American Performance Cars That Deserved More Attention

American performance cars are popular all over the globe. Their cars got so much attention but not all. It gives the same feeling as seeing your crush hang out with someone ugly. These kinds of cars failed to connect with the customers maybe because of bad marketing or because entered the market at the wrong time, we’ll see. Here are the 10 performance cars that deserved a lot more attention than they got.

10. 2004 Pontiac GTO

2004 Pontiac GTO American Performance Cars
via – mecum auctions

Pontiac GTO is a pretty good car with a 5.7-liter V8 and then it was boosted to a 6.0-liter LS2 which produces 400hp and 400 lb-ft of torque mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission and 6-speed manual transmission which offers great handling and performance. It feels cheap inside but it was a budget-friendly performance car. When it was launched it doesn’t match the styling and power of past muscle cars.

9. Chevrolet SSR

Chevrolet SSR American Performance Cars
via – motorious

Chevrolet SSR is one of the examples of don’t judge a car by its looks. This cute and dumb-looking car is capable of producing 400hp with its 6.0-liter V8. It has great handling and was fun to ride too. Chevy’s one bad decision took this car out of the market. They decided to make it a pickup truck but it lacked all the essentials of a pickup truck.

8. Pontiac G8

Pontiac G8 American Performance Cars
via – car & driver

Another Pontiac failure, G8 had great styling and great engines ranging from a 3.6-liter V6 producing 256hp to a powerful 6.0-liter V8 making 415hp. The main problem of its failure was timing. It was launched in the market in 2008. GM also issued a recall for certain 2008s and 2009s models.

7. 1970 AMC AMX

1970 AMC AMX American Performance Cars
via – wallpaper flare

AMC AMX was a classic muscle car of the 70s. It had a great design and powerful frame perfect for muscle cars. AMX got its power from a 4.8-liter or optional 6.4-liter V8 producing 340 hp. It failed due to the oil crisis and AMC moving on with the Javelin.

6. Cadillac XLR

Cadillac XLR
via – carscoops

It is so surprising to see such a cool Cadillac fail. It was loaded with lots of first-to-get tech in Cadillac like radar-assisted cruise control, and heated and cooled seats. XLR was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 producing 443hp. Its high pricing may have been a reason for its failure.

5. Saturn Sky Redline

Saturn Sky Redline
via – artofit

Saturn gave Sky Redline a sporty styling. It was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder which produced 260hp and gave it the power to reach 142mph top speed. It had a weaker frame but still handled so well. Sadly it was gone when Saturn was shut down.

4. DeLorean DMC

via – carawale

Legendary car, well known from movie Back to the Future. The car itself had a bad future. The main problem with this car was its engine. it had 2.5-liter V6 which only produced only 135hp felt even weaker than it was on paper. It is still a very good collectible item. I guess on that movie they were fed up too with this car so they decided to do something crazy with it.

Also Read – Daddy Yankee Car Collection

3. Vector W8

Vector W8
via – motor1

This crazy-looking futuristic car was way ahead of its time. You will not believe only 17 were made in 4 years. It has a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V8 that produces 625 hp. Its interior is like a fighter cockpit loaded with lots of techs.

2. Fisker Karma

Fisker Karma
via- electrec

Karma was also way ahead of its time. It was one of the first luxury plug-in hybrids with a 2.0-liter Ecotec engine and two 120kw lithium-ion battery pack powered motors which produced over 400hp. Fisker Karma can go 230miles until you need to charge and fuel it again. It also had solar-powered interior features which were very impressive for 2012. It just does not get the right customers to buy it.

1.  Plymouth Prowler

Plymouth Prowler
via – turo

Prowler was a retro classic with a beautiful design and it looked powerful too but it was not. Its underpowered engine was the reason for its failure. Its 3.5-liter V6 produced 214hp. it needed more power to be a fun vehicle. They even boosted the power but only to 253hp. It only sold over 11,000 units.

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM : 21motoring

Leave a Comment

Advertisements