Words: Charlie Thomas
Britain is famous for many things. Scones, pubs, fish and chips – the usual. We also make some cracking supercars though, as has been demonstrated by our elite manufacturers over the last few decades. The likes of Aston Martin, Jaguar and McLaren all produce machines with their own distinct character and charm, but above all, they are fast. Here are 5 of the best British supercars of all time.
MCLAREN F1
The McLaren F1 is one of the greatest supercars of all time. A roaring V12, it featured 627bhp, an incredibly light kerb weight of around 1,100kg and a record-breaking top speed of over 240mph.
Why it’s one of the best: The F1’s combination of great styling, pure performance and ultimate dedication to speed make it a true British legend, and one that will never be forgotten.
JAGUAR XJ220
The Jaguar XJ220 is a special thing. There has never been anything quite like it. An exercise in peakcockery perhaps, it was – until the F1 beat it – the fastest production car of 1992, but it was the concept-style looks that captured the hearts of many.
Why it’s one of the best: It was supposed to have an enormous V12 (instead it made do with a V6) and there was supposed to be 1,500 made (only 275 were produced). It was somewhat of a failure, but that’s what makes it so great.
ASTON MARTIN ONE-77
We wish that more manufacturers made cars like the Aston Martin One-77. An example of what the British brand can do when they flex their muscles, it features a 750bhp V12, a sumptuous leather interior and a top speed in excess of 200mph.
Why it’s one of the best: We’ll likely never see anything like it again. It acts as a great example of how evocative a naturally-aspirated engined car can be. Turbochargers just don’t have the same affect.
EAGLE LOW DRAG GT
The Eagle Low Drag GT is nothing short of stunning. It was directly inspired by a unique Jaguar Low Drag Coupé that raced competitively in the ’60s and it remains remarkably true to it on the surface. The automobile’s curves are almost arousing in their beauty and it doesn’t disappoint under the bonnet either.
Why it’s one of the best: It’s drop-dead looks and exquisite attention to detail make it a truly lust-worthy machine.
NOBLE M600
Although not on the same level as the machines above at first glance, the Noble M600 is an amazing machine. A pleasingly throwback supercar, it features an old fashioned manual gearbox and relatively understated styling compared with its contemporaries. It’s bloody fast though, and its 650bhp twin-turbo V8 can propel it all the way up to 225mph.
Why it’s one of the best: Hand built on our shores in Leicestershire by a team of no more than 20 people, the Noble M600 is unusual in today’s world. We’re really very lucky that cars like this are still being built.
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