13 Super-Light Sports Cars Every Driving Enthusiast Should Try

Cars keep growing larger and heavier, and as EVs take over, it gets even worse. Carmakers seem to have forgotten Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s mantra of “simplify, then add lightness.”

A lightweight car doesn’t need tons of power to go fast, and it’ll dart around a racetrack like a missile.

For that reason, we’ve created a list of 13 super-light sports cars every driving enthusiast should try.

Caterham Seven 170 — 970 lbs

This entire list could probably consist of various Caterham Seven versions, but we’ll just go with the British company’s lightest model, the Seven 170.

Weighing just 970 lbs, it doesn’t need a huge V8 to get going. In fact, the Caterham Seven 170 has a turbocharged 660cc three-cylinder Suzuki engine normally found in a kei car. Although it only has 84 hp, this super light sports car will launch to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds.

BAC Mono — 1,257 lbs

The latest version of the BAC Mono has packed on some weight compared to its predecessors, but it still weighs in at 1,257 lbs, so it’s not the end of the world — especially since some of the added weight comes from a larger, more powerful engine.

It uses a 2.5-liter Mountune Racing engine that sends 311 hp and 231 lb-ft of torque to the wheels via a six-speed sequential transmission. Zero to 60 mph is done in a tire-shredding 2.7 seconds, and the Pirelli Trofeo R rubber will keep it glued to the track. Unfortunately, prices start around the $200,000 mark.

Ariel Atom — 1,312 lbs

Top Gear fans may remember that the Ariel Atom rearranged Jeremy Clarkson’s face. Well, that was two decades ago, and while the Atom may look similar, it’s undergone several updates since then.

The Ariel Atom is currently in its fourth generation and is better than ever. For a car that’s seemingly made of scaffolding, it may sound strange that it’s now fairly civilized to drive. Don’t get us wrong, with a Honda Civic Type R engine pushing a mere 1,300 lbs, it’s still a beast, but it’s less tail-happy than previous versions.

Donkervoort F22 — 1,653 lbs

You’re forgiven if you’ve never heard of the Donkervoort F22. It’s a fairly obscure Dutch supercar, and while it’s very lightweight, it’s luxurious compared to the bare-bones Ariel Atom.

Power is courtesy of an Audi-sourced five-cylinder turbo engine that churns out a whopping 463 hp. If 1,653 lbs sounds like a lot of unnecessary weight, you’ll be happy to know they also made a Bare Naked version with fully exposed carbon-fiber bodywork weighing a mere 1,609 lbs.

Radical Rapture — 1,687 lbs

Radical is another British lightweight sports car company, but it’s more hardcore than most, and its cars are highly track-focused.

The Radical Rapture was introduced in 2019 as the brand’s road car, and it’s even got some luxuries, such as a 12V socket, a cabin light, and a heater. We never said it was a practical road car! It’s still closer to a race car than something you’ll want to drive on pothole-strewn roads, and with 360 hp propelling 1,687 lbs, you better strap in tight and hold on for dear life.

KTM X-Bow — 1,742 lbs

KTM has expanded its X-Bow lineup, but the original from 2008 is still the best if you ask us. In fact, it proved so popular that KTM had to increase production and build a new plant.

It’s a road-legal track tool with no roof, or any other amenities for that matter. After parting with around $100,000, buyers get a carbon-fiber monocoque and a turbocharged 2.0-liter Audi engine with 237 hp.

Factory Five 818 — 1,803 lbs

Factory Five took a page from Caterham’s book with the 818, creating a sports car you can assemble at home. Its name, 818, comes from its weight in kilograms, which is 1,803 lbs.

It uses a mid-mounted Subaru boxer engine, so there’s certainly a lot of tuning potential. It seems Factory Five are no longer producing the 818 kit, which is a shame, because at roughly $10,000, it was a bargain. However, they do have a waiting list for those who are interested.

Dallara Stradale — 1,885 lbs

Dallara is an Italian company that builds actual race cars, including Formula 1 and Indy Car. They’ve also been involved with the aforementioned KTM X-Bow, as well as the Bugatti Veyron and Chiron, so they clearly know how to build fast track toys.

The Dallara Stradale is the company’s own road-going car, and it’s built to obliterate everything else you may encounter on a track day. Its 2.3-liter turbocharged Ford EcoBoost engine is also found in the Focus RS and Mustang, but here it pushes out 400 hp. Pretty good for a car that weighs less than 2,000 lbs.

Lucra LC470 — 1,971 lbs

The Lucra LC470 was dreamed up by American entrepreneur Luke Richards. This sports car combines euro-inspired retro styling with blue-collar American performance in the form of a V8 engine.

The Lucra LC470 is hand-built, and no matter which engine buyers opt for, the car will pack a severe punch. There’s a 6.3-liter LS3 with 430 horsepower – which should be enough for most – or a 7.0-liter LS7 V8 with 505 wild stallions. Luckily, its driving dynamics match the power.

Drakan Spyder — 2,000 lbs

The Drakan Spyder is like an American take on the British track day specials, such as the Caterham 7, Ariel Atom, and BAC Mono. It’s road-legal, but more at home on the racetrack.

The Drakan Spyder weighs just 2,000 lbs and has an LS3 V8 with 400 horsepower, which gives it practically the same power-to-weight ratio as the immensely powerful Bugatti Veyron.

Lotus 3-Eleven 430 — 2,039 lb

Lotus offers the 3-Eleven in two configurations. There’s a road-legal model and a race model. First launched in 2016, the road version received a facelift and mechanical updates in 2018, bumping its Toyota-sourced engine’s power output from 410 to 430 hp.

The road car uses a six-speed manual transmission, and scrambles to 62 mph in roughly three seconds, and it’ll keep going until the needle points to 180 mph.

GMA T.50 — 2,198 lbs

Gordon Murray is a living legend in the automotive world. He has decades of experience from Formula One and is the genius behind the McLaren F1 supercar. More recently, Murray has created some new supercars under his GMA brand.

The T.50 is like a spiritual successor to the McLaren F1 of the 1990s. It’s powered by a Cosworth-developed 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, producing 654 hp at 11,500 rpm. Murray went to great lengths to save weight wherever possible, making the T.50 lighter than most cars in its class.

7Fifteen Motorworks Troy Indy Special — 2,200 lbs

John Kendall and his father wanted to recreate a classic hot rod — the 1959 Troy Roadster. While it took a lot more work than anticipated, the result looks like a combination of a Lotus Super 7, Shelby Cobra, and vintage Indy car. The best part? It’s available as a turnkey car.

It’s powered by a GM LS3 V8, and the base model delivers 495 hp. Those who want more can get one with 525 American stallions. That’s plenty of power in a car that weighs 2,200 lbs! To keep that power under control, the Troy Indy Special has Wilwood brakes and independent inboard pushrod coilover suspension all around. The downside is that prices start at $195,000.