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, 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 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
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)
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 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
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
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
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
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
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.