Exotic Cars 101: When Style Meets Performance

When Style Meets Performance

Anyone looking for a high-end luxury vehicle will certainly come across the word "exotic." Exotic food or exotic beauty may be easier to explain, but what really qualifies a sports automobile as exotic?

Sleek and Elegant Design

Part of what distinguishes an exotic sports car is its streamlined, sleek, and smooth design, which, despite being aesthetically beautiful, serves a utilitarian purpose to the car's overall performance.

Even exotic sports car manufacturers are aware of the importance that car fans and racers place on design in general. After all, possessing an exotic sports car rather than a car is a status symbol in and of itself. This prestige is conferred not only by the car's make, but also by its style and aesthetic appeal.

 

In truth, several companies, such as Ferrari, hire design firms to create their car designs. The 2002 Ferrari ENZO, for example, was developed by Pininfarina, a design powerhouse.

Breakneck Speeds

While design is important to many car aficionados, the fundamental feature that sets a sports car apart from the rest is its acceleration and ability to maintain a constant speed on the road. It's all about speed, speed, and more speed when it comes to sports cars. A beautiful car won't cut it if it can't deliver the thrilling ride that every sports car is known for.

Exotic cars are constantly pushing the limits of what a car can do from 0 to 60 mph. To adequately offer a new record speed, designs are beginning to be fashioned from the car's engineering needs. The 1994 Dauer 962 LeMans still holds the record with a time of 2.6 seconds. Expect quicker sports cars in the near future, with cars like the 2002 Ferrari ENZO being designed with the goal of producing a fast car.

One-in-a-Million

Exotic sports car aren't mass-produced, so you won't be able to buy one "off-the-lot." The fact that only a limited number of models are available for purchase adds to the exotic attraction. The higher the exotic value of a car, the rarer it is and the more difficult it is to obtain.

It’s in the Name

Most exotic cars don't need to be visualized to be described as such; they simply are. Your cult sports car classics, such as your Porsche, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, fall into this category.

 

While the term "exotic sports car" can be defined in a variety of ways, it's safe to assume that these characteristics are shared by most definitions. In any case, a quick glance at a car can be enough to offer you a hint.