Supercar Brands RWD Only: If you’ve ever stepped into a real-deal supercar — the kind that twitches, snarls, and demands respect — you already know why rear-wheel drive (RWD) is sacred. Before traction control, torque vectoring, and AWD trickery became the norm, driving a high-performance machine meant one thing: you had to earn it.
These cars weren’t just quick. They were feared.
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They were “widow makers.”
They separated drivers from pretenders.
Today, as most supercar companies embrace all-wheel drive for stability and mass appeal, a handful of brands still refuse to compromise. They continue building raw, analogue, heart-pounding RWD monsters — the last of their kind.
Here are the final 8 supercar brands still fully committed to rear-wheel drive… for now.
1. Apollo – Gumpert’s Wild Legacy Lives On
Apollo may be young compared to giants like Ferrari or Lamborghini but its roots run deep. Rising from the ashes of Gumpert, the brand kept the insanity alive — and doubled down.
From the savage Intensa Emozione to the newer Evo, Apollo builds cars for drivers who want noise, drama, downforce, and no electronic babysitters. Naturally aspirated V12s, sequential gearboxes, carbon everywhere — Apollo doesn’t do “normal.”
These aren’t road cars. They’re rolling adrenaline.
2. De Tomaso – Automotive Art You Can Actually Drive
After years of false starts and failed revivals De Tomaso is finally back and better than ever.
The P72 is everything a modern supercar should be:
- Jaw-dropping design
- Supercharged Ford V8
- 6-speed manual only
- Built by HWA — the same geniuses behind the CLK GTR road car
Just 72 cars will exist, making it one of the rarest and most special RWD machines on the planet.
De Tomaso isn’t just returning. It’s reborn.
3. Gordon Murray Automotive – The F1 Spirit Lives On
When the man who designed the McLaren F1 creates a new supercar brand, the world pays attention — and GMA didn’t disappoint.
The T.50 is Murray’s personal love letter to purity:
A screaming V12, a manual gearbox, no turbos, no nonsense.
Then came the T.50s Niki Lauda the elegant T.33 and the recent bespoke S1 LM. Every single one is rear-wheel drive. Every single one is designed for drivers, not numbers.
If the McLaren F1 had a family, this is it.
4. Koenigsegg – Still RWD… But Not For Long
For decades, Koenigsegg has built some of the most extreme machines on Earth — and all of them sent their monstrous power to the rear wheels only.
Even the 1,602-hp Sadair’s Spear does it. Because Christian von Koenigsegg is certifiably fearless.
But change is coming.
The long-awaited Gemera — now packing a V8 and a 2,300-hp hybrid setup — will be AWD. One era ends, another begins. But for now, Koenigsegg remains on this list.
Barely.
5. McLaren – The Last Big Name Still Fully RWD
Ferrari? AWD.
Lamborghini? AWD.
Porsche? AWD in its top trims.
McLaren?
Still rear-wheel drive only. Always has been.
From the legendary F1 to today’s Artura and the upcoming W1 hybrid (1,258 hp!), every McLaren has kept its power flowing to the rear wheels.
But this too may change soon. McLaren’s first-ever four-seat SUV is on the horizon — and AWD seems almost guaranteed.
Enjoy McLaren purity while it lasts.
6. Pagani – Craftsmanship Over Lap Times
Some brands chase lap records. Pagani chases perfection.
Since the first Zonda, Pagani’s philosophy has never wavered:
- Rear-wheel drive
- Hand-built V12s from Mercedes-AMG
- Art disguised as supercars
The Huayra kept the tradition alive, and the new Utopia follows the same formula. Pagani even explored building an EV — but customers said, “No thanks.”
So the V12 and RWD live on.
7. Praga – The Czech Underdog That Punches Above Its Weight
Praga’s history goes back over a century, but its modern supercar story began with the track-only R1 and exploded with the Bohema — a road-legal missile with race-car DNA.
Ben Collins (yes, the original Stig) set a blistering 1:09.8 lap at the Top Gear Test Track, making the Bohema one of the fastest production cars ever tested. And all of it… RWD.
Not bad for a company that few people had heard of before 2022.
8. SSC North America – America’s Land-Speed Rebel
Long before Koenigsegg and Hennessey started chasing Bugatti SSC was out there breaking record.
The Ultimate Aero TT hit 255.83 mph in 2007 taking the crown from the Veyron. The Tuatara went even further in 2021 hitting 282.9 mph and secure the official two way land speed record.
Electric hypercars may be quicker in one direction but SSC still owns the officially recorded crown.
And yes — all RWD.
Why Rear-Wheel Drive Still Matters
In a world of AWD launch, hybrid boost and electric torque RWD is the last connection to the old-school feeling of controlling something that wants to bite.
RWD gives you:
- Better steering feel
- Better balance
- Better driving engagement
- Better stories to tell
AWD gives you confidence.
RWD gives you character.
And these eight brands still believe character matters.
FAQs
Q1: Why are most modern supercars AWD now?
A: Because AWD provides better traction, faster launches, and wider appeal. It’s safer and easier for more buyers to handle — especially as 1,000+ horsepower becomes the norm.
Q2: Is rear-wheel drive better for performance?
A: For driving feel, yes.
For straight-line speed, AWD usually wins.
RWD rewards skill. AWD rewards grip.
Q3: Are RWD supercars harder to drive?
A: Absolutely — and that’s the point.
RWD gives drivers greater responsibility, involvement, and excitement. But when things go wrong they go wrong fast.
Q4: Which brand will abandon RWD next?
A: Koenigsegg has already confirmed AWD for the Gemera and McLaren is close behind with its upcoming SUV. The list is shrinking fast.
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