The nineties were the bridge that connected the modern automotive era that we’ve got today and the past. There were so many advances during this decade, from V8 powered sport sedans to the rise of the luxury SUV. There are a lot of things that we take for granted these days but in the nineties these advances were massive breakthroughs. Join us as we look back at the 90s cars that changed the automotive industry.
Lincoln Navigator
Lincoln deserves their flowers, because had it not been for the Navigator we would not have the massive yachts on wheels that we have today. The Navigator was the vehicle that saved the Lincoln brand and launched the “bling bling” era as we knew it. Few cars changed a decade like the Lincoln Navigator did.
GMC Denali
Hot on the heels of the Lincoln Navigator, GM launched their own luxury SUV. The Denali was a massive upgrade over the base Yukon at the time. It also helped propel GM into the same luxury stratosphere as Lincoln. The Denali proved to be so popular that these days GM produces an entire line of Denali vehicles.
Alpina B8 4.6
Alpina was one of the most well known automotive brands in the rally and racing world during the 1990s. But, when BMW decided to tap their know how and transform the 5-Series they were happy to obliged. The B8 4.6 took a massive V8 engine and crammed it under the hood of the existing 5-Series sedan.
Audi S8
Audi was in a rebirth period in the 1990s, and the S8 was at the forefront of their renaissance. The executive sedan was produced from 1996-1999 and it proved to be one of the most popular cars ever built. The powerful engine coupled with the precision handling made the S8 a massive improvement for Audi.
Audi RS 2 Avant
Audi is one of the most well-known performance car makers around, and in the nineties they had some real gems. The RS 2 Avant was a fast wagon that combined the rally heritage of Audi with a modern German drivetrain. The result was a station wagon that performed well in all driving conditions.
SL 60 AMG
The SL 60 AMG was the Mercedes-Benz supercar of the nineties. This car was every bit the sports car that everyone wanted to own. The beautiful styling and one of a kind exterior made it a definite improvement over anything else on the road. Boasting a powerful V-12 engine under the hood this car was unlike anything else.
Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG
Known as the “Buggy Eye” Benz by fans, the E55 AMG was a game changer for a German sedan. The unique styling and one of a kind performance was pushed by a powerful 5.4 Litre V8 engine. At the time the E55 AMG was one of the most powerful luxury sedans on the road. The beautiful styling and exquisite performance were hallmarks of Mercedes.
BMW M3 (E36)
The original BMW M3 was known as a miniature rocketship. The performance of the car was top-notch for the time period. The 3.2 liter Inline-6 was one of the most potent engines ever built. The styling of the M3 was under the radar, but the Torquey engine did a great job of propelling the car with authority.
Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II
Lancia was one of the most well-known rally car builders in the nineties. And although the Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione II wasn’t sold in America, it was revered around the world. The performance of the car coupled with the excellent handling made it quite the find. With a top speed of 137 MPH this wasn’t your grandma’s hatchback.
BMW M3 Sport Evolution (E30)
The M3 was released over several generations and the original model was extremely limited. The Sport Evolution was only built in 600 examples, and it was only built from 1989 to 1991. The M3 Sport Evolion is the pinnacle of M3 design and the car that set the stage for the later years of the nameplate.
Renault Clio Williams
Renault was one of the most influential automakers in the rally scene during the 1990s. The Clio Williams was a car that we’ve seen in countless video games and news articles. The car was a dominant force in the rally world with a 2 liter inline 4 under the hood that dominated the track.
Peugeot 306 GTI-6
Peugeot was another instrumental force in the rally racing scene during the nineties. With the 306 GTI-6, the company built one of the most impressive hatchbacks on the scene. The 6-speed gearbox helped to propel the car with authority. Traction was supplied by the stellar drivetrain which gave the car amazing capability.
Ford Escort Rs Cosworth
Although the Ford Escort was a fairly simplistic car here in America, abroad the car was a force to be reckoned with. The Escort RS Cosworth was one of the most awarded rally cars in the world. The 2-liter turbo Inline 4 was one of the best engines that Ford ever came up with. The Escort Cosworth won many races and it was highly sought after by collectors.
Mercedes-Benz 500 E
The Mercedes-Benz 500 E was another well-received car from the 1990s. This was particularly popular because of the short wheelbase and powerful V8 engine. The W124 chassis was designed by Porsche, at the request of Mercedes. Thus, the 500 E was actually the first official Porsche sedan in a lot of ways.
BMW M5 (E39)
The BMW E39 M5 was another hit for BMW in the performance world. The sheer design of the sedan took the 5-Series to the next level. But the 4.9 L S62 V8 was the thing that really set the car apart from the crowd. The suspension was also tuned for performance and handling, giving the M5 a nice edge.
Volvo 850 T-5R
You probably don’t think of Volvo as a performance car builder, but the limited edition 850 T-5R changed all that. From the limited edition yellow paint job to the sleek ground effects the 850 T-5R was a groundbreaking car. The Turbo Inline-5 was an engine that provided stellar performance and reliability.
BMW 850 CSi
The BMW 850 CSi is one of the most well-known BMW cars of the nineties. The car is both universally loved and hated. The design was groundbreaking at the time, with a powerful engine and luxury features. But, there were a lot of electrical problems and recalls which limited the production numbers for the car.
Porsche 968 Clubsport (CS)
Porsche built a lot of memorable sports cars in the nineties, but from 1993-95 the Clubsport was a lightweight variation built for speed. With a Water Cooled Inline-4 under the hood and a memorable yellow paint job the 968 Clubsport was one of the best cars on the market. The 968 in general was a car that redefined Porsche.
Alfa Romeo GTV/Spider
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Alfa Romeo is one of the most influential car companies in the world. The GTV/Spider was the pinnacle of nineties design for the brand. The short wheelbase and the powerful 24-valve 3.0 litre V6 engine gave the car amazing performance. Although this car never made it to America it’s legendary around the world.
VW Mk3 Golf VR6
There can’t be a ranking of the most groundbreaking nineties cars without including the Mk3 Golf VR6. This car was the epiphany of German engineering, with a stellar 2.792cc V6, SOHC, 12v under the hood. Everything about the car from the suspension to the performance was legendary for the time period.
Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 EVO II
The Mercedes-Benz 190E wasn’t just a popular car for rappers in the nineties, it was also one of the most well-known performance cars. The M102 E 25/2 Inline-4 under the hood was smooth as butter. The suspension was also tuned up for handling corners and tight turns with ease, giving the car the feeling of a sports coupe.
BMW M Coupe
The BMW M Coupe was another rare sports car that was released during the nineties. The unique hatchback design of the car was unlike anything else in the BMW lineup. The coupe was produced in very low numbers and as such it’s very rare today. Few cars have been as instrumental as the M Coupe.
Porsche Boxster
The Porsche Boxster was a revolutionary new model that hit the market in 1997. The Boxster was the first “affordable” Porsche, designed to appeal to a new generation of buyers. Up to this point, the 911 and other models in the portfolio were quite dated. The Boxster changed the game and reignited interest in Porsche.
Maserati 3200 GT
Maserati is one of the most well-known exotic car builders in the world. By the nineties the brand was at a standstill in terms of innovation. But, the 3200 GT changed all that in 1998 with a beautiful new modern design. The Twin Turbo V8 was groundbreakingly fast, delivering exceptional performance.
Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 (Type 964)
By the 1990s the Porsche 911 was dated to say the least, the design had been in production since the 1970s. Nevertheless, the 911 Carrera RS 3.8 broke the mold. Incorporating a timeless design with modern performance and luxury. The 911 Carrera RS 3.8 was the high-end Porsche that still captivated enthusiasts.
Porsche 911 Turbo S (Type 993)
One of the final Porsche models to incorporate the old design of the 911 was the Turbo S. Released for 1997 this model had a bevy of new luxury features and a more modern interior. The performance of the 3.6 L twin-turbo Flat-6 was still as legendary as ever, with more reliability than any prior model.
Aston Martin DB7
When Ford Motor Company purchased Aston Martin in the nineties the brand underwent a transformation. One of the first new Ford designed sports cars was the DB7. This was a modern sports car in every sense of the word. The Supercharged Inline-6 was breathtakingly fast and extremely smooth.
Lotus Elise S1
Lotus was a dated brand until the release of the Elise in the nineties. Everything about this sports car was groundbreaking and cutting edge. The Elise had a stellar suspension that was designed for taking tight corners with ease. The S1 became one of the most iconic sports cars in the nineties.
Jaguar XKR
Released in 1998 the Jaguar XKR was the fruit of the new Ford Motor Company management. The sleek performance of the car was unlike any Jaguar prior, and it proved to be a success. The 4.0 L AJ26S supercharged V8 afforded supercharged performance and the suspension was designed for tough cornering.
TVR Cerbera
TVR was a boutique automotive builder that specialized in certain sports car models. The TVR Cerbera was released in 1996 and featured some of the best performances on the road. The sleek design was unlike anything else on the market at the time, and the steep price tag made sure that you knew this car was rare.
Lotus Esprit Sport 350
The Lotus Esprit Sport 350 was another well-intentioned sports car that completely transformed the nineties. If this one looks familiar, it’s because the Esprit was featured in dozens of music videos and movies. Even James Bond was the proud owner of this groundbreaking sports car.
Marcos Mantis
The Marcos Mantis is perhaps one of the strangest and most innovative sports cars to come out of the nineties. The most notable feature of the car was the fact that it had a 4.6 liter quad-cam Ford Cobra V8 under the hood. Coupled with the sleek design the Mantis handled and drove on the track like a dream.
Subaru Impreza 22B STi
This car right here doesn’t really need an introduction, because it changed the game. There is no doubt that you’ve seen or dreamed about the Subaru Impreza 22B STi. This car was a staple of automotive culture in the nineties. From the beautiful blue paint job to the unique gold accents the Impreza 22B was a show stopper.
Nissan Skyline GT-R V·Spec (R33)
Say what you want about the current state of Nissan Motors, there was a time when the company was breaking new ground. The Nissan Skyline GT-R V·Spec (R33) was one of the most groundbreaking sports cars that ever hit the market.The Twin Turbo Inline-6 was one of the best engines to ever hit the market.
Subaru SVX
The Subaru SVX was one of the most notable sports cars of the nineties. It was also one of the rarest, selling in very small numbers. Subaru’s Flat 6 engine was a focal point at the time, and coupled with AWD, it made the SVX perform amazingly. The SVX was only manufactured from 1991 to 1996 but has since become a collector’s item.
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
Believe it or not there was a time when Mitsubishi was relevant. In the nineties the automaker was churning out fun to drive affordable sports cars. Perhaps one of the most underrated sports cars of all-time is the 3000GT VR4. This is a car that combines Supra-like performance with an affordable price tag.
Nissan Silvia Spec-R
Another impressive Nissan that hit the market in the 2000s was the Silvia Spec-R. Much like the Skyline this was a powerful sports car with a sleek design. The Spec-R was only produced for the 1999 model year and it had a powerful Turbo Inline-4 under the hood. Those who known Nissan know about this monster of a sports car.
Toyota Supra Turbo
The nineties were the last great decade for Japanese sports cars, and at the forefront of this was the Supra Turbo. With the legendary Twin Turbo Inline-6 under the hood, the Supra Turbo was a beautiful sports car inside and out. This Toyota proved to be impressive on the racetrack and around the world.
Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
The Nissan Z was one of the most instrumental sports cars in the world. Sadly, by the nineties the car had waned in popularity, as most sports cars did. Nevertheless, this car went out with a bang packing a 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo under the hood. There was also a very rare convertible version of the car which is extremely hard to come by.
Toyota Celica GT4
The Celica from the 1990s was one of the most coveted sports cars on the road. This was the car that won dozens of rally championships around the world for Toyota. The Turbo 4 cylinder was a bulletproof engine and if you were lucky enough to have the all-trac model the Celica GT4 was a blast.
Toyota Celica GT4
The Celica from the 1990s was one of the most coveted sports cars on the road. This was the car that won dozens of rally championships around the world for Toyota. The Turbo 4 cylinder was a bulletproof engine and if you were lucky enough to have the all-trac model the Celica GT4 was a blast.