9 Gloriously Ridiculous Production Car Rear Wings
1. BMW E9 CSL 'Batmobile'
The road going version of the legendary E9 CSL (Coupe Sport Leichtbau) may not have been as mad as the full-on race car, but it still received a huge rear wing. In Germany, it was actually illegal for road use, forcing BMW to sell the cars with the wings stowed in the boot, leaving installation up to the owner.
2. Mercedes GLA 45 AMG (with aero package)
As if a 355bhp, £45k mini crossover wasn’t a bonkers enough idea, Mercedes will also sell you an ‘AMG Aerodynamics Package’ which includes - among other things - a socking great carbonfibre rear wing. It’s also available on the A45 hatchback.
3. Plymouth Superbird
A result of Nascar homologation rules at the time, the Plymouth Road Runner Superbird has one of the most memorable - and mad - rear wings fitted to any production car. Just 2000 were made, most with 440-cubic inch V8s.
4. Subaru WRX STI
The WRX STI’s rear wing is bigger than ever, giving the whole car a fantastically antisocial aesthetic we can’t help but love.
5. Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II
Mercedes had a car called ‘Evo’ with a giant rear wing long before Mitsubishi started producing its famous four-wheel drive rally weapon for the road. The massive wing on the back of the Evolution II version of the Mercedes 190E ‘Cosworth’ was part of an extensive aero package which dropped the drag coefficient to 0.29 while increasing downforce.
6. Alfa Romeo 156
For some baffling reason, the 156 was available with a rather silly high-level rear wing, which looks a little out of balance with the rest of the car. We applaud the madness, even if it was a little pointless.
7. Ford Escort RS Cosworth
While it may look like an Escort, this car is in essence a re-bodied version of its predecessor, the Sierra RS Cosworth. It also sported a ‘whale tail’ high-level wing reminiscent of the one worn by the Sierra.
8. Toyota GT86 Aero
Ever since the GT86 arrived, people have been clamouring for more power from the 2+2’s boxer engine. Toyota itself has yet to provide such a thing, but the company will sell you a GT86 with an aero kit which includes a tremendously large wing. The trolls.
The XFR-S is a car that seems determined to well and truly kick Jaguar’s old man image to the kerb, with its 542bhp output, optional ‘Ultra Blue’ paintwork and hefty rear wing. The wing also makes a rather good dining table…
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
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