Where do great cars come from? The U.S., Europe, and Japan have held a monopoly on sports cars for years, but with the help of our readers we've identified ten sports cars not from these regions.
This is Answers of the Day - where we take the best ten responses from the previous day's "Question Of The Day". It's by you and for you, the Jalopnik readers.
10.) Hyundai Genesis Coupe
Suggested by dmckoltrane
Why It's Fantastic: This one came from left field, that is to say that no one expected Korea's Hyundai, formerly a manufacturer of cheap, beige automobiles, to produce a sports coupe that would rival many of the established Japanese sports cars like the 370Z. Available with a 306 HP 3.8L V6 or a 210 HP 2.0L turbo inline four, the rear-wheel drive V6 Genesis is capable of a 5.6 second zero to sixty time, that's a tenth of a second faster than a 300ZX Twin Turbo! All from a manufacturer whose only previous sports car was the Hyundai Tiburon.
9.) Hulme F1
Suggested by $kaycog
Why It's Fantastic: Hailing from New Zealand, land of Frodo, SupercarsNZ's Hulme F1 is named after the 1967 Formula One World Champion and Kiwi Denny Hulme. The 2200 lb chassis houses the 7.0 liter V8 LS7 from the Corvette C6 Z06 and produces somewhere around 600 HP. That translates to 545 HP per ton. That's more than a Bugatti Veyron. Who knew that New Zealand was capable of producing more than just actors to play Hobbits and the Rhymenoceros?
8.) Laraki Fulgura
Suggested by bradegee
Why It's Fantastic: This is the first, and probably only, Moroccan supercar. Produced in Casablanca by Laraki, it is the company's first sports car and is based off the Lamborghini Diablo, not a bad place to start. Under the bonnet is a quad-turbo Mercedes 6.0 liter V12 engine capable of producing 920 HP maximum. The body is entirely made of carbon fiber and this car should be able propel all 2500 pounds from zero to sixty in 3.3 seconds, reaching a top speed in the 250 mph range.
7.) Tecnoidea Mastretta MXT
Suggested by Whack-a-mole
Why It's Fantastic: This Mexican mid-engined machine weighs in just under 2000 pounds. In that middle compartment sits a 2.0 liter turbocharged inline 4 capable of producing 240 HP. Now that doesn't sound like a lot, but you have to consider that this power plant is in a 2000 pound coupe and for 55,000 to 60,000 USD, that's pre-bloat Lotus territory. In Mexico, however, this car will run somewhere between 600,000 and 700,000 pesos. Sounds like a lot right? That's cheaper than in the U.S. though. This car is scheduled to be produced in 2011 for Mexican, American, and British markets with international markets to follow.
6.) HTT Pléthore
Suggested by bjgdb8
Why It's Fantastic: Also known as the Quebec Bomb, this car is produced by our neighbors to the north. The car itself weighs only 2500 pounds, its chassis and body being made of carbon fiber, and HTT claims that its 6.2 liter supercharged V8 is capable of produing 750 HP with an optional 1100 HP engine if you've got Vancouver penthouse money. The car is supposed to debut this year and orders have already been placed. This will run you about 395,000 CAD, which is what, like $50,000 'Merican? Wait, you're telling me that's 387,634 USD?! NO!
5.) Elfin MS8 Streamliner
Suggested by irishman72
Why It's Fantastic: This 2425 pound Australian roadster saw production start in the summer of 2006. It is powered by a 5.7 liter V8 that starts at 329 HP (the 50th anniversary edition would come with a 469 HP supercharged V8). Zero to 62 mph came in 4.5 seconds, topping out at 171 mph. Good luck buying one, though, because only 100 units were produced and it was priced at $99,990 US.
Photo Credit: Tom Reynolds
4.) Perana Z-One
Suggested by VMA1T
Why It's Fantastic: The Z-One uses the tried-and-true LS3 from the Corvette. Perana, the South African manufacturer, claims that the 440 HP 6.2 liter V8 should be able to launch the 2600 lb Z-One from Zero to One hundred km/h in approximately 4.9 seconds. Production is supposed to begin in 2010 with only 999 units being produced. Right, so it's the end of October and we're still waiting.
Photo Credit: David Villarreal Fernandez
3.) HSV Clubsport R8
Suggested by gtuned
Why It's Fantastic: In America, this used to be the Pontiac G8 GXP. Ah yes, 415 HP from the Corvette's 6.2 liter V8 LS3 engine sent through a Tremec six-speed transmission and pumped out the rear tires. Unfortunately, this car is no longer available to us. Meanwhile, in Australia, the police are having some time trying to catch hoons in their HSV Clubsports. Based on the Holden VE Commodore, the Clubsport also came as a wagon! Boy, they have it good in Australia.
Photo Credit: Eadey
2.) FPV F6
Suggested by Fordboy357
Why It's Fantastic: The F6 is based on the Ford Falcon XR6, also only available in Australia and seen in Australian V8 Supercars. Down under the bonnet is a 4.0 liter turbocharged straight-six producing more torque than your mother and 420 HP. That's enough to see the speedo reach sixty from zero in a hair's width under 5 seconds. This car is so awesome that the Queensland and New South Wales police force use the F6 as their pursuit vehicles. Take that Italians! Don't forget, it also comes as a 'Ute. Man, at least we don't have Australians over here telling us, "That's not a car..."
1.) Marussia B2
Suggested by Jones Foyer
Why It's Fantastic: So, is Russia in Europe or in Asia? If it's in Asia this counts, but if it's in Europe then this is just another one of your run-of-the-mill European supercars. This time, I think I'll say we're dealing with an Asian country here and no Yakov Smirnoff jokes please. The Marussia B2 is Russia's second sports car, but first ball-to-the-wall, all or nothing supercar. Built on the same chassis as Marussia's all electric B1, the B2 sports a 420 HP Cosworth V6. This is enough to launch the 2425 pound B2 to 60 in only 3.2 seconds. Production has already started and 10,000 units are slated to be produced by 2014, so prepare to shell out a lot of rubbles ($131,000 US) for this Russian rocket.