The Coolest Cars In Games

Racing games have carved out a unique area of the gaming community, spanning from open-world environments to racing simulations. The stand-out features of the genre are the focus on high-quality graphics and real-world physics engines, leaving other categories in their dust.

The main focus of most racing games is the cars, many of which are licensed to specific game titles. For example, you'll see the likes of Porsche only make an appearance in EA projects, taking one of the most popular brands in the world and limiting it to one publisher. That's why it's a special occasion when fans get some of the most impressive cars in history to put to the test, taking legends of the industry and giving them freedom from the limits of reality.

10 SRT Tomahawk X - Gran Turismo 6

Part of Gran Turismo's vision project, the Tomahawk is a supercar that isn't possible to create with today's technology. Dodge has said they're keeping the design on the backburner for a few decades until technology catches up with their forward-thinking, with 2035 being their best estimate.

Being released after Gran Turismo Sport, the Tomahawk's specs forced developers to change the physics engine so you could have the total driving experience. Putting out over 2,100 horsepower, the car's design has two alternative models that toned down the power because of the difficulty controlling it on the road. Living up to the X for 'experimental,' everything about this car makes for one of the most intense rides you can find.

9 2017 Hoonigan Gymkhana 10 Ford Fiesta ST - Forza Horizon 4

Most true car lovers will probably know Ken Block's Gymkhana series that soared to popularity with him performing highly skilled stunts, showcasing customized vehicles that have become legendary within the fanbase. Featured in his tenth video project with Hoonigan, you can now glide through the streets with the car that made it all happen.

Forza took the specs of the M-Sport Fiesta and jacked up the numbers, all except for the top speed that got lowered slightly. In the end, agility and durability were more valuable than breakneck speeds. Ideal if you like to turn the city into an obstacle course of your own, the Fiesta will outshine most cars on the roster when it comes to smooth drifting.

8 1963 Shelby Monaco King Cobra - Forza Horizon 4

This car takes the vintage aesthetic and combines it with the modern power we're used to seeing in high-performance cars. Designed to race in the first United States Road Racing Championship, Carrol Shelby himself put his mind to the task. A piece of history that gives you a slick look you can't find in modern cars, unique has never driven so well.

Sporting a 400 horsepower mid-engine V8, this 1963 collector is no slouch on the road either. Its handling might take some getting used to, but once the back end is under control, you can coast down the mountain roads in a piece of art.

7 Hennessey Viper Venom 1000 - Blur

The Dodge Viper was an iconic car in the late '90s and early 2000s, mainly because it has everything an adrenaline fanatic wants in their car. It's fast, has a lot of power, and has rear-wheel drive — all things that add up to a roller coaster on the roads. Hennessey Performance Engineering decided to take this to the next level, taking an engine that started with 500 horsepower and doubling it.

Considering it has little to no grip with rear-wheel drive, you'll be sliding around whatever surface you decide to take it on. The Venom 1000 represents all the features of a classic sports car, juicing up an already monstrous icon.

6 Ford Super Van 3 - Forza Horizon 4

This is a car that makes little to no sense as to why it exists, making it all the more fun to drive. The super van was originally made to show off Ford's transit vans' new exterior design — an inspired promotional car. Coming out with three models over 20 years, the Super Van 3 didn't make its debut until 1994.

The ultimate sleeper, a transit van with a V8 later used in an F1 car, it's hard to find a more novel car in Horizon 4's extended inventory. An overload of supercars ends up making them all look average, elevating the Super Van 3 as the notable vehicle.

5 Toyota FT1 Vision GT - Gran Turismo 6

Another one from Gran Turismo's Vision project, the FT1 GT was accurately designed with the game's racetracks in mind. Taking the attention Toyota had from their FT1 release and streamlining the design specifically for a racecar, Gran Turismo got a special gift, driving flawlessly around the tracks with every detail form-fitted.

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A widened base with enlarged air intakes is a testament that even the aesthetic design was molded around the driving experience, trying to make it as seamless as possible. Even though the 614 horsepower isn't out-of-this-world power, the FT1 GT is one of the best driving experiences to be had in the game.

4 Ford Shelby GR1 - Test Drive: Unlimited

Another Shelby that made it on the list, this time a concept instead of a classic. It uses heavy inspiration from the Shelby Daytona, modifying it, and bringing it into the current era. Released in 2005, Shelby didn't take the ultra-futuristic approach many brands do, slamming a V10 engine into the American muscle body to clear up any doubts.

Adding to the 600 horsepower list, the GR1 is a lot rawer than the other examples. There's no gliding around corners in this car, as it's more suited to a drag race where raw power wins or simply enjoying the classic design as you rocket past unsuspecting traffic.

3 Peugot L500R Hybrid Vision - Gran Turismo Sport

Peugeot decided to take their Vision series design straight into the future with the L500R, integrating new technology into almost every part of the car. Standing no taller than one meter at any point, 'streamlined' is an understatement. With holographic displays and only one seat, Peugeot wants to make their mark with this car.

The thing that stands out is the small four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces nearly 500 horsepower — comparable to engines more than double its size. The extended back end is made in homage to its predecessor, the L45, winning three titles at the Indianapolis Speedway in 1914.

2 Citroen Survolt - Driveclub

Putting electric cars on the map, the Survolt is the only zero-emission vehicle on the list. Powered by two electric motors that put out 300 horsepower, the Survolt takes the prize for least horsepower to feature. What it lacks in raw power, it more than makes up for in acceleration, hitting 100 km/h in less than five seconds.

The fact that it looks like a Tron car with a distinct electronic whistle that sounds great when you're putting those motors to good use separates it from the pack. Beating most cars off the line and putting these old school cars to shame, clean power can win too.

1 Chapparal 2J - Gran Turismo 4

Despite all the strange features we've seen so far, the Chapparal 2J sports the most eccentric design of them all. Banished from motorsports for using engines to suck air flowing underneath the car to power two giant fans that make up its boxy rear, it's safe to say that no one had seen anything like this in 1970.

The unique design put it in head position by multiple seconds every time it managed to make it to the finish line without mechanical problems, something that happened more than you'd guess. Generating 680 horsepower and hitting 60 mph in just over three seconds, the Chapparal 2J has gone down in racing legend.

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