From high-end luxury vehicles to thrilling supercars and innovative electric models, automotive brands starting with the letter M have made an indelible mark in car history. This extensive guide explores 25 iconic carmakers and manufacturers along with their milestones and flagship models that cement their status as four-wheeled legends.
1. Mercedes-Benz – Pinnacle of Luxury and Innovation
When it comes to luxury on four wheels, none come close to the illustrious Mercedes-Benz. Founded in 1926, the German automaker is renowned for high-performance sedans, sports cars and SUVs exhibiting superior craftsmanship, cutting-edge innovation and trademark reliability.
The iconic 300 SL "Gullwing" (1954) was a sports car milestone with unique upward-opening doors and blistering performance from its 3.0L inline 6-cylinder engine. This was followed by the likes of the legendary S-Class, the pinnacle of luxury offered by Mercedes, as well as performance sedans like the AMG and Maybach sub-brands catering to driving enthusiasts.
Mercedes has also been at the forefront of innovation, be it pioneering crumple zones for safety in the 1950s or introducing one of the world‘s first electric vehicles – the A-Class E-Cell. Today with sophisticated hybrid powertrains and the new all-electric EQS luxury sedan, Mercedes continues to push boundaries.
2. Maserati – Italian Passion Meets Racing Heritage
This Italian luxury vehicle manufacturer was founded in 1914, initially making racing cars and later moving into exquisite grand tourers and sports cars infused with flair, passion and power.
Maserati is known for bespoke sounding engines and timeless style evident in models like the 1963 Quattroporte luxury sedan, the Ghibli coupé as well as mid-engine wonders like the Bora and the MC12 supercar. Modern Maseratis like the extravagant Levante SUV and the high-performance MC20 supercar combine the best of Italian design, soul-stirring exhaust notes from Ferrari-derived V6s or V8s along with everyday usability.
3. Mazda – Zoom-Zoom with the Power of Dreams
Ever since its origins as a cork manufacturing company in 1920 Hiroshima, Mazda has boldly dared to dream. The introduction of the R360 coupe (1960) marked its foray into car manufacturing, with the iconic RX-7 sports car in the late 1970s pioneering the high-revving Wankel rotary engine.
Renowned for its signature Zoom-Zoom driving dynamics, Mazda vehicles like the MX-5 roadster and its generations have consistently delivered sheer driving pleasure. SkyActiv engines and chassis in modern Mazda cars like the Kodo-styled CX-30 crossover and 2022 Mazda3 adroitly balance performance and efficiency. Who knew a small car company would one day churn out such beautiful machines? But Mazda made it possible, thanks to the power of dreams!
4. McLaren – Racing Origins Lead to Extreme Supercars
McLaren‘s racing team debuted at Monaco in 1966, beginning a dominant streak in Formula 1 with multiple titles in coming years. Fast forward to 1992, and the iconic McLaren F1 became the world’s fastest production car utilizing advanced composite construction and a powerful BMW V12 engine.
Today‘s McLaren Automotive lineup carries that racing DNA forward through track-bred engineering found in mind-bending supercars like the Elva roadster, extreme Senna track special and its successor – the utterly bonkers 765LT. Under the hoods of these P1 hypercar descendants are twin-turbo 4.0L V8s producing extreme power levels – prepare for warp speeds!
5. MINI – Tiny Hatchback, Giant Legacy
Back in 1959 when Egyptian president Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal triggering a fuel crisis, the compact and revolutionary Mini was BMC’s solution. Stripped down engineering and a space-efficient transversely mounted engine defined the original Mini Cooper, forever changing the hatchback landscape with its cartoonish charm and plucky performance.
Acquired by BMW in 1994, the re-imagined MINI got larger but retained its spunky character. The all-electric MINI Cooper SE arrived for 2020 reminding us that sustainable driving can still deliver go-kart agility and maximum smiles per mile behind the wheel!
6. Mitsubishi – Boldly Forging New Paths
Beginning as a shipping company in 1870, Mitsubishi has boldly gone where none have dared. It created one of the first mass-produced passenger cars in Japan – the 1917 Model A, along with the PX33 prototype which proved Japan’s capabilities. In the 1960s, its Colt 1000 coupes showcased superior engineering for the era with an advanced OHC engine.
The iconic Lancer Evolution series kept that spirit alive with all-wheel drive and turbocharged power transforming family cars into extreme rally legends. Outlandish designs like the 3000GT and innovative tech as seen in the i-MiEV electric car and the Outlander PHEV plug-in hybrid continue Mitsubishi Motors’ “Drive Your Ambition” tagline, forging new paths one cannot ignore.
7. Mitsuoka – Quirky Mashups and Bold Retro Designs
A small Japanese automaker operating since 1968, Mitsuoka takes existing production cars and adds unique styling creating modern mashups with heavy retro influence.
Prime examples include the Ryuga and Galue sedans mimicking 1950s Americana whilst housing Nissan mechanicals, along with the iconic Orochi sports car whose Toyota V6 engine powered its sleek curves bearing an uncanny resemblance to the legendary E-Type Jaguar. For vehicular variety, Mitsuoka marches to its own unconventional drummer!
8. Morgan – Handcrafted Wood and Steel Roadsters
With origins dating back to 1909, UK’s Morgan Motor Company makes sports cars instantly recognizable by their wooden body frames on steel chassis construction. Powered by engines from British Motor Corporation initially and Ford or BMW in later years, Morgans like the beloved 4/4 Roadster brought lightweight agility coveted by enthusiasts craving to reconnect with the road.
Continuing that ethos of handcrafted excellence is the modern Morgan Plus Four launched in 2020 – an exhilarating ride fusing ash wood coachbuilding with the latest BMW turbo power and technology. Talk about blending classic British craftsmanship with modern appointments!
9. Mazanti – Boutique Italian Exotics
Beginning in 2002 Luca Mazzanti combined his passion for racing and dream to create automotive jewelry by launching Mazzanti in the Italian province of Tuscany. Today, Mazzanti Automobili handcrafts exclusive supercars in minute volumes, resulting in exotic creations like the Evantra coupe and its 741 horsepower Millecavalli tune.
Powered by a Corvette-derived GM small block V8s, Mazzanti’s passionate works of wheeled art exemplify obsessive attention to aerodynamic design and custom-spec interiors. With ultra-low production, one will rarely spot a Mazzanti on the road making it all the more special. Bellisimo!
10. Maserati MC20 – Trident Supercar Reclaims Racing Roots
After over a decade without a flagship supercar since the MC12, Maserati astounded critics and sent excitement through its fanbase with the September 2020 launch of the incredible MC20.
With its butterfly doors and curvaceous carbonfiber monocoque chassis draped in swooping steel and aluminum coachwork, the MC20 brought jaw-dropping visual drama back to the Trident brand. Named to honor Maserati’s racing “victories” in the year 2020, the actual powertrain was equally impressive.
A whole new TwinSpark 3.0L twin-turbo V6 developed by Maserati Engine Lab with over 620 horsepower took center stage, allowing acceleration times under 2.9 seconds and a top speed exceeding 202 mph! Mated to an 8-speed dual clutch transmission and limited slip differential, the Maserati MC20 proudly reclaimed this Italian brand’s racing heritage and identity as a force to be reckoned with.
There are still many more exciting automotive brands starting with the letter M that deserve recognition for their creativity and craftsmanship showcased in stunning cars covering the spectrum from luxury, performance, electric and even three-wheeled amusement.
FAQs About Cars Starting with M:
What was the first M car from BMW?
The original M car was the BMW M1 launched in 1978, a mid-engined sports developed for racing homologation. Only 453 road-legal M1s were produced until 1981, making it a rare collectible today.
Which M car has the most powerful engine?
Currently, the most powerful M car by BMW is the track-focused M8 Competition Coupe which in 2023 form puts out 617 horsepower. Mercedes-AMG however goes further with models like the GT 63 S E Performance plug-in hybrid having 843 horsepower on tap!
Does Ford have cars that start with M?
Yes indeed! Ford models starting with M include the Maverick compact pickup truck, the classic Mercury Coupes and Sedans as well as the Meteor luxury model popular in European markets in the 1950s and 60s.
What was the first electric car starting with M?
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV deserves that recognition as the pioneering modern electric car from a major automaker, launched by Mitsubishi in Japan back in 2009. Based on their kei car platform, it helped accelerate EV adoption worldwide.
Which M car has sold the most units historically?
The Mercedes-Benz ML-Class midsize luxury SUV deserves that crown, having sold over 800,000 units globally since its launch back in 1997. Recently renamed the GLE-Class, this best-selling Benz SUV continues to dominate the segment.
So there you have it folks – an automotive journey across 25 iconic carmakers starting with the letter M, highlighting their history, milestones, famous cars as well as latest models. Whether you love the three-pointed star of Mercedes-Benz or bleed Ferrari Red found in Maseratis, rest assured an M car exists to satisfy diverse tastes – from luxury and efficiency to extreme high-performance capacities to make users go weak in their knees. If we missed your favorite, let us know which M-car stirs your soul!
