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11 July 2017

The 5 cars we'd storm through Paris on NYE 2039

By James LisleJames Lisle
How else would we celebrate the glory of the internal combustion engine? (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org)

You've heard the stories – France is drying up. Come 2040, there will be no chance for you to race through Paris powered by fire and gasoline. It'll all be banned - forever.

Rolling into the servo, I love the smell of it. Those sweet fumes. That constant reminder. That thin vaporous cloud is ready to explode. I love it.

But it'll be gone soonish - in France at least - which is why we've made a list. The ultimate list; containing some of the greatest fuel chugging cars that we'd love to storm through Paris before that liquid gold gets banned forever.

Ford GT40

The Ford GT40 was conceived to embarrass Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org) The Ford GT40 was conceived to embarrass Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org)

Whether you prefer the original GT40 or the spiritual successor from '05, it's the bigger, bolder, 4-speed, 7-litre, Mk. 2 V8 monster that we'd pick. Sure the later versions were more aerodynamic, but c'mon… that silhouette, those wheels, the sound! It's just so coooool.

Lamborghini LM002

To combat the unquenchable thirst, the LM002 was fitted with an enormous 290-litre fuel tank. (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org) To combat the unquenchable thirst, the LM002 was fitted with an enormous 290-litre fuel tank. (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org)

The engine from a Countach, the styling from a US defence contractor, and a mass of 'just' 2,700kg, the extreme Lamborghini LM002 is literally rolling probable cause. If someone is driving this, chances are they're an Arms Dealer from South Africa, a gym franchisee, or the VP of an Oil Refinery. Which would be handy considering the LM002 drinks around 35.7L/100km.

Porsche 911 2.7 RS

The 2.7 RS saw power levels rise to 150kW. (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org) The 2.7 RS saw power levels rise to 150kW. (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org)

What? You wouldn't pick an old 911 to storm through Paris? It's Europe we're talking about here; narrow streets, cambered roads, ancient buildings. The 911 would be at home here. You might not be able to annoy everyone so smugly in an old 911, but with that flat-six and nimble chassis it'd still be one hell of a day.

Ferrari 275 GTB

An Italian V12 from the 1960's, what else could you want? (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org) An Italian V12 from the 1960's, what else could you want? (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org)

In the same way that three Mini Coopers are synonymous to Turin, the Ferrari 275 GTB is synonymous to Paris. "Starring" in the 1976 short film C'était un rendez-vous (It was a date), the Ferrari 275 GTB might not be the fastest Prancing Horse, or the most beautiful, but it would be the one to pick for a last blast through Paris.

Even though we all know it was actually a Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9 that the camera was attached to, but shhh…

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

C63 power was restricted to "just" 336kW, compared to the full 386kW found in the bigger AMGs. (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org) C63 power was restricted to "just" 336kW, compared to the full 386kW found in the bigger AMGs. (Image source: commons.wikimedia.org)

Doesn't matter whether it's a sedan, wagon, or coupe, we don't care – they all sound fabulous. Powered by AMG's legendary 6.2 litre V8, this bellowing mammoth is our pick for both its obnoxious gurgle and its significance as one of the last naturally aspirated European V8 engines. Even if it does just constantly feast on rubber.

Check out the video below for the original C'était un Rendez-Vous.

What do you think of the ban on cars and petrol? If you could blast through Paris what car would you pick? Tell us what you think in the comments below.