With horsepower figures rising in recent years, supercars are known for being hard to handle, but these classics earned reputations for danger.
Provided you have a license, there is no reason you can’t hop in a supercar and start driving. At least, in a normal, considerate manner. If you want to test its limits, you’ll need some training. After all, supercars today approach 1,000 hp, which is too much for most drivers. Predictably, many supercar manufacturers offer special driving schools for their customers.
Even so, modern supercars are easier to drive than they were before. Most are equipped with driver aids to help you put the power to the ground more easily and keep things stable in the corners. Not to mention, most have automatic transmissions and come with significantly grippier tires. With classic supercars, though, you were left on your own.
Some classic supercars are notorious for being dangerous to drive. Overpowered and without any driving aid, these machines weren’t for the faint of heart. Some of these models were also underdeveloped in crucial areas, like suspension and aerodynamics. Either way, they caught drivers by surprise, and in some cases, took along sacrifices. Strap in and hold tight, because these classic supercars are ruthless!Porsche Carrera GT (2003 to 2006)
Perhaps there is no better supercar to start this list with than the Porsche Carrera GT. This V10 beast has become mythical for all the good and bad reasons. On one side, it’s praised as one of the best-ever supercars. It was the first supercar with a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and an open rooftop. Its racing-derived 5.7-liter is one of the best-sounding V10 engines ever made. Oh, and Porsche positioned it behind the driver for better handling. The six-speed manual only added to the Carrera GT’s unique driving experience. With 603 hp and 435 lb-ft on tap, it also out-accelerated most supercars in its era, reaching 60 in just 3.5 seconds.
Yet, the Carrera GT is also one of the most notorious supercars ever made. Beloved actor Paul Walker died after his friend Roger Rodas infamously crashed a Carrera GT in 2013. Most probably, the reason was the old tires, but Roger also drove between 80 and 93 mph in a 45-mph zone. Still, the Carrera GT can be a very challenging car to drive. Due to its mid-engine configuration, it had a tendency for snap oversteer, which was exaggerated by the absence of an electronic stability control (ESC). Also, while the stick shift was fun, it was another thing to worry about in an already challenging package.
The snap-oversteer issue is so well-documented, in fact, that Porsche launched new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires for the Carrera GT this year. According to the automaker, the new tires better communicate the loss of grip, resulting in a faster and safer driving experience.Koenigsegg CCR/CCX (2004 to 2010)
Today, Koenigsegg is one of the most advanced car companies in the world. Not only does it build the fastest car in the world — the stunning (theoretical) 310-mph Jesko Absolut — but also world-first technologies.
