Around the world, sports car fever is back. Everything from pumped-up family sedans to million dollar exotics are popping everywhere. Coinciding with our cover story, we’d like to give you a short glimpse of other sports cars in development or ready for sale around the world. It’s a shame that we won’t get to see these wonderful machines in our roads…
Nissan Skyline
Just when its was getting worldwide acclaim, Nissan has announced a replacement for the Skyline. Famous for its twin-turbo 2.5-liter engine and computer modulated chassis that can push out 400 bhp, the old Skyline re-wrote the definition of a sports car. With the new Skyline, Nissan hopes to continue with this tradition.
Honda Accord Type-R
It’s just like a dream come true for a fan of specially tuned cars. The Accord Type-R will be available in Great Britain in January of 1999. Stripped of sound insulation and stiffed chassis, the Accord Type-R is certainly more nimble and agile. With the aid of a 2.2-liter DOHC VTEC LEV engine, the 212 bhp Type-R can reach 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds!
McLaren’s New Car
Famous for building the fastest production car in the world (McLaren F1 at 240 mph), McLaren Cars Ltd., is going the next step by building a new car. This time, instead of making a super exotic million dollar car, McLaren sets it sights on the $200,000-$300,000 price range (the same as the Ferrari 550 Maranello). With Mercedes-Benz building this engine, McLaren says that this new sports car is much like the McLaren F1: a different kind of sports car. Possible date for completion could be as early as 1999.
Ferrari F131
Ferrari’s millenium machine is the replacement for the current Ferrari F355. Named the F131, this Ferrari will be powered by a 3.6-liter, 40-valve V8 engine. Made of the same lightweight materials as the F355, the F131 is 440 200kilogramslighter than its predecessor. What’s more, this 2-seater coupe will come with a 6-speed manual or semi-automatic transmission.
Audi TT Coupe
With the success of several European coupes, Audi is joining in with its Audi TT Coupe. Built originally as a show car, the TT will be seeing the dealers with only minimal changes. The top of the line turbocharged, 5-valve per cylinder 1.8-liter engine can deliver 225 bhp, that’s a more powerful car than the Porsche Boxster! Priced at the range of the Alfa Romeo GTV and Mercedes SLK, the TT could be the next cool thing.
Lamborghini Canto
Audi’s purchase of Lamborghini won’t mean a big change to the company philosophy. A new Lamborghini sports car will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999. Temporarily named, Canto, this new Lambo will feature not the planned Lambo V10 engine. Instead, it will use the next generation 4.2-liter twin turbo V8 of Audi. Expected sales would be 2000-2500 units per year, making it now a Ferrari rival.
Nissan R390 GT1
A million dollars for a Nissan? It may sound absurd, but can you resist the temptation of this 200 mph twin-turbocharged V8? Built to follow the homologation rules of the GT1 Le Mans (which the R390 finished third and fourth), this Nissan is quite special with a carbon fiber body and huge six-cylinder disc brakes. Built at the TWR factory in Great Britain, Nissan will sell 30 of these.
Maserati Mistral
After being lost in the limelight for so long, Maserati is back. Unveiling a beautiful 2+2 coupe, this new Maserati is to be powered by the same 3.2 twin turbo V8 as used in previous Maseratis. Having a top speed of 170 mph and 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds, the Mistral is tagged as a Jaguar XKR or Porsche 911 alternative.
Mitsubishi Eclipse
Mitsubishi has announced that an Eclipse replacement is just two years away. Changing the Eclipse image, Mitsu has changed the 2+2 coupe into a 2-seater coupe. Powered by either a 2.4 inline-4 or 3.0 V6 engine, there is no word if 4WD or turbocharged engines would be available. What’s certain though is that it will still come with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. A convertible version may soon follow.
More future cars will be shown next month…
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