Need for Speed’s Most Legendary Cars – The Ultimate Top 10

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From cop chases to canyon duels, some cars have left a lasting mark on Need for Speed.

If you’ve ever dabbled in Need for Speed, you’ve likely piloted these vehicles, gone head-to-head with them in races, or invested considerable time in unlocking them.

Here’s my personal list of the all-time greats – ten iconic vehicles that left an indelible mark on the automotive world, establishing their reputations as legendary models in their respective series.

If you recognize any of these games, you might have a good idea about what awaits you at the pinnacle, the automobile that outshines the others.

10. Chevrolet Corvette

State-Sanctioned Anarchy

For many years, the Corvette has starred in high-speed racing scenarios, cherished by racers, while also being a preferred tool of law enforcement officers.

If you’ve experienced ‘Most Wanted (2005)’, you’ve enjoyed one of the greatest racing games ever made – a game that left you intimately familiar with Sgt. Cross’ iconic black-and-gold Corvette.

At Heat Level 5, it often appeared when things were already tough, leaving you with limited choices – either outpace it or face destruction.

Not only did it not end, but the Corvette appeared again in the 2012 movie “Most Wanted”. This time, it was transformed into a police interceptor that could deploy spike strips.

Over time, I’ve gotten quite skilled at evading and vanquishing these creatures. It’s worth noting that their presence certainly adds an enjoyable element to the gameplay.

The Corvette was also prominently featured in the hit racing games “Carbon: Hot Pursuit” (one of the top PS Plus racing titles) and “ProStreet”. Whether you’re behind the wheel or trying to escape it, the Corvette has always been a formidable presence.

9. Ford Mustang GT

Razor’s Power Move

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at the iconic presence of the Ford Mustang GT in the world of Need for Speed. This muscle car seems to pop up in almost every game in this exhilarating series, but it truly shines in its most legendary role—the 2005 edition of Most Wanted.

At the beginning of the game, Clarence Callahan, famously known as “Razor,” arrives in a striking black Ford Mustang GT adorned with flaming decals, leaving an indelible impression.

In the movie “Most Wanted”, apart from Razor, the Mustang GT also played a significant role – it was driven by Jade “Jewels” Barrett as Blacklist #8. If fortune favored you, winning her title to the Mustang GT would make it your own.

In the intense racing environment of ProStreet, the Mustang GT was still turning heads as drag racer, Karol Monroe, piloted a striking white Mustang GT adorned with black trim. Defeating her meant not only victory but also claiming her car, another legendary vehicle added to the series’ roster.

Nearly every game in the NFS series has featured it, making it an enduringly iconic muscle car within the franchise’s lore.

8. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

The Grip King

In the classic racing game of the PlayStation 2 era, “Need For Speed: Underground 2”, the Lancer Evo X stood out as a machine engineered for control rather than chaos. Unlike rear-wheel drive cars that were skidding through corners, the Evo X gripped every turn as if it was on a track rail.

This vehicle boasted incredible speed acceleration, powerful launch control, and all-wheel drive handling that made it an ideal pick for technically demanding races.

Then ProStreet came along, and suddenly, the Evo X was no longer a mere legend—it was the enemy.

As a gamer, I, Ryo Watanabe, the final boss, took the wheel, and if you weren’t at the top of your game, there was no hope of defeating me. My Evo X was more than just fast; it was aggressive, bordering on unfair, pushing everyone to bring their absolute best to even stand a chance against it.

Apart from ProStreet, the Evo consistently holds its ground as a key element within the series, featuring in numerous games, demonstrating that in terms of mastering roads, only a select few vehicles can match its prowess.

7. Darius’ Audi Le Mans Quattro

The Concept That Haunted The Canyon

In the game Carbon, Darius proved to be an infuriating final opponent. What made it even more challenging was his incredibly swift Audi Le Mans Quattro. It was unsettlingly quick.

In the canyon race, Darius’ car, with its impressive all-wheel drive traction, breathtaking speed, and exhilarating handling, turned out to be a challenging rival instead.

In the realm of Need for Speed (NFS), I can’t help but feel a special connection with this particular vehicle beyond Carbon. It was more than just a car; it was a concept that would later evolve into the iconic Audi R8. NFS had the foresight to present us with a sneak peek of the future, showcasing its design and potential before it even rolled off the assembly line.

We saw this again with the Chev Camaro Concept and Dodge Challenger Concept later in the franchise.

Back in the day, I was absolutely smitten by Darius’ awe-inspiring red-and-black Stacked Deck livery. It turned out to be such an iconic design that later iterations of Need for Speed games, like The Run and World, paid tribute to it by featuring Audi R8s inspired by the same look.

6. Toyota Supra (A80)

A Tuner’s Dream

The Toyota Supra A80 model was often linked with an underground scene, a fact I personally experienced while playing Need For Speed: World.

It possessed immense power, offered customization options, and could obliterate virtually anything in its direct path. Unless you were behind its wheel, chances are it was outmaneuvering or overpowering you.

This particular vehicle gained significant attention as it appeared prominently in the series as Victor “Vic” Vasquez’s car in “Most Wanted,” and later in “Carbon” as one of Sal’s crew cars. Over time, it has become one of the most identifiable Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles within the franchise, often distinguished by its eye-catching body kits and neon underglow.

To me, custom builds with excessive neon lighting, oversized spoilers, and outrageous add-ons have never been appealing. However, when it comes to a Supra, I can’t help but appreciate the madness and consider it an unforgivable omission not to go all out.

I don’t like over-the-top car modifications with neon lights, big spoilers, and wild accessories. But when it comes to a Supra, I think it’s a shame not to push the limits and go wild.

5. Mazda RX-7

The Drift God

If you wanted to dominate drift events in Need for Speed, you were probably driving an RX-7.

The car had an ideal equilibrium – it boasted a light frame, a quick-spinning rotary motor, and sufficient power to skid slightly without losing grip.

During the Underground period, it appeared everywhere – at every drifting competition, in every garage, and on every leaderboard. Kurt, known from “The Eastsiders”, traded his Acura RSX for an RX-7, demonstrating its ferocity as a street racing monster.

In the game NFS ProStreet, Aki Kimura, famously known as The Drift King, arrived in a stylishly designed RX-7. If you engaged him without proper preparation, it was likely that your vehicle would veer off course even before reaching the initial turn.

Although it may seem like fun and games with a slip ‘n slide, the RX-7 isn’t limited to that. When properly configured, this iconic Japanese import can hold its own in grip races, demonstrating remarkable adaptability. Consequently, it ranks among the most versatile JDM legends in Need for Speed lore.

4. Ford GT

The Straight-Line Beast

In the movies “Most Wanted (2005)” and “Carbon”, the Ford GT was the epitome of a high-speed beast, designed solely for raw speed with no other considerations.

Should you find yourself on an extended highway, there was no competition that could match the pace. Its acceleration was astonishingly fast, and reaching its maximum velocity left others far behind.

In the game Carbon, Nikki operated one of the vehicles within your team, and in Nitro, it was classified as an elite Class A car. The remastered version of Hot Pursuit transformed it into a formidable high-speed interceptor, making it equally thrilling to evade as it was to control.

In contemporary races, the Ford GT maneuvers remarkably similar to a missile – it’s incredibly swift along straightaways and potentially hazardous in turns; however, mastery over it is crucial. A piece of common knowledge among expert racers is that the Ford GT is one of the swiftest vehicles in the competition series.

3. Rachel’s Nissan 350Z

The Face of Underground 2

Rachel’s green Nissan 350Z with purple flames is the first car you drive in Underground 2.

I’m talking about the very car that’s always parked in the garage at the beginning, the iconic model that graces restaurant menus and game loading screens. It’s the vehicle that everyone seems to recall vividly.

As I stepped into the gaming world, there was no mistaking Rachel’s 350Z. It wasn’t just a flashy addition to the scene; it boasted a Mantis body kit, a Twister carbon-fiber hood, and Racing Hart CP-FTUNE R rims that made it stand out among the other tuner builds in the series like no other.

In a nod to one of the most iconic vehicles in Need for Speed history, Need for Speed Payback later reintroduced it as an abandoned car.

2. Eddie’s Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)

The Underground King

In the game “Need For Speed: Underground”, Eddie’s sleek, gold-and-black R34 Skyline transformed the final race into a genuine challenge.

He boasted the swiftest vehicle, superior modifications, and a persona to complement. If you weren’t thoroughly prepared, he’d vanish ahead of you even before reaching the initial turn.

The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 was the vehicle everyone aspired for, whether you were aiming for Eddie’s version or constructing your own – often to resemble the color schemes and performance upgrades reminiscent of the Fast & Furious series.

It kept returning in later games, with Most Wanted (2012) bringing it back as DLC.

Additionally, it surfaced in “Payback” and the self-titled 2015 “Need for Speed” edition. In “Underground,” no vehicle seemed to embody the coveted grand prize more, and for many gamers, it remains the epitome of street racing.

1. BMW M3 GTR (E46)

More Iconic Than Need For Speed Itself

This car is personal.

In a nutshell, you find yourself driving the swift M3 GTR, known for its striking blue and silver exterior, at the start of “Most Wanted”. However, things take an unfortunate turn when Razor manipulates the race, snatches your car, and drops you down the rankings on the Blacklist.

From that moment on, the entire game revolves around recovering it – nothing else is important. And when you eventually succeed, it feels like a well-deserved victory.

In subsequent NFS games, the M3 GTR grew more prominent than the franchise itself. For the 30th anniversary of Need for Speed, BMW constructed a genuine version from one of their competing M3 GTRs – a car that was initially just a game character – and displayed it at BMW Welt.

In the past, our family owned two E46 models. My brother drove the updated 20d version, while my uncle was behind the wheel of the original sedan that came equipped with aftermarket chrome wheels and a front lip spoiler.

A part of me has longed for the opportunity to acquire a new vehicle, specifically modeled after the coveted BMW M3 GTR.

No other car in Need for Speed feels this legendary.

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2025-02-10 19:40