In last Wednesday’s QOTD post, we began our discussions on the finer examples of sports car design from the 1990s. Our first stop along the route was America. This week, we take a trip across the ocean and consider sports cars from Europe.
Let’s have a look at our Euro-centric sports car rules:
- All selections must be model years 1990 to 1999.
- Picks must be from a European manufacturer, even if sourced from an import.
- Any body style is eligible as long as it’s sporty.
Our sample sports car today is perhaps a bit obvious, but still such a great design example that it’s worth spilling some digital ink.
BMW started its own unique chapter of the sport sedan segment when it introduced the M5 in 1984. Using the popular 5 Series as a starting point, BMW’s M division honed the midsize sedan for greater performance, turning it into a sports sedan that flew under the radar.
The second-generation M5 followed up for 1988, and BMW turned up the wick. Larger than its predecessor, the new version was also more aggressive looking. The M5 was assembled by hand in the BMW M factory in Garching, Germany. Visual changes over the standard model included different bumpers and aerodynamic side skirts that contributed to an improved drag coefficient. In North American examples, the second-generation M5 used a revised version of the same engine found in the first generation: a 3.5-liter S38 inline-six. The engine produced a considerable 311 horsepower, good for a 0-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. Power was routed through a five-speed manual (later replaced by a six-speed).
The E34 M5 lasted through the 1995 model year and not replaced by the E39 version until 1998. The third album was a bit different, as it was the first M5 to offer 8 cylinders. Today the E34 M5 is a design classic, instantly recognizable as a pinnacle of modern BMW styling.
Let’s hear your sporty Euro selections from the Nineties.
[Images: Sotheby’s, BMW]
That first one is a design from the early ’60s. The BMW Z3 was a ’90s European sports car design. Sadly, the best years of European car design were over by the ’90s.
1995 Aston Martin DB7
https://www.classicdriver.com/sites/default/files/styles/two_third_slider/public/cars_images/img_8701_kopie.jpg?itok=gCLWvY1Z
Swoon
It’s gotta be the BMW 8 series for me, along with the CLK-GTR.
An aside, Corey what kind of older audi did you own? I may have an opportunity to scoop up a ’93(?) Audi 90 S for peanuts to flip.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/11/qotd-found-yourself-in-a-slippery-situation/
This one.
Oh boy literally the same as the one my neighbor has moldering in his driveway, down to the white color and wheel style and everything!
Haha wow I even commented about this same car then:
“Corey a person on my block has that exact looking Audi 90 in white and those alloy wheels in their driveway, in seemingly great cosmetic condition but covered in dirt/dust/algae, and a fairly current tag on the plate. My hands are practically itching to inquire about the car, and if nothing else give it a wash and wax.”
Top or bottom pic ;-)
Mercedes CLK (C208). https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_Baureihe_208#/media/Datei:Mercedes_W208_front_20080228.jpg
I own one. :-)
@Lie2me: Nice one.
Back at you, back in the 90s I had the 4-door version of your car
Jaguar XJ220
I couldn’t believe it the first time I saw it. I was stunned to discover it was a Jaguar. It really is a high water mark to me. Sadly it did not last.
PS I’m seeing a trend in these suggestions of sleek touring coupes.
I can’t think of a one from the 90s the caught my eye or I would want.
After the Jaguar E type, Lotus Elan of the 60s and MBZ 280SL it seemed downhill from there.
My three favorites of the 1990s: Porsche 964 Turbo, Mercedes 500E, and the BMW E34 M5.
There is also the Ford Escort RS Cosworth. Rare as hens teeth in North America but it still holds a place in my heart.
By the ’90s, BMWs and the 911 were looking extremely long in the tooth. No amount of lipstick could help them look current or contemporary.
The Esprit had too much body-cladding noise going on. Except if it was brought back to life, 2021 (late ’80s+ Esprit) and updated, and you didn’t know any better, you say that’s a stunning new design.
I dunno, the Ferrari F355 and Bentley Azure weren’t half bad looking.
I’ll nominate the Jaguar XJR, though. Lovely car.
Agree on XJR.
McLaren F1.
Yellowbird.
Ferrari Testarossa.
Jaguar XK8 coupe. I still want one.
A few 90’s era European sports luxury picks
Alfa GTV and spyder- we didn’t get these wedge shaped front drivers here in the states after Alfa left our shores in 95 but a few made there way here via Canada.
Audi 90 coupe Quattro
BMW 8-series
Jaguar XK8-coupe and convertible
Lotus Elan-sure it has Isuzu mechanicals but has Lotus character.
Lots of nice designs to choose from. I have a soft spot for the BMW Z8 as well as the 8 Series coupe.
The McLaren F1 was my poster child vehicle and still looks timeless. The same can be said about the Jaguar XJ 220.
Those Aston Martin DB7s and the Ferrari 550 Maranello were also sweet.
The best choices have already been posted, but I will throw in the 1999 Audi TT; it was not the most attractive, but it was influential.
I second the selection of the first-gen Audi TT. I was working at a dot-com during the boom then, and remember drooling as I passed the only local one I knew of in the garage every day. It just looked so fresh at the time.
It dates back to the 1970s, but I still think the Lotus Esprit Turbo/V8 is still one nice looking car, even after all of these years.
I think the Z8 was still a showcar at that point, so not sure if that counts. If not, consider this an early nomination for the 2000’s.
I even like the clean lines of a Porsche 944 Turbo with the subtle rear lip spoiler, all of the glass, and it looked like speed.