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Fastest cars of the 1980s

We ranked 16 cars of the 1980s from the 1CARS catalog by top speed. The Ruf CTR leads with 342 km/h (213 mph).

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Fastest cars of the 1980s

16 models
  1. 1. Ruf CTR CTR I · 1987–1996 3.4 l flat-six twin-turbo Limited run · 29 built 342 km/h213 mph Specs: Ruf CTR 3.4 l flat-six twin-turbo
  2. 2. Porsche 959 1985–1988 2.9 l 317 km/h197 mph Specs: Porsche 959 2.9 l
  3. 3. Lamborghini Countach 1974–1990 5.2 l 5000 Quattrovalvole / 25th Anniversary (5.2 V12) 298 km/h185 mph Specs: Lamborghini Countach 5.2 l 5000 Quattrovalvole / 25th Anniversary (5.2 V12)
  4. 4. BMW M5 M5 E34 · 1988–1995 3.6 (E34) 250 km/h155 mph Specs: BMW M5 3.6 (E34)
  5. 5. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL-Class R129 · 1989–2001 500 SL 250 km/h155 mph Specs: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 500 SL
  6. 6. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Trans Am III · 1982–1992 3.8 l V6 turbo 246 km/h153 mph Specs: Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 3.8 l V6 turbo
  7. 7. Lotus Esprit Esprit I · 1976–2004 Turbo 2.2 241 km/h150 mph Specs: Lotus Esprit Turbo 2.2
  8. 8. BMW M3 M3 (E30) · 1986–1991 2.3 l (catalyst) 235 km/h146 mph Specs: BMW M3 2.3 l (catalyst)
  9. 9. Audi Quattro Quattro (Typ 85) · 1980–1991 2.2 l 20V turbo 230 km/h143 mph Specs: Audi Quattro 2.2 l 20V turbo
  10. 10. Ford Thunderbird Thunderbird IX · 1983–1988 2.3 l Turbo turbo intercooled 230 km/h143 mph Specs: Ford Thunderbird 2.3 l Turbo turbo intercooled
  11. 11. Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution (W201) · 1989–1990 2.5 l 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution 230 km/h143 mph Specs: Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo 2.5 l 190 E 2.5-16 Evolution
  12. 12. DeLorean DMC-12 DMC-12 I · 1981–1983 2.9 l 2.85 V6 manual 209 km/h130 mph Specs: DeLorean DMC-12 2.9 l 2.85 V6 manual
  13. 13. ZIL-41047 1985–2002 7.7 l 190 km/h118 mph Specs: ZIL-41047 7.7 l
  14. 14. Ford LTD 1979–1982 4.9 l 5.0 V8 (German market) 167 km/h104 mph Specs: Ford LTD 4.9 l 5.0 V8 (German market)
  15. 15. Ford Fiesta Fiesta I · 1976–1983 1.3 l Supersport 158 km/h98 mph Specs: Ford Fiesta 1.3 l Supersport
  16. 16. Skoda Rapid Rapid Typ 743 / 747 · 1984–1990 1.3 l 130 153 km/h95 mph Specs: Skoda Rapid 1.3 l 130

Method and data

Each model appears once, with the highest top speed quoted for any of its versions. Speeds are shown as the manufacturer quotes them, including electronically limited ones. The decade is the year a version, or its generation, went on sale, so a long-lived model can appear in more than one decade. How we collect and check data

Ranked: 16 of 1,149 models in the 1CARS catalog have a figure for this list.

Download the full list (CSV) · Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0: credit “1CARS” and link to this page. Spot an error? Tell us - we check every report.

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Questions and answers

Which car of the 1980s has the highest top speed in the 1CARS catalog?

The Ruf CTR (CTR I · 1987–1996), with 342 km/h (213 mph). Second is the Porsche 959 with 317 km/h.

How is this ranking compiled?

Each model appears once, with the highest top speed quoted for any of its versions. Speeds are shown as the manufacturer quotes them, including electronically limited ones.

Why is a model missing from the list?

A model is listed only when the 1CARS catalog has a confirmed figure for it. Models without an official figure stay out instead of getting an estimate, and the list grows as we add data. Concept cars, prototypes, one-offs and racing cars are not ranked; limited-run models are marked.