Y2K came and went without the feared tech disruption as the new millennium arrived. And while nascent technologies now common in cars emerged in the ‘00s – hybrid powertrains, stability control, adaptive cruise – make no mistake, the ’00s were about raw performance.
Across segments from supercars to rally racers, the decade produced instant automotive icons and cultivated car culture as we know it today. Let’s get nostalgic for 10 definitive cars from the ’00s.
Bugatti Veyron (2005)
When Volkswagen Group resurrected the Bugatti brand, they shocked the hypercar establishment by not chasing old records but obliterating them. The Veyron’s unique quad-turbo W16 engine made 1001 hp and 922 lb-ft torque – enough thrust to propel it to 253mph, far beyond anything achieved by a production car before and retaining its title over a decade later. Its acceleration and shifter speed still bend physics. The Veyron redefined limits for the modern era.
Ford GT (2005)
Paying homage to Ford’s iconic 1960s racecars, the 2005 Ford GT brought supercar looks and performance not usually associated with American brands. Its mid-engine twin-turbo V8 pumped an very exotic 550hp through a Ricardo 6-speed manual transaxle for a 205mph top speed. Carbon fiber kept its retro curves light. The GT showed America could compete with Europe’s exotics while honoring racing roots. Suddenly nameplates like Mustang and Corvette gained global credibility to take on the best.
BMW M3 CSL (2004)
BMW makes our list again with the special edition M3 CSL. Already a sharp handling package, BMW’s M division applied further weight savings, power boosts and suspension tweaks to the E46 M3 coupe transforming it into the greatest driving 3-Series built that decade…perhaps ever. Available with only a proper manual gearbox, the M3 CSL sharpened BMW’s sports sedan into a street legal racecar pushing the limits of how well four doors and trunk space could coexist with track dominance.
Audi R8 (2006)
Audi shook up the establishment when it debuted its first mid-engine supercar in 2006. Combining razor sharp looks with space age construction and performance, the R8 brought accessibility to exotic motoring. Featuring trademark Quattro all-wheel drive grip and boasting a Lambo-sourced V8 behind driver seating or an ultra-high revving V10, the R8 became Germany’s cutting-edge Supercar that pilots could live with everyday thanks to agreeable suspension tuning and unmatched quality.
Subaru WRX STI (2004 US)
All-wheel drive with turbo power has defined the Rally-forged Subaru STI, but the 2004 North American debut really resonated with driving enthusiasts. More power and tech transfer from Subaru’s WRC program endowed sharp fastback looks with legitimate speed. Giant rear wings signified the STI’s playful rally roots while all-wheel drive traction let owners fully exploit the 2.5L turbo flat-4’s 300hp. With instant tunability, reliability, and matured rally tech in a useful package, the STI embodied fun, function, and speed.
Porsche Carrera GT (2004)
Porsche surprised all with one last mega-halo supercar before the transition to high tech hybrid hypercars. Channeling Porsche’s racing DNA, the rear-engine Carrera GT achieved the unthinkable by improving upon Porsche’s last 1980s game-changing supercar with a high-tech update true to tradition minus driver aids like stability control or ABS. Packing 603hp and a shrieking F1-inspired V10 mated to a proper manual gearbox, the Carrera GT will be remembered as Porsche’s scintillating swan-song to raw, analog excellence.
Mini Cooper (2002 US)
BMW injected much needed fun and style aggression into compact motoring when it finally brought its hip MINI Cooper hatch stateside.. With an eager powertrain, lightning precision handling, and infinitely customizable styling kits, the Cooper found its niche with buyers wanting more verve from small cars beyond just efficiency. Retro themed interiors and toggles evoked MINI’s underdog British roots while BMW engineering created a machine greater than the sum of its small parts. Mini made tiny fun again while launching an iconic rebirth still popular today.
Dodge Challenger SRT8 (2008)
In an era of high technology, Dodge reached back to muscle car roots when it resurrected its most iconic nameplate – the two-door Challenger coupe. While modern in nearly every way, styling boldly recalled Challengers of the early 1970s unchanged. But under swaggering retro sheet metal lay thoroughly modern mechanicals – a 425hp Hemi 6.1L V8, fully-independent sport suspension, Brembo brakes and the latest tech features. The Challenger SRT8 provided the best of both eras. Alongside the revived Camaro, America’s classic muscle car era lives on thanks to Dodge.
Nissan GT-R R35
Nissan finally brought its mythical Skyline GT-R supercar to world markets in the 2000s as simply the GT-R. Merging supercar rivaling grip and acceleration with the ability to extract speed comfortably in all conditions and driver skill levels, Godzilla debuted heavier and larger than Skylines of yore but with 545hp from its twin-turbo V6. AWD grip and advanced differentials ensured brutal acceleration while 16 heat-managed microprocessors analyzed every input to keep this monster tamed until its pilot unleashed fury. The GT-R remained a digital monster cloaked in a DBZ silhouette growing faster and more unstoppable each model year without losing mechanical analog grit. The GT-R bent technology to driver will rather than the reverse in the early 2000s..
An Incredible Decade
The 2000s was undoubtedly an incredible decade for car enthusiasts. We saw incredible technological feats that shattered speed and power records while pioneering new propulsion tech that continues to evolve today. At the same time, we said hello (and goodbye) to some instant icon legends across segments. Common themes of heritage, innovation, and emotion connect cars from this era while embodying advancements made possible at the turn of the millennium.
Whether embracing the digital future or staying true to analog roots, the 2000’s unique atmosphere forged our modern classics. These cars reflect an iconic transitional period in automotive history where the old world met new world ideas before electrification and autonomous cars took hold. We still live in the motoring wake of the 2000s golden age. These radical machines shaped the car culture we enjoy today.
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Justin Deagle
Justin Deagle has over 7 years of professional editorial experience writing and editing for both print and digital publications. He has covered a wide range of topics but is most passionate about sports, entertainment, and men's lifestyle subjects. Justin joined the team in 2023 and is excited to provide our male readership with engaging content on the topics they care about most. When he's not researching and writing, Justin enjoys traveling, golfing, and seeking out new adventures.
