When it comes to raw automotive power, appearances can be deceiving. While some high-performance cars flaunt their capabilities with aggressive designs and roaring exhausts, a unique category of vehicles keeps their prowess under wraps. Known as “sleeper cars,” these unassuming rides look like your average daily drivers but are packed with high-performance engines that can give even the most ostentatious sports cars a run for their money.
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Volvo S60 Polestar
At first glance, the Volvo S60 looks like a typical Swedish luxury sedan, but the Polestar edition changes the game. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 362 horsepower, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds.
Audi S8
While it may look like a luxurious executive sedan, the Audi S8 houses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces an astonishing 563 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. With a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, this car could give some sports cars a run for their money.
Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
Though it looks like a regular E-Class sedan, the AMG variant is a monster in disguise. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine delivers up to 603 horsepower and can go from 0-60 mph in just 3.3 seconds in its “S” variant.
BMW M5
While it appears to be a standard 5 Series, the M5 variant has a 4.4-liter V8 engine that produces 617 horsepower in the Competition model. Its 0-60 mph time is an astonishing 3.1 seconds.
Volkswagen Golf R
The Golf is known for its practicality, but the R model is a different beast. With its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 315 horsepower, it can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds.
Cadillac CTS-V
The CTS-V looks similar to the standard CTS sedan but houses a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the same engine found in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. It produces 640 horsepower and boasts a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds.
Lexus GS F
Its European competitors often overshadow This luxurious Lexus sedan, but it’s not to be underestimated. The 5.0-liter V8 engine generates 467 horsepower and can go from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
Subaru WRX STI
The WRX may appear to be a standard compact sedan, but the STI version has a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 310 horsepower. Its 0-60 mph time is around 5.3 seconds.
Jaguar XJR
The XJ series usually serves as a sophisticated, comfortable sedan, but the XJR variant packs a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 producing 575 horsepower, enabling a 0-60 mph time of around 4.2 seconds.
Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400
At first glance, the Infiniti Q50 looks like a regular luxury sedan. However, the Red Sport 400 variant has a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that outputs 400 horsepower and reaches 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds.
Audi RS3
While it might look like a standard compact sedan, the RS3 houses a 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine that produces 394 horsepower, allowing it to hit 0-60 mph in just 3.9 seconds.
This article originally appeared on MyCarMakesNoise.
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