Top British Cars Ever Made
Top 50 Iconic British Vehicles, as Perceived by Experts - Does Your Preference Align with Their Selections?
Auto Express, a renowned motoring magazine, revealed their top 50 British cars of all time. The list is arranged based on factors like engineering pedigree, design, commercial success, automotive history significance, and emotional resonance. Here's a quick rundown of the top 10:
10. Land Rover Discovery (1989-1998)
Although known for its luxury, the Land Rover Discovery offers a rugged off-road performance. Blending impressive off-road ability with car-like composure on the streets, its long history plagued with reliability issues couldn't prevent it from taking the 10th spot.
9. Ford GT40 (1964-1969)
Originally considered an American muscle car, its roots originate from the UK. Designed by Lola boss Eric Broadly, the Ford GT40 boasts British racing know-how combined with an all-American 4.7-litre V8 engine. This mix led to four consecutive Le Mans wins between 1966 and 1969.
8. Caterham/Lotus Seven (1957-Present)
A car design so iconic that it has been replicated numerous times, this vehicle was first unveiled in 1957 and is still in production today, thanks to Caterham. Offering a unique driving experience, the philosophy behind the Seven is to be lightweight, nimble, and enjoy the connection between driver and machine.
7. Lotus Elise (1996-2021)
Featuring Rover's K-series engine at launch, the Elise was a featherweight bullet on four wheels. It offers a remarkable driving pinnacle between driver and machine, with continued success in production throughout the years.
6. Aston Martin DB5 (1963-1965)
Embraced by James Bond, Aston Martin's DB5 epitomizes British elegance and luxury. While it might be a sophisticated image, the DB5 is essentially an updated DB4 Vantage with a slightly larger 4.0-litre straight-six and ZF five-speed manual gearbox.
5. McLaren F1 (1992-1998)
Britain's greatest hypercar yet, the McLaren F1 is known for being the fastest naturally-aspirated production model on the planet. Its shrieking V12 powertrain, three-seat layout, and carbon-fibre tub-style construction made the F1 unparalleled, setting benchmarks for performance and weight reduction.
4. Range Rover (1970-Present)
In terms of luxury SUVs, Land Rover's Range Rover is the grandfather figure, creating the original premium 4X4. Although initially designed as a humble workman-like vehicle, the Range Rover has since evolved into various luxury iterations. It is expected to introduce an electric version soon.
3. Land Rover Series/Defender (1948-2016)
Combining utility, reliability, and off-road prowess across its 68-year lifespan, the Land Rover Series and Defender became symbols of adventure and practicality. Approximately 2 million examples were built in the UK, making it a staple in numerous countries.
2. Jaguar E-Type (1961-1974)
Known as "the most beautiful car ever made," the Jaguar E-Type wowed audiences at the 1961 Geneva motor show with its sleek and curvaceous design. The car's sub-three-meter compact size and capability to exceed 150mph convinced Enzo Ferrari of its beauty.
1. Mini (1959-2000)
Not."There wasn't any question, was there?" Is there ever any doubt in introducing the Mini as the best of British cars? Launched at the height of a fuel crisis in the late fifties, this revolutionary vehicle smashed expectations by offering a sub-three-meter compact car capable of carrying a family of four. Though it had humble beginnings, the Mini would go on to win the hearts of celebrities, racing drivers, and millions of fans across the globe.
- The sports car Aston Martin DB5, known for its association with James Bond, showcases British elegance and luxury, featuring an updated engine and ZF five-speed manual gearbox.
- The Land Rover Series and Defender, spanning over 68 years, symbolize practicality, reliability, and off-road prowess, with approximately 2 million units built in the UK.
- The Jaguar E-Type is often referred to as "the most beautiful car ever made," displaying a sleek design that stunned audiences at the 1961 Geneva motor show.
- Land Rover's Range Rover, the original premium 4X4, evolved from a humble workman-like vehicle to luxury iterations, anticipated to introduce an electric version soon.
- McLaren's F1, regarded as Britain's greatest hypercar, is renowned for being the fastest naturally-aspirated production model on the planet, featuring a shrieking V12 powertrain and lightweight carbon-fibre tub-style construction.
- Caterham/Lotus Seven offers a unique driving experience with its lightweight and nimble design, maintaining its popularity since its debut in 1957, still in production today under Caterham.
