Vector W8
The fighter jet for the road: America's most audacious and elusive 1990s supercar.
- Power
- 625 bhp
- 0–60 mph
- 3.9 s
- Top speed
- 242 mph
- Est. value
- $650k–$1.1m
About the Vector W8
The Vector W8 was the brainchild of Gerald Wiegert, designed to be an American 'Aeromotive' alternative to European exotics. It features a semi-monocoque chassis constructed with over 5,000 aircraft-grade rivets and a body made of carbon fibre and Kevlar. The transverse-mounted Rodeck V8 engine, paired with a heavily modified three-speed automatic, was claimed to produce up to 1,200 hp at maximum boost, though it was factory-rated at 625 hp. Despite its futuristic fighter-jet cockpit and radical wedge styling, production was plagued by financial instability and high-profile reliability issues, resulting in only 17 customer cars ever being delivered.
Vector W8 specs
The Vector W8 produces 625 bhp (466 kW) and 880 Nm (649 lb-ft) of torque. It reaches 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 242 mph (389 km/h).
| Make | Vector |
|---|---|
| Model | W8 |
| Trim | 6.0 Twin Turbo |
| Years | 1989–1993 |
| Type | Supercar |
| Body style | Coupé |
| Country | United States |
| Production | About 22 built |
| Original price | About $448,000 when new |
| Engine | 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 5,973 cc (6.0 litres) |
| Induction | Twin-turbocharged |
| Power | 625 bhp (466 kW) at 5,700 rpm |
| Torque | 880 Nm (649 lb-ft) |
| Redline | 7,000 rpm |
| 0–60 mph | 3.9 s |
| Top speed | 242 mph (389 km/h) |
| Transmission | 3-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1,506 kg (3,320 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 415 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Vector W8 worth?
A typical Vector W8 is estimated to be worth $650,000 – $1,100,000 (about £485,000 – £820,000).
Its original price when new was about $448,000.
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Vector W8 rarity in CarSpot
The Vector W8 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Vector W8 fun facts
- The interior features a CRT display screen and a cockpit layout inspired by the Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter jet.
- Tennis star Andre Agassi famously returned his W8 for a refund after the rear carpeting caught fire due to extreme exhaust heat.
- The car's three-speed transmission was a highly modified Turbo-Hydramatic 425 unit originally sourced from an Oldsmobile Toronado.