7 Exotic Cars You'd Never Expect to Have an LS Engine
We have come to expect just about any GM cars or truck produced in the last 20 years to have some version of an LS engine in them, but what about exotic supercars with six figure price tags? Here are some surprisingly exotic vehicles that you would not expect to have an LS-based engine unless you were to get up close and personal with one.
1. Falcon F7
The Falcon F7 is an exotic hand-built American supercar produced in single digit quantities, right in the heart of Michigan. The car uses an aluminum/carbon fiber/kevlar monocoque chassis construction, with the entire body made of lightweight carbon to keep weight low, at an impressive 2785 lbs. The car utilizes a mid-engine rear-wheel drive layout with the powerplant of choice being the dry-sump LS7 in either a 620 hp naturally-aspirated configuration, or a fire-breathing 1100 hp twin-turbo setup good for sub 3 second 0-60 sprints and a 200+ mph top speed.
2. Korres P4
This rather unique car is the Greek-made Korres P4. It uses an LS7 straight out of the Corvette Z06, and is capable of 4 second 0-60 mph launches, with a top speed of 186 mph. While these specs fall in line with many modern sports cars, the P4 separates itself from the competition by way of its patented "Korres Vehicle Suspension System" that is capable of handling severe off-road conditions with ease. Production is expected to begin soon, with a goal of selling 100 vehicles. If you want a fast car that you can take just about anywhere, with or without roads, this is the one.
3. Spada Codatronca
The Spada Codatronca was a sexy Italian supercar designed by the Spada Vetture Sport manufacturer. Like all things Italian, the Cadatronca has a vibrant flair with its sharp edges, gaping air intakes, and rocket-shaped tail (TS coupe version). Surprising, however, is that underneath all of the Cadatronca's flashy carbon-fiber clothing is a modified Corvette C6 chassis with a 630 horsepower, 7.0L LS7 engine. Only a few examples of the coupe (TS) and convertible (Monza) models were said to have been built, so if you spot one of these rare birds out in public, better snap as many pictures as you can since you will likely never see another.
4. Drakan Spyder
Small, road-going, open-wheeled sports cars generally tend to have engines about as small as the vehicles they are installed in. The Drakan Spyder throws that formula out the window by shoving a 430 horsepower LS3 midship into the TIG welded tube chassis for a 40/60 weight distribution that more effectively puts the power to the ground. With the precision handling similar to that of an Indy car, and a weight 1,400 pounds less than a C6 Corvette, this little monster provides supercar performance in a compact package.
5. Equus Bass 770
The Equus Bass 770 is perhaps the most exotic American muscle car one can buy. Although this car looks like a mashup of classic Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers, it is an incredibly advanced car with hundreds of bespoke components that will leave car enthusiasts drooling for hours on end. The chassis holds a 640 horsepower LS9 deep in its engine bay to give the car a front-mid engine layout akin to something like an Aston Martin, for superior weight distribution. Power is sent through a six-speed, rear mounted transaxle and the brakes are huge carbon-ceramic units from the Enzo Ferrari. With a curb weight of 3640 pounds, the Equus is capable of a 3.4 second 0-60 run and a top speed of 202 mph.
6. SSC Ultimate Aero
The SSC Ultimate Aero in its different configurations were (and still are) some of the fastest cars in the world. Formerly known as Shelby Supercars, SSC North America's main focus was to create a driver's car without all of the electronic nannies like traction control, and anti-lock brakes, that now come standard on all production performance vehicles. The Ultimate Aero used variations of GM LS-based engines equipped with superchargers or twin-turbochargers to produce horsepower numbers between 770-1300. Before the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport came along, the Ultimate Aero was the fastest production car in the world at 256 mph in 2007.
7. Elfin MS8 Streamliner/Clubman
The Elfin MS8 is a compact two-seat roadster offered in both open-wheeled (Clubman) and fully-bodied (Streamliner) configurations. The lightweight, space-frame chassis coupled with a 330 horsepower LS1 engine puts it in competition with the likes of the Ariel Atom, Lotus 2-Eleven, and Caterham 7 cars. While there are mixed reviews on the overall design and construction of the car, (such as seating position, body panel gaps, or the questionable effectiveness of the windscreen) there is no doubt that a big American V8 propelling a minuscule 2,000 pounds would make for a whole lot of fun.
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