When a car company has one particular personality and then builds something that goes completely against that personality we have to stop and wonder why they did it. Once we get past that part of the equation it’s time for us to admire what this company gives us and why the car they chose can be the perfect fit for the market and help create even greater competition. To build a car that’s totally different than your normal repertoire takes guts and a ton of tenacity. Here are some unexpected models that have reinvigorated our imagination over the years, and here’s a video if you’d rather watch than read.
Honda/Acura NSX – Today we know this as the supercar from Acura, but at the time it came out, in the late 1980s, this was one of the most unexpected cars on the road. Sure, Honda could build and F1 engine, but to dial it down and put a powerful engine into a luxury sports car was simply a way to show up Ferrari and Lamborghini by beating them at their own game.
Lexus LFA – This car was completely the opposite direction of what Toyota and Lexus stand for. Normally the most practical and boring brands on the market, the LFA brought is a massive V10 engine and a build that’s out of this world. This supercar was a super surprise from the company that also makes the Corolla and Camry.
Dodge Viper – WE know the Viper well now and Dodge seems to be the Hellcat paradise, but when the first Viper came out in the early 1990s this company was similar to Toyota in that it mostly built the boring FWD cars and the Ram pickup trucks. Thankfully the Viper came along to give this brand some gusto and a gorgeous signature car for us to love.
Lamborghini LM002 – When you have one of the most powerful engines on the market, the one found in the Countach, doesn’t it make sense to see where else you can stuff it? Isn’t that what FCA is doing with the Hellcat engine? This Lamborghini was the public ready military vehicle that came before Hummer ever entered the market.
Audi R8 – This amazing sports car wasn’t born from the boring lineup that Audi gave us at the time. Instead it came from the Le Mans dominating race car that Audi showed off with on a regular basis. The only problem was many didn’t know the R8 was coming and didn’t expect it, but now that it’s here we’re sure glad Audi chose to make this beauty.
Porsche Cayenne – Before every sports car manufacturer had an SUV Porsche offered us the Cayenne in 2004 to be a different vehicle than what we already had. While many thought this SUV would be a dud, this beauty ended up being a huge sales success right from the start to give Porsche a way to begin to build other cars and SUVs for us to love.
Subaru SVX – Here’s one car that unfortunately didn’t sell very well. The SVX cost nearly $40,000 in the 1980s and was a grand tourer that was supposed to be a luxury stud, but ended up being a sales dud. This was a cool car for anyone who had the cash to buy one, but with the Subaru name and what we expect from the brand, this car didn’t stand a chance.
Saleen S7 – Here is a car that comes from a Mustang tuner company in California. This car resembles some of the Ferrari racing machines we’ve seen in the past. It’s hard to figure out why Saleen chose to build this tube framed car that can reach 200 mph, but it’s another one of those cars that we get to admire and be thankful exist on our roads.
Ford GT40 – Many great cars are born from sheer will and the spirit of competition. This is certainly one of them. This car was built because Henry Ford II wanted to beat Ferrari at Le Mans and not only did this car make that happen it was able to finish first, second and third at the historic race, putting this car in a singular place in automotive history.
This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning a commission is given should you decide to make a purchase through these links, at no cost to you. All products shown are researched and tested to give an accurate review for you.
