There was a time when rocket-like acceleration and straight-line performance were the exclusive preserves of supercars. That’s changed today as dynamic consumer needs and advances in automotive technology continue to blur the lines between these high-performance supercars and the more conventionally styled cars like the family sedans. Now, it is not unusual to have proper family sedans that not only pack more power than supercars but are also able to effectively deploy it for some mind-boggling real-world performance. Some of these sedans can even be taken out to the race tracks to explore where the limits really lie.
The evolution continues with cars like the Tesla Model S Plaid and the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid showing us just how far the performance boundaries can be stretched. Check out some of these sedans that currently rank among the fastest on the market; cars with enough grunt to challenge even the ‘hallowed’ supercars in the real world.
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Mercedes Benz AMG GT63S
This German powerhouse checks all the boxes for a premium sedan, albeit one with a stealthy low profile. It’s got 4 doors, space in the back for adults, and adequate boot space and yes, it is also very expensive with a price tag of about $160,000. However, what it also has is a kick like a supercar and the ability to complete the 60 mph sprint in an astounding 2.9 seconds before going on to a top speed of 195 mph.
That ridiculous performance is mostly down to the car’s powerplant; a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that generates 630 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. Clearly, this is not one for the faint-hearted.
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Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid
This car will be well on its way to 60 mph by the time you wrap your tongue around its lengthy name. The sedan is at the top of the Panamera model family and with Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur program, you can pretty much customize it whichever way you want with all the fancy luxury trimmings on offer.
It’s not all about comfort though; there’s enough power packed within that frame to put real pressure on your chest if you depress the gas pedal long and hard enough. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid can rocket to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds thanks to a combined power output of 690 hp from its internal combustion engine and electric motor.
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BMW M5 CS
The 2022 BMW M5 CS is the hardcore variant of the already extreme M5 family from BMW’s Motorsport division. It is the most powerful BMW M production road car ever made with truly impressive capabilities packed within the frame of a sedan that can be daily driven.
The car is powered by a twin-turbo V8 that makes 635 hp; enough to propel the 4,023-pound luxury sedan to 60 mph in under 3 seconds on its way to a restricted top speed of 190 mph. That’s significantly faster than the cars like the Aston Martin Vantage or the Ferrari Roma!
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Tesla Model S Plaid
This EV has already staked its claim for the title of the fastest accelerating sedans in the world right now and we daresay it’s one of the quickest cars overall, out there today. It relies on an electric powertrain that can serve up to a staggering 1,020 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque for mind-numbing acceleration if the tires hook up just right.
A 0 to 60 mph sprint can be achieved in as little as 2.1 seconds. To put that into perspective, a Bugatti Chiron needs 2.4 seconds to cover the same distance.
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Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody
It doesn’t get more extreme than this. This widebody muscle car has enough power to rival traditional supercars for bragging rights on the highway. It has a curb weight of 4,610 pounds but under the hood also lies a monster that makes a mockery of all that heft.
The supercharged 6.2L V8 cranks out nearly 800 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque; enough for a 3.5-second blast to 60 mph on its way to a 203 mph top speed. It is an insane performance from a car that can comfortably seat 5 adults with ample boot space for luggage.
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Audi RS5 Sportback
The RS5 Sportback only joined the Audi family in 2019 but its development was backed by countless years of Audi experience in making performance-oriented vehicles. The 2021 model gets a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V-6 that makes 444 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque.
That power is fed to all 4 wheels via 8-speed automatic transmission and is enough to blast the sedan to 60 mph in about 3.8 seconds. It is not quite at the level of the more established powerhouses like the AMG GT63s but then it also costs almost $100,000 less, making it a real bargain.
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Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
This Italian beauty is one of the most elegantly styled sedans on the market today with particular standouts like grille and wheel designs. It also packs quite a bit of a punch too and can serve up a thrilling ride when called upon.
In fact, it was at one time, the record holder for the fastest 5-passenger sedan to lap the infamous Nurburgring after it set a time of 7 minutes and 32 seconds in 2016. Currently, the car is powered by a V6 that generates 505 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque; good enough for a 3.8-second dash to 60 mph.
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Mercedes Benz C63s AMG
Here’s another sub-4-second sprinter courtesy of an upgraded 9-speed automatic transmission, sports suspension and most notably, a twin-turbocharged V8 that makes 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, up from the 469 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque in the ‘regular’ C63. It’s the performance that comes at a price though.
The 2021 C63s AMG can cost up to $87,000 depending on the spec, more than the price of most of its rivals. However, you probably will not be thinking about that as you blast down the highway at full throttle.
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Bentley Flying Spur
Few sedans on the market today can be said to have achieved such a fine balance between luxury and performance like the Bentley Flying Spur. It has been around since 2006 but underwent a complete redesign for the 2020 model year.
The car packs all the comfort features you would expect for a premium luxury sedan and for performance, there’s the option of a twin-turbocharged W-12 under the hood that puts out 626 hp. The Bentley Flying Spur is big and weighs in at over 5,500 pounds but it will still accelerate to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Now, that’s impressive.
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BMW M760i
Like the Flying Spur, this BMW flagship is a luxury sedan that still retains the ability to accelerate like a greased rocket if the road stretch is long enough. It is powered by a twin-turbo V12 powerplant that cranks out an insane 601 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque.
It is an engine that feels velvety smooth but still packs enough grunt to fire the big car to 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds. The speedo needle will continue to climb too until it peaks at about 194 mph. It will leave cars like the Ford Mustang GT or the new Supra in its wake.
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