For decades, the inline 6 engine configuration was favored by almost all manufacturers because of its smooth nature, naturally eliminating most vibrations, ample torque delivery and relatively compact design.

Times have changed and everyone has moved on, some have adopted more powerful V8 configurations as their trademark, most favor smaller turbocharged lumps. Some have hung on to the venerable inline-6 for longer than others, and a few have indeed used it for true high performance applications. By the 2000s, the inline-6 had reached its peak, not yet completely strangled by emissions constraints, and these are the 10 fastest sports car examples packing a straight-6 from that golden era.

10 Volvo V70 T6: 152 Mph

via AutomobilesReview.com

One rather surprising inclusion is the V70. Its transverse-mounted, turbocharged inline-6 was able to propel this family car from 0-60 in 7 seconds.

via netcarshow.com

It would then go on to achieve an impressive top speed of 152 mph, not bad for a station wagon better known for its safety rating than performance.

9 BMW M3: 155 Mph

2001 BMW E46 M3 (Blue) - Front Quarter
via Bring a Trailer

Arguably, the first car most people will think of when it comes to high performance inline-6’s is the e46 M3.

2001 BMW E46M3
via Bring a Trailer

Early versions were equipped with the stellar S54 engine that was making just shy of 340 horsepower bone stock, impressive numbers for the time.

Related: Legendary Cars: A Detailed Look At The BMW E46 M3 GTR

8 BMW Z4 M Coupe: 155 Mph

Blue 2006 BMW Z4 M Coupe
BMW

Much like the M3, the Z4 could easily do more if you removed the speed limiter, but in stock form this was more or less it.

BMW-Z4_M_Coupe-2006-1280-22
netcars

Unlike its boot-shaped predecessor, the Z4 has far more elegant looks to go with that incredible S54 engine.

7 Wiesmann MF3: 158 Mph

Wiesmann MF3
Via: collecting-cars

Equipped with that S54 BMW engine, this ugly duckling of a sports car could actually outrun any of the heavier BMWs with the same engine.

Wiesmann MF3
Via Collecting Cars

60 mph came up in under 5 seconds, and it didn’t bother with the limiter, so was able to clock in at a top speed of 158 as opposed to 155 mph.

Related: Project Thunderball: The Exciting New Electric Sports Car From Wiesmann

6 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R: 165 Mph

Nisan Skyline GTR R34 - Front
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Made between 1999 and 2002 the R34 edition of the famed Skyline had a relatively short production life, and relatively low production number, but a huge following.

Nissan Skyline GTR R34 - Rear
Via Bring A Trailer

It was the last true Skyline, and as much as its looks were distinctive, they were still understated for a car that could get to 60 in under 4 seconds.

5 TVR Tamora: 175 Mph

The front of the Tamora
shmooautomotive.co.uk

It is impossible to talk about inline-6 engines without mentioning a TVR or two, or maybe a few more because they just squeezed so much power out of their Speed Six engines.

TVR Tamroa
Via Shmoo Automotive

The Tamora was still using the naturally aspirated version of their rather special engine, but was still able to do 175 mph.

Related: What's Not To Love About The Weird Yet Wonderful TVR Chimaera

4 TVR Cerbera: 185 Mph

2000 TVR Cerbera
Via: wsupercars

Although the V8 version is far more common, they did make a Cerbera model with the Speed Six engine.

2000-TVR-Cerbera
source: wsupercars

Unfortunately, if you are after a reliable sports car, this is most certainly not it. Their reliability was in question throughout their existence, but their performance was not.

3 TVR Sagaris: 185 Mph

2004-TVR-Sagaris
source: wsupercars

Arguably the best looking of all the TVR sports cars, the Sagaris cranked up the power even further and was able to do 60 in under the magical 4-second mark.

2004-TVR-Sagaris
source: wsupercars

It still suffered from atrocious finishing for a car that was this expensive, you also didn’t get an awful lot for your money, as it was a stripped down performance machine. How can you not just love that…

Related: The TVR Sagaris Is Named After A Brutal Hand-Axe

2 TVR Tuscan S: 185 Mph

via Supercars.net

Somehow, TVR were able to make their convertible just as fast as any of their other cars, an impressive feat considering how much weight needs to be added to any drop top.

tvr tuscan s
via youtube.com

The wing at the back is actually functional and helps keep the relatively light car stable at its supersonic top speed of 185 mph.

1 TVR Typhon SC: 215 Mph*

TVR Typhon
Via TVR

For such a small manufacturer, it is quite bizarre that they made this many different models, little wonder they eventually collapsed. They might have been better served figuring out how to improve their reliability and build quality, but if they did do that we wouldn’t have these three, that is right, just three particularly special supercharged inline-6 monsters.

TVR Typhon
Via TVR

These cars were specifically designed to go endurance racing and their claimed top speed is 215 mph, that much is not a hard fact though, as there are no independently verified sources able to verify this, but it is certainly able to do more than 200 mph. Unfortunately, the company went bust shortly after making these incredible cars, a tribute to the optimistic nature of this small sports car manufacturer.