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Most powerful cars of the 1980s

We ranked 59 cars of the 1980s from the 1CARS catalog by power output. The Vector W8 leads with 466 kW (634 PS · 625 hp).

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Most powerful cars of the 1980s

No. 1–25 of 59
  1. 1. Vector W8 W8 I · 1989–1993 6.0 V8 twin-turbo Limited run · 22 built 466 kW634 PS · 625 hp Specs: Vector W8 6.0 V8 twin-turbo
  2. 2. Ruf CTR CTR I · 1987–1996 3.4 l flat-six twin-turbo Limited run · 29 built 345 kW469 PS · 463 hp Specs: Ruf CTR 3.4 l flat-six twin-turbo
  3. 3. Lamborghini Countach 1974–1990 5.2 l 5000 Quattrovalvole / 25th Anniversary (5.2 V12) 335 kW455 PS · 449 hp Specs: Lamborghini Countach 5.2 l 5000 Quattrovalvole / 25th Anniversary (5.2 V12)
  4. 4. Lamborghini LM002 1986–1993 7.2 l 335 kW455 PS · 449 hp Specs: Lamborghini LM002 7.2 l
  5. 5. Porsche 959 1985–1988 2.9 l 331 kW450 PS · 444 hp Specs: Porsche 959 2.9 l
  6. 6. Ferrari 288 GTO 288 GTO F114 · 1984–1987 294 kW400 PS · 394 hp
  7. 7. BMW M5 M5 E34 · 1988–1995 3.8 l (E34) 250 kW340 PS · 335 hp Specs: BMW M5 3.8 l (E34)
  8. 8. Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, 400 and 412 1985–1989 250 kW340 PS · 335 hp
  9. 9. Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer 512 BBi · 1981–1984 250 kW340 PS · 335 hp
  10. 10. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL-Class R129 · 1989–2001 500 SL 240 kW326 PS · 322 hp Specs: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 500 SL
  11. 11. ZIL-41047 1985–2002 7.7 l 232 kW315 PS · 311 hp Specs: ZIL-41047 7.7 l
  12. 12. BMW 5 Series 5 Series E28 · 1981–1987 3.5 l M5 210 kW286 PS · 282 hp Specs: BMW 5 Series 3.5 l M5
  13. 13. Buick Grand National Grand National I · 1982–1987 206 kW280 PS · 276 hp
  14. 14. Nissan Skyline Skyline R32 · 1989–1993 2.6 l RB26DETT twin-turbo six 206 kW280 PS · 276 hp Specs: Nissan Skyline 2.6 l RB26DETT twin-turbo six
  15. 15. Ferrari 328 328 I · 1985–1989 199 kW271 PS · 267 hp
  16. 16. Ferrari Mondial Mondial 3.2 · 1985–1989 199 kW271 PS · 267 hp
  17. 17. Toyota Supra Supra A70 · 1986–1993 3.0 l 199 kW271 PS · 267 hp Specs: Toyota Supra 3.0 l
  18. 18. Lotus Esprit Esprit I · 1976–2004 Turbo SE 2.2 197 kW268 PS · 264 hp Specs: Lotus Esprit Turbo SE 2.2
  19. 19. Lamborghini Jalpa Jalpa I · 1981–1988 188 kW256 PS · 252 hp
  20. 20. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am Trans Am III · 1982–1992 3.8 l V6 turbo 186 kW253 PS · 249 hp Specs: Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 3.8 l V6 turbo
  21. 21. Chevrolet Camaro Camaro III · 1982–1992 5.7 l L (350 cu in) V8, Tuned Port Injection 183 kW249 PS · 245 hp Specs: Chevrolet Camaro 5.7 l L (350 cu in) V8, Tuned Port Injection
  22. 22. Chevrolet Corvette Corvette C4 · 1984–1996 5.7 l L98 350 V8 179 kW243 PS · 240 hp Specs: Chevrolet Corvette 5.7 l L98 350 V8
  23. 23. Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS 308 Quattrovalvole · 1982–1985 177 kW241 PS · 237 hp
  24. 24. Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z Camaro IROC-Z I · 1985–1990 5.7 l L98 TPI V8 168 kW228 PS · 225 hp Specs: Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z 5.7 l L98 TPI V8
  25. 25. Ford Mustang Mustang Fox · 1979–1993 5.0 l V8 168 kW228 PS · 225 hp Specs: Ford Mustang 5.0 l V8

Next: No. 26–50 of 59 34 more models with a figure

Method and data

Each model appears once, with the highest power output of any of its versions in our catalog (or of a generation when no version has a figure). Power is given in kW first, then PS and hp. 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. Rows without a “Specs” link take the figure of the generation. How we collect and check data

Ranked: 59 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 most power in the 1CARS catalog?

The Vector W8 (W8 I · 1989–1993), with 466 kW (634 PS · 625 hp). Second is the Ruf CTR with 345 kW.

How is this ranking compiled?

Each model appears once, with the highest power output of any of its versions in our catalog (or of a generation when no version has a figure). Power is given in kW first, then PS and hp.

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.