15 Terrific Turbo Cars

#1 Mitsubishi Starion

Built from 1982-91, the Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest, was one of the first Japanese turbo cars to utilize EFI (Electronic Fuel Injection). Powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the nimble rear-wheel drive GT machine, had aggressive styling with both, early narrow-body and later wide-body versions.

#2 Subaru Impreza WRX STi

Since 1992, the Subaru Impreza WRX STi, has thrilled both the Rally Race world and the street racing crowd, with its high winding turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, aggressive race-inspired styling and remarkable all-wheel drive systems. Today's versions are as potent as ever, making 268hp for an under 3-thousand pound car.

#3 1980 Lotus Esprit Turbo

Launched in 1980, the first turbocharged Lotus Esprit, featured a 2.2L 4-cylinder dry-sump type engine, making 210hp. The nimble rear-drive sports car, could sprint 0-60mph in 6-seconds and had a top-speed of 150mph. Keeping true to its Formula 1 racing heritage and James Bond connection, iterations of the Esprit turbo were produced up until 2004.

#4 1997 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo

Remembered as one of the quickest cars from the late '90's and the first real super high-performance offering from Toyota, the Mark IV Supra Twin Turbo is a legend. Equipped with a twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder motor, making 320hp capable of 0-60 launches of 4.6-seconds and 1/4-mile times in the 13's, the Supra Twin-Turbo is more than a match for many of todays performance cars.

#5 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Alive since 1992 as a performance version of the Lancer, the first Evolution or EVO, was made available in the U.S. in 2003. Answering the success of arch rival Subaru, and their WRX Impreza, Mitsubishi's EVO, was fitted with a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. Also a stellar Rally performer, the Lancer EVO has shared street-cred with the WRX, for quickest and most awesome Japanese factory tuner car.

#6 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo

Following in the illustrious tire tracks of the Nissan/Datsun 240/280Z, 1983 saw the arrival of the 300ZX. By 1989, the all-new Z32 platform was released, with a sloping and racy sports car design. The real news was the Twin Turbo version, equipped with a 3.0L Twin-turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, good for 300hp. Building a cult following, the Twin Turbo Z was built until 2000 and is renown as one of the quickest best-handling cars of the '90's

#7 1991GMC Syclone

Built for one year only, the 1991 GMC Syclone was a high-performance version of the GMC Sonoma. Dressed only in black, with sinister red Syclone lettering, big wheels, wide rubber, aggressive ground-effects and a 4-wheel anti lock braking system, only 2995 were made. The heart of the beast was a, 4.3L turbocharged V6 with Garret intercooler, making 280hp to all four wheels. The mean little truck ran 0-60 in 4.3-seconds and a 13.6 1/4-mile.

#8 GMC Typhoon

Following the Syclone's storm of success, the GMC Typhoon, based on the GMC Jimmy SUV, was built from 1992-93. Powered by the same 4.3L turbocharged V6, the Typhoon added an air-operated self-leveling rear suspension to the mix. With 4697 units made, different colors were available through the two model-years, with menacing black/black the most popular.

#9 Bentley Continental GT

The famed Bentley GT (Grand Tourer), is fitted with a 6.0L twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine, making 552hp. Equipped with a full-time Torsen-based four-wheel drive system, the buxom Britt, hurls forward to 60mph in 4.8-seconds and achieves a 197mph top-speed.

#10 2013 Nissan GT-R

Slated as successor to the iconic Nissan Skyline, the GT-R exploded on the scene in 2007. Able to challenge all competition from Europe, the speedy Samurai comes with four-wheel drive and a 3.8L twin-turbo V6 making between 485hp in early models, to 540hp in 2012 and up versions. With sub 4-second 0-60 times, an 11.5-second 1/4-mile and 193mph top-speed, the GT-R is an honorable ride

#11 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG

Perhaps the greatest factory roadster in the world, the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG is powered by a 621hp/738pftq biturbo V12 engine. As usual, Benz combines advanced styling, power and technology into an awesome world class machine.

#12 Ferrari F40

Built to celebrate Ferrari's 40th anniversary, 1315 F40's were made between 1987-92. The mid-engine rear-wheel drive super car, was fitted with a 2.9L twin-turbocharged V8, making 478hp. The F40 was the last 'Prancing Horse' to be approved by founder Enzo Ferrari and the first road legal car to achieve the 200mph mark.

#13 1989 Pontiac 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans Am

Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Pontiac Trans Am, 1989 saw limited production of 1550 20th Anniversary Turbo TA's. Powered by the 3.8L turbocharged V6 of Buick Grand National fame, the Firebird made 250hp/340pftq. The Turbo TA, added special badging, wheels and camel interior to the GTA TA's list of options, along with owner/dealer installed Indy 500 pace car decals, in honor of the TTA's race day duties.

#14 1987 Buick Grand National

Perhaps no other turbocharged car has quite the dominant reputation as does the Buick GN. With '86-87 versions equipped with an intercooled 3.8L turbo V6, making 245hp/355pftq, Grand Nationals ruled the streets during their day. With modification, the bad black Buick, can achieve ridiculous performance numbers, rivaling exotics four and five times their price, all while retaining the factory turbo-six.

#15 Porsche 911 Turbo

Already iconic in naturally aspirated guise, the first turbocharged 911 roared onto the scene in 1975, as the 930 Turbo Carrera. Equipped with an air-cooled 3.0L turbocharged 6-cylinder engine making 260hp, wide wheel-arches to accommodate massive rear rubber and distinctive 'whale tail' rear spoiler, for much needed down-force, the 911 turbo became synonymous with exhilarating acceleration. Todays versions are 520hp Teutonic tech rockets.

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