We remember the first time we noticed that BMW had snuck a diesel into the X3 range capable of propelling the boxy off-roader from 0-100kmph in just 6.4 seconds. 'Chair', 'off', and 'fell' - it's a very vivid experience in our minds.
Rover Maestro MG Turbo
Yes, we know it says turbo on the boot. But even that doesn't prepare you for quite how fast these 80s sheds actually were. Engineered by Tickford, they could hit 100kmph in 6.7 seconds. Faster than many contemporary supercars.
Volkswagen Polo 1.2 TSI
OK, 105hp and 0-100kmph in 9.7 seconds isn't what you'd call conventionally fast. But the beauty of this downsized, turbocharged Polo is the way it delivers what little performance it has. Which counts for more than numbers on a spec sheet.
Rolls-Royce Ghost
Famously discreet about performance stats - merely describing them as 'adequate' back in the day - Rolls-Royces always put luxury before speed. But the new Ghost has both and will hit 0-100kmph in a supercar-chasing 4.9 seconds. Which is, most definitely, adequate.
Volkswagen Passat W8
The most absolutely awesome thing about the previous generation VW Passat W8 isn't the sleeper looks. It's the half-a-Bugatti-Veyron engine under the bonnet (minus the turbochargers). 275hp and limited to 155mph.
Mercedes G55 AMG
Even with an AMG badge, snorting side exhausts and a supercharged V8 under the bonnet the G55 shouldn't be as ludicrously rapid as it is. Yet this 30-year-old relic will hit 0-100kmph in just 5.5 seconds, outpacing many much younger 'performance' SUVs in the process.
Volvo S80 V8
A boring Volvo saloon? With a V8? Oh yes - and it goes 0-100mph in 6 seconds and pumps out 315hp. Seriously solid engineering under the hood, too, since the engine forms the basis of the twin-turbo sledgehammer powering the Noble M600 supercar.
Volkswagen Phaeton V10 TDI
Clearly, the thing to do if you own one of these über-diesel VW Phaetons is to remove the V10 badging and just sticker it up with TDI. Then proceed to smoke everybody with the engine's titanic 552 lb ft of torque. Luxo-barge madness.
Renault Grand Espace 3.5 V6
No, not the crazy Espace built on a Williams F1 chassis. This was one you could buy, complete with a 3.5-litre V6 engine related to that used in the Nissan 350Z and over 240hp. You'd have to be mad.
Smart ForTwo CDI
With a 0-100kmph time of 16.8 seconds (older ones were even slower!) the diesel Smart is one of the slowest cars you can buy. But, bizarrely, from the wheel it feels strangely rapid and fun to drive. Even if evidence points to the contrary!
Bentley Arnage
As big as a stately home and pretty much as well-appointed, the Bentley Arnage transcends lousy aerodynamics and old school looks by virtue of outrageous, twin-turbo V8 muscle. Final versions had as much as 500hp.
Mazda CX-7
Mazda's now done the sensible thing and replaced the petrol-powered CX-7 with a diesel. But we shed a tear for the original and its ludicrous 260hp turbocharged petrol or nothing option. With handling to match it was way, way faster than you'd have ever thought.
Morgan Roadster 3.0
It looks as old as your grandad's slippers but it moves somewhat faster, the 3.0 V6 version of the classic Morgan boasting 220hp and a Lotus-like kerbweight to give 0-100kmph in a far-from-retro 4.9 seconds.
Ford Kuga 2.5 T
The Ford Kuga looks pretty sporty for a 4x4. But even this doesn't quite prepare you for the outrageously potent performance and warbling five-cylinder engine note of the 200hp Focus ST-engined 2.5. Rocketship performance and about as thirsty too.
A rental car
That base-spec Tata Indica that just smoked you on the highway? Likely as not it'll have a sticker in the back window betraying the fact it's been hired from a rental firm. And therefore faster than anything on the road.
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