I Made a List of 'Halo Cars', Did I Miss Any?

"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:26 • Filed to: Nerdy Query, OppositeLock

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I am compiling a list of halo cars for this thing I'm doing. I need your help in deciding if I missed any.

The definition of a halo car that I am running with is as follows: a car that exemplifies the pinnacle of technology for a brand, be that any where from performance to environmental conservation. While a brand halos can fall just about over any attribute, I am only focusing on performance and green halos, as they are more apparent.

These brands are also ones that only hold a majority stake in the US market, so unfortunately brands like Fiat and Alfa aren't listed. T

Years in question: 1961-2013 , so unfortunately no 2014 hypercars.

The car must also be an original model , so no M5's or 911 turbos.

Edit : I didn't include supercar brands (Ferrari, McLaren, Lambo, etc) because their halo cars are already on top of supercars.

The List

BMW

BMW M1 (78-81)

Chrysler

Dodge Viper (89-10, 12-pr.)

Daimler

Mercedes SLR McLaren (03-09)

Mercedes SLS (10-13)

Ford

Ford GT40 (65-69)

Ford GT (04-06)

GM

Chevrolet Corvette (53-pr.)

Chevrolet Volt (10-pr.)

Honda

Honda/Acura NSX (89-05)

Honda Insight (99-06, 09-pr.)

Jaguar

Jaguar XJ220 (92-94)

Nissan

Nissan GT-R (08-pr.)

Nissan Leaf (10-pr.)

Porsche

Carrera GT (03-06)

Tesla

Tesla Roadster (07-13)

Toyota

Toyota Prius (97-pr.)

Lexus LF-A (10-12)

Volkswagen

Volkswagen XL1 (13-pr.)

Audi R8 (07-pr.)

Did I miss any?

Gray > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:30

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918?

interrogator-chaplain > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:32

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Lamborghini Veneno? Aventador J? Murcielago LP670-4 SV? Egoista?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:33

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Porsche 959 and GT1

Mercedes GTR

I wouldn't include the Volt, Prius, leaf, or Insight.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:34

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Olds Aurora?

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 03/23/2014 at 12:35

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green halo

I struggled the GT1 and 959, as they are pretty similar to the 911

Krieger (@FSKrieger22) > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:36

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Would the Veyron count as a Volkswagen group car?

Oh, and I'd swap the Prius for a Supra.

Brian Silvestro > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:39

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E-Type Maybe

Ferrari F40 (but a lot of Ferraris would be on this list)

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:44

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The 959 is a different model from the 911 and the 911 GT1 doesn't shares next to nothing with the 911

×

It was built from scratch as a race car, then they made 25 for the street

willconltd > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:44

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The 959 isn't any more similar to the 911 than the Cayenne. As far as the GT1 goes, it only shared an engine block and headlights.

awe46m3zcp > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:48

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S2000? Integra Type-R?

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:49

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Cadillac XLR (04-09)

Cadillac XLR-V (06-09)

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight 03/23/2014 at 12:51

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I'm torn with this. Would you call an SL merc a halo model?

Xentron Holy Reaper of Worlds > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 03/23/2014 at 12:55

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Warthog. amirite? (I cannot into new Kinja. Accidentally replied to post instead of starting new 'group')

BATC42 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 12:57

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I'd say the Veyron should be on the list instead of the R8 (I don't see it as an halo car, it doesn't bring anything to the brand).

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 13:01

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Personally, I thinks the S-class is a Merc halo car.

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 13:03

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Also, $kay is going to murder you for not including the Ford GT.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist 03/23/2014 at 13:03

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I would agree, but I'm not measuring that type of halo

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > 55Buick, Oversteer Scientist 03/23/2014 at 13:04

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what? it's there. I included it.

bob and john > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 13:10

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the s2000 was a good one for honda too

Saracen > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 13:16

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Audi: TT, R8

my car smells like crayons > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 13:19

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BMW 8-Series, predominantly the 850CSi

6cyl > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 13:26

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The Veyron really needs to be under VW. It is a VW car developed with VW money and technology.

Also:

VW Phaeton

Mitsubishi 3000gt

Subaru WRX

55Buick, Oversteer Scientist > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 13:28

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Oh! My bad.

6cyl > 6cyl 03/23/2014 at 13:31

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Also:

Ford RS200

Lancia Stratos

BMW Isetta (-'62)

hykers > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 13:42

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What about the 918? Performance and green halo car.

6cyl > 6cyl 03/23/2014 at 13:42

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Also the Honda CRX (83-87) needs to be up there for getting 69mpg on a non-hybrid motor.

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > hykers 03/23/2014 at 13:56

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I would, but its 2014+

6cyl > 6cyl 03/23/2014 at 13:57

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Also the Mazda Eunos Cosmo (90-96) tri-rotor, sequential turbo, color touch screen, and GPS in the early 90's!

Axial > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 14:29

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Wasn't the BMW 8-series considered a halo car, especially the 850 CSi? And then how about the later Z8?

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 14:36

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No, because it wasn't a significant step outside the box of previous SL undertakings.

The XLR was a giant leap outside the normal realm of what Cadillac was/or has ever brought to production. It was known that it wouldn't make a impact on the bottom line, but was introduce to highlight the company's new design philosophy for the 21st century called "Art and Science."

The ''art'' refers to design. Cadillac has created a striking new shape to represent the division, and it will be seen on each freshly designed Cadillac. By the ''science'' in ''art and science,'' Cadillac means that its cars will come with gee-whiz technology, like night vision and all-weather handling. Cadillac hopes to associate itself with the confidence consumers around the world have in American technological leadership. ''Cadillac used to rock and roll back in the 50's'' with daring design elements like tailfins, said John F. Smith, Cadillac's general manager. ''Art and science is the next-generation expression of those values.'' - Excerpts from New York Times article By Robyn Meredith Published: November 12, 1999

The XLR emphasized the art in it dynamic styling and the science of the technologically advanced computer systems it employed, among several other things incorporated into the design.

Performance-wise, the XLR was a significant achievement in design for the division. GM infighting prevented Cadillac from using the LSx motor, so they redesigned the then 320HP Northstar, began hand building them just for this model and within two years had the supercharged V motor up to 440HP. The XLR was one of few successful attempts to take a sports car underpinning and create a functional and pleasing GT car. Compared to the Vette the ride is so much more comfortable from the smooth transmission to the heated and cooled seats. The interior was vastly more elegant and refined including gauge cluster designed by Bulgari.

It may not meet your specific definition of Halo Car, but it sure as hell was for Cadillac and the idea was approved by GM as such.

Arben72 > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 14:44

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Phaeton
Kia and Hyundai have there equus and k900
That's all I can think of.

WillyJimmy > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/23/2014 at 16:25

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Since when does Tesla have a majority stake in anything in the US market other than hype? And the special editions you excluded ARE the halo models.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/24/2014 at 00:47

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"The car must also be an original model , so no M5's or 911 turbos."

Sooo instead of Evo or STi it would be maybeee 3000GT and SVX?

crowmolly > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/24/2014 at 12:21

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Maybe the 80's Buick GNX? Not sure if it fits your schema though.

Audistein > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 03/24/2014 at 22:12

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It really depends how far back you're going, but since 1950 seems like the the reasonable target for this list. It also looks like you're only listing models sold in the US, so no Nissan Skylines.

The Mercedes 300 SL was certain a Halo car considering it was the most expensive and fastest car in the world.

And I also think that saying the tesla roadster is a Halo car is misleading because not only was it their only model for 6 years, I believe they stopped making it when they started selling the Model S (or there was a very, very short overlap).

I also think the Mark IV Supra Turbo should be on here. It's on the level of the GTR and NSX.

For Honda, you missed the Clarity.

The 911 Turbo S should be under Porsche, it's pretty different from the Carrera and Carrera S. Porsche also needs the 959.

And why is it that Audi in included with Volkswagen while Porsche is separate? VW should have the Golf R32/Golf R on the list. Audi should have the Audi Sport Quattro.

Jaguar is missing the E-type and F-type R coupe. The F-type R is on the same level as the Corvette for Chevy.

The Ford GT500 is certainly their halo car. It goes 200 MPH, even if it is based on a Mustang.

An argument can certainly be made for the very expensive M3 GTS/CRT. Like the GT500, it is based on, and looks like, a more common model but is actually something much more. You can include the i3 because it is kind of on sale. Also, was the M1 ever sold in the states?