The 1990s unveiled some amazing European sports cars. Vehicles like the Ferrari F355 and the BMW M3 (36) are perfect examples of Europe manufacturing some of the best sports cars that we can think of. However, some cars just go that little bit further and become the most powerful European sports cars in the '90s.
The cars on this list are the best of the best from Europe in the '90s regarding their bhp levels. Some of these cars are closer to boasting 1000 hp and reflecting the build quality and capabilities of European sports cars during the 1990s.
10 Jaguar XJR-15 - 450 HP
Introduced in 1990, the Jaguar XJR-15 is noted as being the world's first-ever vehicle made entirely from carbon-fiber. Perhaps it does not top this list in terms of power, but it was still a pretty powerful car with 450 hp. The car is not designed to be practical, instead basically being a race car for the road.
The car was fairly lightweight for a sports car of this caliber and had a top speed of 191 mph. Built by TWR (Tommy Walkinshaw Racing) there was no question that the power on offer would be outstanding. It was a very advanced vehicle, and with only 53 made the car is extremely rare.
9 Ferrari F50 - 513 HP
Ferrari launched in the F50 in 1995 as a 50th birthday present to itself. Not always favoured for its odd stylistic choices, the Ferrari F50 could at least boast an awesome engine. The standard Ferrari V12 engine received a torque boost and offered 513bhp.
Despite the styling issues and uncomfortable interior the F50 was a brilliant vehicle and has become an incredibly collectible car. The Ferrari F50 is renowned as one of the most powerful and brilliant European sports cars of the 1990s.
8 Porsche 911 GT1 Strasßenversion - 536 HP
The Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion entered production so the racing version could be homologated for racing in Le Mans. 'Straßenversion' translates into street version in English, showing this is a road-going car, even if it looks crazy.
The 536bhp was the most powerful road-going engine Porsche had ever made when this car was launched and built to a very high standard. It is the most extreme version of the 911 ever made and the most expensive to buy when new. It is no surprise that this car made it onto this list and is such a collectible car today.
7 Lamborghini Diablo SV-R - 540 HP
Meaning 'devil' in Spanish, the Lamborghini Diablo was launched in 1990. The vehicle's performance was made capable through one of the finest engines ever made, the Lamborghini V12. The Diablo was also known for its grip on the roads, meaning that it was capable of coping with its top speed of 200 mph.
The 485 hp in the original Diablo was already high enough, and the 525 hp in the Diablo SE was a great figure. The ultimate update was with the Diablo SV-R that produced 540 hp, pushing the vehicle into new realms of power and performance. The vehicle was great in its launch and is still well regarded nowadays.
6 Jaguar XJ220 - 542 HP
The Jaguar XJ220 was equipped with a supercharged V6 engine, despite the concept version promising a twin-turbo V12 engine. Even so, with the different engine choice the Jaguar was still immensely powerful. In reaching 542 hp, the XJ220 was powerful but was also extremely fast with a 212-mph top speed.
The car also held the title of being the fastest production car between 1992 and 1993. Despite this, sales were not brilliant following a nasty recession in the early '90s. Also, enthusiasts weren't impressed with the changes to the engine and some sued their way out of the contract. However, even despite changes, Jaguar made a great car.
5 Aston Martin Vantage Le Mans V600 - 600 HP
The Le Mans was the ultimate iteration of the Vantage series. Limited to only 40 unit the Vantage Le Mans was fettled and refined into one of the most powerful cars of the '90s. Boasting a hand-made 5.3-liter V8 engine, the Le Mans added two superchargers to up the power.
The even rarer V600 specification boosted that power to 600 hp, making it the most powerful production car in the world in 1999. Bigger brakes, better cooling, suspension tweaks, and revised gearing were all required so the car could process that extra power.
4 Bugatti EB110 - 602 HP
Introduced in 1991, Bugatti made the EB110 to recapture the Bugatti name of the 1920s and '30s. The EB110 was launched around the time of the early-1990s recession, leading to the brand's liquidation. However, the EB110 was a great car, especially with 602 hp on tap.
The EB110 is amazingly fast but has no launch control. The pick of the bunch was the Bugatti EB110 Super Sport that managed a 221mph top speed. Also, the car took part in the Le Mans 1994 race, even if it didn't finish. Generally, the EB110 is a brilliant car that deserves more recognition for its success.
3 Mercedes CLK GTR - 602 HP (Racing Version 720 HP)
There were only 25 Mercedes CLK GTR vehicles ever made, and generally, the CLK GTR was both a sports car and a race car. The vehicle debuted in 1997 and was then modified for use in the 1998 Le Mans race. The coupe version, of which 20 of the 25 were made, was the faster version of the road-legal cars.
Mercedes made the road-legal coupe with 602 hp, compared to 720 hp in the racing version of the car. Even though the road-legal version may not reach 720 hp, it was still incredibly powerful. Definitely one of the top vehicles from the 1990s in terms of power and performance. Also, very costly, which adds to the rarity of the vehicle nowadays.
2 McLaren F1 - 618 HP
The McLaren F1 was launched in 1992, and quickly became a fan favorite, and it is easy to see why. The car was also the fastest car in the world until 2005 and received extremely favorable reviews. In no way can the vehicle's power be questioned it is undoubtedly one of the greatest performers ever and it remains to stay this way.
The F1 feels as would be expected to, with the vehicle feeling very unique and special. The vehicle is a genuinely brilliant road car that should be honored as much. Costly, but capable of a legendary amount of power with 618 hp, the McLaren F1 secures itself on this list easily.
1 TVR Speed 12 - 800 HP
Only three TVR Speed 12s were produced after the car's launch in 1996. The vehicle is an extremely high performer, and there is no doubt about this with the car having 800 hp. There was no exact measurement of the TVR Speed 12 actually made, with some claims about the car being able to achieve 1000 hp being stated. Many have gone with the Speed 12 being capable of 800 hp.
With there being so little information available, claims are easily thrown around. The brand stated that the car was faster than the McLaren F1, with a top speed estimated at over 240 mph even if it was never tested. Nonetheless, the car is impressive and garnered a lot of interest in enthusiasts.