Best looking prototypes of the last 15 years
#1
Posted 29 September 2014 - 23:50
5. Highcroft Acura ARX01
4. Drayson Lola Judd coupe
3. Epsilon Euskadi EE1 Judd
2. AMR Lola Aston
1. BMW V12 LMR (only raced in the ALMS in 2000 and then retired, but still...)
It's no coincidence that all 5 of these sound fantastic as well...
#3
Posted 30 September 2014 - 00:11
I think the 2000 Panoz, 2000 BMW and 2001 Audi R8 where the best looking cars. As time has past, the prototypes have become more and more obscene in my book.
Edited by Obi Offiah, 30 September 2014 - 00:26.
#4
Posted 30 September 2014 - 00:15
#6
Posted 30 September 2014 - 00:21
I set the cutoff at 2000, the Toyota last raced in 1999. If we go back to the 90s there are too many options to list... 333SP, GT One, R8C, XJR-14, Merc C11, ect.
The Bentley is a good honorable mention, it could easily take the place of the Drayson in my list-
Edited by Dan333SP, 30 September 2014 - 00:22.
#7
Posted 30 September 2014 - 00:24
That Epsilon Euskadi EE1 and BMW V12 LMR look proper racing beasts
#8
Posted 30 September 2014 - 00:26
Nissan R391 for me (only just meeting the last 15 years criteria, mind)
Although generally speaking I was always a sucker for any open top prototype with a full-width roll hoop
EDIT: Only read the '15' years bit and not 'from 2000', which probably leaves it as the Lola B2K/10 or Reynard 2KQ by default
Edited by FerrariV12, 30 September 2014 - 00:36.
#9
Posted 30 September 2014 - 00:26
It's true sign of a brilliant forum when moderation cannot read. Probably an unpopular choice, but I quite liked the first version of the Audi R15 TDI. Wide noses always look right to me on a racing car.
#10
Posted 30 September 2014 - 00:29
It's true sign of a brilliant forum when moderation cannot read. Probably an unpopular choice, but I quite liked the first version of the Audi R15 TDI. Wide noses always look right to me on a racing car.
Please ban yourself for 3 days.
#11
Posted 30 September 2014 - 00:33
What I do like about modern prototypes and racing cars in general is the detailing. A lot of contemporary racing cars in terms of overall shape look quite appalling such as GP2 cars and LMP1 cars, however the detail of the aerodynamics, headlights and overall finish looks great.
#12
Posted 30 September 2014 - 00:40
Another honorable mention goes to the Ascari A410. Anything with the 4L Judd V10 was a favorite of mine, and this one was particularly sleek. Basically a re-bodied 10 year old Group C Lola chassis, but still managed to do well in the FIA series of the time.
#13
Posted 30 September 2014 - 01:22
The Toyota GT-One
#14
Posted 30 September 2014 - 01:46
What I do like about modern prototypes and racing cars in general is the detailing. A lot of contemporary racing cars in terms of overall shape look quite appalling such as GP2 cars and LMP1 cars, however the detail of the aerodynamics, headlights and overall finish looks great.
That's the best part of attending a sportscar race. Most grid walks are open without requiring a special pass before the race start, and you get a chance to inspect all the tiny little aero elements and details up close and personal. Definitely a highlight of my trips to Sebring and PLM, particularly with the factory turbo diesels in '09/'10.
#15
Posted 30 September 2014 - 01:59
Driven by iconic names of US racing such as Dario Franchitti, Gil de Ferran, Scott Dixon, and Simon Pagenaud. Pioneer of the 'over the top' wing mounts as well as the equal-width front/rear tyres, both later borrowed by Audi on the R18/R18 e-tron. Won all but two races it participated in: Sebring and the Petit Le Mans--the first saw it lacking the unique-width front tyres it needed (developed late, never arrived), the second was shortened before half-distance due to heavy rains. The car potentially exhibited Audi-slaying speed once it got the tyres sorted (think Brawn GP in LMP1) and then HPD abandoned development early in 2009 shortly after the plug was pulled on the F1 program, just before Sebring. It fell behind its European competition by the Petit Le Mans and hasn't run a race since 2009--and probably never will be seen at speed again.
Just thinking about the sound gives me chills.
One only wonders what kind of year 2009 would've been for Honda had they kept funding flowing towards their LMP1/F1 projects.
Edited by Afterburner, 30 September 2014 - 02:02.
#16
Posted 30 September 2014 - 02:14
The Peugeot is wicked in my book, but the all time winner is the Gulf-Porsche 917...
Edited by SKL, 30 September 2014 - 02:15.
#17
Posted 30 September 2014 - 02:56
The Epsilon Euskadi looks proper prototype hotness. My heart belongs to one particular prototype above them all, though: the HPD ARX-02a. Perhaps my favourite car ever conceived.
Driven by iconic names of US racing such as Dario Franchitti, Gil de Ferran, Scott Dixon, and Simon Pagenaud. Pioneer of the 'over the top' wing mounts as well as the equal-width front/rear tyres, both later borrowed by Audi on the R18/R18 e-tron. Won all but two races it participated in: Sebring and the Petit Le Mans--the first saw it lacking the unique-width front tyres it needed (developed late, never arrived), the second was shortened before half-distance due to heavy rains. The car potentially exhibited Audi-slaying speed once it got the tyres sorted (think Brawn GP in LMP1) and then HPD abandoned development early in 2009 shortly after the plug was pulled on the F1 program, just before Sebring. It fell behind its European competition by the Petit Le Mans and hasn't run a race since 2009--and probably never will be seen at speed again.
Just thinking about the sound gives me chills.
One only wonders what kind of year 2009 would've been for Honda had they kept funding flowing towards their LMP1/F1 projects.
I loved that car too. At some point during 2007/08 they changed the trackside sound decibel limit, so the LMP2 and LMP1 cars had little mufflers placed on the exhausts. They still sound great, just not quite the same impact. Cars like the Aston Lola were especially muted. Here's a crap cell phone video of an early test of the Acura LMP2 car at Sebring, pre-mufflers. It really echoes around the track, it's a brilliant sound.
#18
Posted 30 September 2014 - 03:54
The Epsilon Euskadi is my personal favorite,
but I also really like the 02(?) Cadillac Northstar LMP
Edited by MikeV1987, 30 September 2014 - 04:58.
#19
Posted 30 September 2014 - 04:10
Decided to use a more flattering angle for my favorite.
Jp
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#20
Posted 30 September 2014 - 05:21
Quite honestly? My favourite sportscar of the last 15 years is... this year's Toyota.
In it's high-downforce trim like shown it just looks so purposeful and focussed. The narrower cars for this year have meant full-width rear wings again and this is just extra thumbs-up from me. The only thing I'd change is the outer endplate should be a constant width IMO and I'm still not completely sold on the lightning bolt-inflected blue...
Added this shot as well as this one has the aerodynamic wheels too which look even better...
#21
Posted 30 September 2014 - 05:22
Afterburner: I'm a big fan of the P1 Acura as well... always though the Wirth cars were very pretty but that thing was a complete beast of a car!
#22
Posted 30 September 2014 - 08:02
I set the cutoff at 2000, the Toyota last raced in 1999. If we go back to the 90s there are too many options to list... 333SP, GT One, R8C, XJR-14, Merc C11, ect.
The Bentley is a good honorable mention, it could easily take the place of the Drayson in my list-
Best prototype from 2000 onwards, easily in my mind.
The recent LMP cars since Peugeot has changed design philosophy have been down right ugly. The fin has made them even worse.
#23
Posted 30 September 2014 - 08:34
Quite honestly? My favourite sportscar of the last 15 years is... this year's Toyota.
In it's high-downforce trim like shown it just looks so purposeful and focussed. The narrower cars for this year have meant full-width rear wings again and this is just extra thumbs-up from me. The only thing I'd change is the outer endplate should be a constant width IMO and I'm still not completely sold on the lightning bolt-inflected blue...
Added this shot as well as this one has the aerodynamic wheels too which look even better...
Quite honestly, the front end of that car looks like it has already been involved in an accident.
#24
Posted 30 September 2014 - 09:00
Adrian Newey, if you're reading this I want you to design a car with the downforce levels of 2010, the power of the 2004 V10 cars and big fat slick tyres. I then want you to get one of your drivers and unleash it on the Redbull Ring, go!!
#25
Posted 30 September 2014 - 09:45
Hands down, the Bentley.
#26
Posted 30 September 2014 - 09:52
My knowledge of prototypes is crap but from the pics in this thread my favs are by a large margin the Epsilon Euskadi and the Gulf Lola Aston Martins of the opening post. The liveries help a lot, of course (the all black EE trim is awesome for a car like this). Not really a fan of any of the others and that recent Toyota takes the biscuit as the wackiest ugliest one.
#27
Posted 30 September 2014 - 10:08
#28
Posted 30 September 2014 - 10:10
#29
Posted 30 September 2014 - 10:40
This has got me thinking, with all the talk of making cars harder to drive I think it's time an ex or current F1 engineer designs a prototype showing the world what is achievable if the reins are freed.
Adrian Newey, if you're reading this I want you to design a car with the downforce levels of 2010, the power of the 2004 V10 cars and big fat slick tyres. I then want you to get one of your drivers and unleash it on the Redbull Ring, go!!
He already did and Vettel drove it ;)
(Ok it would probably be impossible to drive that quickly by any human given the lateral acceleration peaking at 8.75G!)
Edited by Donkey, 30 September 2014 - 10:41.
#30
Posted 30 September 2014 - 10:54
Ever since they introduced those stupid fins and narrower wings/cars there hasn't been a really appealing car in my opinion. I would love to see a wider, fin-less TS040
#31
Posted 30 September 2014 - 11:06
I was talking about something that is actually drivable, they would need to get in the air crash investigation if one of those was in an accident ha.He already did and Vettel drove it ;)
https://www.youtube....h?v=nu5UvgIcMOg
(Ok it would probably be impossible to drive that quickly by any human given the lateral acceleration peaking at 8.75G!)
Edited by TopDog85, 30 September 2014 - 11:06.
#32
Posted 30 September 2014 - 11:36
For me it's Epsilon Euskadi ee1, without any doubt. It's just so sleek and elegant. Bentley isn't far off. I'm not a fan of open-top prototypes in general aestethically speaking.
#33
Posted 30 September 2014 - 11:38
I've always liked Team Goh's liveries, particularly on the Porsche Spyder.
More to follow!
#34
Posted 30 September 2014 - 11:47
Ferrari 333SP. Lots of the beautiful Alfa Tipo 33/3 in there if you squint hard enough.......
#35
Posted 30 September 2014 - 11:56
AUDI R8C
Edited by Sabre1977, 30 September 2014 - 11:57.
#36
Posted 30 September 2014 - 12:19
Decided to use a more flattering angle for my favorite.
Jp
Damn, you beat me to it. The RS Spyder, particularly in DHL yellow, also gets my vote. Not just one of my favourite prototypes, but one of my all time favourite race cars.
Miss those brilliant days of ALMS in 2007-2008 when the LMP2 Porsches and Acuras could compete against the LMP1 Audis.
The current crop of cost-capped P2s are positively bland in comparison.
And another Porsche. The 1998 911 GT1 that won Le Mans.
Had a Hot Wheels model of that when I was a kid. It was my favourite.
Edited by JHSingo, 30 September 2014 - 12:22.
#37
Posted 30 September 2014 - 12:22
Surprised there is no love for the Mercedes CLR in here. I know it was fundamentally flawed/dangerous, but it sure looked good, well, to me at least.
#38
Posted 30 September 2014 - 12:23
Nice thread. There should be one for GT's as well.
A vote for the Oreca 01:
Edited by Jeeves, 02 October 2014 - 11:28.
#39
Posted 30 September 2014 - 12:35
surprised no ones mentioned the Audi R8 yet....simple yet one of the most elegant cars ive seen.
Edited by grunge, 30 September 2014 - 12:37.
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#40
Posted 30 September 2014 - 12:51
surprised no ones mentioned the Audi R8 yet....simple yet one of the most elegant cars ive seen.
Lol, not a "real" R8 and definitely not a Prototype.
I always really liked the Rollcentre Racing Dallara's.
Edited by Imateria, 30 September 2014 - 12:53.
#41
Posted 30 September 2014 - 12:55
Oops, only just realised the error in my last post.
Maths never was my strong subject in school.
#42
Posted 30 September 2014 - 12:59
I set the cutoff at 2000, the Toyota last raced in 1999. If we go back to the 90s there are too many options to list... 333SP, GT One, R8C, XJR-14, Merc C11, ect.
I think that you did this because subconciously you knew that almost everything pre-2000 was better looking.
As Obi Offiah said: "As time has past, the prototypes have become more and more obscene in my book."
So the real answer is Lola T70.
#43
Posted 30 September 2014 - 13:17
You know, I'd take anything from the last 14 years against the Riley & Scott Mk III (especially the Mk III C) or any number of god awful, bulbous prototypes produced on shoestring budgets during the 90's.
#44
Posted 30 September 2014 - 13:36
Rebellion Lola B10/60 (2011)
#45
Posted 30 September 2014 - 13:53
Obviously I agree with the 333SP given my user name, but I consider it more of a '90s car, even though it raced into 2002/3. The Risi version that ran at Daytona with McNish/Kelleners was especially elegant...
#46
Posted 30 September 2014 - 15:40
I've been using this picture as an avatar since day1. So yes the Bentley is my favourite prototype.
#47
Posted 30 September 2014 - 15:58
I always liked the WR-Peugeot's
#48
Posted 30 September 2014 - 16:11
Note that when the Panoz ran in patriotic colors Bruce Springsteen was often employed as a right-side tire changer.
#49
Posted 30 September 2014 - 16:41
Bentley is pretty damn nice. A few others too. I only like the closed cockpit cars. I find the open cockpit cars damn ugly
#50
Posted 30 September 2014 - 16:46
Lol, not a "real" R8 and definitely not a Prototype.
I always really liked the Rollcentre Racing Dallara's.
It is as real as R8s get ...labelling only the Lemans version as the 'real' R8 is nothing but your own opinion.
And it is a ''Sports Prototype'' vehicle...Its a road car per se but it was based on the 2003 Audi Lemans Quattro concept car which was the quintessential prototype .
Edited by grunge, 30 September 2014 - 16:47.