The typical sports car has been previously characterized as having a mid or rear-engine configuration to gain the best performance attributes. in front-engined cars, the engine's position typically causes the car's weight will be oriented to the front, making handling around tight corners tricky due to understeer. Regardless, that has not stopped automakers from challenging these factors and making incredibly fast front-engine vehicles.

Nissan GT-R

Even though the GT-R is not part of the skyline family, it is the peak of Nissan Motorsports engineering. It is also considered one of the fastest supercars. It features a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-6 engine rated at 565 horsepower. The engine is hooked up to a six-speed automatic transmission, and the acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour is 2.9 seconds. Its quick steering the adjustable suspension make it easy to handle the breakneck acceleration. The GT-R has a top speed of 205 miles per hour.

Nissan GT-R specifications

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Lexus LFA

Though the LFA was only produced for three years, it remains the best supercar Lexus ever made. Interestingly, Lexus mounted the 4.8-liter V-10 engine in the front rather than the expected middle to make the steering more forgiving. The weight distribution is close to 50-50 because of the gearbox and the radiators were mounted in the rear. Its fuel tank was also set in front of the rear axle. The LFA had a six-speed automated manual transmission and an acceleration to 60 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds. Topping out at 202 miles per hour, it was every bit the supercar as the latest offerings today. The fact that it took ten years from design to production is not surprising after encountering this engineering marvel.

Lexus LF-A specifications

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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Dubbed 'Fury by GM management, the ZR1 allegedly infers a spirit of punishment on the competition. It is also apparently the last and most powerful front-engine performance model that Chevrolet built, considering the C8 is mid-engined. As such, Chevy decided to invest everything they had in this iteration. They gave it a 6.25-liter supercharged V-8 engine that produced 755 horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting modes. The engine also had a new throttle body, lighter crankshaft, and a direct injection fuel delivery system. It is also not just a straight-line missile. Apparently, the ZR1 has quite an aggressive aero setup that is included within the ZTK track performance package to replicate the aerodynamic characteristics of a heavily modified Z06 Corvette. That enables downforce at high speeds to navigate sharp bends.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 specifications

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Ferrari F12

Ferrari is exceedingly good at making front-engined V-12 grand tourers, considering it has more than six decades of experience. The F12 is one of the best offerings from Maranello and was a replacement for the 599 GTB in 2012. The 0 to 60 miles per hour acceleration is 3.1 seconds, and it had a top speed of 211 miles per hour. With that much power on tap, the F12 is quite a handful and unforgiving for those who are not ready to commit.

Ferrari F12 specifications

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Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

Typically known for building front-engine cars, Aston Martin is transitioning to mid-engine options. The DBS Superleggera is of the former orientation, though. It has been said to be a derivative of the DB11 grand tourer, but a few adjustments were made. For one, it is wider, giving the car a better presence and stability. The DBS has a 5.2-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 engine and produces 715 horsepower. It may weigh more than 4000 pounds but can get to 60 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds and attain a top speed of 211 miles per hour. To balance the weight, the automaker set the eight-speed automatic gearbox at the rear. The steering is especially nimble, so you can navigate bends so effortlessly it feels telepathic.

Aston Martin DBS Superleggera specifications

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TVR Cerbera Speed 12

Though TVR has a front-engine configuration, it is set as far back as possible so the car can have a balanced weight distribution. Its power was quite something though most of the models weighed the same as a small saloon. It had a 7.7-litre, V-12 which was made by combining two straight-six engines from the original Cerebra model. At an astounding 1000 kilos, the car can accelerate to 60 miles per hour within 3 seconds. A top speed of 240 miles per hour also makes the Cerbera speed 12 one of the current fastest cars, though produced stopped in 1998.

TVR Cerbera Speed 12 specifications

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Dodge Viper ACR

Dodge has stayed true to the naturally aspirated V-10 front-engine setup of the Viper through the two and a half decades of its production. It also has a six-speed manual transmission as the only option, making it an optimal grand touring model. The frame of the car has a combination of high steel and carbon fiber to increase the levels of rigidity, and the automaker fitted the ACR with an extraordinary aero kit. It entails a detachable front splitter and a rear diffuser that begins from the front of the rear wheels to the tip of the rear bumper. In so doing, the kit gives the model a ton of downforce for exceptional handling. The ACR accelerates to 60 miles per hour in 3.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 177 miles per hour.

Dodge Viper ACR specifications

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Mercedes AMG SLS

Like the TVR, the Mercedes-AMG SLS also has a front mid-engine, probably for weight distribution. Considering the SLS AMG was only produced between 2010 and 2014, it is an incredibly rare and fast supercar. The SLS topped out at 196 miles per hour which is acceptable for a production rather than track model. However, at low speeds, the AMG provides a stiff ride, as if it was meant for the track more than the suburbs, but this evens out with an increase in speed. The body rolling and cornering is also very controlled, so it does not have that out of control feeling on winding roads.

Mercedes AMG SLS specifications

Read our full review on the Mercedes AMG SLS