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The world has seen greater than it is justifiable share of unhealthy automobiles. Vehicles that break down (the Oldsmobile diesel experiment involves thoughts), rust to nothingness (seemingly each Italian automobile bought within the Nineteen Eighties), had been gross sales flops (the Ford Edsel) or grew to become rolling jokes (the Pontiac Aztek, which on reflection might have simply been too far forward of its time). Most of them aren’t actually value speaking about, and a few really go on to turn out to be kind of collectible.
Each on occasion, although, an concept that is senseless filters by means of the product-planning cracks and makes it off the drafting board and into the true world, with the end result so unusual and but fascinating that it strikes from the dumb class to the dumb-but-cool class.
These are autos that ought to by no means have seen the sunshine of day, however we’re glad they did.
1991 GMC Syclone
Let me get this out of the best way proper off the bat: The GMC Syclone may be very, very cool. Its Ferrari-beating efficiency is famous, its turbocharged and all-wheel-drive powertrain is heroic, and its seems are menacing. The truth that it is cool is just not up for debate. The unique thought, although, was fraught with lunacy. Right here was a two-seat pickup truck that could not actually haul or tow, was awfully costly for one thing sporting a then-plebeian GMC badge (bear in mind, this was nicely earlier than the chrome-dunked Denali) and kinda sorta sounded prefer it was able to disintegrate on tough roads. The Storm that got here later supplied considerably extra practicality.
None of that issues right now. The GMC Syclone is an ideal instance of an concept that made little or no sense on paper or, actually, even in the true world, however was nonetheless so spectacular a package deal that it stands out even right now as a trend-setter for compelled induction and high-performance pickup vans. — Client Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski
2009 Chevy HHR SS Panel
The Chevy HHR wasn’t cool, even if it was designed particularly as an try to draw the eye of the styling-first crowd that was initially drawn to the Chrysler PT Cruiser (which can also be mainly uncool however kinda sorta cool in just a few turbocharged guises). However the SS model of the HHR was fairly neat, with as much as 260 horsepower in a compact chassis and an accessible guide transmission with no-lift shift programming. However the model we’re centered on right here is the obscure Panel, which began off as a small cargo van aimed toward small companies earlier than Chevy inexplicably determined to supply it in SS trim. Similar engine, similar suspension upgrades and similar sporty detailing as different HHR SS fashions however with the removing of the rear door handles, glass and seats. Notice, the again doorways did open, however solely from inside.
There is no purpose for it to exist, and, unsurprisingly, it bought terribly. The truth that just a few unusual souls determined to purchase one again in 2009, although, is a cool little footnote in automotive historical past, and that is sufficient to qualify the HHR SS Panel for this checklist. — Client Editor Jeremy Korzeniewski
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8
The late ’90s and early 2000s performed host to the primary act of America’s efficiency truck and SUV growth. The four-wheeler horsepower wars heated up because the world charged headlong towards the monetary disaster of the late aughts, so when SRT introduced it had gotten its arms on the premium-oriented Grand Cherokee, it was met with equal elements contempt and anticipation from an fanatic neighborhood that wasn’t but largely on the efficiency SUV bandwagon. And here is the factor: It was good. It was a whole package deal in a method different SRT fashions weren’t. Bear in mind, these early SRT8s had the 6.1-liter Hemi and an open differential. It wasn’t till the second yr of the Challenger’s life cycle (2009) {that a} limited-slip possibility confirmed up. In that context, the Grand Cherokee’s commonplace four-wheel drive was a game-changer.
Positive, it was compromised in a few of its day by day SUV duties (towing, specifically), however not almost so neutered because the manual-transmission Dodge Ram SRT-10, and in contrast to the Viper-powered pickup, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 was not solely faster and better-polished than the rest with an SRT badge, however nonetheless a wonderfully tame and all-weather-friendly day by day driver. — Affiliate Editor Byron Hurd
2013 Mini Cooper Coupe
After a number of years of success with the common Mini Cooper hatchback and convertible, Mini determined it wanted to develop its lineup. And whereas its growth gave us the nonetheless widespread and fairly sensible Countryman, it additionally gave us some fairly weird fashions, too. Most likely the strangest, but additionally most distinctive and funky was the Coupe. It is weird in kind of the identical method that its Roadster compatriot was: Mini took an already small and arguably impractical automobile, after which made it much less sensible. It misplaced the rear seats, and the lowered roofline eliminated a number of the most cargo area. And it did not have any substantial efficiency profit over the extra sensible variations. However the Coupe specifically received one wild-looking roofline. It was apparently impressed by a backwards baseball cap, and for as soon as we agreed with the designers. It appeared like form of a dumb design thought, however it regarded form of cool ultimately.
It is sure to show heads now, too. And whereas it is probably not any higher than the common Minis, it is nonetheless a Mini, so it is nonetheless numerous enjoyable to drive. The coupe’s liftback means not all of the practicality is gone, too. The Roadster is an possibility for many who like droptops, however it’s even much less sensible, and dropping the highest removes a few of its distinctiveness. – Information Editor Joel Stocksdale
2017 Vary Rover Evoque Convertible
It’s exhausting to get a lot dumber than a crossover convertible. The one cited most on this class of automobiles is the Murano CrossCabriolet, however that individual instance isn’t significantly cool. The Vary Rover Evoque Convertible however, now that’s cool. It’s nonetheless correctly dumb to suit our theme; who needs a lifted crossover with subsequent to no cargo area and solely two doorways? However the execution of the Evoque Convertible lifts it into the realm of cool.
The principle factor going for the Evoque Convertible is its design and finer styling factors. It’s an impossibly clear and finished-looking convertible. There’s no awkward humpback or unusual physique kick-up on the rear. It’s crisp and purposeful, virtually as if Land Rover designers had this mannequin in thoughts when designing the common four-door Evoque. In contrast to the Murano, the Evoque even seems good with its prime up! It additionally has all of the luxurious facilities and off-road potential (restricted, it might be) that the common Evoque does, making it a correct Land Rover product. One way or the other, Land Rover managed to stay the touchdown with this completely mad thought. – Highway Take a look at Editor Zac Palmer
GMC Envoy XUV
Because the above description says, the Envoy XUV was “the primary and solely SUV with a power-sliding rear roof. It additionally includes a drop or swing tailgate and a folding midgate with energy glass that seals off the passenger seating from the all-weather cargo space.” That is a very long-winded description, however I problem you to explain this bonkers Rube Goldberg creation in any fewer phrases. Certainly, the Envoy XUV proved to be awfully dumb, but when I requested somebody what sort of automobile they drove and so they answered “GMC Envoy XUV,” I’d instinctually say “What? Critically? That is superior!” After which I might ask with befuddlement “why?” as I stored the following a part of “as a result of that factor was ridiculous” in my head. – Senior Editor James Riswick
2002 BMW M Coupe
The BMW Z3 was designed to be a reasonably little roadster cheaply thrown along with bits and items from the BMW elements bin. It initially solely had a 138-horsepower 1.9-liter inline-four engine, that has perpetually been described by “weedy” even in locations the place that is not even a standard adjective. Then, correctly, BMW put a 2.8-liter inline-six good for 189 hp and 203 pound-feet of torque. Its 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds was awfully fast for the time, and really nonetheless feels fairly fast right now. I do know as a result of I personal one. I additionally know that the Z3 has the structural rigidity of cooked spaghetti, shimmying like Shakira over each bump. To appropriate this, and to make the Z3 a extra credible efficiency automobile with enough rigidity, BMW successfully married the gorgeous little roadster to a Honda Civic Hatchback and got here up with the BMW M Coupe. It was the reverse mullet: social gathering within the entrance, enterprise within the again.
On the time, folks had been aghast at what was dubbed the “clown shoe” and positively mentioned things like “that is so dumb.” Yeah, however dumb in a very superior method. Like doing doughnuts in a car parking zone is dumb, which is mainly the prime exercise for one in every of these. And it will get even dumber and awesomer. Whereas the unique 240-horsepower M Coupe represented a transparent efficiency improve over the two.8-liter, BMW introduced a minigun to a knife battle when the M Coupe acquired the then-new BMW M3’s S54 inline-six that produced 315 horsepower (down 18 from the M3). To make the maths clear, it not solely had 75 extra horses than earlier than however 177 greater than the Z3 had initially. Something described as “overkill” can also be in all probability fairly dumb, however as is commonly the case with overkill, the 2002 BMW M Coupe can also be one of the crucial superior automobiles ever. – Senior Editor James Riswick
2002 Lincoln Blackwood
I do not suppose there’s a lot debate about if the Lincoln Blackwood was an excellent or a nasty thought from Ford and Lincoln at this level. It was a gross sales flop in a really unhealthy method and solely lasted one mannequin yr attributable to low demand. That mentioned, I feel the Blackwood carries a worse fame than it deserves, and regardless of a few of its poorer qualities, remains to be an exceedingly cool car. Lincoln was somewhat too early to the posh pickup social gathering, and the execution of some very important elements of the truck left a lot to be desired, however while you take a look at feature-filled, exorbitantly-priced pickups just like the Ram 1500 Tungsten or GMC Sierra Denali Final today, it kinda seems like Lincoln was onto one thing with the mega-luxe truck. Lincoln flubbed that concept by hamstringing the truck with a power-operating exhausting tonneau cowl and carpeted mattress, primarily turning the “mattress” right into a glorified trunk that was very lengthy but additionally very quick in peak. 4-wheel drive wasn’t even an possibility both, killing any hopes of off-road capabilities. Nevertheless, the Blackwood was nonetheless a pickup that would tow like one because of its DOHC 5.4-liter V8 (8,700-pound max), and it featured numerous fancy tech from the Navigator. The characteristic checklist actually is one thing particular – in-car nav, self-leveling rear air suspension, heated/cooled seats trimmed in Connolly leather-based, an LED-lit mattress and extra. It was genuinely one-of-a-kind again in 2002, and relying in your use case, it will probably nonetheless be an awesome pickup right now (full disclosure: my dad owns one of many 50 Neiman Marcus Version vans, pictured above doing Actual Truck Work, so I am talking from precise seat time in a single). – Highway Take a look at Editor Zac Palmer
2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet
This checklist would not be full with out the Murano CrossCabriolet. It is just about the primary stab at turning a extra car-like crossover right into a convertible (somewhat than the truck-based SUVs like Blazer, Bronco, Jeep CJ and Scout that had been all convertibles from the beginning). And it was about as sensible, logical and profitable as people who adopted, just like the Evoque convertible we already coated.
The Murano has plenty of elements that add to its bizarreness. For one factor, there wasn’t a two-door model to cut the roof off, in order that added some additional complication to the event. It received a bizarre bonus glass panel within the prime above the principle rear one, which Nissan mentioned was supposed to assist the cabin really feel airy-er. It was additionally an concept that made it to manufacturing with assist from former CEO Carlos Ghosn. There have been rumors that it was carried out partly for his spouse.
In fact, turning a comparatively sensible four-door crossover into one thing with somewhat greater than 12 cubic ft of cargo area with the highest up, and simply over 7 with it down, whereas being heavier and extra versatile appears fairly horrible. However however, due to the dimensions, the CrossCabriolet really has rear seats usable by adults, so everybody can take part on the open-air enjoyable. And in case you simply need a convertible with some usability, and do not care a lot about different driving features, why not begin with a crossover? There have been loads of very average-driving convertibles that weren’t, just like the Chrysler Sebring and Buick Cascada. This one simply was weirder. – Information Editor Joel Stocksdale
2007 Mercedes-Benz R 63 AMG
I might say that my age is displaying by pondering a Mercedes minivan is cool, aside from the truth that I ogled each R-Class that handed me by again once I was in my mid-20s. And, certain, you can get a diesel engine, which was cool, however the true prize was the uncommon R 63 AMG, with its naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 making 503 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. No, it would not deal with corners like the remainder of its Affalterbach stablemates, however it will make for actually quick journeys to soccer observe — one thing I may respect extra now than again in 2007.
Along with the additional horsepower below the hood, the R 63 featured Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive, sport exhaust, upgraded brakes and height-adjustable air suspension. It featured a slew of unique-to-AMG exterior touches, in addition to a swank inside with leather-based AMG sport seats with Alcantara inserts. There was even an ordinary “RACETIMER” that would file and save lap instances. I ponder how usually that characteristic received used. – Senior Editor John Beltz Snyder