© Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Scary Car Names
Naming a car can be tricky business — automakers understand the importance of creating a lasting name appropriate for a vehicle. Sure, there are “civilized” names for basic transportation such as Civic or Camry, but there are also some downright scary car names surprisingly appropriate for the vehicles that wear them. Names such as Demon, Exorcist and Diablo conjure fearsome images, and the cars associated with these monikers are just as daunting. Steel yourself for some scary car names — most of which are well earned.
© FCA US
Dodge Demon
If a vehicle is evil enough to be named Demon, you know it isn’t an everyday commuter car — unless that commute is to hell and back. Dodge took its already mean-looking Challenger SRT and plugged in a supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI Demon V8 engine that generates a fear-inducing 840 horsepower. A production car that can actually lift the front wheels at launch, the Demon is capable of covering the quarter mile in 9.65 seconds at 140 miles per hour — if that’s not scary, we don’t know what is.
© Hennessey Performance Engineering
Hennessey Exorcist
Perhaps the best weapon against a Demon is an Exorcist. The folks at Hennessey Performance Engineering in Texas have a knack for making scary cars scarier, and they’ve taken an already powerful Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and made it positively evil. The Exorcist boasts 1000 horsepower and 883 lb-ft of torque, which get this rare Camaro to 60 mph in a hair-raising 2.1 seconds. Look out — with a top speed of 217 mph, this Exorcist is bound to catch you.
© RM Sotheby
Shelby Cobra
The Cobra’s bite is one of the deadliest in the wild kingdom. That goes for both snake and automobile — the original Shelby Cobra 427 is as scary as its namesake snake. In 1964 racer and raconteur Carroll Shelby fit a monstrous 427-cubic-inch V8 engine into the lightweight AC Cobra chassis, which made for outrageous performance even by today’s standards. Assuming the driver keeps it under control, this Shelby Cobra can rocket to 60 mph in around 4 seconds and attain 100 mph in a hair more than 10 seconds.
© Automobili Lamborghini
Lamborghini Diablo
When naming one of the scariest cars ever on pavement, Lamborghini didn’t even try to hide the fact that its new car was a devil. The Diablo premiered in 1990 as the first production Lamborghini to exceed 200 mph, and not only did its looks cause gasps, being behind the wheel would bring even stronger reactions. With a powerful V12 engine, rear-wheel drive and no stability control, the Diablo is one devilishly outrageous ride.
© Ford Motor Company
Ford Raptor
Raptors are hunters with large sharp talons and a purposeful hooked beak. When Ford created one of the most powerful off-road pickup trucks, the Raptor name fit perfectly. The wide-body Raptor has a bold grille that will certainly make hearts skip a beat as it fills rearview mirrors, and with 450-horsepower, Fox shocks and big off-road tires, the Raptor has plenty of power and grip to pursue and subdue its prey.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Dodge Hellcat
When FCA announced that Dodge would be building a new Challenger with more than 700 horsepower, some thought they must be joking. It was no joke, and the brand named the engine in that massively powerful muscle car Hellcat. The Hellcat has spread like a contagion, now powering the Charger and Durango, even generating almost 800 horsepower in the Challenger Redeye. Given their massive muscle, it’s easy to imagine these cars possessing enough power to pounce from the netherworld — hence the Hellcat name.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Hennessey Velociraptor
Anyone who has seen the film “Jurassic Park” knows that a Velociraptor is one of the scariest dinosaurs that ever roamed Earth — but they’re extinct so all is well, right? Wrong! There could be one behind you right now — and if you’re not careful, it could drive right through you. We’re talking about the Hennessey Performance F-150 Velociraptor. This beast of a truck boasts more than 600 horsepower and 6-wheel drive. If it’s coming for you, there’s not much that can stand in its way.
© McLaren Automotive Limited
Spider (McLaren 720S)
Spiders can be scary — especially the 8-legged kind that always seem to appear out of nowhere and cause mortal panic. Some spiders can be fun, too — the open-top, sports car kind. A prime example is the McLaren 720S Spider; with its retractable hardtop and sexy styling, this spider should not be feared. However, lowering the top and giving the 720S full throttle means the 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 engine will quickly rocket past 200 mph — and that will surely blow some of the cobwebs out.
© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Generally speaking, people don’t think Rolls-Royce motor cars are particularly scary, unless of course they catch a glimpse of the purchase price. Could this be the reason for the chilling names — specifically Phantom, Wraith, Spectre and, of course, Ghost? These elegant cars run so smoothly and quietly they could be considered ghostlike. Also, folks who get the chance to ride in the ultra-luxurious rear seat of a Rolls will likely think they’ve died and gone to heaven.
© Hennessey Performance
Hennessey Venom F5
When it comes to scary names, this car might take the prize. Named for both poison and the most dangerous tornado-rating on earth, the Venom F5 certainly lives up to its moniker. Hennessey Performance Engineering is currently creating this monster of a sports car that will cause goosebumps when its 1817-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine comes to life. And when the Venom F5 passes the expected 300-mph mark, it will be downright terrifying.
