Supercars stir something primal in the soul. Their sensuous curves and bellowed roars tingle the spinal column, activating areas in our lizard brains that cultivate pure desire. But not all supercars are created equal. Some are products of lazy design, while others are felled by shameless cost-cutting. Some are downright ugly. What follows is a list of ultimate automotive misfits — 15 of the worst supercars ever made.

1995 Vector M12



Vector Motors hand-built the M12 in California from 1995 through 1998, using a Lamborghini Diablo engine and a lengthened chassis. With bones like that, the M12 should have been great, but the Vector suffered from a cheaply made fiberglass body, corner-cutting build quality and fuel economy of just 13 mpg. Production of the M12 ended when Vector couldn't afford any more Diablo engines, and the company dissolved shortly thereafter.

1980 Lamborghini Countach



Lamborghini Countach posters claimed more bedroom wall space for '80s kids than Cindy Crawford. However, the Lambo's spaceship good looks couldn't overcome its real-life shortcomings: a clutch pedal requiring Herculean effort, an equally challenging shifter and a ride likely to crush your spine. Despite its glaring faults, the Countach has at least maintained its looks better than most other '80s pinups.

1981 DeLorean DMC-12



The DeLorean DMC-12 featured all the hallmarks of a great supercar — limited production, futuristic design and exotic materials — but it couldn't deliver any of the typical supercar thrills. The DMC-12's zero-to-60-mph time was slower than today's Toyota Prius. Even a starring role in the classic film "Back to the Future" couldn't save the DeLorean when crippling financial troubles and a botched $24 million cocaine deal by DMC's founder John DeLorean sent the company into bankruptcy.

1980 Ferrari Mondial 8



The Mondial 8 was Ferrari's lazy attempt to scavenge sales from downmarket buyers. The Italians plopped a 7-year-old engine making just 214 horsepower into a forgettable body that was based on the 5-year-old 308. The Mondial 8 was a commercial success for Ferrari, but a positive sales history can't mask the car's uninspired spirit and lackluster design.

1990 Aston Martin Virage



Present-day Aston buyers can expect superb craftsmanship throughout every inch of their cars. But not so long ago, Aston Martins were often cobbled together with cheap parts from other companies to save money. The Virage used Audi headlights and VW Scirocco taillights, and it borrowed interior components from less rarified manufacturers, including GM, Ford and Jaguar. The Virage also employed a Chrysler automatic transmission under its awkward body, giving this car from James Bond's brand of choice a distinctly plebian vibe.

1992 Jaguar XJ220



Jaguar told prospective buyers of the XJ220 to expect a car much like the concept unveiled in 1988 — a svelte body draped over a roaring V12 engine mated to a sure-footed all-wheel-drive system. The premise had the automotive community buzzing and buyers lining up around the block. The attractive body remained, but the much-anticipated V12 was booted in favor of a V6 and rear-wheel drive. The result was a competent car whose sales crumbled under the weight of its expectations.

2006 TVR Sagaris



The Sagaris became the swan song of beloved British automaker TVR, a company famous for cramming big engines into wild bodies with reckless abandon. Unfortunately, the Sagaris' stunning design couldn't save the company from its notorious Achilles heels — dubious (at best) build quality, poor reliability and hilariously bad handling.

2005 Covini C6W



We admire Covini for trying to resurrect the spirit of Tyrrell's P34 Formula One car of the late 1970s — a 6-wheeled oddity that claimed 14 podium finishes, including one race win before rule changes forced it out of the sport. However, the P34's 6-wheeled design was never intended for road use and the C6W really makes it show. The C6W's ungainly proportions and scissor doors may draw plenty of stares from perplexed onlookers, but not many admiring ones.

1978 BMW M1



BMW's M1 was the first in a long line of critically lauded and race-winning M cars. For that, we thank it. But in addition to birthing a legendary sub-brand, the M1 was a legendary flop. The car was designed to compete in touring car racing and was handed off to Lamborghini for production. Lamborghini soon declared bankruptcy, tanking the project. BMW salvaged the project's scraps, but a rule changed barred the M1 from ever racing in the series it was designed to dominate.

1992 Dodge Viper



The current Viper is universally admired for its sinister looks and world-beating performance. However, the Viper we know and love today is nothing like its primal ancestor that rose from the dank recesses of 1992. The original Viper had uncontrollable power and no electronic babysitters, making it very much like an axe murderer with four wheels (only more dangerous). And if you managed to escape the Viper with your life, the car's side exhausts would burn your calves when exiting as a reminder to respect the beast.

2003 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren



When one of the most prestigious German marques teams up with Formula One's most successful team, greatness should result. However, the Mercedes SLR never fully delivered on its promise. The gawky coupe had a pedestrian body from the doors back and an ugly face. Bloated proportions ballooned the SLR's weight to nearly two tons and disagreements between the two legendary factions meant the coupe could never live up to its true potential.

2008 Ferrari California



The California may end up being the last Ferrari ever fitted with a manual transmission, and that's a real shame. Ferrari's first foray into the true grand touring car category left the California in an awkward space between the company's luxury coupes (think of the 250 GT and the current FF) and its super GTs (Daytona and current F12). The end result was a budget product with a puffed body that lacked the brand identity and spirit that make Ferraris so special.

2005 Ferrari FXX



Would you pay $2.1 million for a car that's not street legal, can't be raced at your discretion and that you don't actually own? Twenty-nine FXX owners said yes, but we're not sure why. You'd think a sky-high price tag might get FXX buyers some autonomy, but the car can only be driven at special track events held at times and locations determined by Ferrari. Huh?

Bugatti Veyron special editions



Bugatti has capitalized on the demand for its speed-record-breaking Veyron supercar by releasing numerous "special editions" of the car at increasingly absurd prices. But there's a little problem with special edition Veyrons — none of them are all that special. By our count there have been at least 30 special editions since 2005, and most of them feature a different coat of paint and a price inflated by hundreds of thousands of dollars. It's highway robbery at 250 mph.

2007 Mitsuoka Orochi



The Mitsuoka Orochi is named after an eight-headed, eight-tailed dragon from Japanese legend. But for this Orochi, the name is where any comparison to a legendary beast ends. Spoken bluntly, the Orochi is the ugliest supercar ever made. Its ugliness is enough to cement its status on this list, but the Orochi's complete lack of speed — it shares an engine with the Toyota Camry — condemns the car to eternal automotive hellfire.