The Zenvo ST-1. Image: Gaurang Patkar

If I had to name one of the most expensive and powerful supercars you’ve probably never heard of, I’d likely choose the Zenvo ST-1. Designed to be a supercar you can still drive every day, the ST-1 boasts an 1100 horsepower V-8 and a price tag of $1.8 million. If you want one, you’d better act quickly, since only three Zenvo ST-1 50S models will be brought into the United States.

Since you’re probably tired of football by now, and about to slip into a tryptophan induced-coma from eating too much Thanksgiving turkey, enjoy the video from Jay Leno’s Garage below. It’s as close as most of us will ever come to seeing a Zenvo ST-1.

For the vast majority of us, the Lexus LFA is, was and always will be pure unobtanium. Love it or hate it, the $375,000 supercar is an example of what an automaker can do with a blank sheet of paper, an unlimited budget and an engineering staff that’s unwilling to compromise about any aspect of the program. Maybe because of it’s price or it’s rarity, it’s hard to get worked up about news relating to the LFA. It’s unlikely that Lexus will build a follow-up model, and most of us will never get a turn behind the wheel of one, so what’s the point?

The point, actually, is the technology that’s trickled down from the LFA program. Work on the LFA caused Lexus to rethink how they design and build cars, it’s given birth to the Lexus IS-F and the F-Sport suspension packages and it’s caused a luxury car maker to re-examine the need for performance as well as comfort. In that light, the Lexus LFA is a hit and a milestone car for Lexus, even if it never earns a profit for Toyota.

The video below, found on AutoWeek, will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the Lexus LFA. Even if you’re not a fan of the car, the video gives you a good idea of what goes into designing a new Lexus model.

The Pagani Huayra. Image: Pagani Automobiles

Just in case you’re not up to speed on Italian supercars, let me sum it up like this: there’s Pagani, and then there’s everything else. Their Zonda R (which isn’t road legal) set a Nürburgring lap time of 6:47.50, besting the Ferrari 599XX in the process. Even their Zonda F Clubsport street car can lap the ‘Ring in 7:24.44, making it faster than a Ferrari Enzo. Unlike other supercars, which are mostly built by large companies owned by larger corporations, Paganis are built by hand, with a disturbing amount of time spent sweating the details.

Want an example? There are 1,200 titanium bolts on a Huaryra, and each one is stamped with the Pagani logo. The instrument faces are made by artisans who usually build the finest watches, and they cost Pagani nearly $6,000 per set. That’s ten times the cost of “standard” instrument faces, which would work just as well but not look nearly as good.

And that’s the magic that Horatio Pagani brings to the automotive world. More than any other automaker in the world, Pagani sweats the details, and there is absolutely no such thing as “good enough” in its vocabulary. Horatio Pagani’s idol is Leonardo da Vinci, and it’s impossible to watch the video below without seeing the parallels between the two mad geniuses.

This may be the only episode of Jay Leno’s Garage where Jay doesn’t get to drive the star of the video. Since the Pagani Huayra isn’t yet road-legal in the United States (thanks to a requirement for advanced airbags even in low-production, specialty vehicles) Jay gets driven around by none other than Horatio Pagani himself, and it’s impossible to watch the video without coming away awed at the car and it’s creator.

Some would say that no car can possibly be worth $1.3 million (roughly the price or a new Pagani Huayra), but I beg to differ. There isn’t much in life that approaches perfection, and the few things that do command an appropriate price.

Source: Jay Leno’s Garage

In preparation for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Hennessey Performance Engineering recently brought their 1,200 horsepower Venom GT to the UK for testing. The unholy marriage of a stretched Lotus Exige chassis and a tuned, 6.2-liter Chevy LS-2 V-8, the Venom comes with traction control and ABS, and that’s bout it for safety and stability systems. If that’s still too much, owners can turn off the traction control completely, although we’re not sure that’s a good idea in a 1,200 horsepower car that weighs just 2,700 pounds. Despite the impressive job of suspension tuning done by development driver John Heinricey (who also helped develop the Cadillac CTS-V and set the record Nürburgring lap), the Venom GT requires your full attention behind the wheel. Make a mistake, and the Venom GT is ready, willing and able to ensure it’s your last.

The video below does a great job of taking you through the design and development of the Venom GT, and even includes footage of the car testing in the U.K.. We would have liked to see some laps from the driver’s perspective, or maybe even a top speed run or two. Still, the Venom represents an all-new supercar, with the same design principles as the original Shelby Cobra. If you want one, the price of admission starts at $725,000 for the supercharged version or $850,000 for the higher-horsepower twin-turbo variant.

Source: FgearTV’s You Tube Channel

Recently, I attended the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals show at the Carlisle Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. Held every May, this show features a vast array of meticulously maintained classic British, European and Japanese cars, exemplary examples of their more modern kin, as well as a beautiful collection of kit cars.  As far as sheer variety in makes, models and years, hands down, this show can’t be beat.

This has become something of an annual treat for me as I can think of few better ways to spend a weekend than by gazing at a gleaming sea of jaw-droppingly stunning automobiles, many of which I guarantee you won’t find at other shows. Plus, participation is open to anyone with an import or a kit car – all you have to do is register, make your car pretty and show up. It’s a great opportunity to display your cherished ride and meet other aficionados of your favorite marques.

I used to come down to show my Saab and hang out with the Saab contingent that makes it out every year. But even though I have a Subaru now, it’s just so much fun that I continue to make the trip to Carlisle (my WRX was parked over by the lone DeLorean, if you happened to be there). Volvo, BMW and Audi clubs also traditionally have a large showing so the weekend is packed with the cars you love, cars you haven’t seen before, your friends from the forums, barbeques – it’s a good time for everyone.  So, if you’re not too far out from Pennsylvania, I definitely recommend heading out there next May to check out the Carlisle Import and Kit Nationals. To tide you over, provided for your viewing pleasure are some of my favorite cars of the weekend. Enjoy!

Lancia Scorpion

Matte black Volvo V70R

Opel GT and Opel Kadett Coupe

Volvo P1800S

Saab 9-3 Viggens

Ferrari 360 Modena and 328GTS

Citroën 2CV and Smart Roadster Coupe

Gorgeous Audi Quattro

Fiat 124 Spider Abarth

Twin-charged Audi A1

Volvo S60Rs

Saab 99 Turbo

Badass Volvos: PV544 and 142

DKW Junior de Luxe - DKW/Dampf-Kraft-Wagen became one of the four companies that comprised the "Audi NSU Auto Union AG" (now known as Audi AG).

Triumph TR8 and TR6s

Saab 96 V4 convertible - must have been a custom job.

Bimmer Beauties

Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary Edition

Citroën H Van and DS

Audi A7

Honda Z600 / 600 Coupe

Saab Sonetts

Datsun SPL311 Roadster

Opel GT

For many automotive enthusiasts seeing a true supercar in person can be a life changing experience. For example, I remember being completely blown away when I first laid eyes on a 1972 Lamborghini Miura. The car was simply stunning from every angle and over time, has influenced how I view cars today. Over the years supercars have not only become faster, but safer and more refined as well. It wasn’t until the 1990′s though that this un-obtainium breed of automobile really came into its own. Things like advanced turbocharging methods, enhanced suspension components and new safety features thrust the supercar into realms the world had never seen. These machines were also pivotal in setting the stage for how all future supercars would be judged. Their style and performance, although at times controversial, helped manufacturers push the limits of what was possible in road going street cars and in turn, helped automakers advance entire product lines. Even though some of these machines are going on 20 years old, that doesn’t change the fact that they are still the things that childhood dreams are made of. Click through for the “Top 10 Supercars of the 1990′s”.

• Jaguar XJ220: 1992 – 1994

By the numbers:
- 3.5L Twin Turbo V6 / 542 HP, 475 ft-lbs
- 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, top speed 217 mph
-.98 G skidpad

• Ferrari F50: 1995 – 1997

By the numbers:
- 4.7 Liter V12 /513 HP, 347 ft-lbs
- 0-60 in 3.7 sec, top speed of 207 mph
- 1.03 G skid

• Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR: 1998 – 1999

- 6.0 Liter V12 / 600 HP, 516 ft-lbs
- 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, top speed of 191 mph
- 1.00 G skidpad

• Lamborghini Diablo: 1990 – 1998

- 6.0 Liter V12 / 492 HP, 428 ft-lbs
- 0-60 in 4.0 sec, top speed of 207 mph
- .91 G skidpad

• Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion: 1997

- 3.6 Liter Twin-Turbo Flat-Six / 544 HP, 442 ft-lbs
- 0-60 in 3.65 sec, top speed of 174 mph
- 1.03 G skidpad

• Vector W8: 1990 – 1992

- 6.0 Liter Twin-Turbo V8 / 625 HP, 630 ft-lbs
- 0-60 in 4.2 sec, top speed of 220 mph
- .97 G skidpad

• Bugatti EB 110 SuperSport: 1992 – 1995

- 3.5 Liter Quad-Turbo V12 / 592 HP, 470 ft-lbs
- 0-60 in 3.2 sec, top speed of 230 mph
- N/A skidpad

• McLaren F1: 1992 – 1998

- 6.0 Liter V12 / 627 HP, 480 ft-lbs
- 0-60 in 3.2 sec, top speed of 243 mph
- .86 G skidpad

• Dodge Viper GTS Coupe: 1996 – 2002

- 8.0 Liter V10 / 450 HP, 490 ft-lbs
- 0-60 in 4.4 sec, top speed of 192 mph
- .98 G skidpad

• Nissan R390 GT1: 1997 – 1998

- 3.5 Liter Twin-Turbo V8 / 549 HP, 470 ft-lbs
- 0-60 in 2.9 sec, top speed of 200 mph
- N/A skidpad

The Super Sport in blue carbon fiber. Yes, please.

If you’ve been diligently saving your lunch money and tax refunds to buy an uber-exclusive Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, I’ve got some bad news for you. Production of the $2.3 million supercar has sold out, and Bugatti won’t be making any more examples. The final production count was five of the black and orange “World Record Edition” Veyron, which was a little tacky for my own (highly refined) taste, plus another 25 of the ordinary Super Sport edition. This means that at least 30 people in the world have a serious car jones and more disposable income that you and I can ever hope to achieve. On the plus side, it’s likely that at least one owner is stepping up from a “base model” Veyron, which should give you the ability to bargain on the selling price if you can settle for a basic Veyron (just like everyone else owns).

The SuperSport maintains a Bugatti tradition of naming for their final production version automobiles. In the case of the Veyron, 16.4 Super Sport buyers got a bump to 1,200 horsepower and an electronically limited top speed of 257 miles per hour. That’s slower than the Bugatti Super Sport’s world record top speed of 268 miles per hour, but necessary to ensure the tires don’t fly apart at speeds above 257 miles per hour. Blame it on the lawyers, who seem to suck the fun out of everything these days.

Source: 4 Wheels News

The Pagani Huayra: funny name, fast car. Image: Pagani Automobili

Pagani’s follow up to the Zonda supercar is named for Huayra Tata, the “Father of Wind”, as worshipped by peoples in Bolivia and Peru prior to European settlement. The fact that the name is utterly unpronounceable in English won’t stop Pagani from brining it to the United States, and that’s a very good thing. A few Zondas made it to this side of the pond, but none were “officially” imported by Pagani. The Huarya represents Pagani’s first attempt at branding, marketing and selling cars on this side of the pond.

Image: Pagani Automobili

In case you’ve missed details on the car, Pagani starts with a carbo-titanium monocoque, adds gull-wing doors and stuffs in a 12 cylinder turbo engine good for an estimated 700 horsepower. Advanced composites are used throughout the car to reduce weight and ensure rigidity, and the Huayra tips the scales at just under 3,000 pounds. Pagani spent a considerable amount of time in developing the cars aerodynamics, and based the shape of the engine intakes on designs used for supersonic aircraft in the 1950s and 1960s. Design specs call for a zero to sixty time of 3.5 seconds, a top speed of 230 miles per hour and lateral acceleration of 1.5g on street legal tires.

Image: Pagani Automobili

Look for details on pricing and distribution to be announced later this year. Rumor has it that Pagani will only build 40 copies per year, and that the price will be at least $1.4 million, so plan accordingly.

Source: Pagani Automobili

When most people hear the name De Tomaso, they immediately think of the Ford powered, mid-engined Pantera. Its sleek wedged shape design is timeless and with a blend of Italian style and American firepower under the hood, it’s thought by some to be one of the easiest of the classic super cars to own and operate. Unbeknown to some however, there was a predecessor to the flying wedge in the form of the De Tomaso Mangusta. The Mangusta is a car that made its debut in 1967 and is, in my opinion leaps and bounds ahead of the Pantera in terms of sheer looks and desirability. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the car looks like an organic cross between a manta-ray and a great white shark.

The Mangusta was powered by a mid-mounted 289 cu-in Ford V8 that put out around 305 hp through a standard 5-speed gearbox. Due to a very uneven weight distribution of 32/68, controlling the Mangusta though could sometimes be a handful. Engine bay access, while not the most practical, was done by way of split gull-wing clam shell doors that not only shrouded the engine, but a full size spare as well. With a production run of only 4 years, the world was only treated to around 400 Mangusta’s which is a true shame, as visually the car is a knockout.

If you were born within the last 100 years then you’ve got no excuse for not participating in this. I was thinking back to the different cars I’ve had over the years and began to wonder about the cars produced in the year I was born. For some of us, this means going back along way, but for others, hell, you could have been born in 1994 and still qualify. I popped into this world in 1972, a year that marked the beginning of emissions control, higher fuel costs and low horsepower ratings. That meant that even though it was the beginning of the end for the high-horsepower muscle cars, there were still some rockin’ exotics out there roaming the streets. One car that I’ve been infatuated with since I popped out of the womb was the 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV, a car that when new sold for the low low price of $23,000 (that’s $119,982 in today’s economy).

Ladies and gentleman, this is my holy grail. It’s the car that all other automobiles are judged by. Not only is it the sexiest thing to ever roll on two wheels, but it was also the first real super car. The Miura SV was powered by a mid-engine, transversely mounted 4.0 liter V-12 that produced between 370-440 bhp depending upon the tune and had a top speed in the neighborhood of 175 mph. Simply put… a Masterpiece.