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21st Century Cars Set To Become Future Classics

Vukasin Herbez September 30, 2019

14. Volkswagen Golf R32 Mk4

This list wouldn’t be complete without a proper hot hatch. There are lots of interesting compact cars with high power to choose from, new or used. In most cases, when it comes to the hot hatch class, the newest and fastest is always the best choice. But today, we’ll tell you about one forgotten gem, the Golf R32.

In 2003, Volkswagen took the Mk4 body shell and installed the best hardware it had in the early 2000s. That meant the R32 had intelligent all-wheel drive, a 240 HP 3.2-liter V6 engine, a luxury interior and a host of electronic aids. All of this makes the R32 the definitive future classic and an extremely capable everyday car. Be sure to buy one now while they are still affordable.

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13. Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

There were fast SUVs before Jeep introduced the Trackhawk, and there will be more long after they discontinue it. However, this glorious machine deserves a place on this list for two reasons. First, it has the 707 Hellcat Hemi engine under the hood. Second, with a 3.4-second 0 to 60 mph time, this makes it faster than some supercars.

The Trackhawk is a brutal machine that’s highly unusual and influential. It’s a proper muscle car SUV. It shows how a high horsepower Hemi engine can make anything a proper muscle car, even a full-size SUV.

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12. Ford F-150 Lightning

In 1999, along with the new and redesigned generation of F-150 trucks came the new Lightning. This time, it was much meaner-looking, aggressive, and packed much more firepower. Ford installed its 5.4-liter V8 with a supercharger that was good for 360 HP at first and 380 HP later. This was much more than the previous model as well as any truck on the market at that moment.

The performance numbers were sublime since the Lightning could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in five seconds and top 140 mph. Those figures were more suited to a Porsche 911 of the period than to a regular pickup truck that could tow or carry cargo, just like other F-150s.

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11. BMW M5 E61 Touring

This was not the first M5 station wagon and hopefully, it won’t be the last. However, the M5 E61 Touring was the fastest, most glorious of all performance station wagons. Sadly, they only made 1,025 of them, ending production in 2010. BMW presented its E60 M5 with one of the best naturally aspirated engines ever made. It was the high revving 5.0-liter V10 with 507 HP they derived from BMW’s Formula One unit.

To fight Audi’s fast wagons, BMW decided to make a Touring version of the M5 and offer it with a manual transmission. The result was a manual BMW M5 station wagon delivering 507 HP with a six-speed manual. The 0 to 60 acceleration time was just 4.5 seconds with a 205 mph top speed.

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10. Ford Focus RS

The RS is one of the most powerful four-cylinder cars on the market. But for the first time, it is available as a regular production model to U.S. buyers. The new Focus RS has a 2.3-liter turbocharged unit that delivers 345 HP to all four wheels, making it a capable hot hatch beast.

Also, its performance is incredible. To go from 0 to 60 mph, it takes the RS only 4.7 seconds with top speeds of 165 mph. This kind of performance deserves special packaging. So the Focus RS has a unique front spoiler, bulged fenders, and side skirts. Just looking at this furious compact will tell you this is a genuinely fast Ford.

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9. Alfa Romeo 4C

In 2013, Alfa Romeo introduced the 4C. But nobody expected such a car from Alfa Romeo. The 4C was a “junior supercar” with a carbon-fiber tub, cramped interior, and lightweight construction. However, it had a four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

The heart of the 4C is that tiny, 1.8-liter engine with a turbocharger that delivers 238 HP to the rear wheels. The performance numbers are very impressive. The Alfa Romeo 4C can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and top 160 mph.

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8. Volkswagen Golf R

The R is the top-of-the-line Golf with a powerful four-cylinder turbocharged engine and all-wheel drive. In fact, it delivers a brutal performance for a family hatchback. The R version is the derivate of the mighty R32 Golfs from the early 2000s. And those featured the 3.2-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engine.

However, the latest versions feature a smaller, more powerful 2.0-liter turbo-four which delivers almost 292 HP. As you can expect, the performance is quite brutal for what is basically a family compact. To get from 0 to 60 mph takes 4.5 seconds and this car can top 155 mph, which is amazing.

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7. Honda Civic Type R

The latest addition to the powerful four-cylinder car club is the fifth generation Honda Civic Type R. The new performance Civic looks like every racer’s dream with numerous spoilers, scoops, and air vents all over the body. The aggressive design, great performance, and JDM appeal make this Civic a valuable and highly sought-after addition to the hot hatch class.

Honda has resisted the temptation to turbocharge its performance engines for a long time. However, the Civic Type R has exactly that under the hood just like any other competitor in its class. The 2.0-liter turbo-four
delivers 306 HP and can propel this nasty-looking Civic Type R from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Best of all, it can top 170 mph.

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6. Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

Inspired by the wild SVT Cobra Rs from the ’90s, the 2003 model didn’t have the name “R” since they didn’t limit production. Also, it was available to the buying public rather than just racecar drivers and private teams. However, this SVT Cobra was an interesting, important model for the Mustang dynasty and muscle car mythology because it featured two firsts.

The first new feature was the factory-supercharged engine and the second was the independent rear suspension. The Special Vehicles Team took a standard 4.6-liter block and mounted different heads and a supercharger to get 390 HP and 390 lb-ft of torque. To handle all that power and torque, Ford equipped the SVT Cobra with an independent rear suspension similar to the first Ford GT. The suspension maintained the stability at high speeds and hard launches, helping this Mustang handle like a dream. The 0 to 60 mph time took only 4.7 seconds, making the SVT Cobra a drag strip terror. Ford offered this model in 2003 and 2004, building around 20,000 of them in a coupe and convertible form. Despite being almost 17 years old, these cars still hold high prices on the used car market.

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5. Dodge Charger Hellcat

In 2014, Dodge presented the Hellcat, and the muscle car community went crazy. The reaction was expected since the 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 707 HP is a legit monster of a muscle car that shouldn’t be released on the streets. But Dodge did just that, allowing the public to buy one of the fastest, most powerful muscle cars ever built. Despite being overpowered in any aspect, the Dodge Charger Hellcat is surprisingly easy to drive and can even be docile at low speeds.

It is only when you press the throttle to unleash the fury of its 707 supercharged horsepower that you will feel the brutality of the Hellcat package and all the power going to the rear wheels. The 0 to 60 mph times are in the high three-second range and the car can top 200 mph. So, is there better proof that the legend of the Dodge Charger as a muscle car is alive and well? This car is ready to keep the muscle car segment interesting in the 21st century.

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4. Cadillac ATS-V

Debuting in 2016, the newest American muscle four-door car is the compact but immensely powerful Cadillac ATS-V. With this model, Cadillac attacked the Mercedes C Class and BMW 3 Series with a modern executive sedan. The Cadillac ATS-V comes with recognizable styling and brutal power.

Under the hood is the twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 engine with 464 HP and 445 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to launch the ATS-V from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds with top speeds of an astonishing 189 mph. Even though the ATS-V doesn’t have a V8, it’s still a proper muscle car and available in a two-door form as well.

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3. Ford Mustang Bullitt

The regular production Mustang GT is a capable and rewarding car, so Ford scored a hit when it introduced the current generation in 2015. The Performance Pack 2 and Shelby versions showed the real potential of the IRS-equipped platform. However, Ford decided to widen its appeal, and not by adding more power, but by adding even more style and a touch of myth.

The third Bullitt special edition is the 2019 model Ford based on the GT. This means the Bullitt Mustang has the same 5.0-liter V8 with 460 HP but only came as a six-speed manual. Also, the Bullitt has a unique paint job, wheels, and interior trim to copy the legendary 1968 Bullitt Mustang Steve McQueen drove in the car cult classic, Bullitt.

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2. Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Just when drivers thought Chevy had abandoned adding more power to the C7 Corvette and was concentrating on holding the already powerful car, Corvette creators surprised them with the insane 2019 Corvette ZR1. This version of the C7 Corvette has just been released.

It features an improved Z06 chassis, suspension, and drivetrain as well as an absolute beast of an engine. The 6.2-liter heavily supercharged LT4 engine pumps out 755 HP and 527 lb-ft of torque. It sends all that power to the rear wheels through an automatic or manual gearbox, making the Corvette ZR1 a beast for the streets.

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1. 2020 Shelby GT500

It seems that every new generation of the Shelby GT500 pushes the envelope even further. Each model delivers so much power it’s hard to comprehend. Just look at the latest 2020 model. From the outside, it looks like a menacing Mustang with a new front fascia, scoops, spoilers, special paint, and carbon wheels. But the real surprise lies beneath the metal.

The massive 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine delivers 760 HP and sends it to the rear wheels through an intelligent 10-speed automatic. This interesting combo makes the new GT500 the perfect combination of old-school muscle and modern technology. The result is even more astonishing. It takes just 3.3 seconds to get to 60 mph with a 180-mph top speed. Of course, such firepower comes with a hefty price tag. In this case, it costs almost $100,000 fully loaded. These are the top 21st century classics you can buy today. Which one was your favorite? Be sure to snap it up before prices soar.

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21st Century Cars Set To Become Future Classics

14. Volkswagen Golf R32 Mk4

13. Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

12. Ford F-150 Lightning

11. BMW M5 E61 Touring

10. Ford Focus RS

9. Alfa Romeo 4C

8. Volkswagen Golf R

7. Honda Civic Type R

6. Ford Mustang SVT Cobra

5. Dodge Charger Hellcat

4. Cadillac ATS-V

3. Ford Mustang Bullitt

2. Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

1. 2020 Shelby GT500

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