15 Sports Cars That Missed the Mark on Style

The Kia Picanto has been mathematically proven to be the least beautiful car on the market, scoring a measly 7 points out of 100.¹ 

But it’s not just everyday drivers that can fall victim to questionable design choices. Even the world of sports cars has seen its fair share of aesthetic blunders.

Here are some of the most iconic ugly sports cars that somehow made it to production.

1. Mitsuoka Orochi

The Mitsuoka Orochi, a Japanese kit car, ranks as one of the company’s worst creations. Despite its mid-engine V6 setup, the designers seemed to incorporate every possible design idea into the production version, resulting in a truly bizarre appearance.

With a price tag of around $100,000, the Orochi proves that ugly doesn’t always mean cheap.

2. Pontiac Fiero

General Motors’ attempt to reinvent the sports car, the Pontiac Fiero, fell short in crucial areas. While it drove well, the original Fiero’s styling was questionable at best, with an overtly blocky design.

The car’s minuscule size and cheap interior materials also contributed to its lackluster reception.

3. Lamborghini Veneno

The Lamborghini Veneno, a modern hypercar boasting 740 horsepower and a top speed of 220 mph, comes in a package so ugly that it was unanimously voted one of the ugliest cars ever made.

The car’s design is a combination of weird angles and aggressive lines, but its exclusivity and astronomical price tag have made it a sought-after collector’s item.

4. Studebaker Avanti

The Studebaker Avanti, conceived as a personal luxury coupe, featured a fiberglass body and a Coca-Cola bottle shape. It was innovative for its time, but the Avanti’s design has aged poorly, with many considering it one of the ugliest sports cars ever produced.

5. Plymouth Prowler

Inspired by the hot rods of the 1950s, the Plymouth Prowler’s design didn’t quite hit the mark. The tapered front end was a niche taste, and the car’s lack of true sports car performance, with its V6 engine producing only 214 horsepower, did little to boost sales.

6. Jetstream SC250

The Jetstream SC250, announced in 2008, is a rare sight on public roads. While few were built, it’s possible that current owners were unaware of the car’s unsightly appearance until after their purchase, leading them to keep their SC250s hidden away in their garages.

7. Jensen SV8

The Jensen SV8, launched at the 1998 British International Motor Show, leaves onlookers scratching their heads. The car’s front end is a mess of droopy hood design, panel design, and several lights. (ref) Of the planned 300 vehicles, only 20 were completed before the company faced numerous problems.

8. Lister Storm

Proclaimed the fastest 4-seat supercar upon its 1993 debut, the Lister Storm’s impressive performance was packaged within a ridiculous wedge-shaped frame. The car’s 7-liter V12 engine generated 600 horsepower, but its appearance hindered sales, leading to only two years of production.

9. Lombardi Grand Prix

An awkward contraption with a wedged front and bloated rear end, the Lombardi Grand Prix is an example of Italian design gone wrong. Powered by a mere 843cc engine producing 47 horsepower, even Abarth’s attempt to improve the car with their 1300 Scorpione version did nothing to address its appearance. (ref)

10. Gumpert Apollo

The Gumpert Apollo, a German sports car, boasts impressive performance figures but falls short in the design department. Its angular, busy exterior and peculiar proportions have earned it a spot on many “ugliest cars” lists.

11. Spyker C8 Laviolette LWB

The Spyker C8 Laviolette LWB, with its elongated proportions and unconventional design elements, has been called out as one of the most visually offensive sports cars of the 21st century.

12. Covini C6W

The bizarre Covini C6W, a six-wheeled sports car, challenges traditional automotive design. While its unique layout may offer some performance benefits, its appearance has been met with criticism and confusion.

13. Trapontana R

The Trapontana R, a Spanish sports car, features a polarizing design that has earned it a spot on lists of the ugliest sports cars of the 21st century. Its angular bodywork and unconventional proportions have failed to resonate with many automotive enthusiasts.

14. Weber Faster One

The Weber Faster One, a Swiss-designed sports car, attempts to push the boundaries of automotive design but ultimately misses the mark. Its busy, over-styled exterior has been criticized for its lack of cohesion and visual appeal.

15. Antas V8

The Antas V8, a little-known sports car from the Czech Republic, has been called out for its ungainly proportions and awkward design elements. Despite its V8 power, the car’s appearance has prevented it from gaining widespread recognition or appreciation.

Source:
1. Vanarama