Best Naturally Aspirated Cars Ever Made

Why We Picked It:

The Porsche Carrera GT's engine is unique since it is specifically designed for use in racing cars. Porsche upgraded the engine's power in the Carrera GT while still meeting the requirements for a mass-produced vehicle.

The result is a six-speed manual transmission mated to a 5.7L V10 midship engine that produces 612 horsepower and 435 lb-ft of torque. The Carrera GT could go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and from 100 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 205 mph.

The Carrera GT features the most extensive application of carbon fiber to date in the form of a monocoque and subframe, an ideal way to showcase the vehicle's rigidity, lightweight, and agility.

The double-wishbone axle pushrods utilized front and rear increased responsiveness to driver inputs and improved road feel in a way that a conventional McPherson spring/strut arrangement could not. To further reduce weight, aluminum was used for the vast majority of the components.

Why We Picked It:

Ferrari's new Gran Turismo, introduced in the early 2000s, took advantage of the company's fifty years of experience while drawing inspiration from Formula One technology. The Enzo, like the 288GTO, F40, and F50 before it, is part of a small run of road cars named after the company's founder. These vehicles are emblematic of Ferrari's aspiration to create the world's most luxurious and cutting-edge automobile.

Ferrari is no stranger to branding race-derived technology on road cars. Ferrari's road and racing cars were essentially the same until the late 1950s. Safety restrictions, production costs, and practicality have created a clear divide between race cars and everyday vehicles. The Enzo was created to close this gap.

As Luca de Montezemolo states, 'To bring together our racing success and the fundamental role of races, I decided that this car, which represents the best our technology is capable of, should be dedicated to the founder of the company, who always thought racing should lay the foundation for our road car designs.' Michael Schumacher and Dario Benuzzi helped test the Enzo.

Why We Picked It:

After three years of teasers and prototypes, Aston Martin put the One-77 into production at the beginning of 2011. This entirely hand-built supercar was presented as an alternative to the Bugatti Veyron and represents the pinnacle of what Aston Martin was able to produce.

The One-77 has an aluminum body and a carbon fiber tub from Multimatic of Canada. Cosworth increased the DB9-sourced engine's capacity to 7.3 liters. Aston Martin was now producing the most potent naturally aspirated engine on the market thanks to new cylinder heads created to maximize flow.

Ulrich Bez, the visionary behind the ultimate Aston Martin supercar, asked for a vehicle with 700 horsepower and a weight of less than 1500 kg, using Aston Martin's iconic front engine/rear-wheel drive design.

As part of the development process, the 7.3-liter V12 engine's 750 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque were verified, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated road car engine at the time.

Why We Picked It:

Although one could argue that the first gen Honda NSX had a more significant impact on the industry thanks to its innovative naturally aspirated V6 that, among other things, introduced Honda's variable valve timing system (VTEC) to the US market, and therefore, it should occupy this slot, we decided to go with the Honda S2000, and here's why.

The S2000 is well-known for providing one of the rawest driving experiences in a production road car due mainly to its legendary stiff chassis, despite being a convertible. The 2.0L VTEC engine, which could rev to 9,000 rpm, produced 240 horsepower and was paired with a smooth 6-speed manual transmission, sending the power to the rear wheels. A stroked 2.2-liter engine was installed in later models of the S2000, providing increased low-end torque and improved acceleration thanks to slightly shorter gearing.

The Honda S2000 has seen demand for its used versions skyrocket over the past decade. Everything great about a driver-focused, naturally aspirated sports car is there in the Honda S2000. Many admirers and collectors want to acquire a piece of its illustrious past.

Why We Picked It:

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG replaced the discontinued Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, the company's flagship vehicle. It added the iconic Gullwing doors to the Mercedes lineup.

It has been said that before the 2004 split between Daimler and Chrysler, Mercedes-Benz had planned to use the SLS's architecture for a fourth-generation Viper. The M159 V8 engine is employed; it was developed for use in motorsports. The engine was marketed as a 6.3 in commemoration of the Mercedes-Benz M100 despite having a 6208 cc displacement.

The Mercedes-AMG eight-cylinder engine is the beating heart of the new SLS. The SLS AMG is one of the most potent sports cars available thanks to its customized 6.3-liter V8 engine, which generates 571 horsepower. Torque output from the naturally aspirated engine is 479 lb-ft. The "Gullwing" can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and has an electronically regulated top speed of 197 mph.

Compared to the base M 156 engine, the V8 high-revving M 159 has been substantially redesigned. It has all the makings of a formidable racing engine.

Why We Picked It:

The Audi R8 is a high-performance sports car and a practical everyday driver thanks to its potent engine, all-wheel drive, and refined temperament. A 5.2-liter naturally aspirated ten-cylinder engine from Lamborghini that produces intoxicating exhaust notes powers the R8 V10. Audi's S-tronic seven-speed dual-clutch transmission complements the powertrain by increasing output to 610 horsepower and torque to 413 pound-feet of torque.

Old R-tronic transmissions were notoriously slow. In its stead, Audi installed the excellent S-tronic, which coordinated seamlessly with the quattro all-wheel drive system to distribute torque to all four wheels with zero delay. The R8 V10 is offered in both automatic and manual transmissions. The R8 V10 can achieve its top speed of 195 mph despite its hefty 3,800-pound build in just 3.4 seconds from a standstill.

Due to its exceptional speed, dependability, and affordable price, the Audi R8 has become one of the top supercars in the world and a favorite among naturally aspirated engine fans.

Why We Picked It:

The T.50 is the pinnacle of Gordon Murray's extensive aerodynamics, design, engineering, and Formula 1 racing background. He was the brains behind the McLaren F1, widely regarded as one of the best automobiles of all time and a true supercar.

A naturally aspirated V12 engine, the lightest and highest-revving ever put in a road vehicle, powers the T.50. A custom Cosworth engine and a standard six-speed manual gearbox driving the rear wheels. It offers a 3.98L displacement, a 12,100 rpm redline, and will act as a stressed chassis member. However, a 48-volt mild hybrid system complements the V12 engine, increasing power to about 690 horsepower.

The T.50 has a fan installed in the back that creates downforce and helps to reduce drag, just one of its many cutting-edge aerodynamic features. Because of this, the T.50 performs exceptionally well and handles easily. Only one hundred examples of the T.50 were ever produced. Because of this, it is highly sought after by auto fans and collectors.

Why We Picked It:

It's a big claim, but the third-generation M3, or E46, is the pinnacle of what it means to combine classic looks with modern performance. While the previous generation's E36 model inspired the 1999 M3 E46, it significantly improved upon its predecessor in terms of power, performance, and technology.

The 3.2-liter S54 engine (rotated 30 degrees to suit) was a masterpiece of high-revving, naturally aspirated engineering thanks to its dual throttle bodies and other upgrades. The engine was connected to either a second-generation SMG automated manual transmission or a novel variable M differential, which drove the rear wheels. There was a total of 343 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque produced.

The E46 keeps its unpretentious character while adding distinctive styling touches. To achieve this, we added a 20-mm flare to the wheel wells, a power bulge to the aluminum hood, and four short exhaust pipes to the underside of the rear bumper. And the combination's popularity has remained unchanged in the twenty-some years since it appeared.

Why We Picked It:

The Aventador had great expectations placed upon it because it followed in the footsteps of such legendary automobiles as the Murciélago (its predecessor), the Diablo, the Countach, and the Miura.

The Aventador has lived up to the hype in every way marking a significant shift in Lamborghini's guiding principles and technical capabilities. The Aventador has nearly no flaws, unlike its predecessors, which were often challenging to drive at the limit and often rough around the edges.

Only a Lamborghini can legitimately pull off the Aventador's wild, aggressive, wedge-shaped appearance despite its necessary modifications and significantly improved all-around performance. The limited edition Reventón served as inspiration for the Aventador's design, and it has lap times to match its spectacular exterior.

The heart of this system is an "ISR" automatic manual transmission that routes power from the 6.5L naturally aspirated engine to all four wheels. The L539 engine has been refined throughout the model's production run, increasing from 700 to 770 horsepower.

Why We Picked It:

The C8 Corvette is a model of simplifying things and returning to what has proven successful. The supercharged V8 engine of the C7 Corvette Z06 was a first for a production sports car. Despite being the most potent Z06 ever constructed, the force-inducted engine frequently overheated during competition.

The Chevrolet Z06 has a naturally aspirated engine built on the company's new C8 mid-engined platform. For the track, this is a surefire solution to the problems that plagued the previous Z06.

A new 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8 engine that produces 670 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque powers the C8 Z06 Corvette. Unlike any other Z06, this engine is mounted behind the passenger compartment in the back. This engine has a high-revving nature, intoxicating sound, and excellent throttle response. It redlines close to 9,000 rpm. The Z06 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and has a top speed of over 186 mph.

Why We Picked It:

The supercar Lexus LFA has one of the most stunning and intoxicating exhaust sounds ever. The 553 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque come from a naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V10 in the car, with 90% of its peak torque accessible at 3,700 rpm. It goes from 0 to 60mph in 3.6 seconds and achieves a top speed of 202 mph. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed sequential. However, the car's performance and prestige came at a steep price, and sales were poor.

The body and chassis of the LFA are made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), making it remarkably light while also improving its handling and performance. This cutting-edge building material is rarely seen in mass-produced automobiles, adding to the vehicle's already considerable rarity.

Even at its initial launch price of roughly $375,000, the vehicle's manufacturer could still not recoup its massive research and development costs. Since its debut, the LFA's value has skyrocketed, and it is now widely regarded as a classic among collectors and enthusiasts of fine automobiles.

Why We Picked It:

McLaren Automotive, the company behind the highly successful Formula 1 team, also produces the McLaren F1 supercar. Gordon Murray conceived of the vehicle, convinced Ron Dennis to back it financially, and enlisted the help of Peter Stevens in creating its visual identity.

McLaren made the F1 as efficient as possible by pairing its lightweight build with a potent engine and cutting-edge aerodynamics. In the wake of the cancellation of the M8 project, BMW's M Sport division created the F1's engine. The McLaren F1's transversely mounted 6.1-liter V12 engine produced 627 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, allowing the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds with an AP triple plate clutch.

The V12, 6.0 of BMW manufacture, received a 24k gold plating to aid heat dissipation. The McLaren F1 is often considered the best supercar ever created because it is one of the world's quickest, most technologically advanced, and most aesthetically pleasing automobiles. The F1 held the record for the fastest production car in the world for ten years until the Bugatti Veyron surpassed it with a top speed of 259 mph.