The Europeans love their sedans! For decades, this type of vehicle would take them to work, bring home the groceries, and transport them to their holiday destinations. From there, it only made sense that carmakers added a bit more power for those who wanted to go faster.
That eventually led to European automakers creating one high-performance sedan masterpiece after the other. Power, speed, practicality, comfort, and luxury have been blended together in four-door packages that can dominate the road.
Today, we’ll look at 24 European sedans that will keep up with sports cars, whether on the German Autobahn, twisty Norwegian coastal roads, or winding Italian mountain passes.
Mercedes-AMG EQS Sedan
Mercedes-AMG built the EQS to be one of their flagship sedans, and since the AMG division is involved, a healthy dose of power is guaranteed. AMG has fitted upgraded electric motors in the EQS Sedan. These produce 649 horsepower as standard, but when Boost Mode is engaged, that figure jumps to 751 horsepower.
With power figures like that, and since EVs have instant torque, in this case, 752 lb-ft, it’s no surprise that the EQS Sedan offers explosive acceleration. It’ll reach 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.4 seconds, and the top speed is 155 mph.
Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid
The Porsche Panamera has divided P-car enthusiasts since it first arrived in 2009. However, there’s no denying that this sedan is as fast as it is practical. The Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid has a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that works alongside an electric motor.
Total power output is 690 prancing German horses and 626 lb-ft of torque. The Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid accelerates like a supercar, and getting to 60 mph only takes 2.6 seconds.
BMW M5 Competition Sport
BMW enthusiasts can’t agree whether this or the classic E39 is the best M5 ever. One thing is for sure, however: the new M5 CS will wipe the floor with its predecessor when it comes to power and performance. The BMW M5 CS is a refined luxury car that behaves like a supercar when you want it to. Who said you can’t have your cake and eat it too?
A 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine powers the BMW M5 Competition Sport. A sophisticated AWD system sends 627 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. It’ll go from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and tops out at 189 mph.
Jaguar XFR-S
The Jaguar XF-S doesn’t look nearly as fast as it really is, making it the perfect sleeper car. It has a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 under the hood—the same engine that’s also in the XKR-S.
With 542 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque, it has enough grunt to embarrass some proper sports cars. Zero to 60 mph takes 4.4 seconds, and the top speed is 186 mph.
Audi RS3
The Audi RS3 is an impressive subcompact sedan. It doesn’t look much more aggressive than the regular A3 model, but step on the throttle, and it takes off like a scalded cat.
In true Audi fashion, the RS3 is fitted with a turbocharged inline-five engine. It produces around 400 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to all four wheels. The RS3 will reach 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, and with the speed limiter removed, it has a top speed of 180 mph.
Mercedes-AMG E63 S
Mercedes-AMG’s performance cars have a certain whiff of classic muscle to them. As refined as they may be, they’re not as precise as BMW and Audi’s high-performance models. However, they’re great fun.
The E63 S has a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that produces 630 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. It’s seemingly built from pure aggression, and while it’s an AWD car, it also has a drift mode. It can light up the rear tires in an instant, but balance the throttle carefully, and it will act in a civilized manner. Getting to 60 mph takes less than 3.5 seconds.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
There’s no doubt that the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is one of the most beautiful sports sedans you can buy today. It’s the perfect car if you want to drive like a maniac and look good doing it.
The Giulia Quadrifoglio has a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine that produces 505 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. It can reach 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and has a whopping 191 mph at top speed.
Volvo S60 Polestar
Volvo is best known for its innovative cars, which are packed with safety features, but the Swedes have also built some fun performance cars over the years.
The Volvo S60 Polestar is one of their best efforts. This sports sedan comes packed to the rafters with tech, including a set of adjustable Öhlins suspension with 22 settings. The previous version had a 2.0-liter engine that was both turbocharged and supercharged, producing 400 horsepower. The latest model has replaced the supercharger with an electric motor, and power has increased from 400 horses to 455.
Jaguar XE SV Project 8
The Jaguar XE SV Project 8 is a track-focused weapon that happens to come in the shape of a four-door family sedan. It features aggressive styling that’s designed to increase downforce.
Jaguar fitted a 592-horsepower supercharged V8 under the Jaguar XE SV Project 8’s hood. It’ll scramble from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds, and as a testament to its speed and power, it set a new record for sedans around the Nürburgring – seven minutes and 21 seconds.
Porsche Taycan Turbo S
Porsche decided to carry on with the Turbo name for its EV lineup, which doesn’t really make any sense at all. Anyway, the Taycan Turbo S is one of the most astonishing EVs money can buy. This sports sedan offers electrifying performance thanks to its two permanent-magnetic synchronous AC motors.
The total power output is 751 horsepower and 774 lb-ft of instant torque. The Taycan Turbo S can reach 60 mph in just 2.6 seconds and has a top speed of 162 mph. The range is also decent, at 222 miles on a single charge.
Mercedes-Benz EQE 53
Mercedes has been busy developing its new EV lineup. Like the aforementioned EQS Sedan, the EQE 53 packs a serious electric punch that almost breaks the laws of physics.
The EQE 53 uses a dual-motor setup that produces 617 horsepower. If you check the box for the optional AMG Dynamic Plus package, that increases to 678 horses. It’ll reach 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, but the EQE won’t have a range of 322 miles if you use all its power all the time.
Audi RS e-Tron GT
Like the other German luxury car manufacturers, Audi needed some time to catch up to EV giant Tesla. However, with the RS e-Tron GT, it’s safe to say they’ve exceeded all expectations.
The RS e-Tron GT is Audi’s flagship model, so it’s filled to the brim with next-gen technology to show off its capabilities. Its dual electric motors produce 637 hp and 612 lb-ft of torque, which means it can get to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds.
Aston Martin Rapide AMR
The Aston Martin Rapide AMR is the high-performance version of the already rapid Rapide. It features a whole host of performance upgrades, including an improved suspension setup, a recalibrated transmission, bigger wheels with better tires, and a carbon-ceramic brake setup.
The Rapide AMR also has a 595-horsepower V12 engine, which means it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 205 mph.
BMW M3 CS
Over the years, the BMW M3 has evolved from a track-focused coupe to a sophisticated sedan. Then BMW launched the Competition Sport, which is again a very track-focused version but is now in the shape of a sedan.
The BMW M3 CS is a lighter and more powerful version of the M3 Competition. Its twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six now produces 550 wild Bavarian horses and 479 lb-ft of torque. The M3 CS accelerates to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds and tops out at 188 mph.
Audi RS7 Performance
The Audi RS7 is certainly no lightweight – it weighs over 4,700 lbs. Luckily, it has the power and performance to match its heft. The RS7 Performance uses the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine as the regular RS7 but with 597 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque.
It accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and reaches 124 mph in just 12.1 seconds. However, the top speed is still limited to 155 mph unless you opt for the Dynamic or Dynamic Plus packages, which increase it to 174 mph and 190 mph, respectively.
Volkswagen Arteon R
The Volkswagen Arteon R is a left-field choice if you want a European sports sedan. However, it follows the same formula as other performance vehicles under the VAG umbrella, so we’re not surprised that it’s a very capable machine.
Under the hood, we find a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 316 horsepower. Since the Arteon is a flagship model, it needs to be refined, and thanks to the slightly stiffer suspension with adaptive dampers, it’s an excellent mile-muncher. It’s pretty fast, too – getting to 60 mph from a standstill only takes 4.8 seconds.
Audi S8 Plus
The Audi S8 Plus looks pretty much like a regular A8. There are no wings or flashy aero, but this large luxury sedan has a powerful secret lurking under its hood.
The engine is a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 unit that produces an astonishing 597 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque sent to all four wheels – because Audi. This behemoth will reach 60 mph in as little as 3.4 seconds and cruise at 190 mph with the Dynamic Plus Package.
Bentley Flying Spur Speed
The Bentley Flying Spur Speed is a full-size luxury sedan, and all that tech, wood, and leather add some weight, resulting in a curb weight of 5,373 lbs. That’s not a problem, however, as the Flying Spur Speed also has a massive engine.
Under the hood, the Bentley has a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 unit. Although it’s one of the heaviest cars on this list, it’s also one of the fastest sedans in the world. With 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, it can reach 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 207 mph.
Maybach-Brabus 900 Rocket
Few vehicles express wealth and power like a Mercedes-Maybach. The owner isn’t the only one with power here, though, as the Maybach-Brabus has enough of it to embarrass supercars while cocooning the occupants in unbridled luxury.
A 6.3-liter twin-turbo V12 hides under the hood, and when poked, it will release 900 horses and 1100 lb-ft of torque. This luxury sedan accelerates to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and has an almost ridiculous top speed of 217 mph.
Maserati Ghibli Trofeo
The Maserati Ghibli looks stunning, but it isn’t the most reliable sedan on the market, and its maintenance costs a small fortune, too. However, fire up that Ferrari-derived 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, and you won’t be able to wipe the smile off your face.
Thanks to its 580 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque, the Ghibli Trofeo only takes 4.1 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill. It also has an impressive top speed of 203 mph.
BMW M8 Gran Coupe Competition
The BMW M8 Gran Coupe Competition is one of the most impressive cars ever emerging from Bavaria. The regular M8 is a proper highway-devouring monster, but it’s even better with the Competition Package.
The M8 Gran Coupe Competition is the ultimate performance version of this luxury flagship sedan. The 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine now produces 617 horsepower that goes to all four wheels via the 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf
Aston Martin wants only a handful of super-rich individuals to own the Lagonda Taraf, so they limited production to 200 hand-built cars. Each Taraf is dripping with luxury and opulence, offering all the finest materials and best equipment known to the automotive world.
It really is more of a four-door supercar than a family sedan, as it has a 6.0-liter V12 engine that pumps out 540 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The Aston Martin Lagonda Taraf will sprint to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, with a top speed of 196 mph.
Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R
Vauxhall isn’t fooling anyone. The VXR8 GTS-R may have the British carmaker’s logos and badges, but Australian Holden makes this car. However, the Brits did an excellent job fine-tuning the suspension, making it better for European driving conditions.
The Vauxhall VXR8 GTS-R uses the tried-and-tested GM LS2 V8 engine. This supercharged 6.2-liter produces 587 horsepower and 546 lb-ft of torque. Zero to 60 mph only takes 4.2 seconds.
Jaguar XJR 575
The Jaguar XJR 575 was the top-spec version of Jaguar’s flagship model. It’s less refined than today’s luxury sports sedans, instead, it uses brute force to muscle its way into our hearts.
As its name implies, the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 produces 575 horsepower. It also pushes out 517 lb-ft of torque. These power figures are enough to get it to 62 mph in just 4.4 seconds, and it has a top speed of 186 mph.
