Cars Fit For Superman

Interesting, courtesy of Rusty Shakelford..

If you ask a hand full of older auto enthusiasts what their favorite sports or muscle car is; you will most likely get a list filled with Corvettes, Camaros, and Mustangs. With the traditional combination of style and power, who would disagree with any of these classic choices?

The consumer's addiction to performance, power, and speed has influenced auto manufacturers to continually push the limits of high end sports/muscle cars. The result; an entirely new breed of car appropriately dubbed the 'supercar'. In 1965 the world's first 'supercar' was produced named the "AC cobra 427". From this, an entire industry has developed continually striving to produce the best performing "super" car.

Unlike most cars, supercars have a specialized array of analogous features that enable these vehicles to perform at the levels they do. Below is a list of features that have aided in the transformation of sports cars into the beasts we know today as supercars.

Light Weight Bodies

-Aluminum and other light weight materials are used to reduce the vehicles weight.

Aluminum Engines

- Aluminum reduces weight and aluminum block engines improve various oiling capabilities and the basic structure of the engine.

Engine Size

-Dramatic increases in engine size, horsepower, and torque have drastically increased acceleration and top speeds.

Turbo/Super Chargers

-Changes the density of air entering the engine creating more power. Many super cars use multiple turbos or super chargers to significantly increase power.

Aerodynamic Shape

- Creates less 'drag' from wind resistance resulting in a higher attainable speed.

Carbon Fiber

-Lightweight material that easily disperses heat and can be used to induct air enhancing engine cooling.

Specialized Exhaust Systems

-Enables the engines to fully maximize potential and horsepower by routing and releasing optimal amounts of exhaust.

There are also various additional features of super cars that do not necessarily increase speed, but are directly related to the components that do.

Specialized Breaking Systems

-Essential to controlling the speed and handling of a supercar.

Spoiler Systems

-Increases aerodynamic lift or creates drag.

Specialized wide wheelbase

-Better traction, speed, and handling.

Specialized Suspension

-To handle high speeds and aggressive driving capable of supercars.

Many 'supercars' have gained recognition and appeal around the world for their eye catching exotic looks and their mind blowing performance. Popular names of such recent supercars include the Ferarri Enzo and the McLaren F1. In 1998, Volkswagen decided to join the supercar game by purchasing the rights to produce vehicles under the famous French Bugatti name.

By 2000, Volkswagen had founded The Bugatti Automobiles SAS. Later that year at the Paris, Geneva and Detroit auto shows, VW introduced the brand new EB 16/4 Veyron concept under the Bugatti name. The concept Veyron housed a 16-cylinder quad-turbocharged engine rated at 987 bhp.

By late 2005 the Veyron had entered production and was delivered to its first customers in early 2006. Within 8 short years of purchasing the Bugatti name, Volkswagen was able to successful deliver the world's fastest supercar reaching 253 mph. In 2007 Shelby Super Cars released a Twin turbo version of a car named the SSC Ultimate Aero, surpassing the Veyron for the world's fastest supercar at 257 mph.

Below is a list of the top six fastest supercars on the market and some comparable statics.

1. SSC Ultimate Aero - Cost: $654K Top Speed: 257 mph, 0 to 60 in:2.7sec, HP: 1183, Engine: Twin-Turbo V8 (1287 hp in 2009 edition), Uniqueness: Currently the world's fastest car.

2. Bugatti Veyron - Cost: $1.7Mil Top Speed: 253 mph, 0 to 60 in: 2.5sec, HP: 1001, Engine: W16 Engine

Uniqueness: The quickest-accelerating production car in history.

3. Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo - Cost: $555K Top Speed: 248 mph, 0 to 60 in: 3.2sec, HP: 750, Engine: Twin Turbo V8

4. Koenigsegg CCX - Cost: $545K Top Speed: 245 mph, 0 to 60 in: 3.2sec, HP: 806, Engine: 90 Degree V8

5. McLaren F1 - Cost: $970K Top Speed: 240 mph, 0 to 60 in: 3.2sec, HP: 627, Engine: S70/2 60 Degree V12

6. Ferrari Enzo - Cost: $670K Top Speed: 217 mph, 0 to 60 in: 3.4sec, HP: 660, Engine: F140 Aluminum V12

With bank-breaking prices, (some much worse than others), today a plethora of muscle charged super cars are available around the world. Though some may still prefer classic muscle over towering prices and outrageous power, the transformation and development of supercars will continue to be fueled by an ever growing community of speed and performance enthusiasts.