The six-cylinder engine has change into the defacto efficiency engine world wide, because the design marries a novel mix of efficiency, measurement, and gas economic system. Whereas many fans have change into annoyed by the regular transition to six-cylinders versus eight, ten, and even bigger engines, there isn’t any denying a rigorously crafted inline or V6 can greater than maintain its personal. To focus on this, CarBuzz took a have a look at the ten quickest sports activities vehicles at the moment available on the market, a listing chock-full of six-cylinder stalwarts and upstarts alike.
If you already know something in regards to the local weather of sports activities vehicles at present, you may probably acknowledge each automotive on this listing. Many of those have change into icons, and others are prepared to go away their mark because of a continuing development of efficiency and extra intensive use of hybridization. As this can be a listing of quickness, the principle benchmark is predicated on 0-60 occasions, fairly than high pace, horsepower, or some other variety of metrics. These are the six-cylinder vehicles that may get you going from a standstill the quickest.
All efficiency figures have been sourced from the producer or relevant CarBuzz testing. Moreover, we’re solely highlighting one variant per mannequin, in any other case, this might be nearly solely 911s and GT-Rs, which is a listing for one more day.
10 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe
Engine
3.0-liter Inline-Six with EQ Enhance
Horsepower
443 hp
Torque
413 lb-ft
Drivetrain
AWD
0-60 mph
4.0 sec (Auto)
High Velocity
155 mph (168 mph w/AMG Driver’s Bundle)
Value
$72,800
Mercedes has had plans for a while to pare down the corporate’s intensive lineup, and the CLE Coupe is among the bigger components of that. It serves as a single alternative for the C-Class and E-Class coupes of previous, providing elevated dealing with and better house in a single package deal. The CLE 53 AMG is the primary hopped-up model of the brand new mannequin, and it pairs a potent 3.0-liter inline-six with an auxiliary electrical starter motor that provides further oomph at low speeds. Paired with an ordinary 4MATIC+ AWD, this permits the mannequin to hit 60 mph in simply 4.0 seconds, which creates a quick, grand touring coupe excellent for the manager who needs one thing that may mix in.
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9 BMW M2
Engine
3.0-liter Twin-Turbo I6
Horsepower
453 hp (2024)
Torque
406 lb-ft (2024)
Drivetrain
RWD
0-60 mph
3.9 seconds (Auto)
High Velocity
155 mph (177 mph with package deal)
Value
$64,900
The M2 is the smallest efficiency coupe BMW presents in America, and it is lengthy been often known as among the best driver’s vehicles within the BMW lineup. Powered by the venerable S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine, it delivers 453 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, able to propelling the mannequin to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds with a handbook and simply 3.9 seconds with the 8-speed auto. Regardless of the polarizing styling and enhance in weight the present era has introduced, there isn’t any denying it is among the best autos you should purchase in its value vary, and it is set to get even higher in 2025.
8 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
Engine
2.9-liter Twin-Turbo V6
Horsepower
505 hp
Torque
443 lb-ft
0-60 mph
3.9 seconds (Auto)
High Velocity
191 mph
Value
$83,570
This entry hurts as a result of, as a lot because it’s beloved, the mannequin is already useless within the water. When Alfa Romeo introduced it was constructing a high-performance sedan, many believed it was going to be a hit-or-miss mannequin like so many occasions earlier than, and as quickly as journalists obtained behind the wheel, information of the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s efficiency unfold.
A efficiency sedan with a full of life, turbocharged V6 that would stand toe-to-toe within the turns with the perfect of them, it is thought of by many to be one of many best-looking autos available on the market. RWD solely, it nonetheless manages a 0-60 mph dash of lower than 4 seconds with a stellar high pace. The demise of the mannequin additionally alerts the demise of the engine, sadly.
7 Audi RS 5 Coupe
Engine
2.9-liter Twin-Turbo V6
Horsepower
444 hp
Torque
442 lb-ft
Drivetrain
AWD
0-60 mph
3.7 seconds (Auto)
High Velocity
155 mph (174 mph with package deal)
Value
$79,600
The Audi RS 5 Coupe is the car you buy if you would like a snug, highly effective each day driver that may flip the thrill as much as 11 when prodded. That includes one of many smaller engines within the section, the two.9-liter V6 is able to 444 horsepower that, matched with the Quattro AWD, permits sub-4-second 60 mph sprints. When that energy is not mandatory, the exhaust soundtrack is not overpowering, and the inside creates an area to absorb the miles. A Competitors Bundle can also be accessible for many who need a little bit extra character from the coupe.
6 Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid
Engine
2.9-liter V6 + Electrical Motor
Horsepower
552 hp
Torque
553 lb-ft
Drivetrain
AWD
0-60 mph
3.5 seconds (Auto)
High Velocity
185 mph
Value
$126,800
The 4S E-Hybrid helps to spherical out the revised Panamera lineup with potent AWD hybrid efficiency. The brand new mannequin contains a revised 2.9-liter V6 that makes 348 horsepower and is paired with a single electrical motor housed within the transmission, bringing whole output to 552 horsepower. The corporate says this can be good for a 0-60 mph run of simply 3.5 seconds, and the improved battery and motor additionally imply you need to get practically 50 miles of electric-only vary at speeds as much as 87 mph. It is the proper luxurious commuter because of the updates to inside expertise and luxury with room for an lively way of life.
5 BMW M4 Competitors xDrive
Engine
3.0-liter Twin-Turbo I6
Horsepower
523 hp
Torque
479 lb-ft
Drivetrain
AWD
0-60 mph
3.4 seconds (Auto)
High Velocity
155 mph (180 mph with package deal)
Value
$95,300
The BMW M4 Competitors xDrive is a fine-tuned observe weapon able to unleashing unimaginable efficiency on the press of a button. For 2025, the mannequin has acquired a slight visible redesign, expertise upgrades, and extra importantly, a bump in energy to 523 hp from 503 hp. Whereas this could assist with passing acceleration, this hasn’t affected the 0-60 mph dash, which the corporate nonetheless says stands at 3.4 seconds. For those who had been hoping BMW would do one thing with the controversial massive entrance grill remedy, it stays entrance and middle.
4 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo
Engine
3.0-liter Twin-Turbo V6
Horsepower
542 hp
Torque
479 lb-ft
Drivetrain
AWD
0-60 mph
3.3 seconds (Auto)
High Velocity
199 mph
Value
$190,000
Many have been ready on Maserati to revitalize the long-lasting GranTurismo. The earlier era was merely round too lengthy, not holding with the expertise or efficiency of the occasions regardless of providing a beautiful physique and an beautiful V8 soundtrack. The corporate aimed to repair the issues that existed and evolve what labored, which is why the present mannequin seems similar to the earlier one.
The Ferrari V8 is gone and instead within the Trofeo trim is the de-tuned twin-turbo Nettuno V6 additionally used within the MC20 supercar, making 542 horsepower. Due to this energy and AWD, the mannequin can rocket to 60 mph in simply 3.3 seconds, as much as practically 200 mph.
3 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
Engine
4.0-liter Flat-Six
Horsepower
493 hp
Torque
331 lb-ft
Drivetrain
RWD
0-60 mph
3.2 seconds (Auto)
High Velocity
196 mph
Value
$164,200
Each single automotive on this listing will most probably scratch that efficiency itch you feel, however nothing will provide the sheer functionality round a racetrack that the 718 Cayman GT4 RS will. Porsche’s mid-engine darling has each efficiency improve the corporate may muster, together with the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six additionally discovered within the 911 GT3 RS. Right here, the engine makes 493 horsepower and is coupled with rear-wheel drive and an 8-speed PDK transmission, which mix for 3.2-second 60 mph sprints. For 2024, the corporate even launched the hardcore Manthey-Racing Equipment for these searching for the final word Cayman efficiency that allowed the mannequin to lap the Nürburgring in simply over seven minutes.
2 Nissan GT-R Nismo
Engine
3.8-liter Twin-Turbo V6
Horsepower
600 hp
Torque
481 lb-ft
Drivetrain
AWD
0-60 mph
2.7 seconds (Auto)
High Velocity
205 mph
Value
$221,090
The Nissan GT-R Nismo is the final word expression of Nissan efficiency. The model utilized every thing realized from years of improvement and created a dynamic providing that checks all of the efficiency packing containers. The result’s a car that is harsh, loud, and unbelievably quick. Lined in carbon fiber and outfitted with probably the most potent model of the VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 ever, the ATESSA AWD system is able to sending this behemoth to 60 mph in simply 2.7 seconds. As soon as it is there, it is going to help you carry out some really terrifying shows of physics as you take advantage of the sports activities automotive. It is unimaginable, and it is onerous to consider we’re saying goodbye to the R35 solely on the finish of 2024, although it is definitely run its course.
1 Porsche 911 Turbo S
Engine
3.8-liter Twin-Turbo Flat-Six
Horsepower
640 hp
Torque
590 lb-ft
Drivetrain
AWD
0-60 mph
2.6 seconds (Auto)
High Velocity
205 mph
Value
$230,400
On the subject of the quickest Porsches, the Turbo S has lengthy reigned supreme (although electrification is altering that). To place it bluntly, the automotive feels prefer it defies the legal guidelines of physics because it teleports to 60 mph from a standstill in simply 2.6 seconds. It is primarily the final word expression of off-track Porsche efficiency, because it’s supremely snug, but able to blasting to over 200 mph. To get the unbelievable time of two.6 seconds, you may have to go for the Sport Chrono package deal, which must be chump change for somebody who can afford a $200,000 car within the first place. Few vehicles of any sort can match its efficiency, which is why it deserves to be celebrated.