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A close-up of the exhaust tips on a 2007 Pagani Zonda F Roadster.

9 Coolest Stock Exhaust Designs Ever

Nothing sets off a gorgeous car quite like a nicely-styled exhaust. Even the most mundane hindquarters can be dressed up considerably by a distinctive and thoughtfully-designed exhaust. (maybe those youths driving those beat-up 80s Civics with shiny aftermarket exhausts are onto something) If you dig a sweet set of pipes as much as we do, …

Nothing sets off a gorgeous car quite like a nicely-styled exhaust.

Even the most mundane hindquarters can be dressed up considerably by a distinctive and thoughtfully-designed exhaust. (maybe those youths driving those beat-up 80s Civics with shiny aftermarket exhausts are onto something)

If you dig a sweet set of pipes as much as we do, then you’ll want to scroll down to see nine of the best-looking factory exhaust designs ever produced.

1. 1992-1995 Dodge Viper RT/10

The profile of a red 1993 Dodge Viper RT/10.
1993 Dodge Viper RT/10 | Bring a Trailer


The first-generation Viper was intended to be a homage to the iconic Shelby Cobra, as evidenced by such styling cues as awesome-looking side pipes. It didn’t matter that the side-mounted exhaust pipes caused fourth-degree burns because side pipes are always bonafide badass.

2. Ferrari F40

The rear of a 1988 red Ferrari F40.
1988 Ferrari F40 | Martyn Lucy via Getty Images

What’s better than a center-mounted exhaust with two tips? Why a center-mounted exhaust with three tips, of course. The Ferrari F40 supercar featured one of the most distinctive and wicked-looking exhaust designs ever.

3. Ford GT (second-generation)

A close-up of the exhaust tips on a 2020 Ford GT.
2020 Ford GT Gulf Racing Heritage Edition | Ford


In keeping with the brash race car-for-the-street theme, the massive exhaust outlets on the second-gen Ford GT jut out from its rear bumper like twin cannons. We’re not sure what the diameter of these pipes is, but we’d guess it’s somewhere close to that of a bazooka’s.

4. Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

The rear of a yellow 2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.
2007 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 | Alexandre Prévot via Wikipedia

The Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 featured an aggressive geometric design with lots of creases, angles, and sharp lines. This outlandish aesthetic was nicely tied together by a massive trapezoidal center-mounted exhaust tip.

5. Lexus LFA

A close-up of the triple stacked triangular exhaust design of the 2012 Lexus LFA.
2012 Lexus LFA | Lexus

Lexus used to be criticized for playing it safe (some would say sedate) when it comes to styling, but the LFA supercar forged a bold new styling language for the luxury brand in 2010—just take a look at its triangular center-mounted exhaust sporting three tips. It’s both bizarre and beautiful.

6. Lexus RC F

The rear three-quarter view of a blue 2017 Lexus RC F.
2017 Lexus RC F | Lexus


Lexus offered stacked tailpipes on the ’08 IS F sports sedan, but the design was embarrassingly nonfunctional. Thankfully, the Lexus RC F luxury sport coupe rectifies this oversight with a pair of great-looking stacked exhaust tips. The RC F exhaust design is one of the most aesthetically-balanced executions of stacked tailpipes.

7. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren

A close-up of the front fender on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
2006 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren | Bring a Trailer

As we established with the Dodge Viper, side pipes are always wicked, particularly when they’re mounted close to the engine like on the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren supercar. Unlike the Viper, however, the side pipes were mounted away from the doors, decreasing your risk of becoming a burn victim during ingress and egress.

8. Pagani Zonda

2003 Pagani Zonda S | Michael Cole/Corbis via Getty Images

Leave it to the Italians to craft the artfully-designed stacked quad-pipe exhaust on the Pagani Zonda supercar. If you look closely at Zonda’s rear mesh grille, you’ll spot the exhaust mufflers snaking deeper into the engine bay. Very cool.

9. Porsche 918 Spyder

The rear of a silver 2015 Porsche 918 Spyder.
2015 Porsche 918 Spyder | PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP via Getty Images

Not to be outdone by the Italians, Porsche outfitted the 918 Spyder supercar with what they call “top pipes” or top-exit exhaust pipes. These top pipes used less exhaust plumbing, saving weight and reducing back pressure for maximum power. Honestly, we wouldn’t care if this exhaust setup decreased horsepower and torque by 25% so long as it looks this insane.


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