10 predictions for the global economy in 2019

The global economy started 2018 with strong, synchronized growth. But as the year progressed, momentum faded and growth trends diverged. The US economy accelerated, thanks to fiscal stimulus enacted early in the year, while the economies of the Eurozone, the UK, Japan and China began to weaken. These divergent trends will persist in 2019. IHS Markit predicts global growth will edge down from 3.2% in 2018 to 3.1% in 2019, and keep decelerating over the next few years.

One major risk in the coming year is the sharp drop-off in world trade growth, which fell from over 5% at the beginning of 2018 to nearly zero at the end. With anticipated escalation in trade conflicts, a contraction in world trade could drag down the global economy even more. At the same time, the combined effects of rising interest rates and surging equity and commodity market volatility mean that financial conditions worldwide are tightening. These risks point to the increasing vulnerability of the global economy to further shocks, and the rising probability of a recession in the next couple of years.

Our top 10 economic forecasts for 2019

1. The US economy will remain above trend

Based on estimates about sustainable growth in the labour force and productivity, we assess the trend, or potential, growth in the US economy to be around 2.0%. In 2018, US growth was well above trend at 2.9%, though the acceleration was almost entirely due to a large dose of fiscal stimulus in the form of tax cuts and spending increases. The impact of this stimulus will still be felt in 2019, but will diminish as the year progresses. As a result, we expect growth of 2.6% in 2019 - less than in 2018, but still above trend.

2. Europe’s expansion will slow even more

Eurozone growth peaked in the second half of 2017, and has declined steadily since then. IHS Markit predicts a further decline to 1.5% in 2019. Political uncertainty, including Brexit, challenges to Emmanuel Macron's government, and the winding down of Angela Merkel’s chancellorship, are contributing to a decline in business sentiment. Economic factors such as the tightening of credit conditions and heightened trade tensions are also driving the deceleration in growth.

3. Japan’s recovery will remain weak, and its economy will grow less than 1% in 2019

Japan’s economy is expected to expand by 0.8% in 2018, with this rate increasing only slightly in 2019 to 0.9%. The slowdown in China’s economy and the fallout from trade tensions between the US and China are drags on growth. Monetary policy will continue to be ultra-accommodative next year. The cyclical decline in Japan’s growth is occurring in an environment of very weak long-term growth. Adverse demographics - specifically a declining labour force - are not being offset by strong enough productivity growth. The “third arrow” of Abenomics, which was supposed to implement significant structural reforms and boost productivity, has been slow to materialize.

4. China’s economy will keep decelerating

The quarterly rate of Chinese growth has been steadily edging down since the beginning of 2017, hitting its lowest level in 10 years in the third quarter of 2018. On an annual basis, the pace of expansion has slowed from 6.9% in 2017 to 6.6% in 2018, and will fall further to 6.3% in 2019. In response to recent economic shocks - including the impact of US tariffs, which has so far been limited - policy-makers have unleashed a series of monetary and fiscal measures to help support growth and stabilize financial markets.

However, these measures are likely to remain modest. Credit growth will continue to be constrained by the massive debt overhang and the government’s commitment to deleveraging, at least in the medium to long term. On the other hand, the government’s stimulus efforts may well become more aggressive if trade tensions with the US (re)escalate and growth is seriously damaged.

5. Emerging market growth will decelerate to 4.6% in 2019

Some economies, including Brazil, India and Russia, experienced a mild pickup in growth in 2018, while others, such as Argentina, South Africa and Turkey, came under intense financial pressure and suffered recessions or near-recessions. Going forward, emerging markets face a number of headwinds, including slowing growth in advanced economies and in the pace of world trade; the strong US dollar; tightening financial conditions; and rising political uncertainty in countries such as Brazil and Mexico. A few countries will be able to buck these trends, especially dynamic economies with low levels of debt, notably in Asia.

6. Commodities markets could be in for another rollercoaster ride in 2019

Demand growth next year still looks strong enough to provide commodity markets with support, making the kind of price collapse seen during 2015 unlikely. However, volatility in commodity markets will continue in 2019, particularly in oil markets. We predict oil prices will rise a bit in the near term and average around $70.0 per barrel over the coming year, compared with an average $71.0 in 2018. That said, the risks to prices of oil and other commodities are predominantly on the downside, given slowing demand growth and rising supply. Despite volatility, we predict that by the end of 2019, prices will be little different from their current readings.

7. Global inflation rates will remain close to 3.0%

Most of the rise in consumer price inflation between 2015 and 2018 - from 2.0% to 3.0% - was due to a transition in the developed world from deflationary, or near deflationary, conditions to inflation rates that are close to central banks’ targets of 2.0%. Over the near term, we expect global inflation and developed economy inflation to remain close to 3.0% and 2.0%, respectively.

While there will be upward pressures in many economies as output gaps close and unemployment rates fall - in some cases to multi-decade lows - there are downward pressures as well. Outside the US, growth is weakening. Moreover, relative to 2018, commodity prices will be relatively flat on average in 2019. Finally, with the trade war in a “temporary truce”, the upward push from tariff increases will be on hold.

8. The Fed will raise rates, and a few other central banks may follow

With the world’s key economies at different points in the business cycle, it is not surprising that central banks are moving at different speeds and in different directions. However, given weaker growth and muted inflationary pressures, the pace of removing accommodation is likely to be even more modest than previously expected.

The US Federal Reserve is likely to raise rates three times in 2019. Other central banks, including the Bank of England (depending on the Brexit process), the Bank of Canada, and a few emerging market central banks - such as those in Brazil, India and Russia - may also raise rates.

The European Central Bank will not hike rates until early 2020. Similarly, we do not believe the Bank of Japan will end its negative interest rate policy until 2021. The People’s Bank of China is the one major central bank moving in the opposite direction; worried about growth, it is providing modest stimulus.

9. The US dollar will hold at current elevated levels for much of 2019

Continued above-trend US growth and more rate hikes by the Fed are the primary reasons for this anticipated strength. Given the recent relative calm in forex markets, especially relative to emerging market currencies, another big appreciation of the US dollar seems unlikely.

Nevertheless, the potential for volatility remains very high. Political uncertainty in Europe could be very negative for the euro and sterling; we expect that the euro/dollar rate will end 2019 at around $1.10, compared with $1.14 at the end of 2018. At the same time, we predict that the renminbi/dollar rate will hold fairly steady just below the psychological level of 7.0 - the result of the Chinese government’s desire for financial stability.

10. The risks of policy shocks have risen, but probably not enough to trigger a recession in 2019

Policy mistakes remain the biggest threats to global growth in 2019 and beyond. The simmering trade conflicts are dangerous, not because they have done damage so far - they haven’t - but because they could easily escalate and get out of control. In addition, rising budget deficits in the US, high debt levels in the US, Europe and Japan, and potential missteps by key central banks all pose threats to the global economy.

The good news is that the probability of such policy mistakes seriously hurting global growth in 2019 is still relatively low. However, IHS Markit believes that the risks of damage from policy mistakes will rise in 2020 and beyond, as growth slows further.

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Why are Japanese losing interest in sex? A quarter of young adults have no experience

• Researchers said ‘lack of sexual experience may be involuntary’, citing unstable job and income conditions among men
• 
  
• About a quarter of people aged 18 to 39 in 

  Japan

   were estimated to have had no experience of heterosexual intercourse as of 2015, a team of Japanese and Swedish researchers said on Monday.
  The findings, published in British medical journal BMC Public Health, said the percentage of people with no such experience rose from 20.0 per cent in 1992 to 25.8 per cent in 2015 among men, and from 21.7 per cent to 24.6 per cent among women, based on data from a fertility survey conducted by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research.
  The researchers, from the University of Tokyo and Karolinska Institute, said the young people’s “lack of sexual experience may be involuntary”, citing unstable job and income conditions among men as potential reasons behind the trend.

• Syphilis is booming in Japan – and the authorities don’t seem to know why

  The team found around 80 per cent of women and men aged 25 to 39 who reported no experience of 

  sex

   in a study said they wished to get married at some point in their life. The study only covered heterosexual experience, so there was no data on 

  same-sex

   experience, it said.
  “Further research is needed on the factors contributing to and the potential public health and demographic implications of the high proportion of the Japanese population that remains sexually inexperienced well into adult age,” the team said.

  Japanese magazine sorry for women’s university ‘sex rankings list’

• Japan’s total fertility rate stood at 1.43 in 2017, among the lowest in the world, and the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research predicted the Japanese population will fall to 88 million in 2065 from the current 126 million.

  The proportion grew smaller with age, but among people aged 35 to 39, 9.5 per cent of men and 8.9 per cent of women had no experience, nearly doubling from 1992.

  Analysing 2010 data, the team also found that inexperience had a correlation with unemployment, temporary or part-time work and low income among men between 25 and 39 and the proportion jumped when their annual income fell below 3 million yen (US$27,000).

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17 of the Rarest Muscle Cars With Single Digit Production Numbers

There are many articles on the internet about rare muscle cars. It is a fascinating topic that has captivated every car enthusiast’s imagination for decades. But, most of those articles talk about Cobra Jet Mustangs, Yenko Camaros, Hemi Cudas or Shelby GT500s, which are rare beasts, but they still produced them in several hundred or more copies.

But, today, you will learn about something a bit different. These are the muscle cars with single digit production numbers. These are the ultimate rare finds of the muscle car world. In fact, they are so rare, most car enthusiasts are not sure they even existed. As you will see, most of the cars on this list are Hemi-powered models, but not all.

This is simply because the Hemi engine option was rare and expensive back in the day. It was available on a range of Plymouth and Dodge models, but some are rarer than others. So, keep reading to learn about these virtually unheard of vehicles.

1. 1970 Chrysler 300 Hurst Convertible: One Example

Everybody knows about the legendary Chrysler 300 “Letter Cars.” This was a series of high-powered coupes and convertibles they built from 1955 to 1965. However, in 1970, they produced a special limited edition, the 300 Hurst. Chrysler built it in limited numbers at around 500 coupes with the help of the famous transmission company, Hurst. It featured a special white and gold paint job and similarly styled interior.

And better yet, they integrated a rear spoiler into the rear deck lid. Under the hood, there was the mighty 440 V8 engine that produced 395 HP. It could propel this two-ton beast to respectful acceleration times. But, for promotional purposes, Hurst only built one 300 Hurst Convertible. Most car fans believe it the rarest muscle car in the world.

2. 1967 Shelby Super Snake: One Example

They built this unique Shelby GT500 as a rolling laboratory to showcase the possibilities of the Mustang platform, as well as for testing Goodyear’s “Thunderbolt” tire line. It had a Le Mans-winning GT 40 race engine and a special transmission, suspension, and tires. However, they only produced one example.

There were plans for a limited production run. But the proposed price was over $8,000, which was an enormous sum for the late ‘60s. And most Shelby fans think that’s too bad since the Super Snake was capable of a 170-mph top speed. That was unheard in the late ‘60s. However, it could have put the Mustang in place at the world’s fastest muscle car

3. 1967 Ford Country Squire Wagon 428 4-Speed: One Example

Ford’s luxury 1966 Country Squire station wagon was the perfect example of a muscle car they disguised as a family long roof. To the average person, this car looked like a big old station wagon that could haul nine people and carry a lot of cargo. But to experienced enthusiasts, just one glance under the hood revealed the true nature of this car.For 1966 and 1967, Ford offered the 428 V8 engine as an option on its station wagon model lineup. However, this 428 V8 was not the famed Cobra Jet, but an engine from the Thunderbird, which they underrated at 345 HP. With over 460 lb-ft of torque, the Country Squire could go fast, despite its size and weight. But, they only built one of them with the four-speed manual.

4. 1967 Dodge Coronet R/T Hemi Convertible: Two Examples

The 1967 Coronet with the R/T package is quite a find. In fact, the R/T stands for road and track. But, when you find one with the Hemi engine, you have struck gold. However, that is not all. In 1967, Dodge produced just two R/T Hemi Convertibles, one with a four-speed manual and the other with an automatic.

5. 1970 Dodge Coronet R/T Hemi Convertible: Two Examples

It was a watershed year for the classic muscle car culture in 1970. Never before or since were there so many cars to choose from. Dodge was at the forefront of the movement with the Charger and Challenger. But, the Coronet wasn’t as popular, even though it had almost the same options and engine choices. In 1970, you could order a Coronet with the R/T package, which included the optional 426 Hemi and convertible body style. But apparently, just two customers did that, making those cars incredibly rare.

6. 1966 Shelby Cobra Supercharged: Two Examples

What do you get when you put a big Paxton supercharger on top of a Ford 427 V8 engine and install it in the light and nimble Cobra body? In 1966, Carroll Shelby answered that question in the form of the fantastically rare Cobra with 800 HP he produced as a special project. They only made two cars, crashing and destroying one of them. However, the other one recently sold for a staggering $5.5 million.

7. 1969 Chevrolet Corvette ZL-1: Two or Three Examples

The 1969 Corvette ZL1 was an experimental car with a special, all-aluminum 427 V8 engine Chevy designed for racing. But they didn’t advertise the car, so even the dealers didn’t know it was available. Only factory insiders and those well-informed of Chevrolet’s activities knew the ZL-1 even existed. Interestingly, Chevy only produced two examples, but rumor has it there was one more.

8. 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner Hemi Convertible: Three Examples

The Roadrunner was always a popular muscle car. However, most Plymouth customers looked for standard models with 383 or 440 V8 engines, closed bodies, and no options. But, some wanted to option their Roadrunners to the max, and the 1970 Hemi Convertible is a perfect example. However, they only made three such cars that year. One came with a manual and two came with an automatic transmission.

9. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible: Three Examples

The second generation Corvette (C2) Chevy produced from 1963 to 1967 was one of the most beautiful and aggressive looking cars from the muscle car era. Despite the fact they introduced the big block 427 Corvette in 1966, they further refined it with four levels of power for the 1967 model year. The list started with the 390 HP 427 V8 and ended with the extremely rare, valuable and powerful L-88 427 V8.

Corvettes equipped with this engine were in a class by themselves. In fact, the aluminum head L-88 produced close to 600 HP. Also, it came with a mandatory heavy duty suspension, brakes, and handling package for racers. But, it was expensive, almost doubling the price of a base ’67 Corvette. And that is why it is one of the rarest with Chevy building 17 coupes and three convertibles.

10. 1969 Hurst Oldsmobile 442 Convertible: Three Examples

One of the most successful collaborations between a major car company and a small aftermarket outfit was the deal between Hurst and Oldsmobile. At the time, Oldsmobile was under the GM ban, which forbade the company from putting engines larger than 400 CID in their intermediate cars. However, since Hurst was an independent company, the GM rules didn’t apply. So, Oldsmobile shipped some partially disassembled 442s to Hurst where they installed the biggest engine Oldsmobile had, which was the mighty 455 V8 that delivered 390 HP.

Of course, the Hurst Olds package also got numerous other performance upgrades, like a ram air induction system, heavy duty suspension and brakes. Since the Hurst Olds was a limited production factory hot rod, it was quite expensive and the convertible wasn’t available. But, in 1969, Hurst did produce three convertibles for promotional purposes only.

11. 1970 Dodge Super Bee Hemi Two Door Coupe: Four Examples

The 1970 Dodge Super Bee had a great design and the best of corporate technology in the form of mighty Hemi engines. Most of the cars they produced were hardtops or convertibles, but Dodge offered a two-door pillared coupe, as well. This was the choice of serious street racing guys who wanted the lightest body with the most powerful engine. And that was exactly what the 1970 Super Bee two-door with the Hemi was. Dodge only made four of them, all with a manual transmission.

12. 1966 Dodge Coronet Hemi Sedan: Five Examples

The Chrysler Corporation introduced its legendary 426 Hemi engine for 1966 as an option on selected Plymouth and Dodge models. But they also provide the iconic power plant on the Dodge Coronet as well, and technically, it could be ordered with any body style. However, buyers associated Hemi power with two-door coupes and convertibles, so most people didn’t realize they could have a Hemi in a sedan, or even in wagon form.That is why only a few people bought the Coronet De Luxe Hemi four-door in 1966, getting the ultimate muscle car sedan. With an advertised 425 HP under your right foot, the Coronet Hemi four-door was arguably the fastest production sedan in America and the ultimate muscle car four-door.

13. 1966 Shelby GT350 Convertible: Six Examples

A large number of muscle car enthusiasts will tell you that the first model year for the Shelby Mustang convertible was 1968, but this is only partially true. In 1968, Shelby offered a convertible version to the general public as a regular production option. But they produced the first convertibles Carroll built himself in 1966 as a secret project.

At the end of the 1966 model year, Carroll Shelby decided to produce a limited and secret run of six GT350 convertibles to give to his family and friends. This car was a commemorative edition to celebrate the success of the GT350, as well as a prototype for the production of convertibles. Each car received full options like air conditioning and a roll bar. Also, each car was in a different color with its signature white racing stripes.

14. 1971 Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible: Seven Examples

The mighty Hemi engine was an expensive, top of the line option for the 1970 and 1971 Barracuda lineup available in coupe or convertible form. It cost around $900 over the price of the standard Barracuda. But they only installed in approximately 600 coupes and 17 convertibles during its two year production period. However, for 1971, only seven Cuda Convertibles got the Hemi treatment, making them incredibly rare and desirable cars.

15. 1969 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Convertible: Eight Examples

In 1969, Pontiac wanted to present a model they could homologate for Trans Am racing. So, Pontiac made the Firebird Trans Am as a loaded version of the standard model. They equipped it with big block power from the famous 400 V8 engine and a Ram Air III or IV intake system.

This special version comes with its signature white paint, and blue stripes. The Rally II wheels and other equipment made it a tough sell, so they only sold 634 Firebird Trans Ams. And among those, only eight were convertibles.

16. 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T Hemi Convertible: Nine Examples

Despite the fact that Plymouth presented the Barracuda as the first pony car model two weeks before the Ford Mustang, its stablemate, Dodge didn’t enter the segment until 1970. They immediately revealed the Challenger with the full firepower of Mopar engines. But, buyers could also get the powerful 383 V8, big 440 or the famous 426 Hemi, too.Since the Challenger was a true muscle car, the majority of sold examples were coupes, but the convertible was also available. In 1970, Dodge produced only nine convertible Challengers with the Hemi. And that makes this model one of the rarest, as well as the most powerful muscle car convertibles Dodge built in those golden years.

17. 1968 Dodge Coronet Hemi Convertible: Nine Examples

A major redesign of the whole Dodge mid-size lineup, including its muscle offerings, happened in 1968. The Charger got its famous Coke-bottle shape and the Coronet got new sheet metal. But for those who wanted more out of their regular Coronet, Dodge prepared a nice-looking convertible and the 426 Hemi as an option. However, only nine people decided to purchase this fast and rare cruiser.

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20 Surprising Vehicles From Ordinary Car Brands

In the modern car industry, car brands are predictable. For example, you can expect that Dodge will build Ram trucks, Mercedes will build luxury sedans and Ferrari will produce sports cars. There is no real surprise in their lineup. However, every once in a while, an ordinary manufacturer decides to break the mold. They introduce something totally different, unique and cool.

So, here are 20 surprising cars from the world’s most popular brands. Cars that, at first, didn’t fit the profile of the company. But later, they become popular, helping to establish the brand. So read on to learn about some interesting machines that took engineering knowledge, but also a lot of courage and money to build. Some of them may not be successful in terms of sales figures, but they left a mark on the industry and in car history.

1. Audi R8

The sports car world was surprised when Audi presented the first generation R8. Nobody expected such a bold move from Audi or such a great sports car. In fact, the current Audi R8 is a supercar with its mid-mounted V10 engine and design.

Better still, Audi offers it at sports car prices that are making it available to a wider audience. The engine itself is a true piece of art. It’s a naturally aspirated 5.2 liter V10 with dual-injection intake and 610 HP.

2. Plymouth Prowler

The hot rod culture is one of the key ingredients of the American automotive landscape. However, no company ever dared to present a factory built hot rod until 1997 when Plymouth presented the Prowler. It is a retro-futuristic roadster with a V6 engine and fantastic looks.Plymouth imagined it to be a follow up of the Viper. The Prowler was the hit on the show circuit, so Chrysler wanted to capitalize on that. Despite having some initial success, the car proved to be a failure. And that is because the customers expected V8, not V6 power under the hood.

3. Aston Martin Cygnet

When you hear the name, “Aston Martin” the first and only thing that pops in your mind are those luxury GT sports cars from England. However, Aston had produced the total opposite of that in the form of a subcompact economy car they call the Cygnet. In fact, the Cygnet is a rebadged Toyota IQ/Scion IQ with the signature Aston front grille and leather interior.

They built the car to meet the average fleet emissions standards proposed by the European Union. They presented the car in 2011 but unfortunately discontinued it in 2013 after just two years of production.

4. Rolls Royce Cullinan

In the modern car industry, everybody is building SUVs. However, nobody expected that Rolls Royce would do the same. But, they did when they presented the Cullinan. It’s a magnificent vehicle of gargantuan size with the ultimate luxury and a big price tag.

It is the proper Rolls Royce for the new millennia and for SUV-crazed buyers all over the world. With its 6.7-liter V12 engine, 563 HP and a top speed they electronically limited to 155 mph, the Cullinan is not only super luxurious but also quite fast.

5. Ferrari FF

In 2011, Ferrari did the unimaginable. They introduced a shooting brake model with all-wheel drive and a hatchback rear door. They named it the FF and it is a Gran Turismo four-seater model. It has the capacity to jump continents at high speeds with the safety of an all-wheel drivetrain.

Of course, it still possesses the signature Ferrari features like a high-revving V12 in the front that delivers a brutal performance. Best yet, it has a bespoke interior and unique styling.

6. Kia Stinger

One of the biggest surprises in 2018 was the new Kia Stinger, and car enthusiasts are crazy about it. Most people probably wonder how it is even possible for a boring brand like Kia to generate such hype. But in fact, it looks like the Korean brand has introduced a genuinely good looking, fast, powerful and affordable sports sedan.Basically, Kia has made the perfect BMW, since BMW has moved on to more luxurious, heavier and much more expensive models. The Stinger has rear-wheel drive and an optional all-wheel drive that is new for Kia’s non-SUV models. Under the hood, there are two engines, a turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 255 HP and a twin turbo V6 that can pump out 365 HP.

7. Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

For years, Cadillac was without the proper performance series they needed to compete with BMW or Mercedes. But finally, the V-Series was born. It was all that Cadillac lovers dreamed of with its powerful engine and world-class handling. Also, it has an updated suspension setup and an exclusive production schedule.

But arguably, the most successful was the second generation CTS-V model Cadillac produced between 2008 and 2014. Under the hood was a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 producing 556 HP, making the CTS-V the most powerful performance sedan in the market. Cadillac produced three body styles, so the CTS-V comes as a sedan, a coupe, and interestingly, as a wagon, too.The rarest of the three is the CTS-V Wagon, which shares all its mechanic components with the rest of the V-Series models. However, the wagon body style was something Cadillac buyers didn’t expect. Even though the wagon is a blast to drive and extremely fast, most Cadillac customers turned to the CTS-V sedans or coupes. In fact, some buyers weren’t even aware that the wagon existed.

8. Lexus LF-A

Lexus needed something to draw the attention of hardcore car enthusiasts, so a supercar was just the thing they needed. And that is how the LFA was born. The heart of the super-capable sports car is the 4.3-liter V10 engine that develops 560 HP.

It sends the power to the rear axle over a special six-speed robotized automatic transmission that shifts fast and accurately. The rest of the car is equally advanced with innovative materials, bespoke components and perfect craftsmanship throughout.

9. Dodge Viper RT/10

Dodge presented this legendary sports muscle car in 1992 and immediately, it became an American icon. It has a monster of a V10 engine in the front with a sleek, aggressive body style. With its rear-wheel drive, there’s not much to protect you from being killed by the sheer power and wild nature of this car.

The amount of driving excitement is enormous. But although the first-generation Viper had its share of flaws, it was a glorious and monstrous sports car with loads of character. Nobody expected this car from Dodge, and that’s why it took the car world by storm.

10. Honda NSX

When the NSX first appeared in 1989, it revolutionized the supercar market. Basically, car buyers got a Ferrari performance and look for supermarket prices, along with Honda`s signature reliability and maintenance costs. The heart of the NSX is a 3.0-liter V6 with 274 HP.

But later Honda equipped it with a 3.2-liter V6 producing 290 HP. Since the car is light, the 0 to 60 mph time was a lightning-quick five seconds. Incredibly, it reaches a top speed of over 170 mph.

11. Lamborghini LM002

To be honest, the LM002 is somewhere between a truck and an SUV since it has four doors and truck bed behind. This crazy creation debuted in the mid-80s as Lamborghini’s attempt to entering the world of luxury SUVs to widen its appeal. The LM002 uses a special chassis and suspension and Lamborghini’s famous V12 engine.Interestingly, the 5.2-liter unit with 400 HP is what you would find in the legendary Countach. But for those buyers who think that 400 HP is not enough, the factory can supply the LM002 with a 7.3-liter monster V12 engine from a racing boat.

12. Porsche Cayenne

Ever since the first Cayenne appeared in the early 2000s, the market for quick luxury SUVs was born. This Porsche with four doors, a raised body and all-wheel drive may have offended a lot of brand purists.

But it also brought a lot to the segment in terms of driving dynamics, performance and prestige. Up until that point, Porsche only made two-door sports cars. However, with the Cayenne, it became a force in the SUV market, as well.

13. Subaru SVX

Back in the early 90s, Subaru wanted to enter the sports car market to promote its biggest assets, all-wheel drive and flat six engines. So, the company hired Italdesign to design a sleek and modern coupe. In 1991, the SVX debuted with strange styling and a complicated side window, but it had sublime handling and a great performance.

Under the hood was a 3.3-liter flat six that propelled this rare car from 0 to 60 in just 7.3 seconds. They only sold approximately 14,000 in America until 1996.

14. BMW i3

BMW`s mission to build clean vehicles is well-known throughout the industry, but nobody expected the i3. It is a small hybrid vehicle with a high price tag, but also with advanced technology and a lively performance. Still, it is a true BMW with all their signature characteristics, but it is still a strange one. Somehow, it is quite popular in urban areas, although it is pricy and has a limited range.

15. Saleen S7

Infamous as the Mustang tuner and racer, the Saleen company was one of the major forces in cup racing in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. However, in the early 2000s, Steve Saleen decided to branch out and enter the supercar market with the S7 model.

It is a fast, good-looking and powerful exotic car featuring the latest technology and proven V8 power. The result was the 550 HP Saleen S7 they introduced in 2000. And it immediately drew the attention of the supercar crowd.

16. Ford GT40

Every Ford GT 40 was an utter surprise to the motoring world. But the first one they introduced in late 1965 was the biggest. Ford was always an economy manufacturer with a wide range of affordable cars and trucks. However, never has a company like that built a world-class supercar capable of beating all those European exotics. In fact, it won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race four times in a row. But that is exactly what Ford did and what made the GT40 such a legendary and important car.

17. GMC Syclone

No one knows who came up with the idea to take a plebian Chevrolet S10 compact truck and turn it into Ferrari-killer. But GM took an ordinary S10 body shell and installed a 4.3-liter V6 with a turbocharger good for 280 HP. Next, they added a special four-speed automatic they sourced from a Corvette with a performance-based all-wheel drive.The power figures don’t sound much these days, but the Syclone was able to sprint to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds, which made it faster than its contemporary Ferraris. The key was its low weight, small dimensions and lots of torque from that turbocharged engine.

18. Chevrolet SSR

In the middle of the mid-2000s retro craze, the Chevrolet development team came up with the crazy idea to produce a nostalgic two-seater convertible pickup with muscle car performance. The result was the SSR, a vehicle that looked unlike any other car on the market, but not necessarily in a good way. The 1950s-inspired design didn’t work well, so the SSR looked just plain odd.

Despite many efforts to make the SSR appealing to their intended audience, Chevrolet managed to sell just around 24,000 of these oddballs. However, it served as their painful realization they needed much more than a wild imagination to make the concept work.

19. Renault Avantime

Enjoying the success of the Espace minivan gave the Renault the chance to explore the concept. They wanted to try something new and interesting in the typical French way. So, they thought of a unique minivan coupe they named the Avantime, which they introduced in 2001. The Avantime was the answer to the question nobody asked, so it was received with mixed reviews.

It was also expensive and came with only the most powerful engines and a high level of standard equipment. Although the Avantime was a chic and interesting car, it failed to attract customers. So Renault discontinued the model after only two years, producing a little over 8,000 examples.

20. Ford F-150 Lightning

The Ford F-150 Lightning is a legendary truck. Although it wasn’t the first Ford limited edition trucks, it was the best because it was extremely well executed. And all that made the first generation, which they sold from 1993 to 1995, a true automotive icon. The basic idea was to make a muscle truck using a regular F-150. Then they would transform it into a Lightning model with more power, better components, and an updated suspension.

Ford put a lot of effort into designing and producing the first-generation F-150 Lightning. First, there was the engine, a 5.8-liter V8 unit with GT40 heads and a special camshaft. Second, they added a lot of unique internals. The output was modest by today`s standards with 240 HP and 340 lb-ft of torque, but it was enough for a vivid performance.

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