6 Unsung Performance Heroes Americans Didn’t Notice
If I could make one wish for all my fellow American petrolheads, it would be to have their eyes and minds opened to the wide, wonderfully rich performance culture available to us in this country. I’ve certainly devoted many words in my weekly columns to American muscle, but I hope I’ve also made clear my appreciation of performance in all shapes, styles and sizes. There are many Americans like me, but I still encounter a fair share of individuals who are so caught up in fanatical fandom for a specific brand, they never realise just how many great cars there are to experience.
This is why I want to take a moment and shine some light on a few models that deserved more from American enthusiasts. These are just a few cars out of many, so by all means share your own overlooked performance rides in the comments. We can’t open the minds of everyone, but just maybe we can open a few.
Mazdaspeed Protégé
Long before the legend of the Mazdaspeed 3, there was the Mazdaspeed Protégé. This chunky sport compact was only offered in North America and only in 2003, but its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot delivered 170bhp and was easily tuneable to make more. Equally impressive was the suspension tuning and factory limited-slip differential, which gave the Protégé seriously sharp handling for a front-wheel driver, even by modern standards.
Pontiac Bonneville GXP
The Bonneville name ended its 47-year run in 2005, and I’m happy to say it went out with something of a bang. The full-size GXP was given a version of Cadillac’s 32-valve Northstar V8, making a smooth 275bhp driving the front wheels.
It wasn’t blazingly fast, but the big GXP still had guts to hang with many sport compacts of the day, and it handled surprisingly well for something so large. Had Americans not been so transfixed on hating the new 2004 Pontiac GTO, they might have noticed this iconic nameplate - perhaps one of the best Bonnevilles ever - disappearing into the night.
Ford SVT Contour
The Ford Mondeo has long enjoyed success across the pond, but its American Contour cousin was never much of a hit among buyers. Even with an SVT makeover in 1998 to ultimately produce 200 horsepower with truly epic suspension tuning, it wasn’t enough to impress. The Contour disappeared in 2000 after just a five-year run, and though the SVT variant does have a small-ish cult following, its smooth 2.5-litre V6 and go-kart reflexes remain unknown to many American enthusiasts.
Mitsubishi Eclipse GT
The first two Eclipse generations will be forever immortalised in the sport compact scene, and rightfully so. The third-generation was very much a step in the wrong direction, leading people to overlook the good things that made the fourth and final generation so good.
Aside from the styling improvements, it was the fastest factory Eclipse of them all with a 263bhp V6 and manual gearbox turning the front wheels. It handled well, and though it couldn’t pull off wicked all-wheel drive donuts it was still a surprisingly athletic performer.
By the time Mitsubishi got it right Americans were crazy for the Mitsubishi Evo, so the Eclipse never really had a chance to properly redeem itself.
Nissan Altima SE-R
The Nissan faithful have long known about the sleeper status of an Altima equipped with the 3.5-litre V6 and five-speed stick. Nissan engineers figured this out, and in 2005 redressed the Altima’s rental car appearance to something a bit sportier. They also bumped the VQ35 to 260bhp, added a sixth cog to the gearbox and buttoned up the suspension.
In truth, it wasn’t much of a performance improvement over the regular 3.5 Altima, but it did have a bit more swagger for the sport sedan enthusiasts who like emphasis on the sport. I guess the Altima’s rental car ties kept the SE-R off the enthusiast radar, because many people still don’t know this car ever existed.
Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6
There was an SRT version of that Mercedes-based, retro-styled Chrysler from the mid-2000s? Not only that, it borrowed AMG bits to make 330bhp, and with only 1500kg of heft to contend with, this glorified hairdresser’s car was damn fast.
That power went to the rear wheels, and with some serious suspension tuning from SRT, this classy coupe made harder-edged performance cars look pretty bad on the track. But the SRT-6 pulled too many strings in too many directions - it wasn’t quite macho enough for enthusiasts, plus it lacked a manual transmission.
On the other side, it was too hardcore for typical Crossfire buyers. Hence its obscure existence despite being a uniquely handsome and capable performer.
Comments
The downvotes will be coming my way, but honestly, a majority of American car buyers are idiots. Its either big SUV or truck, or a small crossover or hybrid car. I have rarely ever seen these cars, and the people that drive these cars hang onto them like a child because they are that good. In my area especially, if ever these cars go on eBay or Craigslist, they are demanding high prices or are gone within a week.
True. I’ve tried many times to buy a MazdaSpeed Protege and could never find one under 4K in good condition
Can’t argue with you there. Everyone wants a truck, “muscle car”, or an SUV here in the states.
So true about the SE-R. So many people look at my car and know it’s an Altima but then notice the bigger wheels and the back lip and second guess it. The car loves to play and you wouldn’t think it would.
Can’t get over the fact that the Crossfire had recirculating ball steering…that kills it for me.
That aside, good to see more of the excellent wrtiting that CT has come to associate you with!
Debating on an MSP for a first car. Yesyes, its a.. ugh, Protege, but that turbo.
Was hesitant because alot of people pretend MP3’s are MSP’s, but you just gotta look at the engine bay cover and see it has “MAZDASPEED” all over the little badge on top to figure it out.
Also, most of these are yellow. Which is one of my favourite colors for cars.
2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse 6g75nm swap here. Love these way more than a 4g.
There is a very good reason us Americans don’t like the Crossfire.
Can’t believe you didn’t mention the underestimated Acura TL Type S which I dare to say is even faster than all the cars you mention on this list packing almost 300 hp from the factory line. Although part of me is still glad that it is not recognized on lists like this one because that keeps it on the shadows and makes for a great sleeper.
Yes, someone agrees with me! You can’t deny that orgasmic sounding 3.5L VTEC engine!
I have an eclipse with a 3.8 and my buddy has the tl type s…both stock the eclipse is faster…it has more torque and weighs less
Until u urself revealed it to everyone scrolling through the comments.
My grandma bought one of these new in 07 and when she traded it in on a new base TL we bought it from her cause it’s a monster. When you floor it on any curve at all it nearly wrenches the wheel right out of your hands with the power going to the front wheels. It’s a fantastic car.
The Crossfire did have a manual option. It just wasn’t common.
For the record the Altima SER is stikl alive, just not in name. There are still 3.5 liter altimas in production. There is also the unicorn that is the Manual 3.5L Coupe Altima.
FYI
Altima SE R had a 6 speed transmission not a five speed
There was an option for a five speed for that model year but it was not offered for the ser
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