Words: Nathan Chadwick
Photography: Manufacturers
Performance doesn’t mean no practicality – these fast 90s four-doors could easily slay supercars
In an era when hypercars are routinely north of 1000bhp and EV shopping carts have enough torque to reshape an Ordnance Survey map’s measurements in real time, the supersaloon wave of the late 1980s and 1990s might seem quaint.
Even the Lotus Carlton and Alpina B10 Biturbo, the highest-horsepower four-door hotrods of the era, are outgunned by the ultimate hot hatchbacks these days.
That doesn’t diminish their power, however. Back in the day, 200bhp was a lot in a time when most everyday cars struggled to cough up more than 100bhp. In fact, a hot hatchback legend like a 1.6 Peugeot 205 GTI had not much more than that.
Tracking the dawn of the supersaloon is a tricky task – some point to American muscle of the late 50s and 60s; some cite the Mercedes-Benz 6.3 SEL of the 1960s. However, the true performance saloon came into its own with the launch of the E28 M5 in the mid 1980s. It kick-started a true arms race that really came to its head in the 1989-1994 era. Suddenly that performance benchmark of around 250bhp was left far behind. Now if you wanted true supercar pace you could bring three family members or friends with you.
Here are some suggestions for four-door 911-beaters.
BMW M5 (E34)
The benchmark of the 1990s performance saloon. Early models used a 3.6‑litre straight-six putting out 315 bhp and 265lb ft of torque, which grew to 3.8-litres and 335bhp. 0‑62 mph times hover in the six-second range. UK valuation varies wildly by mileage and chassis number but expect £55,000 to £70,000 for a clean, low‑mile example. Perhaps not as full-blooded and exciting as modern M-car lore suggests, this is still one of the defining super-saloons of the era.
Jaguar XJ12 (XJ40)
The XJ12 version of the XJ40 is the big cat with surprise in its veins. Under the bonnet you get a 6.0‑litre V12 that produces 314bhp and 341lb ft of torque, and 0‑62 mph in around seven seconds. It’s not about outright pace – it’ll still do 155mph, mind – but about poise and presence, with silky power delivery and an aura of a driver who values comfort over track-based exuberance. Values for XJ40s are generally modest – for an XJ12 in good condition you can expect to pay £8000 to £20,000. It may look like a relaxed cruiser but it’ll handle far better than you’d ever expect.
Lotus Carlton
Britain’s most unlikely super‑saloon. The Lotus Carlton takes a 3.6‑litre twin‑turbo straight‑six from GM/Chevrolet and tunes it by Lotus to approximately 377bhp and 410lb ft of torque. It hit 0‑62mph in around 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 177mph – astonishing for a saloon in 1990. Values are now firmly six‑figure territory in the UK for low‑mileage, correct examples – think £100,000+, with top provenance cars asking over £120,000. British performance art of the 90s that doesn’t involve staring at someone’s unmade bed.
Mercedes‑Benz E500 (500E/W124)
This Mercedes‑Porsche hybrid mixes the staid but sophisticated W124 chassis with a 5.0‑litre M119 V8 producing around 326 bhp (depending on market) and around 354lb ft of torque. 0‑62 mph was circa 5.9-6.1 s. UK recent listings show prices ranging from £50,000 to £80,000 for seriously good condition examples, though many change hands for less if they need recommissioning. A high‑class performance saloon with muscle and understatement – and seriously addictive, despite being LHD only; Rowan Atkinson’s had two.
RouseSport 304‑R
The RouseSport 304‑R is the niche classic that reminds you Britain made badass sleepers. It’s a converted Sapphire Cosworth tuned by British Touring Car Championship stalwart Andy Rouse’s firm. The changes included upgraded internals, handling tweaks and unique upgrades beyond factory. Originally the Rouse package cost around five grand extra over the base car, and Andy’s tweaks unleashed 260bhp, 300lb ft, and significantly shaved 60mph sprint. The 304-R is ultra‑rare, with just under 80 built in period and few remaining – as such, valuations are all over the place. A well documented example might command £40,000 to £80,000 depending on spec, provenance and condition.
Chevrolet Impala SS
The 1994‑1996 Chevrolet Impala SS is an unlikely icon. Based on the eighth‑generation Caprice platform, it married full‑size comfort with genuine performance, effectively resurrecting the big‑block American V8 for the 1990s. Powered by a 5.7‑litre LT1 V8 producing 260bhp and 330lb ft of torque, it hit 0‑60mph in around 6.3 seconds and could top 150mph, impressive for a car weighing over 1.7 tonnes. Its lowered stance, sport-tuned suspension and 16‑inch alloy wheels gave it subtle menace, while the interior remained cushy enough for four adults. The Impala SS is important as a true throwback to US muscle car magnificence. In the UK, clean examples command roughly £15k-£25k, with pristine low-mileage cars potentially exceeding that.
Alpina B10 Biturbo (E34)
Here’s a German sleeper that rewrites the four‑door playbook. Based on the BMW E34 5 Series the Alpina B10 Biturbo has a 3.4‑litre twin‑turbo straight six churning out around 355bhp and 383lb ft of torque. Alpina claimed 0‑62mph in 5.6 seconds and a top speed north of 175mph. Despite being LHD only, UK values are climbing – expect to pay around £70,000 to £90,000 for a good one with low miles and full service history. You’re getting Ferrari‑fast performance in weekend‑saloon disguise – famously, it could out-accelerate a Testarossa to 60mph.
Maserati 430 4v
The Maserati 430 4v (a late‑era Biturbo derivative) is the unheard-of, discreet supersaloon It uses a 2.8‑litre twin‑turbo V6 with 275bhp and delivers 0‑62mph in about six seconds, with a top speed of roughly 158mph. Light (around 1247 kg) but impeccably finished inside, and built in tiny numbers (291 for both LHD and RHD) it’s a wolf in mild‑mannered clothing. These are rare in RHD UK spec so expect to pay serious money for a decent one – I’d peg a strong example in the £20k+ range (depending on history, miles and condition).
Which 90s supersaloon steals your heart, or have you owned one of these four-door missiles yourself? Let us know at hdc@hagerty.co.uk