Dubbed by some as the golden era of the automotive industry, the 1980s was a time of radical change, massive experimentation, and the start of new technological car advancements. The dashboard became more digital and electronics were more widely used, and car exteriors were redesigned to be more aerodynamic and fun.
Car functionality was no longer the single most crucial factor in production, and more companies started to embrace cars built for speed and luxury. New engine technologies such as fuel injection increased the performance of the vehicles manufactured at the time. And most importantly, speed was no longer a luxury in cars but rather a necessity. Unfortunately, not all fast cars produced during the 1980s are remembered today.
10 Lamborghini Jalpa
Lamborghini and speed are almost synonymous, and this 80s entry-level sports car certainly embodied the Italian manufacturer's DNA of need for speed. The Jalpa hits 0-60 mph in precisely 5.5 seconds, making it a speed demon of its day.
The unique thing about the Jalpa is that it was one of the very few Lamborghini vehicles to feature a V8 engine, as most models had V10s and V12s. For an entry-level vehicle, a V8 engine, quick acceleration, and decent top speed combined with pleasant aesthetics were definitely the bargain of the century for any 80s car enthusiast.
9 Maserati Biturbo
Italian car manufacturer Maserati is known for producing some of the fastest and most luxurious vehicles. While the Maserati Biturbo, with its top speed of 134 mph and 0-60 mph acceleration of 6.5 seconds may seem like a shadow of the modern Maserati’s, it still was the pioneer vehicle in what would become a culture of fast cars for the manufacturer.
The Biturbo, as an 80s car, also had many positives, including its rare V6 engine, rear-wheel drive, and 5-speed manual transmission, which was standard in that generation.
8 Renault GTA Turbo
French automobile companies like Renault and Peugeot have always played second fiddle to their German and British counterparts in the global arena. The Renault GTA Turbo was a reminder of the genius of French manufacturers. The coupe featured a turbocharged V6 engine with an output of 197 horsepower.
The GTA Turbo received rave reviews from consumers as it flew off the shelves compared to its predecessor, the A310, primarily due to its superior speed of 155mph, quicker acceleration, and efficient handling.
7 RUF CTR Yellowbird
The RUF Yellowbird was literally a rocket on wheels and undoubtedly one of the standout sports cars of the 80s. Having a vehicle with a power output of 469 horsepower at a time when even breaking the 200 hp barrier was unheard of is no mean feat.
Also, the Yellowbird was aerodynamic with a light chassis, thus adding to its speed. It is no wonder the CTR could get from standstill to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and maintain a top speed of 210 mph.
6 Ford RS200
In the 80s, Ford was quickly establishing itself as a global force in the motor industry, with quality vehicles of all calibers and for all groups of people. The Ford engineers had only one thing in mind when the concept for the RS200 was born; racing!
The RS200 was the fastest Ford ever produced at that time. It had two versions; the rally car and the streetcar. The RS200 race car produced a massive 444 horsepower at full throttle, reaching 60 mph in a mere 2.8 seconds. The street version was also quite fast thanks to its superior power to weight ratio.
5 Isdera Imperator 108i
This vehicle had a unique design and was the brainchild of German engineer Eberhard Schulz. The Isdera also borrowed a lot from Mercedes, including the 5.0-liter V8 engine.
This automobile was quite unique and one of the rarest cars of the 1980s. Only about three dozen units hit the consumer market. However, its performance statistics were exemplary, with a top speed of 176 mph and acceleration of 5 seconds from 0-60 mph.
4 TVR 450 SEAC
With a powerful V8 engine, hair-raising acceleration, fiberglass and kevlar body design paired with a capable 5-speed manual transmission, the TVR 450 SEAC were destined to be the superstar of the 90s. However, the vehicle was produced for only one year (1988 – 1989).
Gear heads still deliberate on what could have been of the TVR. The car packed a naturally aspirated V8 engine with 320 hp, accelerated from 0 to 60 in 4.7 seconds, and it even had fantastic handling. It could very well be the best car of the 80s that everyone forgot about.
3 Audi Sport Quattro
The famous four rings have been a mark of power, speed, and perfection since the 1980s if the Quattro specifications are anything to go by. The Quattro was one of the very first vehicles to embrace an AWD drivetrain.
That bold step made all the difference in terms of performance. With an engine output of just under 200 hp, the Quattro surpassed all expectations with its top speed of 137 mph and an acceleration of 0-60 in just 7 seconds.
2 Lotus Espirit Turbo
In an era where turbocharged cars were the in-thing, this Lotus stands head and shoulders above the competition. The Espirit turbo was way ahead of its time in terms of innovativeness. The vehicle incorporated both turbocharger technology and fuel injection technology in its engine, and the body design was very aerodynamic.
Built for speed, the Lotus dashed from 0 to 60 in 5 seconds flat and maintained a decent top speed of 148 mph. Off the books, it was billed to be much faster due to its light chassis.
1 Mitsubishi Starion
In the 80s, Japanese car manufacturers were beginning to make inroads into the major markets with some exciting vehicles, and this 80s Starion is clear evidence of that. This two-door coupe featured a four-cylinder engine with a maximum output of 178 horsepower delivered to all four wheels.
The Starion hit the scales at just over 1 ton, making it exceptionally fast despite the average power output. 0-60 mph in 8 seconds was decent for a Japanese car at the time, and the top speed wasn’t bad either at 134 mph.