18:47 13-11-2025

5 cars that promise sportiness but underdeliver on speed

The car world is full of models whose styling promises excitement, yet the hardware can’t keep up. SPEEDME.RU picked five familiar models that project sportiness, luxury or muscle, but once you take the wheel the picture changes.

DeLorean DMC-12

A screen legend that isn’t quick. Stainless steel panels and gullwing doors sold the image of an ’80s supercar, but the reality was a modest 132 hp and a 0–100 km/h sprint that took more than 10 seconds.

That lack of pace was central to its failure in the market: the DMC-12 earned cult status thanks to cinema rather than its driving abilities.

Ferrari Mondial 8

A Ferrari that doesn’t feel like a Ferrari. The styling fits the badge, yet performance disappointed. Its V8 delivered a little over 200 hp, and the run to 100 km/h took more than eight seconds — too lethargic for an image car from Maranello. Many regard the Mondial as one of the brand’s most forgettable efforts.

Porsche 914

At a glance, the 911’s kid brother; in essence, a VW in Porsche clothing. Most examples left the factory with 80–100 hp engines. Base versions were slower than many mainstream cars of the era. Only the scarce 914/6 lived up to the image, and it commanded a much higher price.

Hyundai Coupe / Tiburon

A striking, attainable favorite of late-’90s youth, but the aggressive shape didn’t come with a genuinely sporty temperament. Most variants used naturally aspirated engines with 116–140 hp. Even the V6 failed to make the Tiburon truly quick; its strongest suit was style rather than shove.

Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ

A modern coupe that looks the part yet leaves you wishing for more punch. The naturally aspirated 2.0 with 200 hp prioritizes balance and steering feel over straight-line speed. Around 7.5 seconds to 100 km/h is honest and adequate, but a step away from the drift-hero image the design suggests. Fans value its character while openly admitting they’d like more power.

Conclusion

These five cars show how design can plant expectations the hardware doesn’t fulfill. A bold exterior may hint at sport, but the engineering can point to a different philosophy. When choosing a car, it pays to look past the sheet metal and weigh the real capabilities — so the heart doesn’t buy the picture and forget how the machine actually goes.