think are interesting, too. Also, it’s worth showing any scratches, blemishes or kerbing – it’s better to be honest now rather than the punter finding them once they arrive.

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Wax lyrical

This isn’t a time to hold back on the words, either. A well-written advert stands out and it shows your car in the best possible light.

Be clear, be precise and try to translate the enthusiasm you feel across to the reader.

Check it time and time again for punctuation and spelling – even one slip can bring down the tone of the whole advert.

Sort the paperwork

When it comes to supercars, history is the be-all and end-all. So get together everything related to the car that you can: service reports, bills, tyre replacement receipts, etc. I’d even include information if you’ve replaced the dust caps. It’s all about painting a clearer picture about the car’s life for the buyer. Get as much documentation together as you can and file it all clearly so it’s easy to find.

Getting paid

Don’t let go of those keys!

Remember, don’t let the keys to your car out of your sight until the bank transfer has cleared or the cash has been confirmed as genuine. This is even more crucial with highend supercars – they’re a target for thieves and other chancers, so don’t get burnt!

It’s about the money at the end of it all, ain’t it? But it’s important that you get this right too. Arguably the best way to get your cash at the end of the deal is via bank transfer, as it’s safe and secure. However, if the buyer wants to pay in cash, I’d advise doing the handover at a bank, as it allows you to get the notes checked over for authenticity before handing over the keys. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

It may also be worth considering selling your car to a dealer – many specialists are always after decent-quality stock, and although you won’t get as much as a private sale, it’ll be hassle-free and usually quick to sort.

Remember, the ball is in your court

I say this time and time again – there is no pressure when it comes to selling. If you’re not happy, think you’re being unfairly treated or don’t think the price is right, then don’t be afraid to cancel the deal. It’s your car after all – so just keep hold of the keys and respectfully tell the buyer that you aren’t interested in what they’re offering.

Get your insurance sorted The price is right

Setting the right price for your car is important. However, I’d suggest you give yourself a little bit of haggling room. It means that you’ve got some flexibility when whoever wants to buy your car inevitably tries to shift the price downwards. It’s all about thinking ahead, this racket!

Honesty is the best policy

Once you’ve got a punter up close and personal with your car, don’t try to tell any fibs about its condition. People notice if something’s up with the vehicle, so you’re better off being transparent from the start, and trying to dodge certain aspects of the car’s condition will just make you look shady and untrustworthy.

Let’s be honest – people get excited when it comes to driving a supercar. And although you want that excitement to be there (the whole process of buying one is meant to be an event), you need to make sure that everything’s covered in case things go pearshaped. So even if you’re accompanying them on the test drive (which is what I’d suggest), make sure you see evidence that they’re covered before they’ve even turned the key.

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars @romansinternational

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0843 775 9838 Brighton Road (A217), Banstead, Surrey

Follow us on Twitter @romanscars Romans International

TOP TIPS.

Just ask

No, really – give it a go. Meet a supercar owner at a show or event and you’ll probably find they’re as chuffed to own their car as you are to see it. Don’t expect a go behind the wheel, but asking to sit in it is pretty reasonable, and you might be lucky enough to be offered a passenger ride. It’s even easier if you have a wealthy family member who owns some exotica, but you probably know that already.

How to get behind the wheel of a supercar on the cheap So, you’ve watched one too many music videos, binged on every series of Top Gear and follow hundreds of celebs on Instagram – and you’ve decided that the supercar life is for you. However, there’s no getting around it: these are pricey cars and owning one is beyond the reach of most people. But don’t worry – if you’re desperate for a dose of exotica, there are ways to experience a supercar on the cheap…

Supercar experience days

This is a popular route for lots of teenagers – and adults whose kids don’t know what to buy them.

You can bag a pass for around fifty quid up to a few hundred, and you’ll be offered a spin in your choice of supercar. They usually take place on a track or airfield, meaning kids as young as 10 can get behind the wheel – but always with a professional on hand to ensure they don’t crash it!

Supercar finance

Got a good income but not the cash to splash out on a supercar? Well, think about financing one.

Packages for supercars work pretty much the same as they do for a supermini, but the numbers are larger. I found a deal on a Lamborghini Huracan that needed an £18k deposit and 48 monthly payments of £2,300 – not bad for a £180k car. If you want to keep it at the end, ‘just’ hand over £90k. Ouch.

Rent one

Sure, hiring a Lamborghini is going to be a bit more expensive than grabbing an Astra from your local Enterprise, but you might find a bargain if you look around. Get lucky and you could find yourself with the keys to a Ferrari for just a few hundred quid. As with any car hire, it’s likely to work out cheaper per day the longer you keep it – just remember you’ll be stung for any damage, so watch it, clumsy!

Buy one

The priciest option here, but hear me out – owning a supercar doesn’t have to be the financial pit of despair you might be thinking… First tip is to opt for something a little left-field – sack off Ferrari and Lamborghini and look to the likes of Audi or Honda.

Cheap Audi R8s are knocking on 30 grand now – which looks pretty tempting next to a diesel A4, right? The original Audi R8 with the cracking V8 can be had for sensible money and is an absolute corker.

Or a Honda NSX is worth a look too.

Keep up with maintenance and running costs don’t need to be massive either – but you’ll need to put more aside for consumables and servicing, as tyres are pricey! Watch your fuel bills too – and remember if you put a load of miles on it, you’ll be hammering the resale value like an auctioneer’s gavel.

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CELEBS.

Chris Evans

White Ferraris With a breakfast show to host, DJ Chris Evans needs something to get him up in the morning – and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was his collection of white Ferraris. What is it with celebs and their penchant for Prancing Horses?

Who knows? What I do know is that at the last count Evans had an enviable collection of Fezzas, including an F40 and 288 GTO – and generously often lets others take them for a spin to raise cash for charity.

Celebrities and their supercars Supercars are normally owned by the rich and famous, with celebrities attracted to them like bees to a honey pot. I scoured the tabloids to come up with this motley crew...

Brian Johnson

Audi R8 AC/DC rocker Brian Johnson obviously likes his cars as shouty as his band’s music, such is his eclectic mix of monster motors. Reports suggest the rock and roller has a Jaguar F-Type Project 7, Bentley Continental GT Supersports and Ford Mustang in his lock-up. However, the one that wins him a place on my list is his Audi R8. The German firm’s entry into the supercar market was an instant hit – just like most of his music!

Jay Kay

Ferrari Enzo Jay Kay probably needs to take off his massive trademark hats when he gets into his famously low Ferrari Enzo. You may remember his black supercar hit the headlines back in 2009 when it was attacked outside a hotel with £10k’s worth of damage done. The larger-than-life Jamiroquai frontman has an eclectic collection of supercars too. Last year he sold off a chunk of his collection at auction, including a Porsche 911 Targa 4S and a McLaren 675LT.

Pictures: PA Images & Tim Scott

Jeremy Clarkson

Ford GT Former Top Gear host, now fellow Statesidedwelling Grand Tourer Jeremy Clarkson has an undisputed love of cars. So, when he puts his money where his mouth is and shells out on a supercar with his own money, it says a lot. Famously, he raved about the Ferrari 355, eventually buying one. And he did the same with a Ford GT. Sadly, the latter purchase wasn’t all it was cracked up to be and he eventually lambasted it for unreliability in his columns.

Please note: Car pictures may not be their actual car and are for illustrative purposes only.

40 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Hugh Grant

Ferrari F12 TDF Spotted a theme yet? Yes, everyone loves Ferrari, including bumbling Englishman Hugh Grant. When he’s not pretending to be the prime minister and copping off with the former barmaid from EastEnders, the floppy-haired film star can be seen hitting the streets of London in his limitededition 769bhp Ferrari F12 TDF. Rumour has it that the Four Weddings And A Funeral star previously had an F40 too.

Lucky man!

Nick Mason

Gordon Ramsay

LaFerrari Aperta Shouty kitchen botherer Gordon Ramsay might usually be known for punctuating sentences with back-of-the-hand claps and chin grabs, but when he’s not getting angry with restaurateurs he can mostly be found driving his LaFerrari Aperta. He took delivery of the hypercar – which is only offered to serial Ferrari buyers – in 2016. Ramsay is known to have also owned a 458 and rare F12 TDF.

McLaren F1 GTR In terms of collections, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason has a garage full of some of the most incredible models ever to drive out of the most exclusive car factories’ gates. He has one of the most valuable supercars of all time in his barn too: a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. One just like it sold last year for, wait for it, £36m! But as a lot of our other celebs here are Ferrari fans, I’ve picked Mason’s McLaren F1 GTR as my favourite. Worth a not-tooinconsiderable £16m.

Conor McGregor

Lamborghini Aventador Roadster When he’s not punching people really hard in the face and generally looking hard as nails, UFC champ Conor McGregor likes to find time to thrash his Lamborghini around.

The Irishman certainly loves his cars.

He’s previously been papped in a Cadillac Escalade, Rolls-Royce Ghost and McLaren 650S – even turning up to court to face a speeding charge in a BMW i8. But having driven a Lambo just like The Notorious’s for this magazine, I can see why he likes his flame-spitting Aventador Roadster the most.

Simon Cowell

Bugatti Veyron With more cars than open-necked shirts, the hairy-chested music mogul Simon Cowell has a collection to beat most of the celebs on my list. Cars that he’s given the golden buzzer to include the incredible Eagle Speedster – a remake of the E-Type that costs upwards of £650,000 – an AC Cobra, Aston Martin DB9 and Lamborghini Gallardo. But famously, Cowell has a Bugatti Veyron in his lock-up, and that certainly has the X Factor for me!

Boris Becker

Porsche 959 Racket-smashing, broom cupboardfumbling tennis ace Boris Becker might not be the most topical addition to my list – but he gets a place thanks to his first car choice: a Porsche 959. The supercar was conceived – much like the daughter he had with a Russian model after a quickie in a closet – following a few seconds of genius in a darkened room.

Porsche needed to homologate its Group B rally car so production models were signed off and a future star was born. Much like, er, his offspring.

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SPORT.

Footballers and their supercars Pictures: PA Images & CC BY-SA 3.0

John Terry

Ferrari Enzo Ah, John Terry. One of the most controversial figures in football – and that’s not even counting some of the things he’s done on the pitch. He’s no stranger to a bit of publicity, so you’d expect ‘JT’ to have the flash motor to keep eyes on him. And you’d be right. He’s got a Ferrari Enzo – one of the very few in the world.

Let’s be fair though, it’s quite a classy thing for a man who is usually seen sporting tracksuits.

Footballers make sums of wonga that most people could only ever dream of seeing land in their bank accounts. That means they can afford a lot – giant houses, ridiculous exotic animals as pets, dodgy hairdos and, in the case of Italian flop Mario Balotelli, even a life-sized statue of himself. They’re also no strangers to supercars...

Every Leicester City player

BMW i8 Back in 2016 when Leicester City defied the odds to lift the Premier League title, their owner, the late Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, gifted every member of the squad a blue BMW i8 to celebrate the unlikeliest of triumphs. A combined price of almost £2m for the lot may pale in comparison to how much the players are worth, but that’s some seriously flash motors fit for champions. Next time you’ve outperformed yourself at work, maybe have a word with your boss about upping the Christmas bonus…

Wayne Rooney

Chevrolet Corvette C7 Sponsorship deals might make footballers look pretty daft sometimes – think of those old Joe Hart shampoo adverts – but a lot come with perks. Back when Wayne Rooney was still smashing them in for Manchester United, club partner Chevrolet gave him a Corvette C7 to cruise around in for the sake of free publicity. A Corvette for free! Chevy, if you’re still looking for someone a little tubby to represent your brand, I might be free…

Please note: Car pictures may not be their actual car and are for illustrative purposes only.

42 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Sergio Ramos

Audi R8 Spyder Another time when sponsorship turned out just right. Premium German kings Audi gave every first team player for Spanish giants Real Madrid a car of their choosing for absolutely nothing. Obviously, most went for boring SUVs – although manager Zinedine Zidane gets kudos for picking an RS6 – but big bad centre-back Ramos took the right approach in going for an R8 Spyder. In the crisp Madrid sun, why would you want anything other than a V10 convertible supercar?

Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi

Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti Footie stars might be all about flashing the cash in new, shiny motors – but that’s not always the way.

In 2016, a proper classic went to auction in the form of a 1957 Ferrari 335 S Spider Scaglietti. This car had been raced by Sir Stirling Moss in the 1958 Cuban Grand Prix and went on to sell for a whopping £27.7m! The unlikely buyer? Reportedly one Lionel Messi. Classy.

Bugatti Chiron Cristiano Ronaldo is many things. Arguably the best footballer in the world? Check. As confident as a lion in a zebra habitat? You bet. But one thing you probably wouldn’t say is classy. His choice in motor might make you change your mind on that one, though.

Portugal’s number 7 owns the ultimate supercar – a Bugatti Chiron. Able to cover 0-60mph in 2.2 seconds, it’s one of the few things that’d be able to outpace the man himself, and it’s sporting a pretty understated black and silver paint job. Thumbs up!

Zlatan Ibrahimović

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

LaFerrari One of the world’s most precise strikers needs one of the sharpest cars on the planet to match the title – and that’s exactly what Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has. A lucky owner of the ultimate Ferrari, the LaFerrari, Aubameyang makes just as much of a statement off the pitch as he does on it. The Gabonese international kept his LaFerrari quite tame compared with some of the other cars in his collection, sticking to a Rosso Corsa colour.

Samuel Eto’o

Maybach 57S Xenatec Coupe Those who breathe soccer will know Samuel Eto’o was one of the real journeymen in football – never able to settle down in one place. When you see his motor, though, it’s easy to understand why he was on the move so much. The ride of choice for the Cameroonian is this – the ultra-rare, one-of-six Maybach 57S Xenatec Coupe. This is a Maybach 57S that a Swiss firm went the whole Ant Anstead on by slapping a sexier body on top to make it the ultimate coach-build of the modern era.

Porsche 918 Spyder Zlatan Ibrahimović, the man known for referring to himself in the third person like some kind of enraged film villain, likes to believe he’s conquered the world of football. On the pitch, sure, but how does he fare when it comes to showing off the flash cars?

Pretty well, actually. The man’s got a Porsche 918 Spyder – the most high-tech thing to ever come from the Stuttgart brand, and one that’s set to be up there as the coolest car on the road for decades to come.

Wayne Rooney... again

Ford SportKa Ah, Wazza. Another appearance with a free car on this list and I reckon it’s the best of the lot. Back when the Scouse lad was in his early days at Everton, Ford gave him this SportKa as a present for passing his driving test. With a whopping 96bhp on tap, it would send itself and Rooney from 0-60mph in a blistering 9.7 seconds – acceleration rivalled only by the rate of his hair loss. But is it a supercar? No.

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N

ow, first impression of the Ferrari 812 Superfast – and you won’t expect me to say this – is the seat is rather hard.

OK, so I know I sound like an elderly chap when I say that, and I know that’ll come as a shock to most of you as I’m only 21, but it really is rather solid. There’s so little padding in it that by the time you’ve driven across France to pick up some Beaujolais in the GT you’ll have no feeling in your derrière at all.

Fortunately, it’ll get you there in, well, super-fast fashion. Mashing my size 10s into the rather lovely carpet brings on a wail I haven’t heard rivalled since I trod on my lovely wife Michelle’s toe during an impromptu dance around the kitchen to The Clash.

My word, this thing is quick. It hits silly speeds faster than you can say ‘My foot slipped, officer’. In fact, it’s little wonder I’m not doing time with the serial killers in an all-American penitentiary after driving this licence-loser around for a few days.

But before I go on, can we just stop for a moment and ask what on earth were the Italians thinking when they came up with the Superfast name, though? It’s like they’ve delegated their naming strategy to Enzo Ferrari’s four-year-old grandson recently. What’s next? The Ferrari Wellcool? I thought the Ferrari LaFerrari – which translates as the Ferrari The Ferrari – was poor, but the Superfast takes the chocolate-covered biscuit. I might write to my MP. Anyway, enough about the name, because there’s one thing the Italians can’t be accused of and that’s lying – because this thing is scarily rapid. The engine note from the glorious 6.5-litre V12 is epic as it climbs to a top speed that I honestly did not test in any way, no sir, definitely not, of 211mph. Of course, I’m jesting. At that speed I’d have a heart attack. The fact it could hit 60mph in just 2.9 seconds was bad enough – and yes, I did try that, over and over again.

I love the F1-inspired steering wheel, with all the controls you’d need on it close to hand. The feel of the carbon fibre is very special indeed and it looks cool. Even the flappy paddle gear shifters are nice to use and add a sense of drama to the whole occasion – as if it really needed any more! The gearbox is silky smooth and rapidly changes through the ratios if you aren’t pressing on – in fact, it’s a car you can drive at 30mph very comfortably indeed. But when you do unleash hell it really picks up its skirt and presses on, blipping the throttle perfectly on every downshift for you.

It’s a big old car though, and for this sort of lump 44 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

DREAM DRIVES

FERRARI 812 SUPERFAST It’s Ferrari’s super GT – designed for crossing continents in double-quick time – and I got the chance to put the 200+mph motor through its paces. Here’s what I thought of the stupidly named monster

you need huge stopping power. Thankfully, there are whopping ceramic anchors all round that haul the 812 to a halt in no time.

Looks-wise, it takes some getting used to. It’s not a Ferrari you’ll immediately love – all angular slashes and scoops – but I do like looking out over that long sloping bonnet and catching a glimpse of the big, flared haunches in the mirrors.

One thing that struck me almost immediately after getting into it was the size of it – it’s so wide, in fact probably one of the widest Ferraris I’ve ever driven, and that takes some time getting used to.

Out here in the States on the wide roads, designed and built for wide American loads, it’s not too bad – but back home, where the parking spaces can be a tight squeeze for a shopping trolley, I expect it’d be fairly tough to park up safely.

That size does have its plus sides, though. Inside, it feels massive – I had tons of elbow room to flap around in and, in fact, doing the traditional arm up on the window sill pose was rather awkward indeed.

Annoying, as I love a good pose down the Pacific Coast Highway or Venice Beach.

There’s carbon fibre all over the cabin and

When you do unleash hell it really picks up its skirt and presses on, blipping the throttle perfectly on every downshift for you.

I think this motor really suits me!

double-stitched posh leather that makes it feel like the luxury, purpose-built race car it is. I even like the multimedia system – often a massive let-down on supercars like this – but this one is easy to use and far, far better than Ferraris of old.

As for the price, well, you’ll need to either empty your account or go into a bank with a mask and a striped jumper on and empty someone else’s, because you won’t get much change from a quarter of a million quid. That’s a lot of cash for a two-seater GT, but when it looks, sounds and goes like this, I have to admit it probably is worth it.

This car already is the staple of the rich and famous and rightly so. It’s a great car and an absolute privilege to try it out. Now, if they could just think about fitting a more comfortable driver’s seat I might just think about buying one myself.

THE KNOWLEDGE Model: Ferrari 812 Superfast Engine: 6.5-litre V12 Price (when new): circa £265,000 ($346,000) Produced from: 2017 onwards Power: 789bhp Top speed: 211mph

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ATLAS. Netherlands

Vencer While the Netherlands hasn’t remained entirely anonymous in the supercar sector courtesy of Spyker, not many will know of Vencer.

Like so many low-volume supercars, its debut model – the Sarthe – features a General Motors-sourced V8, pushing out 622bhp in this instance courtesy of some tuning expertise from US firm Hennessey.

United Kingdom

Ultima There aren’t many kit cars out there that can deliver true supercar performance, but Ultima’s machines are one of the rare breed that can. The firm’s current car, the Evolution, is powered by the accepted range of Chevrolet LS engines. Both the 6.2 LS3 and 7.0-litre LS7 V8s are available, with the range topped by a 6.8-litre 1,000bhp monster.

United States

Hennessey Best known for wringing silly power out of US muscle cars, Hennessey moved on to making supercars like the Venom.

Suitably insane, the car is powered by a 1,244bhp twin-turbocharged V8 and is largely based on a Lotus Exige. The cherry on top of this challenge to the senses? A top speed of 270mph.

France

Venturi Even though this company now makes small electric cars, Venturi looked like it could have been a challenger to the likes of Porsche in the ’90s. Its range of supercars, powered by the suitably French and slightly Scandinavian PRV (Peugeot, Renault, Volvo) V6 engine, were impressive to the eye and, by most accounts, good to drive too.

MY WORLD TOUR From nations you’d never expect to the supercar motherland that is western Europe, there are manufacturers of highperformance motors all over the world. So take note of the emergency exits, fasten your belt and get settled for a flight around the supercar planet

46 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Denmark

Zenvo Danish manufacturer Zenvo first made a splash in motoring with the ST1: a car that featured distinctive styling and a twin-charged – turbo and super – General Motors LS7 V8 that was capable of producing upwards of 1,100bhp. The design has since evolved into the TS1 GT, with increased power – now 1,104bhp – coming from Zenvo’s own V8.

Poland

Arrinera Arrinera follows a recipe familiar to not just these pages but the niche supercar industry as a whole – that is to say, it’s powered by a GM LS7 engine: the heart and soul of Chevrolet’s Corvette. The firm’s sole model to date – the Hussarya – is currently only available to order as a GT racing car, but prototypes of a road-going and EV version are likely to follow soon.

China

Nio Chinese EV firm Nio has made a splash in the supercar world with its EP9. Headlines were grabbed in 2018 when it took on the famous Nürburgring, lapping the Nordschleife in 6 minutes and 45 seconds: a time that blows even the top tier of supercars out of the water. It has a 335¼bhp motor on each wheel, adding up to a grand total of 1,341bhp.

Japan

Aspark Twit-twoo! The future is electric and nowhere seems more consistently futuristic than Japan, so it’s little wonder that the latest Japanese supercar start-up is working towards an electric future with its strangely named Owl. Currently a concept, the car has been documented accelerating from 0-60mph in less than two seconds!

Australia

Brabham While Australia is well known for its home-grown muscle cars and race tracks such as Bathurst’s world-famous Mount Panorama, the supercar world has yet to feel any pressure from the land down under. David Brabham, a professional racing driver and son of world champion Sir Jack Brabham, is looking to change that with his eponymous marque. The Brabham BT62 is currently a track-only model but a road car is due soon.

Czech Republic

Praga The Czech Republic has a vibrant car culture, so it’s perhaps no surprise that it has tried its luck with supercars too. The Praga brand dates back to 1907 and has recently built its first road car since 1947 with the R1R. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre sourced from Renault, delivers up to 390bhp and weighs just 670kg.

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HORRORS.

Ferrari Mondial 8 Mitsuoka Orochi

With a face even the most devoted mother couldn’t love, this is the woefully styled Mitsuoka Orochi. The firm is known for modifying Nissan Micras with horrible chrome grilles, so a venture into supercars didn’t come naturally. It has a rubbish underpowered V6 and poor five-speed auto.

Luckily, it never officially left Japan.

Engine: 3.3-litre V6 | Power: 231bhp | Produced from: 2006-2014 | Price today: circa £55,000 ($70,000)

Few badges carry as much cache as Ferrari. A slow Ferrari is a bit of an oxymoron, but the unpopular Mondial was just that. Weighing more than 1.5 tonnes, its V8 engine lacked power and it got to 60mph in a leisurely 10 seconds. To make matters worse, it was overpriced new (and still is) and had a woeful reliability record – one to avoid. For more Ferrari foolishness, see the next page.

Engine: 3.0-litre V8 | Power: 214bhp | Produced from: 1980-1993 | Price today: circa £30,000 ($38,000)

Supercars to avoid

Meet the mingers of the motoring world! All of these supercars promised great things but when they arrived were as welcome as a mouldy yoghurt at breakfast. Some were poor to drive, others fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down. Join me as I take a closer look

Lamborghini Espada

These days, Lamborghini is best known for its ballistic and crazy V12 supercars – cars like the Murcielago and new Aventador SVJ – but this hasn’t always been the case. The Espada was a perfect example of when it all went wrong, offering practicality for four adults and their luggage but hunchback looks. Praising a Lamborghini for its practicality is a pointless act and not what the highlight of one should be. And that was the issue with the Espada – it was powerful enough to entertain with a V12 engine, but it just got its priorities all wrong and wasn’t ‘Lamborghini’ enough.

Engine: 3.9-litre V12 | Power: 321bhp | Produced from: 1968-1978 | Price today: circa £90k ($115k) 48 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Maserati Merak Aston Martin Virage

It was the last model to be built at Aston’s Newport Pagnell factory – but this was no swansong. The slab-sided and boxy-looking Virage was constructed and engineered with limited funds and has all the elegance of a drunk man attacking a cake with a chainsaw.

Aston has had some fantastic hits over the years but it’s safe to say this wasn’t one of them.

Engine: 5.3-litre V8 | Power: 320bhp | Produced from: 1989-2000 | Price today: circa £60,000 ($77,000)

The Merak is largely an unknown supercar, and things are usually forgotten for a good reason. While admired by diehard Maserati fans, it has very odd proportions, particularly side-on. It was underpowered for its era, overshadowed by Maserati’s larger Bora in terms of performance, and it lost in the looks race to the Citroen SM it shared parts with.

Engine: 3.0-litre V6 | Power: 190bhp | Produced from: 1972-1983 | Price today: circa £60,000 ($77,000)

Ferrari California

As if one Prancing Horse to avoid wasn’t bad enough (see previous page), here’s another.

The firm may churn out some of the best driving cars but it’s had off days – and the California was conceived on one of those.

Designed to be a grand tourer not a supercar, it was a muddled model that didn’t drive all that well and wasn’t much of a looker either.

Engine: 4.3-litre V8 | Power: 453bhp | Produced from: 2008-2014 | Price today: circa £75,000 ($58,000)

Caparo T1

It’s never a great start when a supercar’s claim to fame is catching fire on numerous occasions, but that’s what happened with this. In 2007, the firm said the T1 was as close to an F1 car for the road as you could get, and there was some truth in that. Sadly, its looks and firey habits didn’t catch on.

Engine: 3.5-litre V8 | Power: 570bhp | Produced from: 2007-2012 | Price today: circa £200,000 ($256,000)

MG X-Power SV

You might think sticking ‘Power’ to a car would result in something pretty monstrous, but it didn’t work for MG. It looked like a parts bin had mated with a Max Power disaster, and for all the X-Power’s fierce styling, its V8 engine only produced 320bhp.

Plus the £75,000 price tag was far too steep.

Engine: 4.6-litre V8 | Power: 320bhp | Produced from: 2003-2005 | Price today: circa £40,000 ($51,000)

Covini C6W

TVR Sagaris

The Sagaris was a half-decent attempt at a supercar, but its issue was TVR’s financial situation. In typical TVR fashion, it was raw, powerful and thrilling but came with the usual mechanical gremlins. It was the first model to be launched under new owner Russian oligarch Nikolai Smolensky – and the last, as the firm went bust two years later.

Cars have four wheels, right? Not always.

This is the Covini C6W. Unsurprisingly, it was the mastermind of a mad Italian, who took inspiration from the crazy Tyrrell P34 F1 car from the ’70s. While it’s meant to offer better handling than a normal car, the six-wheeled layout stood out for all the wrong reasons.

Engine: 4.2-litre V8 | Power: 434bhp | Produced from: 2004 | Price today: N/A

Engine: 4.0-litre in-line 6 | Power: 406bhp | Produced from: 2004-2007 | Price today: circa £80,000 ($102,000) Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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IN DETAIL.

Mike Brewer on the...

McLAREN Before McLaren Automotive became a household name in the road-going supercar world, the Woking-based brand had only ever built two road cars: the M6GT prototype and this – the F1. Conceived during the Formula 1 team’s all-conquering 1988 season, the F1 project brought together some of the car world’s best and brightest to help make the perfect road car – all under the stewardship of legendary designer Gordon Murray

Aerodynamics

Built from carbon fibre, the body was sculpted and designed by F1 aerodynamicists in a wind tunnel – ensuring it had a 0.32 drag coefficient, which is one of the best to this day. It even came with a computer-controlled airbrake and a ground-effect system to make it flow through the air even better.

Wheels and tyres

Sitting on specially developed Goodyear tyres that were lighter than usual, the F1’s wheels were also very high-tech. Made in the same way as Formula 1 rims, the OZ Racing units were cast in aerospace-grade magnesium alloy – making them seriously lightweight.

50 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Brakes

As with the rest of the car, Formula 1 was used as the inspiration for the braking.

Working alongside Italian brake specialists Brembo, the F1 came with four-piston, Formula 1-style aluminium callipers, ventilated discs and divided front and rear hydraulic circuits – just like those you would find in the McLaren MP4/4 and subsequent F1 cars.

Performance

The F1 was fast. Very fast. Putting the power down to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual with a carbon triple-plate clutch, the F1 could go from 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds, which is quite normal by today’s supercar standards, but back in 1993 when the F1 first hit the road, that was incredible.

The top speed was 240.1mph with the limiter taken off.

Three-seat cockpit

The cockpit was designed to ‘make the driver feel special’ and feel like they were driving an F1 car, according to Murray. Having driven as many of the supercars of the time as he could, Murray wanted to take away pedal offset that was rife among cars in the late ’80s and early ’90s – making for a much better driving experience. He did this with an unusual three-seat layout, the likes of which have never been repeated. That is, of course, until McLaren’s Speedtail that copies it arrives in 2020.

Special editions

Only 106 F1s were ever built – so they were exclusive enough already. But McLaren built two racing versions – the GTR and GTR Longtail – and the ultimate road-going version of the F1, the LM. Only five LMs were ever built, and inspired by the GTR iterations the LM is the most sought-after F1 – costing in excess of £15m nowadays.

Equipment

Like most other supercars, the F1 didn’t come with a lot of gear when new. But working alongside Kenwood, McLaren had its own lightweight stereo and 10-disc CD system.

F1 customers also had the choice of getting specially made luggage that could fit into the limited storage space. A lightweight titanium tool kit was also provided.

Speed record Chassis

Taking direct inspiration from the F1 team, McLaren built the first all-carbon-fibre chassis for a road car – helping it to be incredibly light and rigid. Even the substructure was light, with titanium and an aluminium honeycomb used instead of other, heavier metals. The chassis was built and designed in-house.

Engine

Murray didn’t want any turbo or superchargers to enhance the power output or affect reliability – only a naturally aspirated engine would do. So, thanks to BMW, the F1 was fitted with a 6.1-litre V12 developing 627bhp and 650Nm of torque. To keep the heat in the engine bay, McLaren even lined it with the world’s best heat reflector – gold.

What seems even more impressive about the F1 is how ahead of its time it was. Its 240.1mph speed record stood for seven years – before the Swedish Koenigsegg CCR knocked it off the top spot in 2005 by 0.9mph. The McLaren is still king in one aspect though – it remains to this day the fastest naturally aspirated production car of all time.

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BARGAINS.

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£178.98*

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Maserati 3200 GT

Maserati is one of the most evocative names in motoring, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of reach on the second-hand market. For my target £10k budget it’s possible to grab one of the firm’s Marmite modern machines: the 3200 GT. The grand tourer might not float everyone’s boat, but it does have a sleek design, a proper Italian V8 and was even the first car to offer LED headlights — height of luxury, eh? With 365bhp sent to the rear wheels, there’s serious fun to be had. Close your eyes and you can pretend you’re in a Ferrari. Just don’t do it while you’re driving... Price: circa £10,000 ($12,900)

Volkswagen Golf R32

Not everything that offers supercar thrills has to be a look-at-me-I’ve-got-all-themoney motor. Some do things in a far more understated manner, like the Volkswagen Golf R32. To the untrained eye, it looks like little more than a slightly sporty Golf – but it’s packing a rather saucy secret. Under the bonnet lies the famous 3.2-litre VR6 engine, punching out an impressive 247bhp through all four wheels. This thing grips like a koala in a hurricane! What’s more, it sounds utterly ridiculous as you wind it up. Glorious.

Price: circa £8,000 ($10,300)

Thrills & spills

Supercar-style fun for sub-£10k With their exotic looks, head-turning ability and tons of performance, the idea of owning a supercar will make most mouths water. Yet for many, buying one is neither practical nor affordable – but that’s not to say the thrills they bring are out of reach. Head into the used market with £10,000 and there’s bags of supercar-like thrills to be had…

Audi RS6 Avant

Vauxhall Monaro

A Vauxhall wouldn’t normally be the first place I’d start to look for a rival to a supercar for £10k, but then this isn’t really a Vauxhall.

Look past the badging and underneath lies an Australian-built Holden, with a roaring 5.7-litre lump sending at least 328bhp directly to the rear wheels. Even more powerful versions are available if you dare, but believe me, they are seriously lairy. On top of all the power, it delivers a noise that’ll have even the loudest of Ferraris quaking in their Pirelli P-Zeros.

Price: circa £9,900 ($12,770)

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Practicality is not something you’ll find in a true supercar, but there’s definitely supercar performance in a useful package if you know where to look. Enter, stage right, the Audi RS6 Avant that does it all. The first RS6 – the C5 – boasted a powerful 4.2-litre that would later see action in Audi’s first supercar, the R8. Combined with a grippy all-wheel-drive system, it delivered mesmerising performance but still had tons of practicality thanks to a 455-litre boot space. Take that, McLaren!

Price: circa £9,000 ($11,600)

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TVR Chimaera

If you prefer your budget supercar with a drop-top option 01480 220150 then look no further than the TVR Chimaera. The British brute might be as reliable as a paperchain in a hailstorm but it can be had for a shade under £10k. For that, you’ll get a V8 under the bonnet of a sleekly styled machine. It was hailed as the ‘easiest-to-drive TVR’ by hacks at the time, but still boasted the brash experience and shouty thrills you’d expect from the dead-but-now-backagain British builder.

Price: circa £10,000 ($12,900)

Porsche Boxster

Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

When looking for budget thrills and power, there’s no shortage of late ’90s and early Noughties German saloons to check out. My pick, though, would be the bonkers MercedesBenz E55 AMG – otherwise known as the ultimate sleeper car. If it weren’t for the quad exhausts at the back and giveaway badging, you’d really have to know your stuff to realise this is packing a thunderous 5.4-litre V8 – sending 476bhp to the rear wheels. Back in 2002, that would’ve had even the most potent Porsche or Lamborghini squirming! Buy one.

Price: circa £10,000 ($12,900)

The Porsche Boxster holds something of an unfair reputation as being the poor man’s 911 – particularly in its earlier incarnations.

However, as a result, values these days are low, meaning there’s a lot of motor to be had for your wonga. Ask anyone who’s had the pleasure of driving this cracking machine and they’ll tell you it’s the real Porsche deal. With a sexy six-cylinder mid-mounted engine, involving dynamics and dropdead gorgeous looks, you’ll drive it everywhere with a massive grin and flies in your teeth.

Price: circa £6,000 ($7,750)

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Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

BMW M5 E39

Big-power saloons are one of the most-loved corners of modern performance motoring and for a relatively small sum you can have one of the cars that kicked it all off. The BMW M5 E39 offered an unbelievable 394bhp from a 4.9-litre V8 when it launched back in 1998 – boasting even more bhp than a Ferrari F355! It wasn’t all about how much shove it had though; reviews at the time hailed its involving chassis and precise gearbox too. All that plus the ability to haul the kids to Tesco – what are you waiting for?

Price: circa £9,500 ($12,250)

Abarth 595

Think of a typical supercar and something loud, Italian and sexy will probably spring to mind. Well, the Abarth 595 is most of those things – packing them all into a tiny, yet thrilling package... much like me. It may only boast a four-cylinder engine, but its exhaust note shouts like a dad who’s trodden on Lego and helps you pretend you’re in something far more exotic. It’s an absolute riot on a country road too and even makes for the perfect inner-city posing, thanks to compact dimensions and manoeuvrability. It’s no wonder Monaco is full of them.

Price: circa £9,000 ($11,600)

Fast Japanese cars may be skyrocketing in value these days – once being the go-to for cheap performance – but there’s still affordable grunt to be found here. Look for a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and you’ll find some real bargains. Lesser-loved early examples have yet to see their price tags soar to astronomic levels, and they still boast the go and rally-bred handling ability iconic variants like the VI and IX are famed for. OK, they might need a bit of Ant-like TLC, but the performance is monstrous and you can show off with huge rear wings and big scoops too.

Price: circa £8,000 ($10,300) Insurance quote

£171.20*

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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LISTICLES.

Aston Martin Vulcan

By the time the Vulcan arrived in 2015, the track-only hypercar scene was dominated by mid-engined rockets, with the Merc 722 GT (right) being one of the very few front-engined rebels. As such, it was great to see the Vulcan unapologetic about being a proper Aston; big V12 up front, luscious coupe around it. Pukka.

With 820bhp on tap, the Vulcan is also almost certainly the most extreme Aston ever.

Price: circa £1.8m ($2.3m)

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

The Sesto Elemento – or ‘sixth element’ – is a Gallardo on a diet that picked up a seriously bad attitude around the 100th salad. Debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, this car isn’t as racinginspired as its other track-only counterparts from a visual perspective. But with a 562bhp engine borrowed from the Superleggera and a kerb weight of 999kg, it’s certainly no slouch. It’s rare, too; just 20 were made.

Price: circa £2.3m ($2.92m)

McLaren P1 GTR

If you’ve ever seen McLaren’s spotless base in Woking, you’ll know exactly what to expect from a track-car project where its watch-whatyou-say engineers have finally been able to let their hair down. In short, it’s clinical but still exciting. McLaren’s signature 3.8-litre engine and carbon tub are exploited to their fullest in the P1 GTR, with a power figure pushing 1,000bhp and race-car levels of downforce.

Price: circa £1.98m ($2.5m)

McLaren-Mercedes SLR 722 GT

The SLR was closer to a grand tourer than a supercar, but the hard-core 722 version helped it on its way to the apex of performance. Then came the GT: a track-day car with an exclusive race series for owners. The project was ultimately short-lived, arriving just as the late2000s financial crisis hit pockets. However, the car – a 670bhp, 1,390kg brute – made a lasting impact, even if it didn’t hang around for long.

Price: circa £950k ($1.2m)

My pick of the best tyre-blistering track-only cars Just imagine having enough cash that you don’t even need to use your supercar on the road! Here are the cars designed purely for the richest of track-day enthusiasts. They’re made without any rulebooks, focused instead on eye-watering speed and spine-warping handling – what’s more, they’ll never have to worry about getting an MOT.

Pagani Zonda R

Not so long ago, a 6 minute 47 second laptime at the Nürburgring was unattainable for any car accessible to the public, regardless of their wealth. However, it was that very laptime that was a key selling point for Pagani’s Zonda R in 2009. It shared very little with the car it took its name from – this was a pure-bred track weapon and something of a test bed for the Huayra that came in 2011. Just 15 examples of this track-day special made it off the Italian production line.

Price: circa £1.5m ($1.9m) 54 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Ferrari FXX K

The FXX K, otherwise known as the ‘oh bother’, is the melting pot between Ferrari’s storied past and the changes it will make in the future. The legendary Ferrari V12 is combined with an F1-style electric motor system for a grand total of 1,036bhp. It can hit 60mph from a standstill in two and a half seconds and go on to trouble the 220mph barrier. However, this car isn’t a drag racer by any means – it was built for the challenges of world-class racing circuits, and that’s where the 40 ultra-rich owners get to access the cars through Ferrari’s special XX track-day programme.

Price: circa £2m ($2.5m)

GIFTS. Porsche 911 soundbar

Porsche is well known for making self-styled ‘masterpieces’ from parts of its cars, including office chairs (below) and even a shelf from the wing of a GT3 Cup car with brake disc bookends. But my favourites are the speakers made from parts of the exhaust systems, with the soundbar the pick of the bunch.

Costing some £2,300, it’s fashioned from the rear silencer and twin exhausts you’d usually find at the back end of a 911 GT3 and includes a 2.1 surround system and integrated subwoofer.

Price: circa £2,300 ($3,000)

The gifts made from bits of supercars For a lot of people, supercars are just a bit too much money and more of a dream than reality. But if you still want a piece of the supercar action, here are some cost-effective alternatives that you can buy

Lamborghini furniture

The Poland-based Design Epicentrum team has sculpted a series of limited-edition desks and sofas all designed around the front ends of Lamborghini models, including the stand-out Aventador. Although the furniture isn’t official, it looks almost identical to the real thing – and it’s made of high-end fibreglass for the best finish. Each hand-made unit can be painted in one of 200 colours, while those mad enough to go for one of these can also choose to add LED lighting.

With a £26,000 price tag, they probably cost as much as the front section of a real Lamborghini – but they’re still the coolest pieces of furniture I’ve ever seen.

Price: circa £26,000 ($34,000)

Destroy vs Beauty AMG BurnOut Collection

If you want your handbag to look like it’s just been run over by one of the fastest Mercedes around – and let’s face it, who doesn’t? – German brand Destroy vs Beauty has just the thing. With the company claiming the material used on its AMG BurnOut Collection took two years to develop so it wouldn’t tear when driven over by an AMG, the series of bags is priced from about £150 for a men’s wallet – with the line-up topped by the £590 weekend bag. Or you could always put some £20 notes on the barbecue...

Prices from: circa £150 ($198)

Supercar jewellery

American brand Crash makes jewellery out of pieces of supercar bodywork, tastefully crafting them into cufflinks, rings, necklaces and earrings. All of the hand-made articles are designed by Christi Schimpke, who started making jewellery out of pieces of car metal when she moved her studio into her husband’s car garage in Los Angeles. Although Crash can make pieces of bling out of bits of old BMW, Aston Martin and Jaguar models, Ferraris, Porsches and Lambos have also been used – with metal from a white 458 and rosso 360 Challenge Stradale being used in these cufflinks, which cost $162 a pair.

Prices from: circa £123 ($162)

Porsche RS office chair

Sometimes at your desk, you may want to wish you were driving around in an expensive sports car, not battling with Excel – and with Porsche’s help, you can certainly feel like you are. By taking the Alcantara-trimmed sports seat you’d usually find in a 911 Carrera and mounting it on a set of castors, Porsche can now sell the RS office chair for £4,500. It even comes with all the electrical gubbins for the backrest, powered by a rechargeable battery pack, so it feels a little bit more special.

Price: £4,500 (circa $5,800)

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

55

TRUMPS.

Mike Brewer’s

PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT! Supercars are all about big numbers and high performance. Ultra-rich buyers are obsessed with the fastest, newest and most expensive, and in the world of supercars that’s what helps manufacturers to sell them. Here’s your chance to pitch them head-to-head

217mph

FERRARI LAFERRARI KNOWLEDGE Ferrari thought long and hard about what it wanted to call its latest hypercar and ended up with ‘LaFerrari’ – which translates as ‘The Ferrari’. Using tech from F1, the V12 supercar was the brand’s fastest road car to date. Super cool.

56 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

0-60mph (seconds) POWER (bhp)

2.6 949

ENGINE CAPACITY

6,262

WEIGHT (kg)

1,255

PRICE (new)

£1.15m

250mph

McLAREN SPEEDTAIL KNOWLEDGE Billed as a successor to the F1, McLaren’s latest hypercar is good enough to be just that, it says. With breathtaking styling, a promised top speed of 250mph and same three-seat set-up as the F1, it’s likely to be a crowd-puller for years.

0-60mph (seconds)

N/A

ENGINE CAPACITY

N/A 1,430

WEIGHT (kg)

£1.75m

PRICE (new)

KNOWLEDGE You could write essays on how to say this Pagani’s name, but what you need to know is it uses a meaty 6.0-litre engine from AMG and is capable of blistering performance.

It’s glitzy, technical and proves Pagani is a force to be reckoned with.

0-60mph (seconds)

ENGINE CAPACITY

5,980

WEIGHT (kg)

1,350

PRICE (new)

278mph

KOENIGSEGG AGERA RS KNOWLEDGE If all-out speed is what you want, the Agera RS is the one. It’s officially the fastest road car on the planet, with a monumental top speed of 278mph. The Agera RS does without electrification too – preferring instead light weight and big bhp.

0-60mph (seconds)

2.9 1,341

POWER (bhp) ENGINE CAPACITY

5,000 1,395

WEIGHT (kg)

£2m

PRICE (new)

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR SVJ KNOWLEDGE The days of big powerful V12 supercars are sadly numbered, but the gods at Lamborghini are clinging on tightly to the good old days, with the Aventador’s 759bhp naturally aspirated V12 a true wonder to behold.

0-60mph (seconds)

0-60mph (seconds)

2.8

POWER (bhp)

759

ENGINE CAPACITY

PRICE (new)

6,498 1,525

WEIGHT (kg)

POWER (bhp)

1,487

ENGINE CAPACITY

7,993

WEIGHT (kg)

1,995

PRICE (new)

£1.9m

KNOWLEDGE Ford’s GT might not be in the same territory as other supercars but it’s one that will still stop passers-by in their tracks. It’s got a small V6 while others have a mighty V12 but it still boasts an impressive top speed and sprightly 0-60mph time.

£356,000

875

POWER (bhp) ENGINE CAPACITY

4,593

WEIGHT (kg)

1,675 £781,155

PRICE (new)

217mph

KNOWLEDGE Before the Speedtail existed, we had this – McLaren’s hybrid P1, which was the first of its kind from the Woking firm. Delivering 903bhp from its 3.8-litre petrol engine and electric motors, the P1 put McLaren firmly back in the limelight.

0-60mph (seconds)

2.8 903

POWER (bhp) ENGINE CAPACITY

3,799

WEIGHT (kg)

1,450

PRICE (new)

£866,000

270mph

HENNESSEY VENOM GT

0-60mph (seconds)

2.8 647

POWER (bhp) ENGINE CAPACITY

3,497

WEIGHT (kg)

1,385

PRICE (new)

2.5

0-60mph (seconds)

McLAREN P1

FORD GT 2.5

Porsche’s 918 Spyder is one of three hypercars dubbed ‘the holy trinity’ alongside the LaFerrari and McLaren P1. Its engine capacity might not be as loud as rivals’, but thanks to electrification it’s every inch as fast as something with a V12.

216mph

BUGATTI CHIRON Bugatti loves huge numbers. Its previous top dog – the Veyron – smashed the world’s fastest car record twice, and when the firm builds up the courage to remove the speed limiter from its Chiron, it will more than likely reign supreme again.

£1.029m

KNOWLEDGE

217mph

261mph

KNOWLEDGE

3.2 720

POWER (bhp)

211mph

PORSCHE 918 SPYDER

PAGANI HUAYRA

1,036

POWER (bhp)

230mph

£450,000

KNOWLEDGE Basing a supercar on a Lotus Exige might seem like an odd idea, but it certainly worked for US tuner Hennessey in its quest for max speed. The GT is everything you’d expect a Texas supercar to be: fast, imposing and brutal to drive.

0-60mph (seconds)

2.7

POWER (bhp)

1,244

ENGINE CAPACITY

7,000

WEIGHT (kg)

1,244

PRICE (new)

£935,000

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

57

LISTICLES.

Bugatti Veyron L’or Blanc

When the Bugatti Veyron came out in 2005 it cost more than £810,000, which is a lot in anyone’s money. It smashed production car records and quickly gained fame as the fastest car available with number plates. But how do you make an exclusive car even rarer? Enter the Veyron L’or Blanc, complete with amazing optional exterior paint applied by hand to mimic porcelain. No one knows exactly how much the owner paid for the one-off option but the whole car cost a whopping £1.5m when it was bought in 2011. Punchy. Price: £1.5m ( circa $1.98m)

Jaeger-LeCoultre AMVOX2 DB9 Transponder

Anyone who drives an Aston Martin secretly wants to be James Bond, don’t you think?

Well, this optional extra for the DB9 meant you could be just like the man himself. The AMVOX2 watch allowed you to open or close the car via a button on the timepiece itself.

Effortlessly cool, but equally pricey – it cost £12,426.

Price: £12,426 (circa $16,400)

My pick of the most expensive supercar options Given that you’re already paying a handsome sum to get your hands on the car, you’d expect most extras to be thrown in as standard, right? Wrong! Even some pretty regular options can cost thousands – and even more for special touches. Join me as I take a look at some of the most expensive picks to tick out there

McLaren Senna Carbon Theme

Ferrari Portofino 20-inch forged alloy wheels

Wheels are pretty crucial to a car’s movement, and as well as their pretty obvious function they can look good too.

It’s why manufacturers like to charge a pretty penny for special designs to make your supercar look extra special.

Enter Ferrari with these – a set of 20inch forged alloys for its Portofino. The price? A cool £9,997.

Price: £9,997 (circa $13,200) 58 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

The McLaren Senna will go down as one of the greatest supercars of all time, I’m quite sure of that. But what if its £750,000 price tag wasn’t quite flashy enough? Here’s a way to rectify that – the £300,000 Carbon Theme edition. It added all manner of carbon touches to the car, which together took 1,000 hours to produce. Cool, but hellishly expensive.

Price: £300,000 (circa $396,000)

Ferrari 599 GTO racing stripe

It’s pretty unsurprising that Ferrari features twice on this list, isn’t it? As one of the most respected supercar manufacturers, it can charge pretty much what it likes, safe in the knowledge that someone somewhere will jump at the chance to buy. Take this, a racing stripe for the 599 GTO, for instance. It cost £7,589 – which seems like a lot for a stripe, doesn’t it?

Price: £7,589 (circa $10,000)

A T E C A

SPORTS SUV OF THE YEAR It’s a rare combination. An SUV with the heart of a sports car.

But also, a sports car that knows what elegance is. That’s why the CUPRA Ateca has been crowned as the Sports SUV of the Year at the 2019 What Car? Awards.

Order your CUPRA Ateca from Snows Group today.

S P E C I A L I S T

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WEBSITE www.snows.co.uk/cupra

Official fuel consumption for the CUPRA Ateca in mpg (litres/100km) combined: 61.4 (4.6) - 61.4 (4.6). CO2 emissions 120 (g/km). Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load. There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO2 figures (known as WLTP). The CO2 figures shown however, are based on a calculation designed to be equivalent to the outgoing (NEDC) test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. For more information, please see seat.co.uk/wltp or consult your SEAT Dealer. Data correct at 02/2019. Figures quoted are for a range of configurations and are subject to change due to ongoing approvals/changes. Please consult your SEAT Dealer for further information.

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

59

Y

ou might recognise the Jaguar C-X75 from its starring role in Bond film Spectre as the baddie chases Daniel Craig in an Aston Martin DB10 along cobbled streets in a burnt-orange version of this Coventry supercat.

Interestingly, neither of those supercars ever made production – the Aston was built especially for the film, but the C-X75 had different beginnings.

I’ve closely followed the car’s development. I saw it early on at the brand’s head office, where I instantly wanted to buy one. I chatted to the people who designed it and to the people who eventually killed it off – but before they did so, they actually gave me the chance to drive it.

It was the noise that hit me first when I got behind the wheel. For a hybrid supercar running in pure-electric mode, the C-X75 made a meaty growl.

In a world of silent EVs, the Jaguar was purposefully noisy – humming, breathing, with a bassy beat as it ‘ticked over’. Engineers actually made the roof vibrate to create the artificial sound, amplifying the Tron-style soundtrack through the car’s speakers.

The soundtrack was matched to throttle position, increasing in tone and intensity as you accelerated.

In electric mode the car produced 400bhp – and on the Jaguar test track, with a Williams test driver 60 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

My time in the Jaguar was short – but long enough to leave a memory that’ll remain imprinted on my mind for a lifetime. behind the wheel, it was impressively rapid. The artificial sound added to the drama and it pulled strongly, cornered flatly and generated intense grip.

Back in the pits, I swapped cars – out of an orange one and into a blue and silver development model.

This time Mike Cross – Jaguar’s chief test driver – was behind the wheel. Cross was the man tasked with making Jags feel like Jags and he took me for a full-blooded high-speed lap of the circuit.

Jaguar has a four-lane high-speed bowl at Gaydon, and as Cross buried the throttle on the slip road, the air was sucked out of my lungs.

The sound and feel were much like a highly tuned superbike – think Suzuki Hayabusa on acid.

With a rev limiter at 10,500rpm the tiny 1.6-litre engine screamed towards the higher reaches of its song with ferocious intensity, pinning me into

the bucket seats. On the straight we climbed through the seven-speed paddle box and I watched the needle rise – 156mph, 174mph, 187mph and yet it still climbed. As Cross clicked into seventh, I could see the end of the straight but we were still accelerating. The C-X75 eventually topped out at

DREAM DRIVES

JAGUAR C-X75

THE KNOWLEDGE Model: Engine: Price: Produced from: Power: Top speed:

Jaguar C-X75 1.6-litre hybrid Priceless Concept killed off in 2012 900bhp 222mph

It was the ultimate skunkworks project – a jet-powered hypercar to rival the Veyron but with the emissions of a Prius. Sadly, Jaguar’s C-X75 backroom project was killed off before it even made it into dealers – but I got to drive it ahead of them canning it!

198mph – or so I thought. I later learnt that the prototype had a standard Jaguar digital speedo incapable of clicking over 200mph – the real top speed I hit was 205mph.

I only noticed how fast we were going when Cross stamped on the brakes. We slowed for a good few seconds, but when I looked across to glance at the speedo we were still travelling at 110mph – and about to turn a corner.

My time behind the wheel was a nervous one. On my first lap the savage gear changes and drama of the whole event washed over me. I knew it was a special moment but I found it hard to let it sink in.

Then Cross shouted at me: ‘You need to really push it. Power it right up the rev range.’

So I did just that. On the same straight we’d just

topped 200mph, I let rip. In third, fourth and fifth I quickly crashed into the red line. The acceleration was immense and it was like nothing I’ve experienced before on four wheels – this Jaguar was super fast.

I hit 187mph before chickening out and plunging the long travel brake pedal into the floor. My time in the Jaguar was short – but long enough to leave a memory that’ll remain imprinted on my mind for a lifetime.

Jaguar engineers’ original brief was to create a production version of the supercar that looked like the outrageous concept shown at the Paris Motor Show in 2010. They had some tough targets: the Jag board wanted it to have the performance of a Bugatti

Veyron, but with the CO2 emissions of a Prius – and an electric range to match a Chevrolet Volt. This was building-a-Tesco-on-the-moon levels of ambition.

A team of 80 engineers, made up of the best of the best from project partners Williams (the F1 team) and Jaguar, were brought together in 2011 at JLR’s headquarters and they began to fathom out the sheer complexities of making this dream hypercar a reality.

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

61

The acceleration was immense – it was like nothing I’ve experienced before on four wheels.

I so want this jet-powered prototype!

But there were a few issues to overcome before then – not least the small matter of the show car’s jet engines. The Paris concept had two turbines installed as power plants and the manufacturer’s top team were keen to push ahead with putting them into production. However, the engineers soon realised the technology wasn’t quite ready – so instead swapped them for a hybrid set-up.

Williams developed its very own batteries for the car and these were coupled with two electric motors, one in the back and one in the front, producing 200bhp each.

Further JLR magic was sprinkled on the internal combustion engine. Just 1.6 litres in size, it produced a staggering 502bhp – that’s some 313bhp per litre – boosted by a turbo and supercharger. When all three units were combined, the output was a kidneyshifting 900bhp.

The C-X75 emitted just 89g/km and was capable of running on electric power alone for around 60 62

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

miles – even then it had nearly 400bhp on tap. A fast charging system topped the cells up in just 40 minutes. However, it was when both electric and combustion power were combined that the Jaguar really came alive. Then, it could hit 60mph in under three seconds and 100mph in six. Engineers clocked its top speed at 222mph.

The C-X75’s development soon reached a point when some major decisions needed to be made. Despite many millions already spent on development and a very polished product to show

for it, major investment was required to finish the job. In December 2012, the project was canned.

Jag’s global brand boss, Adrian Hallmark, likened the decision to ‘killing the family puppy’ and blamed economic uncertainties and a need to divert funds into other new models.

The project eventually helped shape the current road-going I-Pace electric car, but I for one will forever rue the day Jag bosses decided to can this spiritual successor to the XJ220. Let’s hope that maybe one day they’ll give it another go.

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

63

DREAM DRIVES

LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR S ROADSTER I get to drive all sorts of cars from many different walks of life, but when Lamborghini sent me an Aventador S Roadster to try out on the streets of LA I strapped down my toupé and burnt a lot of super unleaded

H

old on to your hairpieces because they’re about to be blown right off thanks to this vicious Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster! With an incredible 730 pure Italian horses sitting just behind my head, anything not seriously toupé-taped down is about to become less hairpiece and more road kill as I hit the highway in this absolutely brutal supercar.

Sitting behind the wheel of the incredible baby-blue Sant Agata masterpiece for the first time, you can’t fail to emit a pop concert ‘whoop’ when you mash the throttle into the floor.

The noise, a vicious wail of a scream that wouldn’t be out of place at the gates of hell, just gets louder and louder as that glorious V12 winds up and deafens not only you but every onlooker too.

Driving it down the Pacific Coast Highway out here in California – where I’m now making my TV series Wheeler Dealers – it’s not unusual to see supercars rolling up and down the beach road, basking under the blazing sun.

But that doesn’t stop the Aventador turning heads. This Lamborghini, with its dramatic slices, grooves and air intakes, still looks every bit the Batmobile and turns heads like few other cars on the road can.

64 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

This is the first time I’ve got behind the wheel of one, and I was surprised that once you’ve got over the initial fear of driving a near-£300,000 supercar it can actually be very easy to drive.

OK, so the view out of the back isn’t great, and you need to remember that the whole car is V-shaped and, as such, is wider at the back than the front, which can make parking tricky, but at low speeds it’s a relative pussycat.

The steering is light, the controls easy to get used to, and even the ride is relatively comfortable. I may need to master my inner gymnast (he’s in there somewhere) to concertina myself inside the scissor doors, and once folded in there’s very little room to move around, but what do you expect from a trackfocused monster?

While I’m on the interior, I must say some of the controls look a little outdated. The multimedia system is from a (very) old Audi – a distinct reminder of who Lamborghini’s parent company is – and it’s impossible to use. The controls are so complicated that even turning the radio on is a chore. I’m sure you’d get used to it evenutally, but it still annoys. There are buttons littered across the huge centre console too – it’s bearable once you’re tuned into it, but until then you need to peer at them carefully.

Frustratingly, the indicator stalk is just out of finger’s reach, low and to the left of the steering wheel. A lesson in ergonomics it is not.

But who cares about all that when you’ve got that brutal lump behind your head? The first time you experience the full-throttle dramatics is akin to seeing your favourite band live. The rush on your senses is certainly enough to get you going in the morning. The Aventador S is able to hit 60mph in a whisker under three seconds and will go on to a top speed of over 200mph.

The flappy paddle gearbox isn’t great. It’s better in full manual mode, but in automatic can lurch a bit between shifts. But my word, the noise it makes is

The noise, a vicious wail of a scream that wouldn’t be out of place at the gates of hell.

THE KNOWLEDGE

My Lambo test car was delivered right to my door like nothing else on the planet. This is the Roadster, so to get the wind-in-your-wig experience you need to perform some origami that my mechanic mate Ant Anstead would be proud of.

Two carbon-fibre-clad panels on the roof come off separately and are stashed away with a series of clips in a tiny luggage compartment under the bonnet. Put them in there, though, and you’ll do away with any room for your Tesco shopping – this is more milk and newspaper car than full weekly shopper.

Compared with its rivals – cars like the Ferrari 812 Superfast – this thing is very different.

They might both have V12s under their bonnets,

Model: Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster Engine: 6.5-litre V12 Price (when new): circa £300,000 ($392,000) Produced from: 2017 onwards Power: 730bhp Top speed: 217mph

but in the Lambo it’s slung out the back behind your head under glass panels, mated to four-wheel drive and backed up with four-wheel steering too.

It’s a proper thoroughbred supercar – a truly brilliant experience and one that even mere mortals like me can enjoy.

OK, the roof is ridiculous – no supercar owner wants to be faffing about with those panels at the side of the M25 when it suddenly starts raining – but I can just about forgive it that as soon as I bury my right foot to the floor. It’s a proper car this... a hypercar.

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

65

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66 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

ADVICE.

Tyres Cost per corner for a BMW 5 Series (Michelin Primacy 4, fitted) circa £144 ($185)

Cost per corner for a Mercedes-Benz SLS (Michelin PS4, fitted) £254 (circa $335)

1.76 times more expensive To get the best out of a supercar’s performance, it needs decent rubber — no budget brand shopping to be had here. A regular car – say, a BMW 5 Series – might be able to pootle around on £140ish tyres without a problem, but that won’t do for a real performance motor.

Take the Mercedes-Benz SLS for example, which will set you back £254 for one wheel…

The cost of owning a supercar Just like your everyday motor, a supercar needs servicing at regular intervals, fuel, basic maintenance items and, of course, insurance. But exactly how much more is that going to cost you? I get my calculator out and do some maths...

Servicing Cost of a regular service for a Suzuki Swift £176 (circa $232)

Cost of a regular service for a Lamborghini Huracan circa £1,300 ($1,667)

7.4 times more expensive

Your car’s service interval is probably somewhere around the 10,000/one-year standard that most machines on the market have – and supercars aren’t too different. For example, the recommended interval for a Lamborghini Huracan is annually or every 9,000 miles. Where the difference comes is in the cost. A new Suzuki Swift, for example, will set you back £176 – and other hatchbacks will be about the same. For a Huracan, though? You’re looking at around £1,300 for a regular service — and £2,355 for a major one.

Insurance Oil Five-litre bottle of Mobil 1 0w-40 £40 (circa $53) This might be a bit of a surprise but the cost of putting oil in your supercar really isn’t that different to any regular machine. McLaren recommends its customers use Mobil 1 0w-40, which will work fine in most cars — and it’s just £40 for a five-litre bottle.

While most service items on a supercar can be impossible to do yourself, almost all have an oil cap which means even I could manage it.

Single-year premium on Volkswagen Golf (27, clean licence) circa £315 ($404)

Single-year premium on Lamborghini Aventador (27, clean licence) £3,215 (circa $4,239)

10.2 times more expensive It doesn’t matter how much money you’ve got, you’ve still got to insure a supercar – and this is what really puts the expense of them into perspective. If you’re 27 and have a clean licence, you can get a nice new Volkswagen Golf insured for about £315. A Lamborghini Aventador for the same person, though? That'll be a wallet-bashing £3,215 please.

Fuel Nissan Qashqai 1.3 petrol average fuel consumption 51.4mpg (US 42.8mpg)

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport average fuel consumption 12mpg (US 10mpg)

The fuel might cost the same if both are filled up on premium stuff, but a usual motor is going to sip it much less than a full-blown supercar — especially with my heavy right foot. For instance, a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport is said to average about 12mpg in regular driving – quite a far cry from a petrol Nissan Qashqai’s 51.4mpg that every womble in the country seems to be behind the wheel of these days.

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IN DETAIL.

Mike Brewer on the...

LAMBORGHINI The Lamborghini Countach is one of the hallmarks of the 1980s. It’s big, brash and unashamedly over the top – and I absolutely love it. With its pop-up headlights and scissor doors, how could you not love this big Lambo? I think it’s time we had a look at it in a little more depth, don’t you?

Engine

All Countach models used a V12 engine but they changed in displacement as the car got older. Early models used a 3.9-litre unit, but by the time the Lambo went out of production it had been upped to a 5.2-litre lump.

Turbo power

Two turbocharged Countach models were built privately and rumoured to be able to crack 208mph. They could also do 0-60mph in under four seconds – pretty brisk indeed!

Gearbox

Despite increasing in power and performance as it got older, the Countach used the same five-speed manual gearbox the entire time. It was placed slap bang in the middle of the car – right between the two seats.

Performance

Early Countach models were able to crack the 0-60mph dash in around 5.2 seconds, but by the end of its production run this had fallen to 4.3 seconds. In 25th Anniversary Edition form, the Countach could crack 183mph flat out.

It’s not an easy car to park

The Countach, as impressive as it is, doesn’t have much in the way of rear visibility. It means that when you want to reverse the big Lambo into a space, you need to open the door and sit on the sill while slowly inching backwards – no mean feat!

For more information regarding this amazing Lamborghini contact Amari Supercars on 01772 663777 or visit amarisupercars.com 68 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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Doors

The Countach was the first production car to be fitted with vertically opening scissor doors. As well as being a ‘look-at-me’ party piece, they’re also helpful when trying to squeeze into the car’s compact cabin.

The Pagani influence

The Countach’s engineering team featured one Horacio Pagani, who wanted to push the use of carbon fibre in the car’s construction.

However, Lamborghini believed that steel and aluminium were the best choices, so Pagani had to wait to form his own company before making the most of the lightweight material.

No bull here

The Countach was one of the first Lambo cars not to be named with reference to bulls or bullfighting. Its name is actually a way of showing astonishment in Piedmontese – a saying often used by one of the car’s engineers and it just stuck.

Chassis

The Countach used building techniques more commonly found in race cars of the time. It featured an all-steel spaceframe chassis, with aluminium body panels shaped over the top.

In fact, they were hand-formed to ensure a perfect fit.

Safety car

Believe it or not, the Countach was used as the official F1 safety car between 1980 and 1983 for the Monaco Grand Prix. One stylish safety vehicle, I’m sure you’ll agree.

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DREAM DRIVES

ANT ANSTEAD’S COMET He’s not just a dab hand at fixing up the cars I buy him – my mechanic marvel mate Ant is also a star when it comes to new cars. This is his latest creation and he’s let me loose behind the wheel

N

ot only does my mate Ant Anstead know a thing or two about fixing cars, but he’s also got a good eye for what makes them great. It’s probably why he and his car company Dowsetts Classic Cars decided to make their own – and yours truly has been up close and personal with it.

Called the Comet, it’s a luxurious grand tourer designed to evoke the spirit of cars from a bygone era – albeit brought thoroughly up to date.

And though it may look like the love child of an Aston Martin DB5 and some sort of Morgan, it’s very much its own thing from the ground up.

It’s been completely designed by my talented pal Ant and his team, and uses a fibreglass body over a spaceframe chassis. I think you’ll agree that it’s a stunningly good-looking motor, both inside and out – but I’ll get to the cabin in a minute.

First, what’s powering this thing, I hear you ask?

Well, you’ll be pleased to hear it’s not some piddly four-cylinder, but a full-fat LS3 V8 crate engine with somewhere in the region of 430bhp. When you consider that the car weighs in at around 1,500kg, it’ll come as no surprise that it’ll hit 60mph in just 3.9 seconds, and flat out it’ll crack 150mph – although Ant told me that it could do more. And I don’t doubt him!

70 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

That power goes through a brawny five-speed gearbox to the rear wheels alone, meaning driving it isn’t for the faint-hearted, but thanks to tyres that appear almost continent-wide there’s tons of grip to be found.

I understand that you can also get an automatic gearbox should you want it, but I’d opt for the selfshifter if it were my choice.

And bespoke choices like that are the biggest factors with the Comet. Everything is almost endlessly changeable – you can have whichever shade of paint you want for the exterior, any type of material for the cabin. Hell, Ant and his mates even do a drop-top, for those who want the wind-intheir-hair experience.

Speaking of the cabin, it’s a bit of a masterpiece.

There’s quilted leather almost everywhere and

high-end metal on all the touchy-feely bits. I love the thin-rimmed Moto Lita steering wheel (you just don’t get them like this on ‘modern’ cars) and the dashboard is elegantly angled towards the driver.

It’s a snug fit, too, but with a wide windscreen and decent side screens it doesn’t feel too constrictive.

The seat is available in a variety of heights (which

You start the engine and a huge ‘woofle’ comes from the sports exhaust. It sounds mean, this Comet.

Look at that beautiful interior

THE KNOWLEDGE

The Comet has beautiful details you can specify when you buy one), and it’s not hard to get comfortable. I was as snug as a bug in a rug, let me tell you.

Then you start the engine and a huge ‘woofle’ comes from the sports exhaust. It sounds mean, this Comet, and it only gets meaner the quicker you go.

The gearshift is surprisingly light for such a big, oldschool car, and it’s not hard to drive slowly either – I could happily drive it down to the shops. Anyone stood outside the supermarket is going to hear you coming, though – quiet, it ain’t.

The long, stretching bonnet flows out in front of you, and you can imagine pitching the Comet around Goodwood Circuit in the 1960s – it’s a bit of modern nostalgia, and I love it.

Thanks to its compact size, it doesn’t feel too intimidating to drive. Although it’s almost

impressively low to the ground, you don’t feel scared to make a three-point turn or sharp corner, making it a little more useable on a daily basis. This is certainly not a car to be left in the garage – it needs to be driven and used.

Like I said earlier, my man Ant knows a thing or two about fettling a car, and the Comet is proof that he’s a dab hand at creating new ones, too.

It’s almost a little annoying how good he is at this sort of thing, but then you can’t have everything – he hasn’t got my mesmerising good looks or boyish charm, after all!

Model: Dowsetts Classic Cars Comet Engine: 6.2-litre V8 Price (when new): From £140,000

(circa $182,000) Produced from: 2017 onwards Power: 430bhp Top speed: 150mph

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Page 74

Supercars through the decades

MY JOURNEY BACK IN TIME Supercars have been around for some time now and every decade has brought with it some unique sights and sounds for fans – just like the music that accompanied those eras. Here, I’ve delved into the history books to pick my automotive favourites

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

ime’s a funny old thing, isn’t it? Throughout the years, fashions change, tastes vary wildly and haircuts that we once reckoned were the bee’s knees leave us shuddering to look at the photo album decades later.

But supercars have been around for quite a while, and save for a few clangers, they’re invariably loved throughout the ages.

In the next few pages, I’ll be looking at some of the very best cars to come from every decade, running from the 1960s right up to the 2000s.

There are some absolute stunners in the mix here. We’ve got Lamborghini’s achingly beautiful Miura, the groundbreaking Ferrari F40 and the record-setting Jaguar XJ220. In terms of timelines, this one is packed full of horsepower, thrills and utterly ridiculous performance figures.

And as time goes by, the importance of these cars becomes even more apparent. They’ve been poster stars, magazine frontpagers and film icons. They’ve inspired the next generation of petrolheads to fall down the rabbit hole of motoring, and given people a dream to chase. Throughout the years, supercars have evolved and developed, but they’ve always sat atop the heap when it comes to engine-driven perfection.

I’d hazard a guess that you can remember the first supercar you saw – either in pictures or in the metal. I’ve loved them since I was a nipper, and I’m sure you can understand that not much has dented my enjoyment of everything supercar since then! So let’s jump in the time machine, dial it back to the 1960s and strap in for one hell of a ride through the ages.

00s

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90s Page 80

80s Page 78

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60s

Although fast cars had been around for a while, the Swinging Sixties was when the dream-inducing supercars started to stake their claim – with some of the most iconic motors of all time hailing from this era. Here are 10 of my favourites that kick-started the supercar craze and got people putting car posters on their walls…

Ford GT40 – 1964

Made to spite Ferrari after Enzo Ferrari refused to sell the company to Henry Ford, the GT40 became one of the most successful cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – winning the famous endurance race four times in a row between 1966 and 1969. Although initial success didn’t materialise when it arrived on the scene in 1964, the GT40 developed into one of the best endurance cars ever – capable of hitting more than 200mph in some forms.

Price: circa £2.27m ($2.9m)

Ferrari 365 GTB ‘Daytona’ – 1968

Gaining its nickname after a famous 1-2-3 finish for the Maranello-based brand at the Daytona 24-hour race, the 365 GTB was designed by the renowned Pininfarina – with the long bonnet housing a 4.4-litre V12 kicking out 347bhp. Capable of 174mph and 0-60mph in just 5.4 seconds, the Daytona was one of the fastest cars of the decade.

Only 1,406 of these were ever built.

Price: circa £550,000 ($710,000)

Aston Martin DB5 – 1963

Toyota 2000GT – 1967

Famously used by Sean Connery’s James Bond in You Only Live Twice, the 2000GT has looks inspired by the Jaguar E-Type and helped Japanese manufacturers become more confident in making rivals to European sports cars. Only 351 units of the 2000GT were made, and under the bonnet was a 148bhp straight-six engine – helping the Japanese model get from 0-60mph in 10 seconds, before going on to reach a top speed of 135mph.

Price: circa £500,000 ($647,000) 74

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

The appearance of the DB5 in 1964’s Goldfinger cemented its place in history – with many children lucky enough to get their hands on the Corgi Toys version that let them dream of having a licence to kill. But the car itself was a joy to behold. It was composed everywhere on Tarmac and for the time was pretty rapid, with a 0-60mph time of 8.1 seconds. The 4.0-litre six-cylinder produced 282bhp to help get you to 140mph – but you needed to be pretty burly to control it as there was no fancy power steering to help you out.

Price: circa £3.5m ($4.6m)

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Shelby Cobra – 1962

Jaguar E-Type – 1961

It’s almost unarguable to say that the E-Type is the greatest export from the British car market. Handsome and great to drive, the 1961 car set the world alight and was the supercar of choice for most of the ’60s. Even Enzo Ferrari called it ‘the most beautiful car ever made’, proving that rivals loved it as well. Initially launched with a 3.8-litre flat-six under the slender bonnet, the E-Type could get from 0-60mph in 6.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 153mph.

Price: circa £240,000 ($310,000)

After striking a deal with Ford to fit engines to the British AC, Carroll Shelby 01480 220150 transformed the small AC Ace into one of the fastest and coolest cars of the decade. From launch in 1962, the AC Cobra – or Shelby Cobra in the US – was fitted with either a 4.3- or 4.7-litre V8 engine to get it from 0-60mph in around 5.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 140mph. The ‘427’ version from 1964 came with an even more substantial unit under the bonnet – a 7.0-litre V8 that catapulted the Cobra to speeds of up to 165mph.

Price: circa £100,000 ($130,000)

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Maserati Ghibli – 1966

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As with many other Maseratis, the Ghibli was one of the coolest-looking cars of its age and was named after an African 01480 220150 wind – a weird trend the Italian brand keeps holding to. The 4.7-litre V8 engine developed 306bhp and 393Nm of torque – with the 2+2 V8 GT car able to get up to 160mph and sprint to 60mph in just 6.8 seconds. That made it one of the world’s fastest at the time of its release in ’66.

Price: circa £144,000 ($190,000)

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale – 1967 Lamborghini Miura – 1966

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Chevrolet Corvette Stingray – 1963

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The C2 Corvette is another amazingly cool-looking car, and after it replaced the C1 01480 220150 in 1963 the Corvette became lighter and offered much better handling than ever. Built to rival the AC Cobra, the Stingray also came with a big V8 – in this case a 5.4-litre. Although the Stingray’s top speed wasn’t that super – 130mph – its looks and raucous engine were more than enough to stir the hearts and minds of the US public.

Price: circa £50,000 ($65,000)

Widely seen as the first true supercar, the Lamborghini Miura was the genesis of the mid-engined/rear-wheel-drive layout.

Produced from 1966 to 1973, the Miura was fitted with a 4.0-litre V12 that developed 380bhp and 295Nm of torque – catapulting the car from 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds.

With a top speed of 170mph, it was the fastest car in the world at the time that it was released, and it became one of the first bedroom poster supercars that adorned the wall of many a child.

Price: circa £579,000 ($750,000)

Only 18 of these wonderfully stylish Alfas were built and the mid-engined featherweight is a road-going version of the company’s Tipo 33 racing car – hence the name ‘Stradale’.

Fitted with an engine half the size of its closest supercar rivals in 1967, the 33 Stradale only needed a 2.0-litre V8 developing 227bhp to get from 0-60mph in under six seconds – before peaking at a top speed of 160mph. It also came with butterfly doors, and what’s not to love about that?

Price: circa £8m ($10.4m)

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70s

After the curves of the ’60s, the 1970s was an era of angles, dramatic wedge shapes and razor-sharp front ends. Several things tie my best cars together. For example, seven of them are mid-engined, and all but two feature pop-up headlights. I may be a product of the ’60s but I spent my childhood lusting after ’70s cars – so read on for my favourites

BMW M1 – 1978

Homologation specials are brilliant things, but few are as special as the BMW M1. It was designed by Lamborghini and intended to make it into Le Mans as a big old middle finger to Porsche. For that, at least 400 street-legal models had to be made – but Lamborghini couldn’t manage it so BMW had to take over.

It was designed as a racer from the ground up and was a brilliant car, but for buyers it was too little, too late, and far too expensive.

Price: circa £500,000 ($647,000)

Lamborghini Countach – 1974

When Lamborghini decided that it was time to replace the Miura, it dug out a ruler and set square to design its replacement. Forget curves – what we needed here was angles, and the Countach obliged with possibly the coolest design ever applied to a supercar. This wedge-shaped wonder was practically made to go on a kid’s bedroom wall, and it was as much of a beast as it looked – up to 470bhp from its V12 engine plus controls that demanded biceps like Schwarzenegger and legs like a champion cyclist.

Price: circa £500,000 ($647,000)

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Porsche 928 – 1978

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Porsche is best at rear-engined, flat-six sports cars, right? True, but that doesn’t mean it can’t make a decent fist of a frontmounted V8 grand tourer. The 928 might just be one of Porsche’s most distinctive models ever, thanks to that polyurethane bum and bug-eyed pop-up lights. Calling it a supercar’s a bit of a stretch, but it definitely had the performance – a top speed of 170mph by the end of production, and what critics called ‘near-perfect handling’. Problem was, it overlapped with the 959 of the ’80s…

Price: circa £30,000 ($39,000)

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Porsche 911 Turbo – 1975

Is the 911 a true supercar? Look, we can argue about this until the cows come home, but the 1975 911 Turbo was the fastest car in Germany when it launched and is still a model totally coveted by thousands of petrolheads today. It was another homologation darling and developed a reputation for being tail-happy and a bit terrifying, but a combination of iconic Porsche looks, that wonderful 3.0-litre flat-six and the in-vogue ‘TURBO’ badging meant it became a cult classic.

Price: circa £150,000 ($194,000)

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Maserati Bora – 1971

Ferrari 308 GTB – 1975

After the gorgeously curvy Dino came the 308 – Ferrari’s entry-level supercar for the 1970s.

This car’s straight edges brought Ferrari into the modern era – starting an aesthetic that continued right up until the F40. The baby ‘Rari was no slouch either – lightweight thanks to a fibreglass body and with a 2.9-litre V8 concealed inside. Of course, we had to wait until 1982 to get a new 3.2-litre engine and a new name – 328 – but the 308 itself defined Ferrari in the ’70s.

Price: circa £100,000 ($129,300)

You probably forgot that Citroen used to own Maserati, didn’t you? And no, it didn’t make Quattroportes with hydraulic suspension and single-spoke steering wheels – it made the drop-dead-gorgeous midengined Bora, released in 1971 to compete with Lamborghini and Ferrari at their own game. The first Bora left some good memories – it had great performance thanks to a 4.7-litre, 310bhp V8 and handled like a dream because it weighed so little. The second generation packed even more punch and would do 0-60 in four seconds flat.

Price: circa £130,000 ($168,000)

Lamborghini Urraco – 1973

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I honestly love this car to bits.

The Urraco’s one of my all-time favourite Lamborghinis – not as well known as the Countach but 01480 220150 just as amazing to look at. It was never as popular either, living in the shadow of its Miura and Countach big brothers. But just look at that styling! From top to tail, it’s gorgeous – and even more so inside. If anything proved that being a budget supercar wasn’t a bad thing, it’s the Urraco.

Price: circa £80,000 ($104,000)

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£586.75*

Aston Martin V8 Vantage – 1977

Lancia Stratos HF Stradale – 1973

De Tomaso Pantera – 1971

You probably don’t think of De Tomaso at all these days but in the ’70s it was way more than a bit player. Thanks to a massive 5.8-litre Ford engine this thing had power and drama. It was intended to be sold in Europe and Stateside but Ford wanted out by 1975, which meant the Pantera had to continue with little investment.

Maybe that’s why it stayed alive so long – it was 1993 before De Tomaso replaced the Pantera with the even more striking Guarà.

Price: circa £100,000 ($129,300)

The Lancia Stratos is one of very few cars bred specifically for rally – from the time before you needed four-wheel drive to go fast on gravel. This thing was such a beast that if you turned it over you’d find hair on its chest and probably a biker tattoo saying ‘Mom’. It had a Ferrari-sourced V6 mounted just behind the driver, rear-wheel drive and a body so sharp you’d cut yourself on it. Only 500 were made for the road, and the owners are some of the luckiest people around.

Price: circa £250,000 ($323,000)

After the dainty, swoopy and 01480 220150 gorgeous DB5 and DB6, the V8 Vantage was a totally different beast. This thing had a properly mean, musclecar look about it. It definitely had muscle-car power, too – producing nearly 400bhp and doing 170mph flat out. What a monster! The ’70s may have been the era of mid-engined, focused Italian exotica, but Great Britain proved that you could do a lot of damage with simplicity, power and sheer brute force.

Price: circa £150,000 ($194,000)

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80s

The 1970s may have been the era of sleek and stylish supercars, but it was the ’80s that really began to kick off the supreme performance and high-tech trickery we’ve come to expect of these machines today.

Turbocharging took power to a new level, while massive wings sprouted to keep these monsters on the ground. Here’s my pick of the decade…

Ferrari 288 GTO – 1984

While the Ferrari F40 may have been Maranello’s finest of the ’80s, its direct predecessor was no slouch either. The 288 GTO could boast the title of the first turbocharged Fezza and was originally built to go Group B racing. Based very loosely on the 308 GTB, it cranked everything up to 11 — with more power, less weight and more bulging bodywork to give it a menacing presence on the road. It served as a starting point for the F40, and the rest is history…

Price: circa £2.5m+ ($3m+)

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Ford RS200 – 1984

Group B rallying spawned some of the greatest cars 01480 220150 ever, and the Ford RS200 is my cream of the crop.

Sure, the Audi Quattro may have been the all-conquering force on the rally stage, but the RS200 was a real supercar on the road, rather than the tamer sports car its German rival proved to be. It may have ‘only’ had a four-cylinder engine producing 247bhp, but low weight meant it could keep a 911 honest.

Price: circa £100k+ ($130,000+)

RUF CTR ‘Yellowbird’ – 1987

I know what you’re thinking – ‘Mike, you’re blind. That’s a Porsche’ – but you’re wrong.

Sort of. RUF uses chassis and often engines from Porsche then works its own magic from there — and the CTR ‘Yellowbird’ is the firm’s finest creation. Using a boosted version of Porsche’s 3.2-litre flat-six, 463bhp was dumped to the rear wheels, letting this bird fly all the way to 213mph. It gained a cult following – so much so that RUF made 30 recreation models as a tribute in 2017.

Price: circa £900k+ ($1.2m+)

Ferrari F40 – 1987

No list of supercars from the ’80s is complete without the granddaddy of them all – the Ferrari F40. The Italian stallion isn’t just the best of the decade, it is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats. The last car to ever be signed off by company founder Enzo Ferrari before his death, the F40 went like the clappers, hammering its way to 201mph.

It wasn’t all about that top speed figure though; the hooligan was a real back-tobasics driver’s car too.

Price: circa £900k+ ($1.2m+)

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DeLorean DMC-12 – 1988

Hold on tight because where we’re going we don’t need roads! You don’t have to give two hoots about cars to know about the iconic DeLorean. It’s a Hollywood star, serving as the base for Doc Brown’s time machine in ’80s cinema classic Back to The Future.

That said, it’s also a proper supercar too, with a futuristic aluminium body and iconic gullwing doors making it seem space-age at the time — even if the performance wasn’t up to scratch.

Price: circa £20k-50k ($26k-66k)

Lotus Essex Turbo Esprit – 1980

Much like myself at the time, the ’80s saw the Lotus Esprit in a fitter state – going from a beautiful and sporty machine to something in the supercar big league thanks to the introduction of the Turbo. Yep, you guessed it – this was where the Esprit first got a taste of the turbo rage that great variants would feature later on. Power was boosted to 210bhp, allowing it to hit 60mph in just 5.4 seconds, while suspension revisions meant the Hethel-born machine could cope with the extra oomph.

Price: circa £20k-40k ($26k-53k)

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Ferrari 512TR – 1984

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Does it get more ’80s than a Ferrari 512TR? This seriously cool motor had it all – sleek and sexy looks sprinkled 01480 220150 with vents, a roaring flat-12 engine and, of course, pop up headlights. All the superstars owned one – Elton John, Mike Tyson, Rod Stewart and, most famously, ‘Sonny’ Crockett in Miami Vice. It’s easy to see why. Not only was it one of the coolest things on the road but also among the most powerful.

Price: circa £90k-190k ($120k-250k)

Vector W8 – 1989

America is normally associated with brash muscle cars and huge trucks more than bespoke supercars, but that didn’t stop this crazy-looking thing making an impact right at the very end of 1989. With a mid-mounted beefy V8, scissor doors and a body shape more akin to a wedge of cheese with a wing on it than a road car, the Vector W8 had all the hallmarks of a real supercar. It even had components from a fighter jet, using aircraftspec rivets in its assembly. That’s one to win your mates over with down the pub.

Price: circa £190k+ ($250k+)

Callaway Sledgehammer – 1988

Forget the Bugattis, Koenigseggs and Hennesseys of the world – the ’80s brought about the first road-going car to stake a claim to the coveted 250mph barrier and it’s one you’ve probably never heard of. The Callaway Sledgehammer may seem like any other Corvette of the time, but it packed a thunderous 898bhp, sending it to a recorded 254mph top speed. You’ve got a better chance of seeing a dodo than this on the road though, with just one example made.

Price: circa £750k+ ($990k+)

Porsche 959 – 1986

I love a Porsche, and the 959 is a cracker.

It’s a real brute, packing 444bhp from its flat-six engine, resulting in mind-boggling acceleration. All that power is sent through a seriously clever all-wheel-drive system, so it’ll stick to the road like it’s riding on superglue.

That technology was so good in fact that Stuttgart’s finest felt confident enough to take a 959 to the gruelling Paris-Dakar rally in 1986 – and won the whole thing.

Price: circa £1.6m+ ($2.1m+) Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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90s

It was probably time I started settling down in the ’90s, but for the world of supercars it was only to get much, much wilder. The decade saw ridiculous speed records, timeless designs, crazy technologies and the arrival of many unexpected contenders straight into the heavyweight fight. There’s a lot to choose from, but I’ve whittled it down to 10... just!

Jaguar XJ220 – 1992

Sure, Jaguar might have promised a V12 for the XJ220 instead of the turbocharged V6 it eventually got, and nor did it get the clever all-wheel drive promised, but what hit the roads still turned out to be one of the best supercars ever. With an incredible 217mph top speed, spaceship design and price tag of £470k when new, this cat was a real exotic – only it was made in Oxfordshire instead of Maranello. It’s up there as one of the best moments in British engineering.

Price: circa £500k+ ($650k+)

Porsche 911 GT1 – 1996

‘Race car for the road’ is thrown about all too easily these days, but the Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion is exactly that. Now, for those whose German doesn’t extend beyond ‘ein Bier, bitte’, that’s ‘street version’ in English.

This was the version of Porsche’s Le Manscompeting sports car with licence plates — built so it could take it racing. Unusually for a 911, it was mid-engined – which might send the purists loony, but that only lends itself more to a real hard-core racer experience behind the wheel.

Price: circa £1m+ ($1.3m+)

Lamborghini Diablo – 1990

Lamborghini had set itself up with some huge boots to fill by 1990. The Miura had flung the firm to fame in the ’60s, which was only advanced by the Countach. Where do you even go from there, shy of making it an actual fighter jet with licence plates? Well, the Diablo tried to fit the bill. With hindsight, it may not have got the same Insurance quote love as its forefathers, but it’s still a whacky machine. It had the V12, Call now the trademark wedge styling and bullish stance to boot – just like a real Lamborghini.

Price: circa £140k-280k 01480 220150 ($180k-360k)

Pagani Zonda C12 – 1999

The supercar world is full of one-time wannabes that come in, flap their elbows about and scream ‘Watch out Ferrari, we’re coming for you’, before selling about two cars and inevitably collapsing into bankruptcy.

Pagani broke this convention at the end of the ’90s, unleashing the Zonda on the world back in 1999. With amazing looks and a Mercedessourced V12 engine, it had all the hallmarks to succeed – and it did exactly that, taking reviewers and the petrolhead world by storm.

Price: circa £500k+ ($650k+)

Dodge Viper RT/10 – 1992

Shoving a truck engine into a steel and fibreglass body sounds like a bad idea someone threw together in a shed, but when Dodge used this exact formula it produced some of its finest work. The Viper was a brute. Its V10 packed a 400bhp punch, while the back-to-basics approach of no driving aids, low weight and zero aerodynamic trickery meant it Insurance quote was just as ready to bite as its £329.79* reptile namesake if you treated it without the respect and skill it commanded and deserved.

Price: circa £30k ($39k) 01480 220150

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Bugatti EB 110 – 1991 McLaren F1 – 1993

This is THE supercar. British designed, British built and, er, German powered, the McLaren F1 catapulted the firm from mere Formula One champions to a global powerhouse of performance. Despite now being more than 25 years old, it still holds the record as the fastest naturally aspirated production car, going on to achieve an incredible top speed of 240mph in 1998. That was certainly faster than dial-up internet at the time, but then so was treacle. It also stormed to victory at Le Mans in 1995. And it deserves all of the plaudits it gets, in my book(azine).

Price: circa £10m+ ($13m+)

Ferrari F50 – 1995

Ah, the car nobody loves. The Ferrari F50 has always been the ugly duckling of Ferrari history. It had a tough gig, to be fair, sitting between the F40, which blasted all expectations, and a car so good that it was named after Enzo himself. I reckon it’s had an unfair press, though, as this Italian beauty is great in its own right. There’s a V12 F1 engine in the back for a start, and I just think it’s a real stunner. Ignore the haters – this is a proper Ferrari.

Price: circa £2m+ ($2.6m+)

Before Bugatti was bought by Volkswagen, which then set about blowing the world away with the incredible Veyron, it had this forgotten machine kicking about. Possibly one of the most underrated supercars of all time, the EB 110 offered wild looks and real performance to match, packing a quadturbocharged V12 spitting out 592bhp. This wasn’t about all-out speed though (that said, its 217mph in GT form meant it was no slouch) – rather, about delivering effortless performance while remaining useable on a day-to-day basis.

Price: circa £600k+ ($780k+)

Honda NSX-R – 1992

Until the ’90s came along, Japan wasn’t really associated with supercars – think more economy motors. Things changed once it hit its ‘bubble era’ though, as Skylines, Supras and RX-7s really gained global fame – as did this, the Honda NSX-R. Building on the Ayrton Senna-honed NSX, the R turned things up even more. Gone were useless items such as air con, a spare tyre and traction control – in their place just raw driving thrills! What a machine...

Price: circa £100k+ ($130k+)

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Porsche 911 993 GT2 – 1993

This is the original ‘widowmaker’ – the car that hides under the monster’s bed at night.

It’s properly brutal. Taking the alreadymental 993 Turbo, the GT2 dropped the ‘safe’ all-wheel-drive system in favour of putting all of its 424bhp to the rear wheels. The interior was stripped back, while aluminium panels came in to lighten things further. It’s unmistakable too, with a gargantuan wing flanked by huge air intakes and a ridiculous wide body. I’m desperate for a go – just let me check with my life insurance first…

Price: circa £1.8m+ ($2.3m+) Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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00s The new millennium saw one final push for supercar perfection with the internal combustion engine, before the shift of focus to new tech and emissions-friendly speed. These are the highlights that made the beginning of the 21st century sweet for motoring enthusiasts

Lamborghini Murcielago – 2001

Ferrari Enzo – 2002

When it comes to naming your new project, you have to have some faith in its abilities to suggest naming it after your company’s founder. With superb handling fettled by one Michael Schumacher, plenty of tech derived from the Formula One car he drove on Sundays and a 6.0-litre V12 howl that his racer could only aspire to, it’s safe to say that the Enzo was very special indeed.

Price: circa £1.9m ($2.53)

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When Audi took ownership of Lamborghini, some were a little concerned. Would the Germans be able to produce 01480 220150 a car that still felt like a raging bull? The Murcielago proved that they could. Yes, it was a little more sober than some of the brand’s previous attempts, but that just meant that the key hallmarks of a Lamborghini could shine through without any of the previous drawbacks.

Price: circa £140,000 ($185,000)

Koenigsegg CCX – 2006

Of all the small manufacturers that produce cars to rival Bugatti’s output, I’d say that Koenigsegg is the most impressive. After the warning shot that was the CC8S, the more refined CCX was a showcase of the Swedish brand’s capabilities, complete with the first engine built by the marque. What an engine it was, too – the 4.7-litre, twin-supercharged V8 produced 806bhp and propelled the car to 245mph.

Price: circa £830,000 ($1.1m)

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Audi R8 – 2006

The first version of the R8 came with a 4.2-litre V8 from the RS6, 01480 220150 but by the end of the 2000s the four-ringed engineers had spoken to their friends at Lamborghini and secured use of the V10 from the Gallardo. The combination of that engine, the grip of the Quattro all-wheel-drive system and more of a practical streak than most of its peers meant the R8 felt like something of a successor to Honda’s NSX as a viable everyday supercar.

Price: circa £53,000 ($70,000)

Ford GT – 2005

Ford’s previous attempts at paying tribute to the legendary GT40 were a little suspect, which led many to cast a doubtful eye over the early-2000s GT concept. Certainly, it looked like a GT40, but would it go like one? The answer was no, but only because it was a competent supercar in its own right. It was unique among its European counterparts, feeling more thunderous and raw than them all.

Price: circa £300,000 ($396,000) 82

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Bugatti Veyron – 2005

An all-time great that changed the hypercar game. Arguably, when it comes to a mix of pace and poise, no other manufacturers have caught up with Bugatti. Rather than an all-out racer, the 16-cylinder, quad-turbocharged, 986bhp Veyron is the ultimate grand tourer.

We’re unlikely to see engineering excess of this level ever again, so bravo Bugatti (and its German parents) for doing it in the first place.

Price: circa £1.2m ($1.58m)

Porsche Carrera GT – 2003

There are few things more dramatic than the Carrera GT’s wail, but we were lucky to ever hear it. The V10 was built for F1 use but never saw the light of day and then got a second chance of life with a larger 5.7-litre in 1999.

This time, its intended use was a Le Mans car, but that dream also faced the axe, making way for the Cayenne. Thankfully, Porsche debuted the GT concept soon after, and it was so well received that a production run had to happen.

Price: circa £700,000 ($925,000)

Ferrari 430 Scuderia – 2007

A new trend in the 2000s was the lightweight supercar, with creature comforts swapped out for a hefty dose of track-driving focus. When it comes to this breed of supercar, few do it better than the 430 Scuderia. On a track, it was more than capable of troubling its bigger brother – the Enzo – and in general there were very few that could match it with the right driver at the wheel.

Price: circa £160,000 ($211,000)

Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) – 2006

As you can see, the idea of a lightweight sports or supercar isn’t unique to Porsche, but many will argue that the German firm does it best. It’s a tough car to explain to people, and if you do try, you’re unlikely to draw the trendiest crowd. However, even if it doesn’t have the eye-catching glamour of so many other cars on this list, you’d be hard-pressed to beat it with any of the others on a twisty road.

Price: circa £160,000 ($211,000)

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Aston Martin DBS – 2007

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The car the DBS is based on – the DB9 – is definitely a grand tourer. However, with 510bhp 01480 220150 on tap, a fairly significant diet and a menacing look aided by lowered suspension and a smorgasbord of louvres, I’ll back the DBS as a supercar. All the performance posing isn’t just for show. The DBS is much more spritely around corners than its cousin, and it will accelerate to a top speed of 191mph.

Price: circa £90,000 ($118,000) Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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W

atching from afar – well, from the other side of the pond at least – I’ve admired the meteoric rise from motorsport tour de force to supercar manufacturer that Brit firm McLaren has achieved. To be honest, for a company’s very first mass-produced supercar to rival the best that Ferrari had to offer at the time was nothing short of incredible.

And ever since that MP4-12C arrived – a car that might not have had the catchiest name but certainly had the right performance credentials – McLaren has been refining and improving its supercar offerings with the same attention to detail that saw it become so successful on the F1 stage.

Now, with a well-established range, it‘s looking to diversify its products with some focused, hard-asnails offerings. Think Porsche and its GT2 and GT3 models – cars stripped of luxuries and weight, and the power turned up to 11. Well, taking those lessons learnt from the Germans, McLaren introduced its LT range as its offering.

Short for Longtail, the marque’s track-orientated range follows in the famous footsteps of the 1997 Le Mans-winning F1 GTR Longtail. Now it’s time for the fifth chapter in the firm’s LT story to take a bow – the 600LT Spider.

The Longtail badge means McLaren’s engineers are tasked to save weight, improve aerodynamics and increase power while putting driver engagement and a track focus at the heart of its design. Based on the 570S Spider, they’ve stripped out an impressive 100kg to create this LT version.

The seats are 21kg lighter, deleting air conditioning saved nearly 13kg, while new wheels and specially made Pirelli Trofeo R tyres lopped an additional 17kg from the kerb weight – even the wheel bolts were swapped for titanium options to save a further 460 grams.

This staggering weight-loss programme has created a car with incredible focus. It’s a diet most Weight Watchers followers would be proud of.

Using the same engine as the 600LT Coupe that arrived last year, this Spider generates an astonishing 592bhp from its 3.8-litre twin turbo V8.

A stomach-twisting 620Nm of torque helps propel the car to 60mph in just 2.8 seconds – and 124mph a mere 5.4 seconds later. Keep your foot planted and it’ll go on to a top speed of 201mph with the roof raised and 196mph with it down.

Lucky me was given a go by McLaren and I can confirm this is one devastatingly quick supercar. It 84 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

DREAM DRIVES

McLAREN 600LT SPIDER

Taking lessons from Porsche and its stripped-out, super-fast GT models, McLaren has cut weight and added power to create the 600LT – and now the Brit firm has lopped the roof off too.

I was lucky enough to get a drive...

delivers that power in sledgehammer blows to your nervous system, rattling through its seven-speed gearbox in blink-of-an-eye seamless shifts.

It’s all combined with a raucous soundtrack: a choir of whooshing, sucking and blowing from the turbos, coupled with almighty whip cracks from the twin top-mounted exhaust pipes on down shifts.

It’s an addictive combination that’s nothing short of automotive theatre, Hollywood blockbuster style.

On the road, it’s firm and you feel the bumps, but on a race track that translates to tantalising feedback through the Alcantara-clad steering wheel.

It’s sniper-like in its precision, clipping apexes you didn’t think you could clip, and crushing straights with an adrenalin rush to the head.

It’s playful too. With several driver settings to choose from, you can swaddle yourself in a comfort blanket of driver assistance or go fully nude and dance with the LT bareback.

In true Longtail tradition, the 600LT Spider gains 47mm at the rear and 27mm at the front over the 570S. A fixed rear spoiler, carbon-clad top exit pipes and a speed-hump-bothering front splitter give the McLaren an aggressive, purposeful look. However, it’s the roof that’s the real Spider talking point. The three-piece hard-top raises or lowers in 15 seconds at speeds of up to 25mph, and when it’s stashed

away you can really enjoy the engine’s charttopping soundtrack.

Inside, it’s obvious the LT has been on a diet.

The seats aren’t the comfiest – they’re thin and the fixed back will need you booking a chiropractor’s appointment quicker than you can say ‘acupuncture’. That said, you don’t really buy a trackfocused car like this to cross continents in comfort.

McLaren still suffers with an infotainment system that doesn’t live up to those of rivals – most of its competitors have the might of big parent companies’ buying power behind them, allowing them to add things like Apple CarPlay far easier. The McLaren system is a little clunky in places – think

It delivers that power in sledgehammer blows to your nervous system.

THE KNOWLEDGE Model: McLaren 600LT Spider Engine: 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 Price (when new): circa £201,500 ($266,000) Produced from: 2019 Power: 592bhp Top speed: 201mph

AND 720S HAS ROOF CHOPPED TOO!

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old smartphone – but it’s functional and reasonably easy to get on with.

McLaren won’t say how many 600LT Spiders it’ll be making exactly, revealing only that it’ll be in production for just 12 months, but as a gauge, its predecessor, the 675LT Spider, was limited to just 500 units – and they sold out in just three weeks.

Those now command a considerable premium as collectors’ cars and it’s likely the 600LT Spider will follow suit. It’s hugely rewarding to drive, ferociously fast and a rightful rival to the likes of the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider or Lamborghini Huracan Performante Spyder. It’s a special car this, from a very special car manufacturer indeed. What a Brit success story!

hile I was trying the 600LT, McLaren also let me have a spin in their 720S Spider. With a clever folding roof, designed to collapse in one gracious movement in just 11 seconds, the 720S Spider lets owners drop the lid at speeds of up to 31mph. It’s a stunning design that once lowered – an action that takes place in near silence – allows the exhaust note to fill the cabin.

McLaren’s tried-and-tested 4.0-litre twin turbocharged V8 produces 710bhp and 770Nm of torque.

Those heady figures are enough to propel it to 60mph in 2.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 212mph with the roof shut and 202mph with it down.

The addition of the roof – despite the extra 49kg it has added to the overall kerb weight – has had little effect on performance. The Spider will still hit 124mph in just 7.9 seconds – a 0.1-second blink of an eye less than the Coupe. A standing quarter-mile is completed in 10.4 seconds – again, just 0.1 of a second slower than its hard-top equivalent. That’s scary fast!

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LEGEND.

Ford GT

From the GT40 to today’s GT Ford’s ‘GT’ lineage of supercars began in motorsport and then moved into the world of modern-day supercars. From the original car built to spite Enzo Ferrari at Le Mans to the masterpiece it is today, I take a look here at the history of the fastest Fords of all

1964 – The original

There’s nothing quite like a good, old-fashioned vendetta. It can fuel a person, or a group of people, to put in some brilliant work, and that was definitely the case with the original Ford GT40 – one of the most successful cars in Le Mans history.

In the early ’60s, there were rumours that Enzo Ferrari wanted to sell off his self-titled company. Ford took a strong interest in this and was poised to make the purchase. However, there was one sticking point for Enzo and he wouldn’t budge on it – he wanted full control of his beloved racing team, Scuderia Ferrari.

When it became clear that this stipulation wouldn’t be met, Enzo pulled out at the 11th hour. That left Henry Ford II deeply angry and it didn’t take long for him to hatch a revenge plan... The result was the iconic GT40.

While early attempts in 1964 and 1965 made for ugly reading, it would ultimately be one of the most successful cars in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. From 1966 to 1969, the GT40 would conquer the race in various guises, leaving an indelible mark on motorsport and petrolheads everywhere. It got the famous GT40 name because it was just 40 inches tall, which meant that it was never the most accessible car for drivers of a larger size.

Price now: circa £9m ($11.3m)

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An original road-going example – what a stunner!

On the road

While there are plenty of replicas and recreations on the road today, there were also legitimate, road-going GT40s available while the car was wowing the world on the international motorsport stage. Some 31 examples of the MkI GT40 were built for the road, and of course they’re now incredibly sought after, selling at auction for more than $3m (circa £2.3m). Another limited run of production cars – dubbed MkIIIs – hit the road in 1968. While these cars are certainly very raw and definitely pure racers in all ways except the number plates, the experience of driving one on a good stretch of road is unlike anything you’ll ever experience from a vehicle built this century.

Rebirth – The 2005 Ford GT

Almost 40 years on from the GT40’s string of Le Mans successes, Ford built a new supercar with styling that aped the original. The new GT, powered by a 5.4-litre V8, was taller and larger, hence it was no longer a GT40, but elements of the original’s spirit were there to see. The statistics for the first of the 21stcentury GTs are impressive, with a 205mph top speed and 550bhp being produced by the aforementioned engine. At 1,521kg, it wasn’t the lightest road-going supercar, but its statistics compared favourably against those of rivals from the time. The GT was also far more high-volume than its racing forebear, with 4,038 cars built in total.

Price today: £250,000 (circa $325,000)

Legacy

2017 – The GT carves out a new identity While the 2005 GT retained the V8 burble and styling of the original racing car, the 2017 car marks the GT badge carving out an identity of its own. This time around, the styling of the GT has rebelled against the famous shape of the ’60s and the motor is different too. Gone are the days of the V8; the GT is now powered by a 3.5-litre, twin turbocharged V6 from Ford’s EcoBoost line, producing an impressive 647bhp.

The engineering behind the car is far more refined as well, with advanced aerodynamics shaping the body. It’s lighter than the 2005 car, weighing in at 1,450kg, and with a top speed of 216mph its terminal velocity has improved too.

Interestingly, this car was built – much like its grandfather from 50 years ago – with racing in mind. Ford had a desire to return to Le Mans, originally with a Mustang, but when it became clear that the muscle car couldn’t be engineered appropriately, the drawing boards were refocused on building a new GT with racing as the main impetus.

It shows, too – the car feels alive on the road, if a little unsuited. But none of this will matter to the 1,350 owners that will have one in their possession when the production run ultimately ends in 2022.

Sadly, I wasn’t lucky enough to get one!

Price: circa £420,000 ($550,000)

Iconic colours: Gulf blue and orange

Aided by iconic colour schemes such as John Wyer’s Gulf blue and orange of 1968 and 1969, the Ford GT40 left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of the endurance racing faithful. It still serves as Ford’s biggest achievement in international motor racing. Its unique, low-slung frame has become the point of inspiration for so many cars since then – not just replicas of course, as Ford has now made some big bucks using the legacy of its Le Mans icon.

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MANUALS.

C6 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

I get a lot of stick for filming Wheeler Dealers in the States, but when there are cars like this to stare at, can you blame me? The Corvette ZR1 is a bit of an American beauty but still as blunt as a mallet thanks to a 638bhp, 6.2-litre supercharged V8. Our Stateside cousins were never really known for their subtlety, were they? All that power is fed through a slick-shifting manual. You’ll have to be careful feeding in the grunt – let’s just say you might need shares in a clutch plate manufacturer otherwise – but you’ll be rewarded with a roar only a big ’Vette can emit if you get it right. Punchy!

Price: circa £50,000 ($64,000)

The right gear

My favourite manual supercars There’s nothing quite like the satisfying clunk-click of a manual, but sadly they’re being phased out by manufacturers who think we all want autos. Here are some of my favourites

Pictures: RM Sothebys & Barrett Jackson

Dodge Viper ACR

Come on, who doesn’t love a good old Viper? For me, the track-special ACR was one of the heights of American musclecardom, with big bulging arches, wings that wouldn’t look out of place on a 747 and a noise to match. The short throw gearbox needs to be carefully caressed to cope with the monstrous 645bhp but, thanks to various track-focused upgrades, when you finally stop the wheels spinning and get the power down it’ll hurtle towards the horizon like a scalded cat.

Price: circa £118,000 ($150,000)

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Aston Martin DBS

Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Possibly the best modern 911 ever made, the GT3 RS 4.0 was a swansong to the 997 GT3. Its key feature was a fantastic 493bhp 4.0-litre flatsix powerplant mated to a cracking manual transmission that had purists screaming with delight. Me included. It really is as close to the ultimate driving experience you can get.

Price: circa £500,000 ($636,000)

Driving an Aston Martin not only makes me feel like James Bond but also a bit (more) of a legend, as mastering the manual takes quite some doing. That said, crack it and you’ll be as over the moon as me, stirring the weirdly square but incredibly satisfying gear stick around the box as you listen to the V12 engine roar. It’s also infinitely better than the frankly quite dreadful auto option. Avoid that one like a lecture on shoelace-tying. The DBS has to be one of my favourite Astons too – based on the equally pretty DB9, it’s very handsome and I can only see them gaining in value. The name’s Brewer, Mike Brewer.

Price: circa £100,000 ($127,000)

Porsche Carrera GT

Before the 918 Spyder, there was the Carrera GT – a 5.7-litre V10 rocketship capable of 205mph. Back in 2004, it wowed the world with phenomenal performance and blended it perfectly with a manual. Perched up high in the console, at perfect arm’s length away from the driver, the manual shifter took some getting used to, but once mastered offered an experience few supercars of the time could replicate. It was simple, potent and kidney-crushingly quick.

Price: circa £650,000 ($827,000)

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

What’s that coming over the hill? No, it’s not a monster, it’s a unicorn, as I’d be just as surprised to see one of those mythical horned creatures considering there are just 30 – yes, 30 – of these Ferraris in existence. The manual 599 GTB Fiorana came along at a time when supercar buyers were switching their allegiance to autos, but there’s something pretty cool about a front-engined V12 Ferrari with a manual box. And this is a corker!

Price: circa £480,000 ($610,000)

Lamborghini Murcielago

Just like riding a raging bull, taming a Lamborghini with a manual takes the skill of a thousand snake charmers. With 631bhp pumped out of its V12, the chances of getting bitten are rather high too, but that just makes perfecting the beautiful open-gate gearbox all the sweeter. With a huge tall stalk and large round metal gear knob on top, it’s mechanical, old-school and rather lovely.

Price: circa £200,000 ($254,000)

Audi R8 V10

When Audi crash-bang-walloped into the supercar scene with its straight-from-thefuture R8, it came with that all-important supercar ingredient: a bleeding good manual box. All clunk-clunk, click-click, it was a joy to use and surprisingly forgiving. Mated to the sonorous V10, it gave Audi the appeal it needed to rival the best in the supercar world.

Sadly, more recent models have ditched the manual, and while the autos are very good indeed, I can’t help thinking that it’s sad the manual won’t reappear on an R8.

Price: circa £52,000 ($66,000)

Honda NSX

I love the Honda NSX. It’s a supercar that splits opinion – some love its no-nonsense looks, others think it’s not fussy enough. Me? Well, I simply love the fact it had an optional manual gearbox and applaud those who specified one back in the day. Like an upside-down teardrop, the stubby little shifter sits low in the cabin and lets you work that screaming V6 engine hard. With 270bhp, the highly strung 3.0-litre engine loved being revved, and with a typically slick and precise Japanese manual box you could really get the best out of the beast from the Far East.

Price: circa £65,000 ($82,000)

Ford GT

With retro looks and retro name, it was only right that Ford’s bruising GT supercar of 2005 only had a retro manual gearbox option.

Not only was it an absolute joy to use but it looked supercool too. Sitting on top of a wide transmission tunnel, it had a huge ball of a gear knob that looked so right inside the throwback’s cabin. Powered by a glorious mid-mounted 550bhp 5.4-litre supercharged V8, the Ford cracked 205mph!

Price: circa £250,000 ($318,000)

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IN DETAIL.

Mike Brewer on the...

BUGATTI There are few supercars that conjure up an image of speed as much as a Bugatti Veyron. The decision to build it was made by the Volkswagen Group in 2001, and when Bugatti finally unleashed it in 2005 a whole new generation of fans got a new icon to worship – including me!

Engine

Simply put, the engine was an absolute monster. To ensure the Veyron could bend the laws of physics, VW tacked two 4.0-litre V8s together to create an 8.0-litre W16 unit. And to enable the unit to achieve its maximum potential, Bugatti fitted four turbos, so when the Veyron was released it developed a staggering 987bhp and 1,250Nm of torque.

In later models, such as the Super Sport (pictured here) and Grand Sport Vitesse, the engine produced 1,184bhp and 1,500Nm of torque.

Transmission

The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission paired with the Veyron’s behemoth of an engine was strong enough to withstand all the stresses and strains of high-speed runs and still be usable day to day. It was the first seven-speed DSG put into a production car and allowed manual and auto shifts. A replacement unit, though, cost in excess of £60,000!

90 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Tyres

Michelin had never developed a tyre that could withstand 248mph, so the French firm decided to use a test stand normally used to put aeroplane gas turbines through their paces – as that was the only device similar to a wheel that could get up to the right speed.

For a new set of rubber, you’d have to fork out £23,500 – yikes!

Brakes

When it was first assembled, the Veyron had the most powerful braking system in the world. Carbon-fibre-reinforced silicon carbide brake discs were paired with aluminium callipers and titanium pistons – eight on the front brakes and six on the back. Bugatti claimed the braking system produced 1.3 g and could stop it from 248mph in 10 seconds.

Cabin

Bugatti wanted to secure the Veyron’s place in history by making it timeless. Only essential equipment was fitted to the interior, with aluminium, magnesium and leather used throughout. There’s no large screen to show the car was built in 2005 – instead, the cockpit was kept as clean and simple as possible.

Name

Bugatti decided to commemorate one of its best racing drivers from the past with the halo model – naming it after Pierre Veyron. Frenchman Veyron first won a grand prix in a Bugatti Type 37A in 1930, and after being hired by Jean Bugatti as a test driver and engineer, he went on to win multiple races behind the wheel of the brand’s cars. His greatest racing achievement was winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1939 alongside Jean-Pierre Wimille.

Variants

After the initial version blew the socks off the world, Bugatti built a targa, called the Grand Sport, which was limited to 229mph. But when it aimed for another speed record, it decided to make the Super Sport, which had more power – 1,184bhp – and a top speed of 267.8mph. A targa iteration was also built, called the Grand Vitesse, which was limited to 233mph.

Turn over page to find out about the Bugatti Chiron

Performance Cooling

Bugatti fitted a total of 10 – yes, 10 – radiators to ensure the car didn’t overheat. Three were used as heat exchangers for the intercoolers while a further three were engine radiators.

Another three were used to bring down the temperatures of the transmission, differential and engine oil systems – while the final one was for the air conditioning. Chilly.

Aerodynamics

With the front-end design incorporating the Bugatti horseshoe grille, the rest of the car needed to be incredibly streamlined – so the body features smooth lines over the wheel arches and over the centre line to ensure that air flows over the car with little disruption. The huge rear wing provides intense braking when deployed, acting as an air brake.

It’s not difficult to justify calling the Veyron’s stats earth-shattering: 0-60mph – 2.2 seconds; 0-124mph – 7.3 seconds; standing mile in 25.9 seconds at 204.4mph, and a top speed of 253.81mph, recorded at VW’s EhraLessien test track in 2005. To activate the ‘top speed mode’, the driver needed to turn the key in a special slot next to their seat, which lifted the 213mph limit.

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IN DETAIL. Mike Brewer on the...

BUGATTI Skip forward to the present day and we have the Bugatti Chiron – the Veyron’s successor. Its purpose – outdo the former record holder in every way. And for the most part it does just that... sort of Speed

OK, so the Bugatti Chiron hasn’t actually beaten the Veyron Super Sport’s top speed of 267.8mph – not yet at least. As of now, the Chiron is electronically limited to 261mph. Why? Well, it’s down to the tyres. Go much faster than 261mph and they could explode. Crashing at that kind of speed is not an experience anyone wants to have… However, if the tyre situation gets sorted, or someone dares to go as quick as the tyres will take them, it’s possible the Chiron could go faster than the Veyron Super Sport. To what extent, though, we don’t know. Some speculate 289mph, but that’s still unproven.

Performance

Taking the scenic route to pick up some milk won’t let you reach 261mph, but it will let you accelerate to 60mph, which the Chiron manages in a silly 2.4 seconds. Or half the time it took you to read that sentence. Another four seconds takes you up to 120mph. It’s also the quickest car to do the 0-249-0mph run, which it managed in 41.96 seconds in the hands of racing driver Juan Pablo Montoya. Brave chap.

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Engine

Propelling the Chiron is the same midmounted 8.0-litre W16 found in the Veyron, but vastly updated. The Chiron produces some 1,479bhp – that’s a whopping 492bhp more than the Veyron. In addition, it has a crazy 1,600Nm of torque. Staggering numbers!

Design Chiron Sport

Bugatti LOVES a special edition or two and the first major one to grace the Chiron was the Sport. The Sport offers no extra power or performance, but because of its Handling mode, it’s said to be quicker round a circuit.

The Chiron Sport is 18kg lighter than the standard car and Bugatti charges you nearly £300,000 for the privilege. But I so would…

For all its power, the Veyron was hardly Marilyn Monroe to look at, with its odd proportions and uninspiring interior. But luckily, Bugatti made up for it with the Chiron.

The stunning C-shaped curving structure of the Chiron is a hark back to classic Bugattis, and with its new carbon-fibre monocoque chassis that allows for near-unmatched performance, it’s as beastly as it is beautiful.

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93

LISTICLES. Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Slightly odd name aside, the Cullinan is one of the most premium SUVs on the market. It may share a striking similarity with a taxi, but this big old bus takes everything people love about a Roller – luxury, exceptional fit and finish, and buttery-smooth ride – and puts it on stilts. It also costs close to £300,000 – so it really is the SUV of the über rich. You can even have an electrically retractable picnic table and chairs fitted in the boot so you can enjoy your sarnies without having to leave the car.

Model: Rolls-Royce Cullinan | Engine: 6.7-litre V12 | Power: 563bhp | Top speed: 155mph | Price: circa £250,000 ($323,700)

Bentley Bentayga

Luxurious and nearly as large as a stately home, the Bentayga encompasses everything you’d expect from a Bentley. It’s brimming with highend materials, and with the choice of a 6.0-litre W12, 4.0-litre petrol or 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 diesel it’s got the performance too. It shares a platform with the Urus and Cayenne (below) thanks to its VW Group owners, but make no mistake, this is a Bentley through and through.

Model: Bentley Bentayga | Engine: 6.0-litre W12 | Power: 600bhp | Top speed: 187mph | Price: circa £165,000 ($213,650)

The rise of the super-SUV Even the creators of some of the most amazing supercars around are getting in on the SUV action as the rise of high-riding machines continues to gather pace. Here I take a look at the SUVs cutting house-brick shapes through the air from traditional supercar makers

Lamborghini Urus

Aston Martin DBX

Porsche Cayenne

Model: Lamborghini Urus | Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 | Power: 641bhp | Top speed: 190mph | Price: circa £164,950 ($213,580)

Model: Aston Martin DBX | Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 | Power: 500bhp (est) | Top speed: 155mph (est) | Price: circa £140,000 ($182,000)

Model: Porsche Cayenne | Engine: 4.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 | Power: 562bhp (Turbo S) | Top speed: 178mph | Price: circa £107,460 ($139,142)

Lamborghini was one of the supercar manufacturers I’d have put money on to steer clear of the SUV segment – but now I’m eating my words. The Urus was announced with a great fanfare, and although its looks divide opinion, it’s proved very popular with buyers.

That’s probably because it’s pretty potent – it’s got a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 under the bonnet and will hit 190mph flat out. Just don’t look at the rear door handles – it’s an aspect I think Lambo’s designers would rather you ignored.

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Aston Martin has cottoned on to the SUV boom, and as a result is introducing one of its own – the DBX. It’s on its way to our roads very soon, but for now we’ve only seen it out and about wearing rather snazzy camouflage.

Don’t think this is going to be some lardy offroader, though – it’s expected to use a punchy twin-turbocharged V8 for drive. But if that’s not enough performance for you, it’s thought that the V8 powertrain will be joined by a stonking V12, as well as a hybrid set-up.

It was one of the first to kick off the trend.

Although Porsche creates some of the very best sports cars and supercars on the planet, it knew that an SUV would boost sales and allow it to put even more money into its performance division. That’s how the Cayenne came about.

The first model wasn’t famed for its good looks, but since then it’s gone from strength to strength. The latest version can hit 60mph from dead in just 3.7 seconds – no mean feat for something the size and weight of the moon.

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Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars 95

PARTS.

Aston Martin Virage

Noble M12

Noble’s first supercar, the M12, had the instantly recognisable rear lights from a Mk1 Ford Mondeo. It was a pretty humble car to source parts from, particularly when you consider how incredible this Noble was.

Bugatti EB 110

While most of the iconic EB 110 was completely bespoke, which was reflected in the price tag, one concession was the model’s (admittedly dainty) electric door mirror switch. Anyone with a Mk3 Vauxhall Astra or well-equipped Corsa would know it instantly.

McLaren-Mercedes SLR

For a while in the early-2000s, the McLaren-Mercedes SLR was the fastest car in the world, so it was quite fitting that it should share its column stalk with the king of the fast lane – the Sprinter van.

96 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

The big Virage was Aston Martin’s flagship from 1989 until 2000, by which time it was almost as archaic as its tail lights – which, incidentally, were lifted straight from the original VW Scirocco.

Parts bin raiders Supercar development costs are so vast that manufacturers often have to look further afield for parts that would otherwise be way too expensive to engineer on their own.

Here are the reverse Robin Hoods of the supercar world, which have borrowed from the poor to give to the rich…

Dodge Viper Lotus Esprit

The Esprit was the first ‘big’ Lotus performance car and was developed on a budget, using Rover SD1 tail lamps and the British Leyland/Wilmott-Breeden Universal Door Handle, as found on the Morris Marina, Allegro, TR7 and four-door Range Rover, among others. The 1988 facelift did away with these, replacing them with handles from a Vauxhall Cavalier and rear lamps from a Toyota Corolla.

The V10 Viper may have been a true American muscle car, but Uncle Sam had nothing to do with its door mirrors. They were lifted straight from the Mitsubishi 3000GT.

Aston Martin DBS

At least Dodge chose a performance car to source its door mirrors from. The same can’t be said of the 2009 Aston Martin DBS, which had been developed when Aston was still part of Ford’s Premier Automotive Group. The mirrors came from group partner Volvo and were shared with the V70 estate.

BMW M1

So here’s where the modern supercar began… The BMW M1 was the first true supercar of the 1970s, and if those back lights look familiar that’s hardly a surprise. They were shared with the 6-Series coupe and 7-Series saloon.

TVR Chimaera

TVR looked to volume manufacturers for the rear lamps of its 1990s model range. The Chimaera got its lights from the Ford Fiesta Mk3 – one of the UK’s most popular cars sharing parts with a Blackpool bruiser.

MG SV

Quite why MG Rover thought launching a V8-engined supercar was essential to its survival plans is anyone’s guess, but the Qvale Mangusta-based SV was actually quite a beast. Even if the headlights were lifted from a Fiat Punto. The tail lights were Fiat, too.

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DETAILS.

TVR Cerbera

TVR’s interior design ethos is usually a case of ‘put it in wherever it fits’ and nothing embodies this like the Cerbera. You couldn’t possibly expect them to fit the fuel gauge on the dash, could you? No, it makes way more sense to stick it under the steering wheel on a little pod, with a clock and air vent. Obviously.

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Pagani Zonda R

I’ve seen rev counters in some pretty crazy places but I’ve never seen one where the Zonda R stuck it – bang in the middle of the steering wheel. It turns with the wheel, obviously, so it might get a little hard to read mid-corner – but it’s a crazy highlight in this car’s already mad interior.

Coolest supercar gauges I always reckon that the bits of a supercar you touch and see most often are some of the most important, and you spend more time looking at the dials and gauges than just about anything else.

Here are some of my favourite supercar gauge clusters ever

McLaren 720S

Vision Mercedes-Maybach

The dials are one of my favourite parts of this concept – they look like a modern version of the classic Mercedes dial cluster you’ll find on some of its most iconic models, like the 250SL or W108. I love a good throwback, me.

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McLaren reckons drivers want two different kinds of gauges in their supercar – a full screen giving you all the juicy details and a pared-back version for when you’re hounding it on track. The solution’s obvious – a tilting gauge cluster with either a large screen or a dainty slit with just the bare essentials.

Maserati Boomerang

Maserati’s Boomerang concept was the precursor to the Bora and had everything a ’70s supercar needed – a bold wedge shape, powerful V8 engine and gorgeous styling. It also had a unique gauge cluster positioned in the centre of the steering wheel and on a thrusting ‘pod’. Truly weird and wonderful.

Pagani Huayra

Pagani’s interiors usually look like they’ve been hand-crafted by monks in a darkened corner of some monastery nestled deep in the Italian countryside. The Huayra embodies ‘bespoke’ – you’ll struggle to find anything in here that hasn’t been made specially for the car. It also looks amazing.

Spyker C8

Lexus LFA

Porsche Carrera GT

The Lexus LFA wasn’t the first car to have digital dials but it’s the execution that’s so amazing. The rev counter was made digital because the engine was so responsive that a physical dial couldn’t keep up – or so they say. All I know is the addition of a movable bezel is just achingly cool.

Lamborghini Reventon

Lambo’s pretty good at outlandish styling but the dials and gauges of the Reventon took the biscuit.

Firstly, they’re housed in a solid aluminium block.

They’re also all-digital, but best of all their graphics are inspired by fighter jets. You’ll really feel like you’re behind the controls of an F-22 in this thing.

Spyker’s whole vision is aeronautic – the cars are like road-going versions of classic fighter planes.

The cabins are crazily cool places to be – and the luminescent dials scattered across the dashboard?

Just perfection.

The classic Porsche dial layout is totally iconic – five overlapping dials with the rev counter front and centre. The Carrera GT is probably my favourite example of this – it’s just perfect in every way. Easy to read, great to look at and classic. What more do you want?

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LEGENDS. Bentley 4 ½-Litre Supercharged ‘Blower’

OK, so this one might be a bit of a blast from the past, but this bookazine is already packed with modern machinery, so let’s go back in time before supercars were even a ‘thing’.

This is perhaps the most iconic Bentley ever made – the ‘Blower’ was just about the firm’s most successful racer and scooped victories left, right and centre in the 1920s and early-1930s, with 50 road cars built for homologation purposes. They’re deservedly very valuable now, and really were the supercar of their day.

Engine: 4.5-litre supercharged | Power: 182bhp | Produced from: 19271931 | Price today: circa £2m ($2.6m)

BEST OF We often look to the Italians as the masters of supercars, with firms such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Pagani dominating headlines, but we’re forgetting some of the legends that have come from British soil – and I don’t just mean me. Here are some of the best...

Morgan AeroMax

Developed in the depths of Worcestershire, Morgan created an absolute stunner with the AeroMax. It grabs the limelight like few other cars can manage, although the cross-eyed headlights are a bit 10 pints down The Dog & Duck. Originally the brainchild of a Swiss banker and Morgan enthusiast, who commissioned his own model, it received such a positive response that Morgan extended the run of the AeroMax to 100 units. Celebrities such as Richard Hammond, Rowan Atkinson and Paul O’Grady famously lapped up the model. There are quicker supercars out there for sure, but few can arrive in as much style as the Morgan.

Engine: 4.8-litre V8 | Power: 362bhp | Produced from: 2007-2009 | Price today: circa £120,000 ($157,000)

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Aston Martin Valkyrie

No customers have got their hands on their Valkyries yet, but when they do from 2020 onwards, this is one supercar you won’t want to mess with. It’s the Aston Martin we’ve all been waiting for. Built in partnership with F1 team Red Bull, the Valkyrie is set to be Aston’s most ferocious model and by one hell of a margin. Details are still thin on the ground, but it’s set to use a 6.5-litre V12 engine from Cosworth, and with electrification could produce considerably more than 1,000bhp. It looks absolutely incredible too – those scoops, wheels and ducting really are something else!

Engine: 6.5-litre Cosworth V12 with electrification | Power: 1,130bhp (expected) | Produced from: 2019 onwards | Price today: circa £2.5m ($3.3m)

McLaren F1

Arguably the granddad of British supercars, the McLaren F1 tore up the rule book of what a supercar should be when it was unveiled in 1992. No expense was spared, with the F1 featuring 16g of gold in its engine to reflect heat, and a host of other exotic materials that embarrass even the latest crop of supercars.

Its crowning glory, though, was its top speed, with the F1 setting a new record for the fastest production car on sale, reaching a top speed of 240.1mph in 1998. To add to its achievements, the F1 also scooped victory at Le Mans in 1995.

This is British engineering at its absolute finest.

Engine: 6.1-litre BMW V12 | Power: 627bhp | Produced from: 1993-1998 | Price today: circa £12m+ ($15.7m+)

BRITISH TVR Cerbera

Most of Britain’s best supercars are ones that are insanely expensive, so how about one that costs the same as a Ford Fiesta? The Cerbera might not be regarded as TVR’s finest hour, and it certainly sits on the borderline of super and sports car, but there’s a lot to love about the eccentric Blackpool-built model. For starters, it was TVR’s first ‘2+2’, but don’t let that trick you into a false sense of security thinking the Cerbera’s soft, as it’s as brutish as they come… particularly when fitted with the beefy 4.5-litre V8. Just remember it’ll need to be wrapped up in cotton wool every night and regularly fettled if you ever want to actually use it.

Engine: 4.5-litre V8 | Power: 420bhp | Produced from: 1996-2003 | Price today: circa £14,000 ($18,500)

Eagle Speedster

A modern-day Jaguar E-Type might sound like an impossibility, but thanks to the geniuses at Eagle, it’s not. The guys and girls there take an original E-Type – sometimes a barn find, sometimes one you or I might call ‘immaculate’ - and quite simply make it better than new. Addressing issues with the original and putting a classy modern twist on it, Eagle manages to recreate the E-Type for the 21st century, yet without sacrificing the beauty of the iconic Jag. The Speedster is undoubtedly the most glamorous of the lot. It’s not a surprise that this all comes at a price – make sure you’re sitting down when reading it – but with this level of attention to detail, I think it’s worth every single penny.

Engine: 4.7-litre straight-six | Power: 330bhp | Produced from: 2009 onwards | Price today: circa £600,000+ ($785,000+) Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars 101

LEGENDS. McLaren Senna

Senna. He was one of motorsport’s all-time legends. So, a car wearing Ayrton’s name would have to be pretty good, right? And you’d be spot on. The Senna isn’t really a looker, but that’s not important here – pure thrills are.

McLaren describes it as the ‘ultimate, road-legal track car’ and it’s pretty accurate with that. Delivering savage performance, the Senna is McLaren’s most extreme supercar yet, with just 500 built. Despite only being around since 2018, it’s already a bit of a legend.

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 | Power: 789bhp | Produced from: 2018 onwards | Price today: circa £750,000 ($980,000)

Aston Martin One-77

While you’ve heard about Aston Martin’s latest hypercar, what I didn’t tell you was that there was one a few years ago, too. It’s one of the most exclusive models ever to drive out of the Gaydon factory, with just 77 of the 750bhp models built. It was so elusive that Aston Martin ensured that no one other than the owners – not even motoring journalists – were allowed to get behind the wheel. It’s no Valkyrie, but for sheer breathtaking looks, exclusivity and drama, it’s unmatched. I love the name too – very Bond.

Noble M600

Right, so we’ve talked a lot about the big boys in the industry; now here’s a carmaker that’s not as well known. Noble doesn’t have the flashy headquarters of firms like McLaren or Aston Martin; rather, its base is on an industrial estate in Leicestershire. But that’s doing its cars, and namely the M600, a disservice. Badge aside, the M600 is a phenomenal supercar – offering incredible thrills from its 662bhp Yamaha-built Volvo V8 powerplant, yet remaining remarkably composed to drive, even when it’s red-lined. It’s sensational.

Engine: 5.9-litre V12 | Power: 750bhp | Produced from: 2009-2012 | Price today: circa £2.5m ($3.3m)

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo Yamaha V8 | Power: 662bhp | Produced from: 2011 onwards | Price today: circa £208,620 ($273,000)

Jaguar XJ220

These days, Jaguar is best known for its saloons and SUVs, but rewind a couple of decades and the firm was a different beast. Once, it managed to produce the fastest road car in the world – the XJ220. The name was chosen as a continuation of the iconic XK120 sports car from the 1940s and ’50s, with the concept having a targeted top speed of 220mph. Disappointingly, though, Jaguar had to downgrade the planned V12 to a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6. This resulted in the top speed just missing out at 217mph.

Initially, Jag had a bank of orders, but with the car’s downsized engine capacity and troubled start, many withdrew their funds.

Engine: 3.5 litre twin-turbocharged V6 | Power: 542bhp | Produced from: 1992-1994 | Price today: circa £500,000 ($654,000) 102 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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LISTICLES.

The need for speed We’re well accustomed to cars eclipsing 250+mph today, but through the course of motoring it’s been a real arms race to reach this incredible point.

Here, I’ve picked out some of the fastest machines to grace the planet...

1969

1986

Lamborghini Miura S 179.3mph

Porsche 959 198mph

1987

RUF CTR 213mph

1955

Mercedes-Benz 300SL 150.7mph

140

180

120

1949

Jaguar XK120 124.6mph

160

200

1993

220 MPH

100

140

160

180

120

60

240

200 220

100 80

240

277 40

260 MPH

20

270 280 0

80

40

1894

2005

Bugatti Veyron 253.8mph

260

60

Benz Velo 12mph

McLaren F1 221mph

277 20

270 MPH

2010

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport 267.8mph

280

0

2017

Koenigsegg Agera RS 277.9mph Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars 105

IN DETAIL.

Mike Brewer on the...

PAGANI

Pagani’s not exactly the oldest kid on the block – the company was founded in 1992 by ex-Lamborghini employee Horacio Pagani. In those 26 years, the old fella’s only produced two cars – the Zonda and the Huayra. Here I take a look at the original – the C12 Humble beginnings Rarer than you might think

It feels like there have been about a thousand different kinds of Zonda over the years – from series production and super-limited edition one-offs to track specials and new body styles.

It might surprise you to know, then, that only 140 have been made in total. The last of the original C12s – a car Pagani desperately wants to get its hands on – is currently in the private ownership of a woman in Switzerland, who won’t sell it for love nor money.

Sound investment

Zondas started at between £200,000 and £300,000 for the first models. A bargain?

Too right. You’ll never get your hands on an original C12, but early examples of the C12 S will easily sell for double that – and limitededition or bespoke models can go for a whole lot more. Over a million isn’t unheard of. And now they’re out of production, prices are only going to go up and up…

106 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Pagani’s hand-crafted interiors are utterly gorgeous, made from the finest milled aluminium and hand-stitched leather. Look a little closer, though, and you’ll notice a few details that are a little… off. Take the climate control. You couldn’t imagine humbler beginnings – the whole panel comes from the Rover 45, and parts are even interchangeable.

Road-legal? Not in the US

Pagani’s latest supercar, the Huayra, is perfectly legal and on sale in the US of A. But the Zonda? Tough luck. The US never crashtested the car and it lacks emissions controls, so it can’t be sold. There are several over there, though, being driven on specialist ‘Show and Display’ titles. However, under the US’s 25-year import rule, it’s only a few more years until early models become legal.

Carbon fibre everywhere

Horacio Pagani spent years working on the Zonda, and the carbon-fibre chassis that it’s based on undoubtedly took up a lot of his time – it’s totally bespoke and the ideal way to keep the weight down. Sitting either side of the carbon tub are aluminium space frames to help hold the juicy bits in place, while carbon is also used all around the cabin, from the seats to the dash.

Name change

Pagani was originally going to name the Zonda the ‘Fangio F1’ after racing champ Juan Manuel Fangio, as both the racer and Horacio hailed from Argentina. But when Fangio died in 1995, Pagani decided to rename the car the Zonda, after a warm, dry wind that occurs on the eastern slopes of the Andes. And you picked up this publication expecting only to learn about cars...

Pagani vs Koenigsegg

Pagani wasn’t the only small-town supercar manufacturer making a name for itself in the early-2000s – Swedish entrepreneur Christian von Koenigsegg started the Koenigsegg brand in 1994, just three years after Pagani. But where Pagani’s obsession is with craftsmanship, passion and considerable style, Koenigsegg’s focus is on absolute speed – even holding the record for production cars at various stages.

Stats, stats, stats

The original C12 pushed out 389bhp – good for a top speed of 185mph and 0-60 in 4.1 seconds. The C12 S boosted that a bit – up to 542bhp. Yowzer! The 0-60mph dash took 3.7 seconds, while the top speed went up to a staggering 220mph. Still not enough for you?

The 7.3-litre used in later models managed a stonking 547bhp.

A mechanical supercar

Being introduced in the ’90s meant Pagani wasn’t going to fit a rubbish automatic gearbox to the C12. Instead, it went for a gorgeous six-speed box with a wonderful aluminium shifter plus a mechanical handbrake. Power steering was fitted, though – it would have been scary piloting this monster without it.

Small supercar, big engines

The Zonda’s not exactly huge – it’s 10cm shorter than a Ferrari 458 and only weighs 1,250kg – but that’s no excuse to put a piddly little motor in, is it? The first C12 models featured a 6.0-litre Mercedes V12 engine, but that just wasn’t good enough, so the C12 S upped it first to a hand-built 7.0-litre and later to a 7.3-litre.

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars 107

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108 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

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ELECTRIC.

Rimac Concept Two

You may not have heard of Rimac, and I wouldn’t blame you if you hadn’t. It’s a relatively small company that came out with the Concept One a little while ago and more recently released this – the Concept Two. It’s a pure-electric car capable of hitting 60mph in a claimed 1.85 seconds and going on to a 258mph top speed. Pretty crazy.

Model: Rimac Concept Two | Engine: 120kWh battery with electric motor | Price: TBC Power: 1,900bhp | Top speed: 258mph

BMW i Vision Dynamics

Take a look at the front end of the i Vision Dynamics and it’s not hard to work out who made it. It’s quite an obvious BMW! It’s got performance to match the looks too, with the Germans claiming it’ll hit 60mph in around four seconds and 120mph flat out. It may not pack a silky straight-six or even a V8 but this is one electrified car I wouldn’t mind nabbing the keys to!

Model: BMW i Vision Dynamics | Engine: Battery linked to electric motor | Price: TBC Power: TBC | Top speed: 120mph

Future’s electric

It’s hard to ignore the electrified direction in which motoring is heading – and supercars, as fast and expensive as they are, can’t ignore it. It’s why even these tip-top pieces of machinery can’t rely on heavy combustion engines. Here’s to the future – it’s electric!

Tesla Roadster

Aston Martin Lagonda

Think of Aston Martin and what springs to mind? A big, sonorous V12 making a racket, or a twin-turbocharged V8 perhaps? Well, with this Lagonda you should be thinking of an electric motor instead. Not only is it electrified, but Aston says it’ll also be incredibly spacious, thanks to the removal of the engine – so this will be one long-journey maestro, that’s for sure.

Model: Aston Martin Lagonda | Engine: Electric motor linked to battery | Price: TBC | Power: TBC | Top speed: TBC 110 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

The Tesla Roadster may not look much like a supercar but it’s got the stats to prove it. 0-60mph? That’ll take 1.9 seconds. Top speed? A not-inconsiderable 250mph. And it does all this while producing no emissions, which is impressive from whichever angle you look at it.

Model: Tesla Roadster | Engine: 200kWh battery linked to electric motors | Price: £189,000 ($250,000) | Power: TBC | Top speed: 250mph

Polestar 1

You may not think a Volvo-related brand would be all that performance-inclined, but that’s not the case when it comes to Polestar and its latest model – the 1. With close to 600bhp and 1,000Nm of torque, it’s an all-in supercar with a hybrid powertrain and an allelectric range of more than 90 miles – more than any other hybrid currently available.

Model: Polestar 1 | Engine: Petrol engine linked to 34kWh battery | Price: £135,000 ($155,000) | Power: 592bhp | Top speed: 155mph

Ariel P40

Ariel – the little company best known for its mad-hat Atom and Nomad – has announced it will be joining the hypercar game with the P40. It’s planned to weigh just 1,500kg and will be powered by four electric motors alongside a turbine range extender. Oh, and they appear to have styled it on an alien’s head.

Model: Ariel P40 | Engine: Four electric motors with turbine range extender | Price: TBC | Power: TBC | Top speed: 155mph

Techrules Ren RS

This is the Techrules Ren RS, a groundbreaking new hybrid supercar. Underneath the skin is an electric turbine system with 1,280bhp.

Interestingly, it uses a range-extending diesel motor to keep the batteries working to full capacity at all times. And although it may look like something from the distant future, the Ren RS is very much production-ready.

Model: Techrules Ren RS | Engine: Lithiumion battery linked to two motors with diesel range-extending motor | Price: TBC Power: 1,280bhp | Top speed: 205mph

Mercedes-AMG Project One

If there’s anyone with an idea about how to make a high-performance car, it’s Mercedes-AMG. This is its latest creation – the Project One. It creates 1,000bhp from an engine straight out of an F1 car. However, it’s also a plug-in hybrid, capable of travelling for around 19 miles on electric power alone. It’s definitely one to watch out for!

Model: Mercedes-AMG Project One | Engine: Turbocharged V6 linked to twin electric motor | Price: circa £2.4m ($3m) | Power: 1,000bhp | Top speed: 217mph (est)

Pininfarina Battista

The famous design house Pininfarina has created its own hypercar – the Battista. Power is an incredible 1,874bhp and there’s 2,300Nm of torque, too. It’s fully electric, and because of the instant torque it’ll do the 0-60mph sprint in less than two seconds before hitting 186mph in less than 12. All that and it’ll still do up to 280 miles on one charge.

Model: Pininfarina Battista | Engine: EV | Price: circa £1.7m ($2.1m) | Power: 1,874bhp | Top speed: 250mph (est)

Lamborghini Terzo Millennio

Lamborghini knows a thing or two about making exciting, in-your-face supercars, and this – the Terzo Millennio – is no different. Rather than a huge combustion engine sorting out power, the Terzo features electric motors integrated into each wheel. It means it has all-wheel drive, but because there’s no conventional engine, the designers have more room to play with when it comes to the way it looks. And I think you’ll agree, it looks pretty staggering.

Model: Lamborghini Terzo Millennio | Engine: Electric motor housed in each wheel | Price: TBC Power: TBC | Top speed: TBC

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

111

SPORT.

Rallying supercars It’s safe to say that supercars aren’t necessarily built for tight, twisty back roads and rock-laden trails, but that hasn’t stopped some from turning supercars into rallying challengers or, in some cases, building supercars purely for the challenges of the World Rally Championship. Here are some of my favourite rally supercars to grace the stages

Ford RS200

The Group B rallying rules of the 1980s encouraged several manufacturers to build mid-engined rocketships. In rallying trim, Ford’s attempt at conquering the sport had 444bhp from a mid-mounted, turbocharged inline-4 motor. The four-wheel-drive flamespitter debuted in 1986 and became obsolete in a matter of months, with it being involved in one of many fatal accidents that ended the Group B era on safety grounds.

Porsche 959

The idea of rallying a Porsche certainly isn’t new, and in the 1980s even the German marque’s flagship supercar wasn’t immune to the rough terrain. In fact, the 959 achieved success in arguably the most gruelling rally in the world – the Paris-Dakar – in 1986, at the end of a three-year development cycle designed to gain technical data for the 959 road car. Before that, a 911 had won the rally in 1984. In rally trim, the 959 produced 390bhp from a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six.

112 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Lancia Stratos

Before the 037 came the Stratos. Initially competing in the 1974 World Rally Championship, the Stratos and the car that it spawned share some features, including the mid-engine layout. However, the engine in question is a rather different affair. The Stratos was powered by a 2.4-litre, naturally aspirated Ferrari Dino V6. Power outputs varied, with the early cars boasting 275bhp and the later versions achieving 320bhp before they were banned from competition. The Stratos is perhaps the most successful and longest-tenured rallying supercar of all time, taking three world championships and scoring its final win some seven years on from its debut.

Ferrari 308 GTB

Before Group B took over in 1982, the flagship category in the WRC was Group 4. In these regulations, mid-engined cars were still prominent, which is why Ferrari specialist Michelotto saw potential in the 308 as a rally car. The naturally aspirated 2.9-litre V8 engine was slightly uprated from the 237bhp available in the road car, and while a single podium was the best result for it in the WRC, it did see far more success in the European championship and national series.

Lancia 037

The Lancia 037 came into the world of Group B rallying early on, first appearing in the 1982 season. At that time, four-wheel drive wasn’t quite universal in the sport, and in fact the 037 would ultimately be the last gasp for reardriven success in the WRC, taking six victories before it was cut from Lancia’s factory rallying effort in 1984. The 037 was powered by a supercharged, 2.0-litre inline-4 motor, which made upwards of 320bhp in its ultimate form.

Porsche 997 GT3

Factory Porsche racing driver Romain Dumas has never been shy of a challenge outside of his regular Le Mans hot seat. Among plentiful evidence of this is his Porsche 997 GT3 RS built by his personal racing team, which he has used in numerous events, including rounds of the challenging World Rally Championship.

Based on the 4.0-litre version of the 997 GT3 RS road car, this modern-day take on a rallying supercar makes for incredible viewing on the stages. I certainly love it!

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars 113

SMASHES.

DJ Afrojack stacks Fezza

Disc-spinning noise maker DJ Afrojack dropped a smash hit of his own in 2013 just hours after leaving the showroom in his new Ferrari 458.

The Dutch DJ posed for a picture for his social media followers with his totalled new car, blaming ‘poor weather’ for the bent metal and carbon fibre that was left hanging off the back of his hours-old car. This time less spinning wheels of steel, more spinning into a barrier.

Footballer’s Ferrari failure

Boxer smashes up SLR

The swimming Veyron

Supercar pile-up

Mr Bean totals his McLaren F1

Hamilton’s dad and the Carrera GT

He might be known for his fancy footwork, a habit of taking his top off at random moments and for draining the world’s supply of hair gel but famously Cristiano Ronaldo also smashed up his Ferrari 599. He escaped unhurt – his Ferrari less so, after it hit a roadside barrier in a tunnel near Manchester Airport in 2009. The front end of the car was demolished and the wheels almost sheared off.

Pictures: PA Images

Let’s face it, supercars are pretty savage and to the unwary can be a bit of a handful to drive. Here are a few supercar crashes that made me wince

We’ve all seen them at the side of the motorway: a string of cars that have bumped into one another nose to tail. Well, that’s what happened back in 2011 on a Japanese motorway, but here every motor involved was a supercar. Eight Ferraris, a Lambo Diablo and a Nissan GT-R were involved in the smash dubbed ‘the most expensive of all time’.

Reports say the final bill topped £3m. Ouch.

Quiz answers

Former world featherweight champ Naseem Hamed – known in the boxing ring as Prince Naz – was jailed for crashing his McLaren Mercedes SLR in 2006. He caused a three-car pile-up after overtaking on the brow of a hill near Sheffield. He was jailed for 15 months and banned from driving for four years – not to mention having to suck up the costs of totalling his £320,000 supercar.

Sparking possibly one of the highest insurance claims ever, Rowan Atkinson famously smashed up his McLaren F1 in 2011. Reports said the Mr Bean star spun the supercar before hitting a tree and a lamppost. I suspect his insurers cried a little inside when they saw the pictures, eventually shelling out a reported cool £1m to stitch it back together.

With more twists than the Nürburgring, the story of the Bugatti Veyron that ended up in a lake was quite the tale. You may remember footage of the car leaving an American highway and driving into a lake emerged in 2009 (Google it). The driver blamed a ‘low-flying pelican’ for the mishap and claimed on his insurance, but footage filmed by an onlooker was later used in court to prove that he did it on purpose.

He might be the father of one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, but it seems he doesn’t have his son’s talent behind the wheel. Anthony Hamilton was just 200 metres from his home in Hertfordshire when he lost control of a Porsche Carrera GT and crashed it into a children’s playground in 2008. To make matters worse, he didn’t even own the car - he was borrowing it for the day. Whoops.

(from p28-29): 1: Gordon Murray 2: Audi R8 3: Ayrton Senna 4: 1987 5: V10 6: Plane 7: Lamborghini Miura 8: Nardo 9: Saleen S7 10: Mercedes 11: Lister 12: Murcielago 13: Sweden 14: Ruf 15: Bugatti 16: LFA 17: Netherlands 18: Noble M600 19: 1992 20: LP550 21: Manning 22: A designer 23: W12 24: Scuderia Ferrari 25: Le Mans

114 Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars

Mike Brewer’s Ultimate Guide to Supercars 115

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