The decade of the 90s of last century left us many cars unrepeatable. We collect those who are, for us, the top 10 sports 90.

McLaren F1

Since 1992 until 1998 McLaren Cars remained in production McLaren F1, one of the sports cars most spectacular of all time. The prototype design was carried out by Gordon Murray and later the designer Peter Stevens under the tutelage of own Ron Dennis which gave birth to the final McLaren F1. Under his aerodynamics body she managed a CD coefficient of 0.32, much better than two other super cars like the Bugatti Veyron World Record Edition (0.36) and the SSC Ultimate Aero TT (0.357) data – where not passed unnoticed its doors opening of scissor, a naturally aspirated engine lodged 6.1 V12 originally BMW from 627 CV. There were only just over 100 units, including special versions LM, GT and GTR. In its history, several milestones stand out as the McLaren F1 was the first production car to use polymer reinforced with carbon fiber (CFRP) in monocoque structure, in addition to also wear-resistant and lightweight materials such as aluminum and the magnesium for fixing points in the suspension system. On March 31, 1998 managed to become the fastest car in the world production, to achieve reach 372 km / h with the rev limiter and 390.7 km / h with the rev limiter unactivated. Subsequently, the Bugatti Veyron and other super cars managed to overcome the mythical barrier of 400 km / h. Today, the super car hybrid sports McLaren P1 and is considered to be the worthy heir of McLaren F1 mythical.

Honda NSX

For many, Honda NSX It is considered the Best Japanese sports car of all time. He Honda NSX born in 1990 with an easy goal: to stand up to European brands specializing in high-performance cars, ie, Porsche Y Ferrari. Sling developed a NSX with classic technique (engined, rear wheel drive, suspensions double triangles …) style, but full of technological innovations configuration. Including the full aluminum body, material was also present in the suspensions. With the use of this lightweight and durable material in the body, he said Honda was achieved save money nothing more and nothing less than 200 kg. The engine Honda NSX was always a center-cross V6, which it was increasing displacement and output, from the original 3.0 V6 273 -255 CV CV in its version change automatic- to 3.2 V6 280 hp of the last special version NSX-R, which amounted to about its final weight incredible 1,280 kg. Since its inception in 1990 until the end of its commercial life in 2005, numerous versions were appearing. In 2001 major changes were made, with an update in its design in which stopped using their characteristic retractable headlights, one of the hallmarks of the NSX in the early years. And the future? Both Honda and its US division, Acura, they are about to stage the final and expected Honda / Acura NSX XXI century.

Ferrari F40

One car sports Ferrari greatest admiration in the late 80 and during the decade of the 90 It was, without doubt, Ferrari F40, which it was in production from 1987 to 1996 both versions open traffic as the most special circuits (total, 1,311 units were produced). He Ferrari F40 It is considered the successor to the 288 GTO and precisely born the same year as the 40th anniversary of the brand was commemorated. Same as him Ferrari Testarossa and that Ferrari Enzo, design Ferrari F40 It was held at the prestigious Pininfarina Style Center. Kevlar panels (a material used, for example, anti-bullet jackets), carbon fiber panels and aluminum forming the outer body. Under unmistakable body, with long hood-shaped tip and rear region with a large wing, an engine hiding 3.0 V8 biturbo 478 hp who catapulted to 324 km / h (there were special versions without limiter handily they exceeded that figure). The lightness in construction is one of the essential technical data. Their benefits were from another planet, it employed 12 seconds from 0 to 200 km / h and it took 21 seconds to travel 1,000 meters from a standing start. Our fellow Classic Motor, had the honor to test the Ferrari F40 (See test Ferrari F40).

Lamborghini Diablo

He Lamborghini Diablo It has the honor of being the first sports production of the Italian brand to exceed 200 miles per hour (over 320 km / h top speed). It was in production from 1990 to 2001 and is the successor to no less brutal Lamborghini Countach. Always used engines V12, versions of 5.7 liter and 6.0 liter. 5.7 in the propellant, offered with different versions with power levels ranging between 499 and the 540 hp. For its part, the 6.0 V12 engine Lamborghini Diablo He offered with variations of between 558 and 583 hp versions of the latest Diablo VT. In total, there were just under 2,900 units in versions Coupé, Roadster (convertible) and SV (Super Veloce). The world of competition could also enjoy the power and bravery of the Lamborghini Diablo, like the creepy version Diablo GTR that grazed almost 600 hp (up 598 CV). Best known for today’s audiences Lamborghini Murcielago it carried on the Devil.

Lotus Esprit V8 (fifth generation)

From 1993 to 2004, British brand Lotus was marketing the fifth generation his successful Esprit. He offered with three engines: a 2.0 turbo four-cylinder, 2.2 turbo four-cylinder and most bestial 3.5 V8 turbo 1996. This latest version of Lotus Esprit It is incorporating a supercharge system fed by two turbochargers (Garrett T25 / 60 turbos). Finally, the internal code engine called Type 918 had to lower performance from the initial 500 hp to end 355 hp, To prevent damage to the gearbox due to performance and transmission reliability provided by Renault. Nevertheless, the Lotus Esprit V8 boasted a great performance, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in about 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 282 km / h. The lightness which it has always distinguished Lotus Cars also undertook to do their part to magnify the positive Esprit arena.

Mazda RX-7 (third generation)

He Mazda RX-7 (Also called Savanna RX-7 or Efini RX-7) is one of the famous sports cars Wankel rotary engine from Mazda which it was in production from 1978 to 2002. He Mazda RX-7 It was another popular Japanese sports and ‘affordable’, which had to compete with the Toyota Supra, he Nissan Skyline and versions Z Nissan also (not to mention the Honda NSX). In total there were 811,634 units (68,589 units of its third generation from 1991 to 2002). The predecessor of modern Mazda RX-8 in his later years even offered several variants of its 1.3 Twin Turbo rotary engine with power levels between 255 Y 280 hp, which in turn he came to be combined with automatic gear boxes and four gears 5-speed manual, according versions.

Jaguar XJ220

Next to the E-Type, the other major landmark in the history of sports Jaguar is undoubtedly the XJ220. From the beginning, his brutal, futuristic aerodynamic design and seduced many fans motor. Initially, the original project shuffled the possibility to incorporate a bestial engined V12 over 500 hp, rivaling the likes of cars Ferrari F40, he Lamborghini Diablo and the Porsche 959. However, when Ford acquired Jaguar in 1988, the initial plans on Jaguar XJ220 They were changing until finally saw the light in 1992 the final version with an engine 3.5 V6 biturbo 550 hp. Their performance was outstanding among its competitors, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in less than 4 seconds. Until the arrival of McLaren F1, he Jaguar XJ220 He had the honor of being the fastest production sport to reach 343 km / h. It was only in production two years (from 1992 to 1994) and a total of 275 units were manufactured, not reaching the initial target set by Jaguar.

Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 and R33 GT-R

The last years of the 80s with the 90s is considered by fans of the car as the golden age of Japanese sports cars. Besides the already mentioned and admired Honda NSX, there was another beast which was also very popular. It was in 1989 when Nissan He gave life to the brutal version Skyline GT-R R32 -subsequently nicknamed of godzilla-, and he began selling a 6-cylinder engine in line 2.6 liter, intercooled supercharged two ceramic turbos and 284 HP. In its frame he highlighted the direction of the four wheels and the total drive system which distributed torque up to 50% between the two axes, although normally took the role hindquarter. Very soon, major preparation companies ‘performance’ and Japanese tuning fixed on Godzilla. In fact, they came to perform various versions that arrived reach 500 and 600 hp, an incredible figure for that time. Shortly thereafter in 1995 and on the basis of Skyline R33, the new Nissan GT-R He presented a series of small technical changes that improved their dynamic skills. R33 base 2.6 biturbo engine of 284 hp and five-speed manual transmission was already very good. The new version Nissan Skyline GT-R R33 He got a great record for Japanese industry to become the fastest production car in completing more than a twist to the always tricky Nurburgring Green Hell. His feat was made in an incredible record of 7 minutes and 59 seconds. The latest version of Nissan Skyline GT-R He came with the body R34 in 1999.

BMW E36 M3

Sleeker appearance, second generation of the BMW M3 which it was marketed between 1992 and 2000 He highlighted by incorporating a motor six-cylinder larger displacement and power, as well as the implementation of other technical resources as the first sequential shift. He BMW M3 rode a motor 3.0 six-cylinder, 24-valve 286 hp and 32.63 mkg torque at 3,600 rpm -in front engine to 23.45 mkg first M3-. This engine hid a revolutionary technology, namely VANOS variable regulation opening the intake valves according to engine speed and load. Official performance indicated a maximum speed electronically self-limited to 250 km / h and an acceleration of 0 to 100 km / h standing start in 6.0 seconds. He BMW Cabriolet M3 four seats He made its debut in 1994 and its development and the subsidiary BMW M GmbH was commissioned. The same year of the staging of BMW M3 Cabrio He appeared M3 Sedan. In a further development of the BMW M3, the German mark gave his fans a car improved throughout with a larger engine up to 3,200 cm3, more power up to 321 hp at 7,400 rpm- and the new system from double-VAIN, including variable timing camshaft of the exhaust valves. This evolution of the BMW M3 also debut a manual six-speed gearbox (instead of the previous 5-speed). In 1997, BMW M3 he became the first production car to mount a sequential gearbox M, the so-called SMG. From 1992 to 1999, which ceased production of the second generation M3, they left the assembly line a total of 71,242 units in versions Coupe, convertible and sedan.

Maserati 3200 GT

By design, benefits Y technical configuration, the great sports car 90s Maserati is the 3200 GT, which it was in production from 1998 to 2002. Born in downtown style Italdesign, whose chief executive was already very Giorgetto Giugiaro, he Maserati 3200 GT It was conceived as a sports coupe with seating for four passengers inside. As engine incorporated a 3.2 petrol V8 biturbo 370 hp, commanding all his fury to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. Subsequently, Maserati sold another sporty, coupe, which took much of the exterior design and interior 3200 GT.

You may also like

– The 10 fastest cars in the world

– The most popular cars of the 70s

– The 10 most popular cars of the 80s

– Best Japanese sports cars in history