1) Suzuki Cultus Pikes Peak Version
We’ve left out the Escudo since we felt it had a bigger impact in later games. But as far as compromises go, the Cultus Pikes Peak is a pretty good one. With 786hp squeezed out of its unique powertrain—a pair of 1.6-litre inline-four engines bolted together—this is Wacky Racers dialed up to 11. And then maybe 12.
2) TVR Speed 12 Concept
In terms of sheer ferocity, the TVR Speed 12 Concept—which later became the Cerbera Speed 12—is as good as it gets in Gran Turismo 2. When the countdown begins and the Speed 12 roars its way to the redline, you get the feeling this 807hp Brit is less a car and more a black hole of the most terrifying proportions.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
Think MPVs are boring? Well, they deliver a different kind of driving pleasure
Ever wondered what the best-selling cars in Japan are?
3) Saleen SR Widebody
The Ford Mustang-based Saleen SR Widebody is one of the lesser-known cars on this list and appears solely in the second installment of the series. It raced in real life, too, achieving mixed results in the 1999 North American Le Mans series. Looks cool, though, doesn’t it?
4) Tommy Kaira ZZ-II ’99
The second concept car on our list is the mid-engined ZZ-II from Tommy Kaira. You know, that firm that takes stock Japanese cars and makes them totally unsuitable for daily driving? The ZZ-II also has the RB26 plucked from an R34 GT-R, which in this form is good for a top speed of 365kph. Ooh.
5) Nissan R390 GT1 ’97
Let’s stick with Nissan for the moment, and shed some light on the black/red-liveried R390 GT1. Considered by many to be the Toyota GT-One’s eternal rival in this series, the R390 could only be acquired by completing the Grand Valley 300km endurance race. No easy feat when you’re 10 years old and mom wants you in bed by 7pm.
6) Lotus Elise GT1
Another GT2 exclusive (unfortunately). The GT1 might look like it shares nothing in common with a standard Elise—least of all its 613hp output—but it does weigh just 900kg. So there’s that. As a result, it has a power-to-weight ratio comparable to that of a mosquito...with Red Bull running through its veins.
7) Vector M12 LM Edition
The Vector M12 is a curious car, because it carried so much promise at one point, only for the world to respond with...next-to-no interest. Things may have been different had the M12 been built 10 or even 20 years later, when it would’ve competed with the likes of Hennessey’s Venom GT. As one for the memory bank, though, it’s right up there.
8) Jaguar XJR-15 GT Race Car
Like the Elise, Jaguar’s successor to the XJR-9 was never seen again in the series beyond the second game. So you’ll need to find your old memory card and brush the cobwebs off if you do want to experience it. Should you decide to do so, we’d suggest bolting on a bigger turbo and adding soft tires, which essentially turns the XJR-15 into one of the game’s great overpowered choices. Lovely.
9) HKS Drag 180SX
The biggest nightmare of any 10-year-old who sneaks out of bed when the lights are out to get a bit more PlayStation time in. That this Nissan 180SX is capable of a top speed of 435kph from stock, or even more with a bit of engine management and gear ratio adjustment, truly is terrifying.
10) Renault Espace F1
You didn’t think we’d forgotten, did you? What a thing the Renault Espace F1 is, with its naturally aspirated V10 putting out 818bhp and resulting in a 3.6sec sprint to 100kph. And remember: This is a people carrier. Though never officially put into production, we’re holding a glimmer of hope that GT7 does bring this thing back… for old time’s sake.
NOTE: This article first appeared on TopGear.com. Minor edits have been made.
