- Coolest Sports Cars Of 2023 So Far
- Acura Integra Type S
- Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
- BMW M3 CS
- Alpina B5 GT
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
- Notable Mentions
- Coolest Supercars Of 2023 So Far
- Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 Spider
- Pagani Huayra Dinamica Evo
- Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale And SF90 XX Spider
- Ferrari KC23
- Lamborghini Revuelto
- Aston Martin Valour
- Lamborghini Invencible And Lamborghini Autentica
- Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution
- YangWang U9
- Koenigsegg Gemera
- Notable Mentions
- Coolest Concept Cars Of 2023 So Far
- Porsche Mission X
- Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven
- BMW Concept Touring Coupe
- Volkswagen ID. 2all
- Triumph TR25
- Notable Mentions
These are the most amazing cars to be revealed this year so far.
We’re already more than halfway through 2023, and the year has not been a disappointment, with several new production car, sports car, and supercar reveals taking place. We’ve also seen several cool concepts and special editions unveiled over the course of the year, and the list of notable presentations is rather long – perhaps longer than it at first seems. But in looking back over the last six months, as we attempted to compile a list of the top 10 coolest cars of the year, we realized we couldn’t whittle the list down so much.
So instead, we’ve segmented the coolest sports cars, the coolest supercars, and the coolest concepts of 2023 so far.
Coolest Sports Cars Of 2023 So Far
Cars that look good, go fast, and minimize practicality are our Achille's heel, so that's where we're starting. Dozens of new sports cars have been unveiled, some as reinterpretations of existing cars and others as all-new propositions. Remember that the choices below are the opinions of one writer, so if you think any have been missed, we'll see you in the comments section.
Acura Integra Type S
Arriving in April, the 320-horsepower Acura Integra Type S proved that cool cars don’t need to be expensive or impractical. It starts at $50,800 before destination, so yes, it is pricier than the similarly equipped Honda Civic Type R, but when we compared the two, we came away finding nicer seats, a better exhaust, more power, an improved audio setup, and other details that swayed us towards the more expensive car. The CTR is better on the track, and it’s amazing in its own right, but the ITS just oozes cool. So much so that one of our Senior Editors is twisting his own arm into buying one.
Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170
The farewell to the current crop of ludicrously powered Dodge muscle cars arrived in March as the Challenger SRT Demon 170, and it brought with it supercar power (up to 1,025 ponies on E85 fuel) for a base MSRP of under $100k ($96,666).
0-60 mph (on a fully prepped surface) can be achieved in as little as 1.66 seconds, and if you keep your foot flat, the quarter-mile can be eclipsed in just 8.91 seconds with an exit speed above 150 mph. Cool? You betcha. Before it even reached its first buyer, it cemented itself in the annals of history as one of the most iconic cars ever to come out of America.
BMW M3 CS
It has become something of a trend for BMW to launch the finest version of an M car several years after the original has been on sale. It feels like planned obsolescence or intentional inferiority, but it results in amazing special editions like the M3 CS.
Much like the M5 CS, adding those two letters to the trunk badge of the M3 turns the sports sedan into the corner-carving animal it always should have been, reducing lethargy and increasing drama. 543 hp, a re-tuned chassis, and less weight result in a car capable of doing 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, although we suspect BMW has once again been conservative with its performance estimates.
With special trimmings, unique headlights, forged wheels, a carbon-infused hood, and standard M Carbon buckets (not for the rear seats, however), this M3 has all the ingredients to stack up a mountain of cool points, turning it into an instant classic.
Alpina B5 GT
Sticking with a Bavarian theme for the moment, we arrive at the Alpina B5 GT, a luxury-focused reimagining of the BMW M5 with even more power. It produces 625 hp from its 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, just two shy of what the inimitable M5 CS generates.
0-62 mph takes less than 3.4 seconds, and the super sedan tops out at 205 mph – proper supercar territory. Moreover, Alpina was offering the B5 GT in wagon form long before BMW finally announced its own modern M5 Touring. With an understated elegance, supercar performance, and a body ideally suited to the grand touring lifestyle, the B5 GT is one of the coolest cars on the planet.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Fear not – this is the only electric vehicle on this list, but it isn't here simply as a token gesture towards environmentalism. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N genuinely earns its spot among cool cars with combustion because it shows that electric vehicles can and should be more than just sterile spaceships with otherworldly straight-line acceleration; they need additional redeeming qualities, which ought to be flaws. You know, things like a simulated gearbox, a computer-controlled clutch kick function, and an N Pedal feature that uses regenerative braking to make the car better to drive rather than more efficient.
Basically, we believe that to be exciting, EVs need to be entertaining, and that comes from engagement, not spec sheet superiority. The Ioniq 5 N achieves that brief, and the fact that it produces up to 641 hp is just a bonus.
Notable Mentions
There are several super cool sports cars we haven't detailed above, so we'll mention them here. The Ariel Atom 4R is one of those, revealed at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed. 400 hp, a six-speed sequential, and a lightweight body with a mass of just 1,250 lbs? Other cars may be faster or more powerful, but this has a cool factor that is difficult to describe. Also worth mentioning is the Aston Martin DB12. Aston calls this the world's first 'Super Tourer,' bridging the gap between luxurious grand tourers and supercars. Annoyingly, the term seems to be perfectly apt, and the car provides both comfort and sharpness with aplomb.
Another cool car we were happy to see this year is the Porsche 718 Spyder RS, blending the track focus of the Cayman GT4 RS with the open-top pleasure of a Boxster. One more car that blends duality of purpose is the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, which can be used all year round as a cruiser or a bruiser. Finally, a tip of the hat to the Caterham Project V, an electric sports car with 268 hp that weighs less than a Toyota GR86. Very cool, indeed.
Coolest Supercars Of 2023 So Far
It's time to up the ante and talk about the best supercars, hypercars, and megacars revealed this year so far, and again, there have been many. Ferrari and Lamborghini feature prominently, and we also have some Pagani, Aston Martin, and Hennessey goodness to indulge in. Without any further ado, let's see what got our blood pumping the hardest in 2023's first half.
Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 Spider
Gordon Murray's T.33 was already remarkable, but then he revealed a roofless version with the same 11,100-rpm V12. The 3.9-liter naturally aspirated engine is the lightest roadgoing V12 in the world at just 392 lbs. Yet it produces 608 hp.
Best of all, because GMA customers are a fine bunch who value driver engagement, there was no need to develop an automatic option. That means they get to mix the finest elements of the motor car in one place: rear-wheel drive, a manual gearbox, and a sonorous V12 free from forced induction. The styling calls to mind a bygone era, and the mechanical recipe is just as classical. Fast, cool cars don't get much better than the T.33 Spider.
Pagani Huayra Dinamica Evo
Back in March, Pagani revealed a one-off called the Huayra Dinamica Evo, created by its Grandi Complicazioni department of bespokery. Based on the Pagani Huayra, it was always destined for intricate beauty and a raucous engine, but this one takes things further by making brown paint sexy.
As usual, there's plenty of carbon fiber and titanium, but there's also a large rear wing, a freestanding engine snorkel, and tricolore front canards. Peering into the cabin is just as mesmerizing. Cars with cool interiors don't come much better than they do when Pagani has crafted them, and although some might say this is “just another Huayra,” the precision of the craftsmanship at Pagani just goes to a whole new level when a one-off is involved.
Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale And SF90 XX Spider
The Ferrari SF90 Stradale and Spider were already near-1,000-horsepower supercars, but then Maranello decided to infuse some racing DNA. We do not have kind words for the way in which Ferrari chose to represent this (we feel the XX name should be reserved for track-restricted specials), but we like the way the cars themselves turned out.
The SF90 XX Stradale and Spider look absolutely fantastic, and yet they reference Ferrari's history neatly too. Each produces 1,016 hp, each has a fixed rear wing on an extended tail, and each is sold out. The fact that these cars are unobtainable by mere mortals only makes these limited-edition models all the more cool.
Ferrari KC23
While we're on the subject of cool cars from Maranello, we should talk about the one-off KC23, a 592-hp special with butterfly doors inspired by those on the LaFerrari hypercar, active aero that comes to life on ignition, and the underpinnings of the 488 GT3 Evo 2020 racecar. That active aero gives the car multiple visual personalities, and the owner can also remove the fixed rear wing.
A one-off based on a racecar would be cool in and of itself, but this one has a unique rear light bar, a stunning glasshouse, and two different sets of wheels. Even the paint is special. The Gold Mercury finish was specially developed for the car and comprises four layers of aluminum paint with liquid metal flakes. There's no word on what something like this would have cost, but style and performance are more important than money.
Lamborghini Revuelto
The world's first-ever V12 plug-in hybrid supercar arrived in March as the successor to the venerable Lamborghini Aventador. Lamborghini does not yet believe that cool electric cars are a thing, so it has done all it can to hang onto the V12, even if that means some electrification. In the process, it created a car with an engine that revs to 9,500 rpm, producing 769 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque on its own.
Along with three electric motors, the Lamborghini Revuelto produces 1,001 hp and can do 62 mph in 2.8 seconds. Top speed arrives somewhere after the needle sweeps past 220 mph. Why is the Revuelto cool? Well, how could it not be? It retains a V12, it looks amazing, and it's better than its predecessor in every way.
Aston Martin Valour
We're not entirely sure we should mention this under supercars; the limited-production Aston Martin Valour produces 705 hp, and that's not all that shocking these days. Thankfully, there's more to it than just its output. For one thing, that power comes from the brand's now-discontinued 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12. For another, that power is managed via a six-speed manual transmission that operates the rear wheels through a proper mechanical limited-slip differential.
Then there are the looks, which call to mind the V8 Vantage of the 1970s and 1980s, the styling of those cool old cars itself inspired by the success of the Ford Mustang pony car. The Valour sports coupe has been stiffened, its body is made of carbon fiber, and the steering system is new. This means that Aston focused on the driving experience, and any car that puts the driver as its priority is automatically cool in our mind.
It's unlikely to handle like a Lotus Esprit, but it tries to be engaging, and among cars you can buy today, that is somewhat rare.
Lamborghini Invencible And Lamborghini Autentica
We're combining two cars under one roof here because they're essentially the same car, except that one has no roof of its own. The one-off coupe is called the Invencible, while the one-off roadster is the Autentica.
Both are based on the Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae and produce 769 hp. All-wheel drive and an automated manual single-clutch transmission carry over, but beyond that, it would be tough to find much else borrowed from the Aventador.
Fundamentally, these are very expensive Aventadors with new styling, but their looks are excitingly impactful, and they mark the last time a gas-only V12 rolls out of the Sant'Agata factory. As the bookend for an iconic era, these are cool cars, the likes of which we will never see again.
Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution
Hennessey is known for many things, but track specials are not among them. The Texas-based tuner is changing that, however, with its bewinged Venom F5 Revolution. As the name suggests, this is an evolution of the existing Venom F5, so it retains the 6.6-liter 'Fury' twin-turbo V8 with 1,817 hp. But where it differs is everywhere else.
The Revolution is lighter (reportedly under 3,000 lbs), produces more downforce (1,400 lbs at 249 mph), and handles better (thanks to more aggressive alignment and adjustable dampers). We're summarizing, but the Revolution appears to be just that for the F5, transforming it from a Falcon 9 rocket to an AIM-9 Sidewinder. Vying for top speed honors is cool, but if the F5 can snatch some prominent lap records, too, Hennessey will make the whole world sit up and take notice.
YangWang U9
The YangWang U9 is an electric supercar from China, and although the brand may not have an immediate future in the US, the car is worth taking a look at. It has all the usual super EV headline-grabbers – 1,100 hp, 0-60 in two seconds – but what makes it special in our eyes is that it's one of very few cool affordable cars with a base price of around $145,000. It's not for every budget, but for that kind of power and performance, it's damn cheap.
Moreover, it has a highly innovative body control system that increases stiffness by 200% instantly and can even make the car hop up and down. Put aside your biases for a second and just appreciate that China can make a decent car that is capable of rivaling the best America and the rest of the world has to offer. Like it or not, this is one of the coolest cars out there.
Koenigsegg Gemera
The Koenigsegg Gemera was already revealed at the ill-fated 2020 Geneva Motor Show, but what we were shown before was a pre-production version. During its development processes, Koenigsegg decided to have some fun and tried fitting a hot vee twin-turbo V8 where the Tiny Friendly Giant three-cylinder would typically reside.
It worked, and now the four-door megacar offers up to 2,269 hp, a world record. In addition, the car can be front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or AWD. Koenigsegg always makes the coolest cars, but this is on another level. You may have to spend an additional $400,000 to unlock the V8 option, but the range of abilities the Gemera takes on only expands with the bigger engine.
Notable Mentions
Other impressive supercars unveiled this year include the 1,877-hp Pininfarina Battista Edizione Nino Farina, a special edition celebrating the founder's nephew, and the McLaren 750S, a supercar that trades whopping power for sharper handling. Aston Martin also celebrated the end of the DBS with the 770 Ultimate, offered in both Coupe and Volante forms.
While not technically a supercar, the Kimera EVO37 Martini deserves a round of applause for blending the nostalgia of Lancia's rallying exploits with modern composite construction and 550 hp. The lightweight special looks and sounds as amazing as a supercar, but if you want something more traditional, 2023 has also brought us the Ferrari Roma Spider. Too sedate? Singer's DLS-Turbo 911s go in completely the opposite direction.
Coolest Concept Cars Of 2023 So Far
Concept cars provide a glimpse into the future of automobility, and this year has already been a banger. We've seen hypercars, everyday EVs, and design studies. Sometimes, these cars inform the designs of tomorrow. Other times, they exist simply to see what is possible. And in the case of one particular concept (from a Bavarian automaker based in Munich), the concept exists to encourage the wealthy to spend fortunes on limited-production specials. Let's check out what we're working with.
Porsche Mission X
Right at the top of our list is the Porsche Mission X, which was revealed as a concept but is practically destined for production. The all-electric hypercar has the same power-to-weight ratio as the Koenigsegg One:1, more downforce than the 911 GT3 RS, and twice the charging capacity of the Taycan Turbo S – all in a footprint similar to that of the 918 Spyder. Not only does this have the aim of being the fastest road-legal car around the Nurburgring’s Nordschleife, but it wants to look good doing it, and the carbon fiber bodywork seen on the concept suggests that when the hypercar eventually does reach production, one-half of the goal will have already been achieved. We expect big things here, and Porsche rarely disappoints.
Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven
When it comes to concept cars, most of them are electric. That is true of the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven too, but while the technology is forward-thinking, the styling pays tribute to the past, and it does so beautifully. Gullwing doors, a futuristic dash, and virtual reality sound like the sorts of things that won’t make their way to everyday cars, but the retro concept also boasts next-gen axial-flux motors that could give Merc an edge in the EV age. But we’re getting sidetracked – the Vision One-Eleven is cool because it looks a lot like the groundbreaking C 111 concept of the Seventies, although even at the height of disco, it didn't come with the modern concept's bright silver interior.
BMW Concept Touring Coupe
Not every concept out there is electric, nor is every concept so wacky that you can't imagine it going into production as is. The BMW Concept Touring Coupe is one of these, a shooting brake built on the bones of the Z4 Roadster.
Unfortunately, neither of those qualities guarantees that it will ever be anything more than a design exercise, but on the plus side, BMW has indicated that it might be willing to make the hardtop Z4 as part of a limited series. Regardless, simply because it's a shooting brake – not to mention a good-looking Bimmer, for a change – the Concept Touring Coupe is one of the coolest cars of the year.
Volkswagen ID. 2all
You thought we only cared about fast cars, didn’t you? But even everyday hatchbacks running on electricity can qualify as cool cars, and the Volkswagen ID. 2all Concept is a triumph. It looks far more attractive than any other vee-dub revealed in the last five years, if not longer. But its looks are not all that drew us to it. VW says that it will make the car as cheap as possible, and it will do that while bringing back physical controls. At the same time, the concept shows retro dash designs, a neat little allowance made in the name of fun. Cool cheap cars are what VW was always good at, and this seems to be a return to form, especially since a hot hatch based on the ID. 2all is inevitable.
Triumph TR25
The last entrant on our list of the coolest concepts seen in 2023 to date is the Triumph TR25. Despite being based on the BMW i3 supermini, the TR2 manages to exhilarate with speedster styling, 21-inch four-spoke wheels, and scissor doors. It produces 181 hp and 199 lb-ft, which goes to the rear wheels, enough for 0-60 in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 115 mph. Not exactly brain-melting figures, but that was never Triumph’s goal in its heyday anyway. What makes this cool to us is that it revives a legendary name in British auto manufacturing, and if its owner (BMW Group) decides the brand should reenter the market – and does so while adhering to the company’s original principles of lightweight fun at a low price – Triumph may yet flourish again, and we could see the resurrection of the affordable sports car. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
Notable Mentions
CarBuzz has covered several concepts this year, and those we haven’t mentioned above include the Alpine A290_ß electric hot hatch, the Audi activesphere Concept, Porsche’s Vision 357 Coupe and Speedster concepts, and the color-changing BMW i Vision Dee, which reveals many developments for future BMW models, including the next 3 Series. Genesis also presented the GV80 Coupe concept, and it’s one of the prettiest fastback SUVs so far. Finally, Mazda presented the DX-Vision as its take on the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato.
We can't wait to see what the second half of 2023 has in store.
Keyword: The Coolest Cars Of 2023… So Far