The term ‘over-engineered’ in the context of automobile design is quite subjective-in the majority of cases it means a vehicle built to some standard much further than what strict functionality is necessary for. If given immense room and creative freedom, it’s possible to produce something built on technical excellence beyond economy, complexity or ease of production; it can even appear pointless on conventional business terms while, conversely becoming highly respected amongst enthusiasts who have a keen eye for what is achievable when such constraints are loosened.

The rise of Japanese performance cars during the Nineties and intense European luxury-car competition engendered a series of machines in both fields that simply could not have happened without such pressures. Some companies sank massive fortunes in research into technologies that nobody had ever actually asked for; others fabricated exotic mechanical arrangements for the simple reason that engineers yearned to overcome an ambitious engineering challenge and chose a dramatic mechanism with which to achieve it. The car’s legacy arose from neither sensibleness but rather exotic mechanisation.

Here we see varying manifestations of over-engineering; cars that opted for unbridled strength and toughness, others who sought pure silence and luxury, but others still who added mechanically complex and sometimes barmy engine-gearbox configurations. However, they all go toward showing how engineers can become obsessed with automotive technology, to produce an interesting motorcar long after it has served its primary purpose.

1. Lexus LFA

When an automotive manufacturer does not give anything up at any point in the creation of an ultimate performance car, few products illustrate it better than the Lexus LFA. Lexus gave the LFA the Yamaha designed 4.8 liter V10 along with the use of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer to hold it together and engineer it. The engineers opted away from typical mass production solutions to create a unique specialized structure with very high levels of strength and carefully limited weight. Virtually every main component was representative of the dedication to performance, precision, and engineering that drove this project.

Engineering decisions that defined the LFA:

• Yamaha-built 4.8-liter V10 engine
• Carbon-fiber reinforced polymer construction
• Six years of aluminum development
• Complete chassis development restart
• Limited production of 500 examples

Strong evidence for the inflexible attitude at Lexus was when they dropped roughly 6 years of work on an aluminum tub (chassis). Rather than stick to a design that they had already sunk considerable amounts of money and time in, Lexus engineers were forced to scrap all that work and restart development for a carbon-fiber tub, representing a massive financial and engineering commitment for a higher power to weight ratio an unlikely business decision for the majority of mass-produced cars.

The car was only produced in run sizes of 500 and did not enjoy great initial sales with the expectations of Lexus, but as time goes on the “engineering wonder” that the car represents and its image grew over time, outstanding examples have been values in the range of $800k to $1.5 million based on provided material and has since become a legend for being that over-engineered, which has caused its legend status to increase significantly.

2. Volkswagen Phaeton

The Volkswagen Phaeton was a unique attempt to move a mainstream, Germanic brand right to the heartland of an established luxury maker. Strongly supported by Ferdinand Pich, the whole concept was built around an attempt to make a sedan that could genuinely compete on equal terms with rivals like BMW, and the Mercedes-Benz range. It used a robust chassis that has associations with Bentley and came equipped with ambitious engines, like the W12 and a turbodiesel V10; the car was therefore, a far more outre affair than one would expect from the executive class of a volume brand.

Features that showed Volkswagen’s ambition:

• Heavy-duty luxury sedan platform
• W12 and turbocharged V10 options
• Highly advanced manufacturing facility
• Extensive comfort-focused engineering
• Premium engineering from Volkswagen

Volkswagen were also serious about manufacturing the product. The Phaeton was hand built in their advanced glass factory while engineers were designing elaborate systems aimed at meeting strict demands for thermals, structure and comfort. Care was clearly beyond the expectation of a Volkswagen saloon, as this was designed to prove thatVW can build this as an excellent technologically adept, ultra-luxurious (despite perhaps not economically sensible) saloon.

This ultimately turned out to be one of the Phaeton’s defining features, too. The high cost of production and complicated engineering resulted in a lack of commercial success due to the top-end asking price. None of these factors mean the car is an engineering failure, however, with the Phaeton being a classic illustration of what can occur when the engineers are given the task of out-engineering the competition with no conventional market positioning limitations in place. Its audacious goal is exactly what makes it unforgettable.

3. Lexus LS 400

The Lexus LS 400 forever altered the luxury vehicle industry when they proved that the obsessive attention to detail offered by a newly introduced luxury brand could take on well-established European companies. Toyota had spent well over a billion dollars developing it and were prepared to give the engineers free rein to produce the best luxury car in the world. The intention wasn’t just to imitate existing European models, rather the purpose from the development program was to develop extremely refined, quiet, reliable and engineered cars.

Details that reflected the development effort:

• More than billion-dollar development investment
• Fluid-damped interior fixtures
• Sandwich-style steel body construction
• Extensive noise reduction engineering
• Rigorous durability and refinement testing

The engineering efforts reached into regions few owners would even be aware of directly. To minimize road vibrations and road noise entering the cabin, Lexus engineers, throughout tests in extreme environments, incorporated fluid-damped interior trim and employed a double steel construction of the bodywork. Much engineering went into reducing Road Vibration, Road Noise and Harshness allowing owners to enjoy a quiet cabin experience. Over engineering, in the case of the 1990 Lexus LS 400, had little to do with the quantity of horse power on tap, it has a lot to do with obsessively fiddling with tiny details until they all fall into place making for one of the most competent automotive packages of the decade.

While the LS 400 sold for less than it cost Toyota to produce it, the strategic gains it brought, in terms of engineering know-how acquired by the new brand over the medium term far outweigh the upfront cost of engineering it. The sedan helped build up Lexus’ brand recognition in its’ competitive sector and gave it a reputation as a producer of well built luxury sedans. Its’ success showed that excessive over-investment can, in the long run, be hugely beneficial even if a product line initially struggles to make money; The LS 400 set a benchmark for successful over-engineering in the creation of new auto brands.

4. Mercedes-Benz W123

The Mercedes-Benz W123 epitomizes all that could ever be described as automotive over-engineering due to its enduring, robust reliability, not surprising as from 1976 to 1985 (in which period it was produced) that vehicle was created with ultimate durability and long-term usability in mind. It was constructed with high-quality materials and sturdy suspension with all the features of robust reliability to last for many years in daily use, while it’s a great example of where Mercedes-Benz manufactured not just a ‘low cost’ item, but a veritable longevity machine instead.

Durability features behind its reputation:

• Robust materials throughout construction
• Durable suspension components
• Strong long-term serviceability
• Reliable diesel powertrains
• Exceptional high-mileage survival

Diesels were what really made the W123. In the text they supply, it notes the use of the 2.4 liter diesel as one key to the car’s incredible staying power. One of the many stories in fact indicates that one particular 2.4 diesel owner was believed to have done 2.9 million miles in a W123 in one motor-a figure that quickly became gospel of the W123’s ability to endure astronomical miles. These tales elevated it beyond just another sensible Benz sedan into an emblem of mechanical longevity.

They also became very popular for hard used, commercial application (like Greece taxis). An engine running every day all through severe conditions will be a lot harsher environment than your private car, therefore cars that do run in this application actually proved to be beneficial when massively over-engineered. This wasn’t the typical over-engineered and pointless expense, but the sheer toughness that brought about long-life benefits.

5. Porsche 911 Targa (991 & 992)

In the 991 and 992 generations of the Porsche 911 Targa we see another take on over-engineering. Instead of trying to build an indestructible engine and body shell, Porsche went to extraordinary efforts to engineer an overly complicated way to achieve the classic Targa feeling again. We already have a convertible and therefore effortless open-top driving, but they insisted on bringing the Targa story to the present, with a complex operation that articulates a section of roof and the whole rear of the car through a precise sequence of movements.

Complexities built into the roof system:

• Automated multi-step roof movement
• Moving structural roof components
• Carefully coordinated folding sequence
• Structural requirements during operation
• Distinctive open-air Targa experience

An ingenious piece of engineering for a motor car. The movable structures (including the B-pillars and respective roof-sections) fold and unfold using a step-by-step process. As well as the necessary fluid action through various stages it is essential that they retain the correct aesthetic and load-bearing structure of the car. Why make-do with a simple removable panel or a traditional cabrio arrangement when Porsche came up with this elaborate automated mechanical experience when opening the roof.

On an entirely practical level, the complex system isn’t an obviously better one than what might have been achieved with a far simpler open-top. This of course, is what makes the 911 Targa such a fascinanting one for being so unnecessarily over-engineered. What Porsche had seemingly spent a huge amount of engineering time on was the maintenance of a visual as well as an emotional feel; not just on practicality. The system was ultimately one which would be appreciated by its audience for no small measure of how mechanically engaging and architecturally ambitious the engineering of the operation itself had been, just as much as for the weather that its operation afforded the occupants!

6. Toyota Supra MK IV

The forth generation Toyota Supra is often regarded as a cornerstone of Japanese performance machinery in the 90s and the major factor for it’s god status remains it’s fantastic 2JZ engine. This Twin Turbo Straight-6 unit features a very strong structure that has awarded it the glory of being able to withstand very high modification efforts, so that being tuneable is partly responsible for the Supra being popular with tuners in later years wanting their factory car to perform.

Engineering strengths behind the Supra legend:

• Strong twin-turbocharged inline-six
• Highly durable 2JZ architecture
• Advanced anti-lock braking system
• Individual brake-related sensors
• Strong overall performance balance

Toyota continued their engineering quest in the car’s brakes. The car utilized and extremely advanced ABS system with individual sensors attached to each brake caliper delivering exact breaking accuracy to The Supra. This continued with the car’s overall engineering principle of enabling high performance via mechanical/electronic systems and not solely thru an enhanced engine.

Also, the breaking power of Supra add further fuel to its legend. What supplied article mention is that the stop from 70 mph to a stop is 149ft, a figure that can not be matched by another sports coupe produced until 2004, by Porsche, with its Carrera GT. Regardless from engine, breaking technology, or balance of performance, the MK IV Supra showcases us how a thoughtful engineered car could be remembered through time even after almost a decade off of production, and its legacy would grow much beyond whatToyota had thought.

7. Acura Vigor

The Acura Vigor stands out as especially strangely over-engineered in that even the complexity actually started at the choice of unusual engine. Acura’s problem at that time seemed to be filling a gap between the four cylinder Integra and six cylinder Legend. To fulfill this Acura engineers engineered what appeared to be a separate inline-five cylinder power plant instead of simply an eight cylinder engine. Acura was probably not forced to build it by any consumer, but had an original way of differentiating its models technically.

Unusual engineering choices defined the Vigor:

• Unique inline-five-cylinder engine
• Longitudinal engine placement
• Engine tilted approximately 35 degrees
• Secondary power-transfer shaft
• Front-wheel-drive power delivery

Engine packaging-more particularly fitting that long inline-five engine-was another bit of engineering magic required. In order to pack that engine in, Acura oriented it longitudinally in the bay, but canted it up about 35-degrees. This necessitated engineering the rest of the drivetrain and engine compartment around the “weird” motor, a path that chose complexity over convenience simply to end up with a car with a personality different from that of most FWD models of its era.

Even more strangely, because the engine had to be forced through an additional shaft to get to the front wheels, the drivetrain setup of the Vigor becomes even more unconventional. This design process added yet another engineering twist to what was already an unusual package. While they won’t be whispered along the same hallowed lines as the LFA or Supra, the drivetrain configuration of the Vigor is certainly one to be analyzed.