THE 10 QUICKEST SIX-CYLINDER SPORTS CARS AVAILABLE IN 2024

The six-cylinder engine has become the defacto performance engine around the world, as the design marries a unique blend of performance, size, and fuel economy. While many enthusiasts have become frustrated by the steady transition to six-cylinders as opposed to eight, ten, and even larger engines, there's no denying a carefully crafted inline or V6 can more than hold its own. To highlight this, CarBuzz took a look at the 10 quickest sports cars currently on the market, a list chock-full of six-cylinder stalwarts and upstarts alike.

If you know anything about the climate of sports cars today, you'll likely recognize every car on this list. Many of these have become icons, and others are ready to leave their mark thanks to a constant progression of performance and more extensive use of hybridization. As this is a list of quickness, the main benchmark is based on 0-60 times, rather than top speed, horsepower, or any other number of metrics. These are the six-cylinder cars that will get you going from a standstill the fastest.

Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe

Mercedes has had plans for some time to pare down the company's extensive lineup, and the CLE Coupe is one of the larger parts of that. It serves as a single replacement for the C-Class and E-Class coupes of old, offering increased handling and greater space in a single package. The CLE 53 AMG is the first hopped-up version of the new model, and it pairs a potent 3.0-liter inline-six with an auxiliary electric starter motor that adds extra oomph at low speeds. Paired with a standard 4MATIC+ AWD, this allows the model to hit 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds, which creates a fast, grand touring coupe perfect for the executive who wants something that can blend in.

BMW M2

The M2 is the smallest performance coupe BMW offers in America, and it's long been known as one of the best driver's cars in the BMW lineup. Powered by the venerable S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine, it delivers 453 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, capable of propelling the model to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds with a manual and just 3.9 seconds with the 8-speed auto. Despite the polarizing styling and increase in weight the current generation has brought, there's no denying it's one of the best vehicles you can buy in its price range, and it's set to get even better in 2025.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

This entry hurts because, as much as it's beloved, the model is already dead in the water. When Alfa Romeo announced it was building a high-performance sedan, many believed it was going to be a hit-or-miss model like so many times before, and as soon as journalists got behind the wheel, news of the Giulia Quadrifoglio's performance spread.

A performance sedan with a lively, turbocharged V6 that could stand toe-to-toe in the turns with the best of them, it's considered by many to be one of the best-looking vehicles on the market. RWD only, it still manages a 0-60 mph sprint of less than 4 seconds with a stellar top speed. The demise of the model also signals the death of the engine, unfortunately.

Audi RS 5 Coupe

The Audi RS 5 Coupe is the vehicle you purchase if you want a comfortable, powerful daily driver that can turn the excitement up to 11 when prodded. Featuring one of the smaller engines in the segment, the 2.9-liter V6 is capable of 444 horsepower that, matched with the Quattro AWD, allows sub-4-second 60 mph sprints. When that power isn't necessary, the exhaust soundtrack isn't overpowering, and the interior creates a space to soak up the miles. A Competition Package is also available for those who want a little more character from the coupe.

Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid

The 4S E-Hybrid helps to round out the revised Panamera lineup with potent AWD hybrid performance. The new model features a revised 2.9-liter V6 that makes 348 horsepower and is paired with a single electric motor housed in the transmission, bringing total output to 552 horsepower. The company says this will be good for a 0-60 mph run of just 3.5 seconds, and the improved battery and motor also mean you should get nearly 50 miles of electric-only range at speeds up to 87 mph. It's the perfect luxury commuter thanks to the updates to interior technology and comfort with room for an active lifestyle.

BMW M4 Competition xDrive

The BMW M4 Competition xDrive is a fine-tuned track weapon capable of unleashing incredible performance at the press of a button. For 2025, the model has received a slight visual redesign, technology upgrades, and more importantly, a bump in power to 523 hp from 503 hp. While this should help with passing acceleration, this hasn't affected the 0-60 mph sprint, which the company still says stands at 3.4 seconds. If you were hoping BMW would do something with the controversial large front grill treatment, it remains front and center.

Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo

Many have been waiting on Maserati to revitalize the iconic GranTurismo. The previous generation was simply around too long, not keeping with the technology or performance of the times despite offering a gorgeous body and an exquisite V8 soundtrack. The company aimed to fix the problems that existed and evolve what worked, which is why the current model looks very similar to the previous one.

The Ferrari V8 is gone and in its place in the Trofeo trim is the de-tuned twin-turbo Nettuno V6 also used in the MC20 supercar, making 542 horsepower. Thanks to this power and AWD, the model can rocket to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds, up to nearly 200 mph.

Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

Every single car on this list will most likely scratch that performance itch you're feeling, but nothing will offer the sheer capability around a racetrack that the 718 Cayman GT4 RS will. Porsche's mid-engine darling has every performance upgrade the company could muster, including the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six also found in the 911 GT3 RS. Here, the engine makes 493 horsepower and is coupled with rear-wheel drive and an 8-speed PDK transmission, which combine for 3.2-second 60 mph sprints. For 2024, the company even introduced the hardcore Manthey-Racing Kit for those looking for the ultimate Cayman performance that allowed the model to lap the Nürburgring in just over seven minutes.

Nissan GT-R Nismo

The Nissan GT-R Nismo is the ultimate expression of Nissan performance. The brand applied everything learned from years of development and created a dynamic offering that checks all the performance boxes. The result is a vehicle that's harsh, loud, and unbelievably fast. Covered in carbon fiber and outfitted with the most potent version of the VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 ever, the ATESSA AWD system is capable of sending this behemoth to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds. Once it's there, it will allow you to perform some truly terrifying displays of physics as you make the most of the sports car. It's incredible, and it's hard to believe we're saying goodbye to the R35 entirely at the end of 2024, though it's certainly run its course.

Porsche 911 Turbo S

When it comes to the quickest Porsches, the Turbo S has long reigned supreme (though electrification is changing that). To put it bluntly, the car feels like it defies the laws of physics as it teleports to 60 mph from a standstill in just 2.6 seconds. It's essentially the ultimate expression of off-track Porsche performance, as it's supremely comfortable, yet capable of blasting to over 200 mph. To get the unbelievable time of 2.6 seconds, you'll need to opt for the Sport Chrono package, which should be chump change for someone who can afford a $200,000 vehicle in the first place. Few cars of any kind can match its performance, which is why it deserves to be celebrated.

2024-09-11T06:19:53Z dg43tfdfdgfd