Jalopnik

The Term 'Supercar' Existed Long Before The Miura

The term “supercar” first appeared in a 1920 British newspaper describing the Ensign 6, a 6.7‑liter car with 39 horsepower—far earlier than the Lamborghini Miura’s 1966 debut. While the Miura’s mid‑engine layout and striking design popularized the label, earlier models like the Mercedes‑Benz 300 SL Gullwing and Ferrari 250 GTO also fit the emerging criteria. Today, the definition blends blistering performance, exclusive pricing, rarity, and eye‑catching aesthetics, blurring lines with high‑performance sports cars and hypercars. The article argues that exclusivity and cost now dominate the supercar classification.