european car names top 10 sleepers : culture|garage

european car names top 10 sleepers

March 11, 2008

Posted by Chris

Tags: news

european car’s May issue, hit the mailboxes yesterday and today. I flipped through it briefly and caught an interesting article, or at least a semblance of an article, buried 60 some pages back in the 106 page issue (man it seems like these magazines have shrunk).

They had a list of top 10 sleepers. For those of you living under a rock, a sleeper is something you would never expect to kick a flashy sports car’s ass. It’s a car that the 5-0 would never give a second glance. And the car that doesn’t leave people questioning your manhood.

I have the full list after the jump, some I agree with, others are meh, and some are not really sleepers.

In no particular order:

1997 BMW 540i-still pretty quick, unassuming, however, I think the M5 should have qualified, I really don’t think it is much “flashier” then the 540i

1992-98 Jetta VR6-lol, they must have had to get a VW on the list, 174hp and a 0-60 of 7.5 seconds don’t a sleeper make. Fail.

1975-81 Mercedes-Benz 450 SEL 6.9 - 6.9 liter V8 with a whopping 286hp, lets just say efficiency really wasn’t the name of the game back in the late 70’s. But yeah, these kick ass. Especially, since you usually picture your liberal Philosophy professor driving one. With a pipe.

1999-2002 Saab 9-3 Viggen - It pretty much looks like a standard 9-3. This fits the sleeper category well, but I do wonder if the 2004 9-5 Aero Wagon would be a better fit.

1994-96 Audi RS2 Avant - ummm yeah, sleeper incarnate. This wagon hauled (litterally) with a 0-60 of 4.8 seconds.

2004-05 Volvo V70 R - Yes. That is all I have to say.

2006 Cayenne Turbo S - oh really? It’s hard for me to justify any Porsche as a “sleeper.” That being said, having ridden in one it goes from luxury cruiser, to ohmygodhowarewegoingthisfast! in no time flat.

2007 Audi S8 - big, fast, not too flashy

1991-94 Mercedes-Benz 500E - Great car for drug runners to get away from the police in. Or wannabe gangsters.

1989 Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth - I dig it.

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12 Responses to “european car names top 10 sleepers”

Blair Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 11:47 am

If they had to get a VW in there they should have gone with the Phaeton, no one knows what the hell it is.
Chris Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm

Phaeton would have certainly been a better fit for this list.
Charley Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 1:45 pm

IIRC this magizine favors Lightning Blue Viggens.
EWAustin Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 2:50 pm

As an owner of a VW Jetta VR6. I’m gonna say that the spec sheet really doesn’t do it justice. I’ll let you drive it one of these days Chris.
Chad Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 3:20 pm

No way the Viggen counts as a sleeper, even when not in “Electric Blue Lightening” non-Saab people always recognize it as a “hot car”. The 9-5 Aero/Aero wagon would be a 100% better choice.
blix Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 3:23 pm

what about the audi allroad quattro? that is my all time fave sleeper. 300 hp twinturbo grocery hauler. it’s sick.
Bart Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 4:47 pm

WTF???? I always get my magazines L-A-T-E. Stupid mail lady!!! I have yet to receive May’s European Car.
Bart Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 5:56 pm

And last gen Audi RS6 should be on the list, total sleeper. Screw the Cayenne, an SUV will never equal sleeper status.
kansei Says:
March 11th, 2008 at 11:10 pm

yeah I dunno about ANY Porsche being a sleeper. Everything they’ve ever sold is unmistakably Porsche, and everyone knows what that means, especially the 5-0.

I <3 the Viggen though. Always wanted one, GM influence be damned. When I see one I gawk but I don’t think 99% of people have a clue that it’s anything at all special.

The V70R and S60R are pretty sick. The diffusors and other lower trim aerodynamic enhancements plus the stunning interior treatment, multi-piston gold front brake calipers, and the R on all the wheels, trunk lid, and front grille KINDA give it away, but only if you actually look at the car –which you wouldn’t, because at first glance it’s just an S60/V70. Of course, another car that I have to stop, stare, and drool with.
Top 10 American sleepers, best list ever. : culture|garage Says:
March 12th, 2008 at 2:03 pm

[...] loves lists. And we aim to please. Yesterday we picked up european car’s top 10 sleepers, which had us thinking about a list of American cars. Only thing is, none of us really follow [...]
jimbo Says:
March 13th, 2008 at 9:26 am

Forget the V70R, what about the original uber wagon from Volvo - The 850 T5. They ran that thing in British Touring Cars, and it smoked a lot of the competition. Apparently it had better aerodynamics than the saloon.
bobble Says:
March 20th, 2008 at 8:52 am

The mk3 jetta’s specs are off. It was underrated from the factory, most 0-60 times were done on the required but not recommended 87 octane (6.7s with premium) It has a perfectly designed close ratio gearbox and is very quick. As EWAustin said, you have to drive one to understand. Its one of those cars that the numbers don’t tell the whole story.

I say this as a owner of a mk3 jetta, and not by chance. I remember when they introduced the vr6 model in 94 and 10 years later I finally could afford one. I have a new rabbit for the daily but if I had to keep only one car, it’d be the mk3 jetta. Definately a sleeper.