After the millennium, a new wave of sports cars emerged in the market. Performance-focused beauties, vehicles that went hard and dropped jaws. Ongoing technological developments and the use of lightweight materials bred incredible machines, birthing cars like the fantastic Lotus Exige S1.
Speed was also more accessible than before, as Audi proved with the RS6 Avant, a family-orientated wagon delivering supercar-slaying prowess. But, it was the purebred sports cars that evolved the most, becoming more potent, and even more pretty.
The early 2000s are a high point for automotive design. The gasoline engine still ruled supreme, and innovation was in the air. Cars never looked so good. These are the 9 most gorgeous sports cars from the 2000s.
9/9 The Gorgeous Porsche Carerra GT
An exercise by Porsche in ‘what if’. So Porsche went to town and built something truly special. Sensationally styled and boasting an envious list of features. From Kevlar seats to a V10 powerplant, the Carrera GT is achingly pretty from all angles, plus it’s a hoot to drive.
Its 5.7-liter V10 engine snarls out 612hp and 435lb/ft of torque. It will rip to 60mph in 3.9 seconds and crack 200mph. Dynamically perfect, the Porsche Carrera GT was created to be balanced and composed at high speeds, as power is nothing without a way to control it.
8/9 The Gorgeous Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
The sixth-generation Corvette ZR-1 turned the motoring world on its head. Here was a car that went as hard and fast as any European rival, but retained its outlandish muscle car heritage. Sculpted, yet muscular, it heralded in a new wave of sophisticated Corvettes.
A true supercar killer, the Chevy C6 ZR-1 dished out 638hp and 604lb/ft of torque. It would blast to 100mph in 7.0 seconds. The 6.2-liter supercharged V8 barked and screamed as it went. In the corners, the ZR-1 set new standards for American sports cars. It was simply incredible.
7/9 The Gorgeous MG SV-R
Small, stout, and aggressive, the wonderful SV-R is the best-looking car MG ever penned. Its swollen arches, cut-out gills, and broad spoiler make it an eye-catching sports car. Monstrously good-looking. It may not have been particularly well-made, but it was appealing.
A 5.0-liter 32-valve Ford V8 provided 400hp, it could whip to 60mph in 4.9 seconds. Wildly expensive to buy, the SV-R found very few homes. Which was a shame, as it was fantastic to drive. Razor sharp to guide through corners, it devoured any road dropped before it.
6/9 The Gorgeous Ford GT
The return of a legend, a modern take on the Ford GT40 provided race fans with a new dream car. Blending the original design with an evolved look, the Ford GT was a car that stopped people in their tracks. It looked sensational in the metal and sounded unreal.
The reborn Ford GT was also wildly rapid. A lusty 5.4-liter supercharged V8 developed 557hp, allowing the GT to romp to 60mph in 3.3 seconds. Flat out, it would hammer on to hit 204mph. The Ford GT created a new legacy, opening the door for a new breed of speed.
5/9 The Gorgeous Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
In a sea of Ferraris, the 599 GTB Fiorano stands out. Not only does its curvaceous body tempt the eye, but it also marks itself as being one of the company’s finest V12-engined machines. A car with a sizzling soul. Perfectly proportioned, and packed with Italian passion.
From a 6.0-liter unit, 611hp gets deployed to the rear tires. Ferocious acceleration means 60mph passes in 3.5 seconds. Yet, this is no stripped-out road racer. Inside, a driver gets subjected to an array of lavish touches and materials. The cabin is supremely comfortable.
4/9 The Gorgeous Wiesmann GT MF4
A throwback to the golden age of sports cars, the Wiesmann GT is a hand-built custom-performance vehicle. Mixing style with bespoke craftsmanship. The Weismann takes inspiration from a catalog of historic racers. It is an ode to by-gone motoring done the right way.
Equipped with a BMW-sourced 4.8-liter V8, it gets 362hp, dispatching the 0-60mph dash in 4.6 seconds. Elegant, yet fierce, the Weismann GT has an involving chassis. Grip levels are very high, allowing a driver to make rapid progress across the most challenging of roads.
3/9 The Gorgeous Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Up until the Alfa Romeo 8C appeared, the Italian company hadn’t delivered a truly beautiful car for decades. But, the wait was worth it. Simply stunning in every aspect, the 8C Competizione captivates from the front grille to the tail lights. Pure Alfa Romeo panache.
Fire up the 4.7-liter V8 and 450hp bursts into life, bringing with it a deep roar. On the move, the 8C Competizione looks even more seductive, carving its way through the world in a seductive, alluring way. Bury the throttle, and it’ll accelerate to 60mph in 4.2 seconds.
2/9 The Gorgeous Aston Martin DBS
A showstopping, flagship vehicle, the Aston Martin DBS debuted to the world as the vehicle of choice for super spy James Bond, and that marriage encapsulates the car’s look and feel. Suave, sophisticated, and capable of taking on anything that strays into its path.
The 510hp V12 delivers a knock-out blow. Its 5.9-liter displacement provides enormous levels of performance, hustling the gorgeous Brit to 60mph in 4.1 seconds. Engaging and thoroughly intoxicating to drive, knitting the Aston through a favorite series of corners is fantastic.
1/9 The Gorgeous TVR Sagaris
A British wild child, the TVR Sagaris is the polar opposite of the slick and refined Aston Martin DBS. Butch and swollen, it looks raw and aggressive. A raucous headcase that just wants to chew through asphalt as quickly as possible, it’s a working-class thug with a big bite.
The Sagaris gets 405hp from a 4.0-liter straight six. It will explode off the line and hit 60mph in 3.7 seconds. Keep the throttle pinned, and it will rocket pass 185mph, but care must be taken when pressing on. The Sagaris is brilliant, balanced, and poised, but it’s still quite rowdy.
Sources: Aston Martin, TVR, Parkers, duPont Registry