10 Shamelessly Flashy Cars

2017 Ferrari LaFerrari exterior butterfly doors open up1 ・ Photo by Ferrari

Flashy cars provide an extra jolt of visual appeal for customers, thanks to attention-getting good looks that aren’t for the introverted. These are the cars that go right up to the line—and perhaps a little bit over—in regards to stunning exterior style. Bold graphics, expressive sheet metal, big wheels, aero extras and more all play a part, and naturally, most of these choices check in with flashy performance numbers and upscale cabins, too. And if some aren’t priced for the mainstream, others do combine relative affordability with radical design cues. It’s just that all have to satisfy a certain sweet tooth for automotive eye candy.

2017 Dodge Challenger

Flashy cars are found throughout the modern-day muscle segment, as today’s choices keep alive the eye-popping flair often found in the originals. Take the new 2017 Dodge Challenger T/A, which was inspired by the classic T/A trim that first launched in 1969. The new car flashes Satin Black side stripes with integrated “T/A” lettering, for example, along with a matching Satin Black hood with a massive power dome and air scoop. As a futuristic update, the car has LED-illuminated “T/A” logos for its distinctive headlights. Flashy exterior finishes are another popular tradition maintained by the 2017 models, with Dodge debuting four new ones this year: Yellow Jacket, Destroy Grey, Octane Red and Green Go.

Photo by Dodge

2017 Chevrolet Camaro

The Camaro’s 50th anniversary is a good excuse for more flashy cars from the Bowtie brand. Indeed, the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro anniversary edition is flashy and stealthy at the same time: Its exclusive Nightfall Gray Metallic paint is equal parts subtle and scintillating, especially when set off by 20-inch alloy wheels, front and rear aero trim, and a flash of red striping for the hood, roof and rear deck. That said, Chevy isn’t shy about serving up cool cues for the rest of the Camaro crew, and different models can be detailed by different stripe packages, including examples in metallic, pearl and silver finishes. Oh, and there are actually eight 20-inch wheel designs on the Camaro menu.

Photo by General Motors

2017 Ford Mustang

Flashy cars from the muscle-car ranks also include the 2017 Ford Mustang, particularly when shown in its Shelby GT350 trim. After all, when Ford engineers reshaped the Shelby’s front end for track-friendly aerodynamics and cooling, the results just happened to be even more aggressive than for the standard Mustang. Then, with the available over-the-top racing stripes and the first carbon-fiber wheels from a major automaker, the Shelby is an eye-catcher from top to bottom. Signature lighting also brightens up all Mustang models, which offer cues like LED tri-bar taillights and matching accent lights framing the grille up front. And yes, the 2017 models continue to offer the Mustang’s iconic turn signal indicators at the back, where the three bars flash in sequence.

Photo by Ford

2017 Nissan GT-R

As you could no doubt tell by now, flashy cars also tend to have bold performance credentials, and the 2017 Nissan GT-R is a power-packed case in point. Nicknamed “Godzilla” for its competition-crushing capabilities, the GT-R races into 2017 with a retuned twin-turbo V6 that increases output to 565 horsepower and 467 lb.-ft. of torque. Nissan designers additionally fine-tuned the exterior of the car. A revised “V-motion” grille sets the tone, complemented by a restyled hood with prominent, flowing character lines. Moreover, the GT-R’s redesigned aero elements are both attractive and effective, helping the car keep a coefficient of drag of just 0.26. It all works together to create “the look of a pure-bred racecar,” according to the brand.

Photo by Nissan

2017 Audi R8

When you’re a “billionaire playboy philanthropist,” you can have your pick of flashy cars. So it’s instructive to remember that Tony Stark prefers the Four-rings brand when he’s not flying around as Iron Man. More specifically, Stark’s been seen behind the steering wheel of an Audi R8, and if that’s flashy enough for him, it’s flashy enough for us. Further, the 2017 Audi R8 is the next-generation model, complete with a sharp new evolution of the car’s “sideblades.” The 2017 R8 also shines with full LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, and LED taillights that feature dynamic turn signals. It can go from 0-60 in a flash, too, with a standard 540-horsepower V10 engine.

Photo by Audi

2017 Acura NSX

Of course, Tony Stark’s ride before he opted for an Audi also is available in a new-for-2017 model. That would be the 2017 Acura NSX that’s next on our list of flashy cars. The previous generation of the NSX, however, ended production more than a decade ago, making the new one a major leap forward. The 2017 version looks every inch an exotic, from its Jewel Eye LED headlights to its massive side vents to its quad exhaust outlets. Even the exterior mirrors stand out—on long, sculpted extensions that were specifically designed for smooth airflow and great visibility. Things also get fairly flashy in the powertrain department, since the NSX is a high-performance hybrid with electrically enabled all-wheel drive.

Photo by Acura

2017 Mazda Miata MX-5 RF

As for flashy cars that deliver an open-air driving experience, the Zoom-zoom brand has got you covered with the 2017 Mazda Miata MX-5 RF. With those two letters—and the car’s retractable-fastback design—the Miata RF builds on the curvy new shape of the standard version with a strikingly fresh profile. Want to really attract some attention? Press the button that converts the car into a convertible, and the Miata’s fastback structure actually lifts up so the roof panel can be retracted and automatically hidden away—even when the vehicle’s in motion. Which comes in handy, because the MX-5, in any body style, is the kind of fun-to-drive car that you won’t want to stop unless you absolutely have to.

2017 Cadillac CT6

You can find plenty of Cadillac flagship sedans among the flashy cars of the past, and we put the 2017 Cadillac CT6 right up there with the brashest choices for today, too. The CT6 is one confident new Cadillac, starting with a sophisticated, futuristic “face” that blends an intricately detailed grille, a modernized Cadillac badge, and full-width lower-intake sculpting. Also onboard are Indirect Fire LED headlights, paired with long, vertically oriented LED light-blade accents, to furnish an unforgettable front light signature. Memorable as well are options like 20-inch wheels and ground-effects packages. Finally, for 2017, Cadillac expands the range of exterior finishes for the CT6 with two more premium paint colors: Phantom Gray Metallic and Bronze Dune Metallic.

Photo by Cadillac

2017 Lexus RC-F

Connoisseurs of flashy cars know that carbon fiber can be a key element in creating a cool appearance: The exposed weave of the material makes for a little extra appeal, while its premium cost can be its own sort of selling point. Put a carbon-fiber roof and automatically deploying rear wing on an already ferocious-looking sports car like the 2017 Lexus RC-F, and you can be sure the spotlight will follow. Indeed, considering the RC-F features a 467-horsepower V8 and a Nurburgring-tuned suspension, most rivals also will be following the car. At least they’ll get a good look at its flashy quad exhaust pipes and L-shaped LED taillights.

Photo by Lexus

2017 Ferrari LaFerrari

The Prancing Horse has paraded across its share of flashy cars, but this one is so Ferrari that designers had to double the naming impact. They also worked closely with Ferrari’s Formula One team for both performance and appearance cues, and the team effort pays off with an exotic and aerodynamic exterior that wraps up 949 horsepower worth of V12 engine. That mid-mounted monster is under glass toward the rear of the car as an essential design element, while the doors of the LaFerrari are deeply sculpted, to allow room for the necessary vents to cool off that unit. Needless to say, those are “butterfly” doors that fly up and forward to open in a notably dramatic fashion.

Photo by Ferrari