8 Cars That Look Fast But Have Pathetically Slow Engines
There are some really good looking cars on the market, but not all the cars that look fast perform well. Some models have aggressive styling, but once you get behind the wheel, drivers have been left underwhelmed. Throughout the years, there have been vehicles that promised speed with their looks and fell short. Very short. These eight cars look ready for the track, but they wound up being a huge disappointment to many people.
1. Toyota Celica
The Toyota Celica was a cool car. It was aggressive looking and it was just cool. However, when it came down to it, it only put out between 140 and 180 horsepower. That’s hardly anything to flaunt. Even the upgraded GT-S model, with 180 horsepower, struggled to match the performance of its rivals. Its front-wheel-drive setup further dampened the thrill factor, making it feel more like a commuter car with a body kit. Overall, it just didn’t live up to expectations.
2. Mazda RX8
You won’t see me bad-mouthing many Mazdas. I love the Mx-5 (Miata). Unfortunately, the Mazda RX8 wasn’t what people expected. It had a sleek design and rear suicide doors made it an instant head-turner. On top of that, it sported a rotary engine, which was unique, but the 1.3-liter Renesis engine struggled to deliver the punch expected from a car that looked this fast. Producing 232 horsepower at high revs, the RX8 had a disappointing torque output, making off-the-line acceleration feel sluggish. The rotary engine’s thirst for oil and notorious reliability issues didn’t help its case.
3. Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ’s low stance, flared fenders, and rear-wheel-drive layout suggest serious speed, but its performance is modest at best. The 2.0-liter flat-four engine produces just 200 horsepower, which struggles to move the car with any urgency. Enthusiasts praise its handling, but the lack of turbocharging leaves the BRZ feeling underpowered on straightaways. Even with a manual transmission, the car’s acceleration is far from thrilling, making it more of a momentum car than a muscle car.
4. Fisker Karma
There’s a reason Fisker is out of business now. The carmaker promised a lot with its cars, but failed to meet the expectations of drivers frequently. This was true of the Fisker Karma. It had exotic styling and massive 22-inch wheels, making it look like it’s ready to rival supercars. However, under the hood is a hybrid powertrain that delivers a disappointing 403 horsepower to a nearly 5,300-pound body. Its 0-60 mph time of over 6 seconds is embarrassing for a car that looks this dramatic. The Karma’s range-extending gas engine produces a mere 260 horsepower, which is unimpressive given its size and design.
5. Plymouth Prowler
Okay – I’m not sure anyone looked at the Plymouth Prowler and thought it’d be incredibly fast, but the automaker boasted that it would be an amazing thing to drive. Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 producing just 253 horsepower, the Prowler’s performance was more grocery-getter than dragster. Its 0-60 mph time of around 5.9 seconds wasn’t terrible but was disappointing considering the aggressive looks. The absence of a manual transmission only added to the frustration for enthusiasts hoping for a proper hot rod experience.
6. Chevy SSR
I’m in the same boat with the SSR as the Prowler. Maybe we didn’t think it’d go super fast, but Chevrolet definitely made us think it would. Early models were powered by a 5.3-liter V8 with just 300 horsepower, which struggled to move the SSR’s hefty 4,700-pound body. Its 0-60 mph time of around 7 seconds was downright embarrassing for a car that looked like a muscle truck. Later models offered a 390-horsepower LS2 V8, but even that couldn’t fully redeem the SSR’s reputation.
7. Mitsubishi Eclipse
I knew several people who owned Mitsubishi Eclipses. They were good looking cars and appeared to be something you’d think was track day ready. In reality, it was just a front-wheel-drive car with a base 2.4-liter engine that produced a mere 162 horsepower. Even the GT model’s 3.8-liter V6 with 263 horsepower struggled with torque steer and didn’t offer the turbocharged excitement of previous generations. The Eclipse’s heavy curb weight further dulled its performance, making it feel more like a cruiser than a contender.
8. Toyota MR2
The third-generation Toyota MR2’s mid-engine layout and roadster design suggested a thrilling driving experience. However, the 1.8-liter engine’s 138 horsepower was a far cry from what its looks promised. Its 0-60 mph time of around 7 seconds was respectable but hardly impressive for a car that appeared so sporty. While the MR2 was light and handled brilliantly, the lack of power made it feel more like a go-kart than a performance machine.
Don’t Judge a Car by Its Looks
You know the old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” The same can be said of cars. Just because a car looks like it can go fast doesn’t mean it will. Sporty body kits and aggressive styling only go so far. When you slide behind the wheel of one of these eight vehicles, you may find yourself sorely disappointed. Remember, real speed comes from what’s under the hood. Not just a flashy design.
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Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.