{"id":58989,"date":"2022-10-31T17:49:21","date_gmt":"2022-10-31T21:49:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/motor-junkie.com\/?p=58989"},"modified":"2022-12-10T04:42:14","modified_gmt":"2022-12-10T09:42:14","slug":"these-turbocharged-cars-destroy-the-best-american-muscle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.motor-junkie.com\/these-turbocharged-cars-destroy-the-best-american-muscle\/58989\/","title":{"rendered":"These Turbocharged Cars Destroy The Best American Muscle"},"content":{"rendered":"
Even though turbocharged cars have been around the automotive world since the late 1930s, they got their chance in the 1970s. It was used as a way to keep the performance but reduce emissions and fuel consumption. Throughout the 1980s, it was popular with many manufacturers, yet forgotten in the ’90s and early 2000s.<\/p>\n
Due to tight regulations and the hunger for horsepower<\/a>, it returned triumphantly recently. Today, it has become an integral part of just about every ICE model today. This means drivers have access to many turbocharged cars that can outrun standard muscle cars. Unlike the actual muscle cars powered by V8 engines<\/a>, turbocharged models can have all kinds of cylinder configurations. From small but efficient four-cylinders to even a twin-turbo V8, everything is possible. We found 40 turbocharged cars that will leave even the best American muscle cars in the dust, so check them out right here.<\/p>\n The Ferrari F40 was and still is a special car<\/a> in many ways. Built to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Ferrari, it was a car supervised and envisioned by Enzo Ferrari himself. It was his last creation and he died just a couple of months after the introduction of the F40 in 1987 (via Ferrari<\/a>).<\/p>\n Heavily based on the 288 GTO model, the F40 was an improved version of a twin-turbo, 2.9-liter V8 engine supercar<\/a> with two seats. A pretty basic interior, a manual gearbox, and 480 screaming horsepower behind your ears. The F40 was one of only two cars that accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in less than four seconds in street-legal trim. The exact result was 3.8 seconds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Introduced in 2016, the newest American muscle four-door car<\/a> is the compact but immensely powerful Cadillac ATS-V. With this model, Cadillac attacked the likes of the Mercedes C Class and BMW 3 Series with a modern executive sedan with strong styling and brutal power (via Car and Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n Under the hood is a twin-turbo 3.6-liter V6 engine with 464 HP and 445 lb.-ft of torque, enough to launch the ATS-V from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and top its speed at an astonishing 189 mph. Even though the ATS-V doesn’t have a V8, it’s still a good muscle car<\/a> and is available in two-door form.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The R35 Skyline GT-R is a car that doesn’t need an introduction. One of the fastest, most capable, and best-handling sports cars you can buy is globally famous for its sublime characteristics and performance (via Nissan USA<\/a>).<\/p>\n The most significant part of its appeal is the engine as the Skyline has a signature turbocharged 3.8-liter V6, which delivers 570 HP or 600 in NISMO trim. In combination with intelligent all-wheel drive<\/a>, the GT-R can achieve 60 mph in less than three seconds. That is more than enough to outrun any American muscle car<\/a> on the street.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n No one expected that Mercedes would enter the compact performance class because Mercedes was always known for big sedans which defined<\/a> luxury and comfort. Also, no one expected Mercedes would do it so well (via Car Buzz<\/a>).<\/p>\n The secret of the performance of CLA, GLA, and A Class 45 AMG is the unbelievably powerful 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine<\/a>. It started with 345 HP and was 381 HP for the 2018 model year. For comparison, the 2.0-liter four delivers as much power as the 5.0-liter V8 from a couple years back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Despite having the looks of the old, early 1990s<\/a> Audi station wagon, the RS2 Avant is a serious performance machine that can destroy almost any American muscle. And not only in a boulevard drag race but on the race track<\/a>. The RS2 was the first in a long line of Audi performance station wagons<\/a> that brought consumers those supercars with long roofs like the RS6.<\/p>\n However, the RS2 is where it all started. Audi engineers took the famous inline five-cylinder turbo engine with 2.2-liters and 315 HP and put it in the most uninspiring body style they could find – the station wagon. They also added Quattro all-wheel drive magic and manual transmission<\/a>. Finally, they sent it all to Porsche for a final precision assembly. The result was the RS2, with a 4.8-second time from 0 to 60 mph (via Top Gear<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Introduced in 1990 and discontinued in 1992, the Omega Lotus was Opel’s rear-wheel drive luxury model tuned by renowned British sports car<\/a> maker Lotus. The car was given a turbocharger on top of an already powerful stock six-cylinder engine (via Road and Track<\/a>).<\/p>\n The 3.6-liter six delivered 377 HP, which was massive for the day’s standards. Its performance was also thrilling, with a 0 to 60 mph run was over in just 5.2 seconds and a record-setting 177 mph top speed. Lotus did a great job finishing and fine-tuning vehicles produced and delivered by Opel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n BMW purists were outraged when the Bavarian company introduced the fifth-generation M3 in 2014. First, it was a sedan, not a coupe, and second, it was a turbocharged six-cylinder. Everybody expected a two-door, high-revving, naturally-aspirated motor, but got the exact opposite (via Road and Track<\/a>).<\/p>\n However controversial it might be, the F80 M3 was a fantastic performance machine and a true turbocharged legend. The 3.0-liter, six-cylinder delivered 425 hp in base trim but could be tuned to produce much more. The car was very fast, with 0 to 60 mph times in the 4.5-second range, which means it could outrun most American muscle cars<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Jetfire is an essential model of automotive history<\/a> that unfortunately never got the respect it deserved. Engineers took the compact F-85 model and retained its small 215 CID V8 engine, which developed 185 HP and gave it a new forced induction intake system that included a Garett turbocharger (via Car Throttle<\/a>).<\/p>\n For the standards of the day, the Jetfire V8 was state-of-the-art technology, and initially, the market was exciting. The new V8 delivered 215 HP, which was one hp per cubic inch, making it one of the best performance cars of the day. The 0 to 60 mph time of around eight seconds was almost as fast as the Corvette of the time.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the early ’70s, BMW<\/a> found success with its Neue Klasse series of models. The 2002s were quick, agile, and light coupes, which established the brand amongst performance lovers and racing fans worldwide. But BMW wanted more. It tried to present the ultimate 2002 model incorporating a signature design with the latest high-performance technology – turbocharging.<\/p>\n So in 1973, BMW introduced the 2002 Turbo, a crazy and naughty cousin to the rest of BMW’s lineup. The car featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 170 HP, revised suspension and brakes, and only one color choice with an exciting graphics package (via BMW M<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Porsche introduced a new generation called the 930 which featured the same basic layout, a new and improved design, and more significant engines, but the real news was the 1975 930 Turbo. Faced with government-imposed restrictions, Porsche needed something to boost power and performance but still retain standard displacement, and turbocharging proved to be the perfect solution (via Hemmings<\/a>).<\/p>\n The 930 Turbo boosted 260 HP from its 3.0-liter flat-six, signature air cooling, giant rear wing, and wider rear track. It was notorious for its ill-handling capabilities, but it delivered an exhilarating performance<\/a> in times when performance cars were almost banned. The 930 started a legendary breed of lightning-fast Porsches and turbocharged sports cars.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Audi TT RS is an addition to the prestigious RS model range. With a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder that delivers 400 HP and 354 lb.-ft of torque, the TT RS has a crazy power-to-weight ratio and sublime performance (via Car and Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n A 0 to 60 MPH sprint takes just 3.6 seconds and its top speed is electronically limited to 155 MPH. But there is also the option of removing the limiter, in which case the TT RS is capable of reaching 174 MPH.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The 900 Turbo model was introduced in the late ’70s when SAAB was at the height of its success as an upscale manufacturer of high-quality, high-tech cars. The 900 Turbo was presented at a time when turbocharging was new and only a few models before had it as a regular production option (via Classic and Sports Car<\/a>).<\/p>\n The 2.0-liter four-cylinder with forced induction produced 143 HP at first and 185 HP in later versions. The 900 Turbo was initially offered as a coupe but also could come as a convertible. In the ’80s, SAAB cars were very popular amongst upper-middle-class buyers and intellectuals as stylish yet very usable transport that possessed advanced technology and designs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In 1983, Porsche presented the 944, which proved to be a very important model for the brand. It was a much further developed concept of 924 but with innovations inside and out, like a transaxle system and superb suspension and steering. One of the main features of the new car was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder which provided 170 HP at first.<\/p>\n That is not an especially impressive number today, but it was pretty potent for mid-80s standards. The most exciting version was, of course, the 944 Turbo. It had a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that put out 250 HP. Due to its lightweight, good transmission, and aerodynamics, the 944 Turbo was a pretty fast car. 0 to 60 mph took only 5.9 seconds and the car could top 162 mph (via Porsche<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the early ’80s, Audi just upgraded Volkswagen with little to offer. Then, the motorsport department proposed entering the rally championships with an innovative all-wheel drive model called the Quattro. All of a sudden, Audi had a championship-winning car (via Car Magazine<\/a>).<\/p>\n This resulted in rising interest in this company, and the rise of Audi as we know it today has started. The Quattro Sport featured a 2.1-liter straight five-cylinder engine with a turbocharger and 306 HP in street trim. With a short wheelbase, light body panels, short ratio gearbox, and the 306 ready to jump any moment, the road-going Quattro Sport could achieve 0 to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds. That made it one of the quickest cars of its era, showing how capable the Quattro’s turbo was.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In 1982, Buick started experimenting with turbocharging its line of standard V6 engines. The results were satisfying, and engineers got permission to go further and develop a performance version that would deliver better acceleration numbers.<\/p>\n The first model was the Buick Regal T, and then Buick Grand National with 175 HP, which wasn’t impressive but was a start. In the next couple years the Grand National got a bigger engine and more power, jumping from 175 HP to 200 HP and finally to 235 HP. However, in 1987 the ultimate version called GNX (Grand National Experimental) was released. It featured the same 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 but with 275 HP and a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds (via Supercars<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The biggest news for early Fox body Mustangs was the introduction of the turbo engine. Ford’s SVO (Special Vehicle Operations) department introduced a Mustang SVO in 1984, featuring a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 175 HP. It was quite the power output for a small engine. As a light car, the ’84 Mustang SVO was pretty hot at the moment (via Car and Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n The package included four-wheel disc brakes, stiffer suspension, and sharper steering, transforming the small Mustang into quite a capable sports car<\/a>. For 1985, the SVO upped the power to an impressive 205 HP, which turned the attention of the motoring public to third-generation Mustangs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Back in the ’80s, Porsche decided to introduce one model, a rolling compilation of every technology compatible with the 911 with the 959. Introduced in 1987, the 959 had a 3.0-liter turbocharged flat-six engine with 450 HP sent to all four wheels over an intelligent AWD system, the first of its kind (via Porsche<\/a>).<\/p>\n The car had traction control, ABS, and a host of electronic systems, which helped the driver. The performance of this technological tour de force was also astonishing. A 0 to 60 mph sprint was possible in just 3.7 seconds.<\/p>\n The 2015 M2 is one of the best driver’s cars<\/a> on the planet combining BMW’s driving dynamics and M Power heritage. It is also a modern-day equivalent of the legendary 2002 Turbo. To create the M2, BMW took the compact platform of the 2 Series model for its precision driving and sharp handling.<\/p>\n They added performance-tuned suspension, wider track, bigger brakes, and most of all, a 365 HP 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six-engine. As you can expect, the result was fantastic. And the M2 is an Autobahn missile of the highest order with a 4.1-seconds 0 to 60 mph time and a top speed of 168 mph (via EVO<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the best cars in a long line of Z-named Nissan sports coupes<\/a> was the 300 ZX. Introduced in 1990 and discontinued in 1996. Car enthusiasts<\/a> admire the 300 ZX, a proper sports coupe in terms of technology and performance. It could rival much more expensive cars<\/a>.<\/p>\n The twin-turbo V6 engine pumped 300 HP and the 300 ZX could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds while topping 150 mph. Today, the 300 ZX is a coveted modern classic, as one of the most universally usable cars on this list (via Nissan<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The RS is one of the most powerful four-cylinder turbo cars ever. But it is available as a regular production model to U.S. buyers for the first time. The new Focus RS has a 2.3-liter turbocharged unit that delivers 345 HP to all four wheels, making it a capable hot hatch beast (via Car and Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n Its performance is incredible. 0 to 60 mph takes the RS only 4.7 seconds and its top speed is 165 mph. This kind of performance deserves special packaging, so the Focus RS has a unique front spoiler, bulged fenders, and a spoiler. Just looking at this furious compact tells you that this is a genuinely fast Ford.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In 2013, Alfa Romeo introduced the 4C. Nobody expected such a car from Alfa Romeo. The 4C was a “junior supercar” with a carbon fiber tub, lightweight construction, a cramped interior, and a four-cylinder turbocharged engine.<\/p>\n The heart of the 4C is a tiny, 1.8-liter engine with a turbocharger that delivers 238 HP to the rear wheels. The performance numbers are impressive. The Alfa Romeo 4C can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and top 160 mph (via EVO<\/a>).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is one of the most iconic Japanese sports cars<\/a>, which has reached legendary status by appearing in many street racing movies (Fast and Furious franchise), racing games, and music videos. This is one serious machine, especially in the Turbo version (via Diseno Art<\/a>).<\/p>\n The base model was naturally aspirated, and despite being quick, the most iconic model is the 3.0-liter straight-six twin-turbo variant with 276 HP. We know that 276 HP is not much, but the engine produced somewhat more than advertised. Today it is hard to find a stock Supra, but with just a few bolt-on power adders, a bigger turbo, and an intake system, you can go all the way to 1000 HP on rear wheels.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Everybody who played racing games in the last 20 years will know about the R32. This crazy powerful all-wheel drive Japanese coupe was on top of many American enthusiasts’ wish lists for a quarter of a century. Now, it’s finally eligible to import (via Nissan USA<\/a>).<\/p>\n The model debuted in 1989, but the best versions came in the early ’90s, which makes the GT-R version a quintessential ’90s car. It’s a two-door coupe with intelligent all-wheel drive, a 2.6-liter turbocharged engine with 276 HP stock and a ton of tuning potential.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The R is the top-of-the-line Golf with a powerful four-cylinder turbocharged engine, all-wheel drive, and amazing performance for a family hatchback. The R version is the derivate of the mighty R32 Golfs from the early 2000s that featured those 3.2-liter naturally-aspirated V6 engines (via Parkers<\/a>).<\/p>\n However, the latest versions feature a smaller, more powerful 2.0-liter turbo four, which delivers almost 292 HP. As you can expect, the performance is quite brutal for what is essentially a family compact. To get from 0 to 60 mph takes 4.5 seconds and the car can top 155 mph.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The story of the XJ220 is a strange one. Conceived in the late ’80s as Jaguar’s first road-going supercar, it looked very promising. The concept car<\/a> and the prototypes had Jaguar’s V12 engine but tuned to produce high output. However, halfway into development, it was decided to install a new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 unit with 542 HP. The design of the car was fantastic as its wide stance emphasized performance and speed (via Auto Car<\/a>).<\/p>\n When it was released, the XJ220 was the world’s fastest<\/a> road-going model and carried an enormous price tag. Despite the hype and wealthy customers waiting to buy this model, several delays in production and the lack of V12 affected the market, and eventually, less than 300 were built. The XJ220 got its name since it could top 220 mph and was never officially sold in the USA.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Typhoon got a 4.3-liter V6 engine with a turbocharger and intercooler. The power output was 280 HP, not that impressive today, but back in 1991, it was a pretty nice number. But, its automatic transmission, all-wheel-drive system, and suspension really helped the performance. The Typhoon could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.7 seconds. Even today, this is fast for an ordinary SUV (via Car and Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n The rest of the package included unique trim, luxury interior appointments, special color and wheel choices, and limited production. In just three years of production, from 1991 to 1993, the Typhoon was made in precisely 4,697 examples.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The performance Civic looks like every racer’s dream, with numerous spoilers, scoops, and air vents all over the body. The aggressive design, great performance, and JDM appeal make this Civic a valuable and highly sought-after addition to the hot hatch class (via Car and Driver<\/a>).<\/p>\n Honda has resisted the temptation to turbocharge its performance engines for a long time. Still, the Civic Type R has precisely that under the hood, like any competitor in the class. The 2.0-liter turbo four delivers 306 HP and can propel this nasty-looking Civic Type R from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. It can top 170 mph.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The infamous Subaru WRX STI is a street racing and rally legend. For decades now, Subaru has been one of the market’s most powerful turbo-cylinder cars. Under the hood is a flat-four engine with 2.5-liters of displacement and a turbocharger. This combo is good for 305 HP sent to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission<\/a>. It’s a valid driver’s car with a proper manual gearbox, excellent road holding, and enough power to make this car fly (via Cars<\/a>).<\/p>\n Its performance<\/a> numbers are respectable with a 5.1-second 0 to 60 mph time and a 160 mph top speed. Since this is a four-door car<\/a>, it is also reasonably practical since it can seat five people.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is incredible how the automotive industry<\/a> has evolved. The idea of a performance truck with a small-ish turbocharged engine and 10-speed automatic was quite unbelievable just a couple of years ago. However, we now have the F150 Raptor, a brutal machine that raises the bar for all other performance trucks out there (via Edmunds<\/a>).<\/p>\n It’s a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 with 450 HP and 510 lb.-ft, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and sub-five-second acceleration times. The figures suggest that this is an exotic supercar, right? No, this is a full-size pickup truck<\/a> with room for five people and a regular truck bed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You might think that behind this funny name is just an ordinary Mazda 6 family sedan which was popular 10 years ago. But you’d be mistaken. Introduced in 2006, Mazdaspeed6 is a perfect affordable performance car disguised as a cheap family four-door<\/a>. And designed to be the ideal driver’s machine in sheep’s clothes (via Edmunds<\/a>).<\/p>\n Under the hood was a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 270 hp. Which sent power to all four wheels over an intelligent AWD system and six-speed manual transmission. Its performance was outstanding even for today’s standards. And Mazdaspeed6 was capable of 5.5 seconds from 0 to 60 mph and a top speed of 150 mph.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The regular Veloster is an odd-looking hatchback with an unusual three-door layout including two doors on the right and one on the left. Apart from this quirky feature, Veloster, in its standard guise, is a somewhat dull car without any real significance to car enthusiasts<\/a>. However, the N version is a whole different story (via Hyundai USA<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Veloster N has a 250-275 HP turbocharged engine, trick front differential, different suspension, and exterior design package. With all of this, the nature of the car changed from a boring economy hatchback to an actual hot hatch<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The current F-Type sports car<\/a> is quite a successful model and most seem to adore the crazy 5.0 SVR model with 550 HP. However, Jaguar introduced an exciting entry-level model in the form of the 2.0-liter turbocharged F-Type (via Top Gear<\/a>).<\/p>\nFerrari F40<\/h2>\n
Cadillac ATS-V<\/h2>\n
Nissan Skyline GT-R R35<\/h2>\n
Mercedes CLA 45 AMG<\/h2>\n
Audi RS2<\/h2>\n
Lotus Omega\/Omega Carlton<\/h2>\n
BMW M3 F80<\/h2>\n
Oldsmobile Jetfire<\/h2>\n
BMW 2002 Turbo<\/h2>\n
Porsche 911 Turbo<\/h2>\n
Audi TT RS<\/h2>\n
SAAB 900 Turbo<\/h2>\n
Porsche 944 Turbo<\/h2>\n
Audi Quattro Sport<\/h2>\n
Buick GNX<\/h2>\n
Ford Mustang SVO<\/h2>\n
Porsche 959<\/h2>\n
BMW M2<\/h2>\n
Nissan 300 ZX<\/h2>\n
Ford Focus RS<\/h2>\n
Alfa Romeo 4C<\/h2>\n
Toyota Supra Turbo Mk4<\/h2>\n
Nissan Skyline R32<\/h2>\n
Volkswagen Golf R Mk7<\/h2>\n
Jaguar XJ 220<\/h2>\n
GMC Typhoon<\/h2>\n
<\/p>\n
Honda Civic Type R<\/h2>\n
Subaru WRX STI<\/h2>\n
Ford F150 Raptor<\/h2>\n
Mazdaspeed6<\/h2>\n
Hyundai Veloster N<\/h2>\n
Jaguar F-Type<\/h2>\n