10 High-Performance Cars You Don’t Know About (But Should)

While most enthusiasts are familiar with renowned models and iconic nameplates like Ferrari and Lamborghini, there exists a hidden realm of automotive brilliance that often goes unnoticed. In the modern era, there are some exceptional high-performance cars that might have escaped the spotlight, but certainly deserve your attention.

These high-performance cars boast otherworldly performance and cutting-edge technology; some still use gas-powered engines, while others embrace electrification. Get ready to be amazed by the innovation, speed, and power these hidden gems offer.

10 2024 BMW Alpina XB7

0-60 MPH: 3.9 Seconds

The 2024 BMW Alpina XB7 features an updated design with luxurious comfort, explosive performance, and impressive driving dynamics. It boasts multiple updates, including a new generation engine, a more progressive design, and advanced driving assistance and connectivity features.

Performance

Under the hood of the 2024 BMW Alpina XB7 is a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine with mild hybrid technology for 631 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The XB7 also gets the attest suspension technology for enhanced driving dynamics and ride comfort.

9 2023 Maserati Levante Trofeo

0-60 MPH: 3.8 Seconds

The 2023 Maserati Levante Trofeo is the flagship Levante model with a potent twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 engine. The powerplant produces 580 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque. Enough power to rocket the 2023 Maserati Levante Trofeo from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 187 mph.

Performance

While it might not be the most popular option for most people, it closely follows its Italian competitor, the Lamborghini Urus Performante. It also easily outperforms some German models like the Cayenne Turbo GT and the BMW X6 M Competition.

Related: 2023 Maserati Grecale Modena Review: All-New Luxury SUV To Shake Up The Segment

8 2024 BMW i4 M50

0-60 MPH: 3.7 Seconds

The 2024 BMW i4 is one of the latest electric BMW iterations, offering some shocking normalcy compared to its rivals. The i4 retains the sleek style of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, even sharing some basic dimensions. It also gets a low center of gravity and finely tuned steering and suspension settings, giving it agile and sporty handling.

Performance

BMW offers multiple flavors of the i4, including the base i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50. The 2024 BMW i4 M50 sits at the top of the lineup with dual motors producing a combined output of 536 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque. This results in a neck-breaking 0 to 60 mph sprint of 3.7 seconds.

7 2024 BMW i5 M60

0-60 MPH: 3.7 Seconds

For the 2024 model year, BMW redesigns the 5 Series sedan, giving it a roomier cabin and a much-improved exterior. Among the changes made to this impressive mid-size sedan include the addition of an electric sedan, the i5 that sits between the smaller i4 and the larger full-size i7.

Performance

BMW offers two i5 variants, the eDrive40 and the M60. The M60 is the most powerful of the two, and it boasts a dual motor setup that produces 590 hp and 586 lb-ft of torque. This helps the i5 M60 sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

Related: 10 Affordable Sleepers That’ll Outrun A BMW 4 Series

6 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid

0-60 MPH: 3.6 Seconds

Although some Porsche purists aren’t for the brand creating vehicles like the Cayenne, the Turbo iterations make fun and practical SUVs that you can comfortably park in your driveway. The Turbo S E Hybrid offers a punchy 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 and an electric motor to produce 670 hp.

Performance

The result is eye-popping acceleration and handling so adroit you’ll forget you’re in an SUV. For the performance, you’ll need to pay a princely price tag. However, you can enjoy a refined interior filled with features like onboard Wi-Fi and a large 12.3-inch infotainment display.

5 2024 BMW i7 M70

0-60 MPH: 3.5 Seconds

The i7 is an all-electric full-sized sedan that rivals the Tesla Model S, Porsche Taycan, Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan, and Lucid Air. It offers pricing similar to its competitors but adds excellent technology like BMW’s level 2 autonomous driving system.

Performance

BMW offers three flavors of the i7. They include the i7 eDrive50, i7 xDrive60 and i7 M70. Both offer BMW’s Charging, a tailored solution for both home and public charging. The i7 M70 is the most powerful from the bunch, thanks to a dual motor setup that churns out 650 hp and 749 lb-ft of torque. This helps rocket the 2024 BMW i7 M70 from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds.

Related: Why The BMW i7 M70 Doesn’t Need Three Motors Like The Tesla Model S Plaid

4 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQS Sedan

0-60 MPH: 3.4 Seconds

The EQS sedan is a visually stunning vehicle and one of the first Mercedes-Benz EVs. It’s a handsomely styled five-passenger sedan with a smooth ride and impressive range. While it’s not a true electric S Class, it still offers a comfortable and luxurious cabin. Its roomy interior offers an expansive feel, making rivals like the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S feel cramped.

Performance

The AMG EQS is in a way similar to the standard EQS models, thanks to its all-wheel drive dual motor setup. However, unlike the standard EQS, the AMG variant offers plenty of extra power on tap. While the standard variant offers 649 hp, the AMG Dynamic Plus package ups the performance to 751 ponies and 752 lb-ft of torque.

3 2024 BMW Alpina B8 Gran Coupe

0-60 MPH: 3.3 Seconds

The 2024 Alpina B8 Gran Coupe is simply a masterpiece in motion. It’s an elegant expression of superior sportiness thanks to its hand-finished craftsmanship, exclusive luxury, and refined engineering. This class-leading Gran Coupe boasts a punchy twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine producing 612 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.

Performance

The powerplant can rocket the Alpina B8 Gran Coupe from 0 to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. It also offers effortless power delivery, making driving the B8 Gran Coupe fun. Alpina offers the B8 Gran Coupe with high-class wheels, an intuitive infotainment system, and a hand-finished interior.

Related: 2023 Alpina B8 Gran Coupe: Here’s What’s New

2 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE Sedan

0-60 MPH: 3.2 Seconds

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE Sedan is a more powerful variant of the base Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan. While it’s less expensive than the larger AMG EQS sedan, the EQE still packs a mighty punch, impressive range, and a luxurious interior.

Performance

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE sedan uses a dual motor setup that produces 617 hp in normal conditions and 677 hp with boost. This setup gives the AMG EQE sedan an all-wheel drive setup and neck-breaking acceleration of 3.2 seconds from 0 to 60 mph.

1 2023 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid

0-60 MPH: 3.0 Seconds

The 2023 Porsche Panamera Turbo lineup offers an unmistakable road presence and a potent turbocharged V8. It features Porsche’s sporting ethos in a four-door form. Unlike the two-door Porsche sports cars with a rear-mounted engine, the Panamera has its engine at the front.

Performance

The standard 2023 Porsche Panamera Turbo extracts 620 ponies from its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. However, the 2023 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid ups the ante with 690 hp. The power increase helps the Turbo S E-Hybrid keep up with any high-powered sports sedan. The added electric motor in the hybrid offers an electric-only driving mode of more than 20 miles and speeds of up to 83 mph.