10 Coolest European Sports Sedans From The 80s

- We have dug and found ten of the most extraordinary European classics
- The Lancia Thema might look ordinary from the outside
- The 1983 Audi 200 Turbo might be more finicky than the Audi 80 Quattro
The 1980s in Europe was a booming era for sporty sedans. Are you a fan of sporty sedans and supercars? In that case, this article comes bearing good news! We have dug and found ten of the most extraordinary European classic sedans that will probably be way more affordable now.
1989 Audi 80 Quattro

Photo Credit: https://wallpapercave.com
It is unexpected for an over-engineered German vehicle to last longer than a hundred thousand miles. Surprisingly, the Audi 80 of the late 80s was an exception. This sporty sedan from Europe packs a 2.0-litre engine with 140 bhp that can go from 0-100 km in 9 seconds. At 1480 kilos, it's also lighter than many cars in this segment, which probably accounts for its astonishing rate of pick-up.
Alfa Romeo 164
The Alfa Romeo today and back then are poles apart. Today, their cars have changed drastically. The 164 Alfa Romeo is our top pick for budgeted sporty sedans. In its era, this car was pretty innovative and fast. The total kerb weight of this car was around 1200-1510 kg. Back then, it came with a 2.0L twin spark 8V I4 engine. However, the automaker adjusted the engine specs repeatedly due to several factors.
1983 Audi 200 Turbo
The 1983 Audi 200 Turbo might be more finicky than the Audi 80 Quattro but it sure does pack a whole lot more power. This car has enjoyed a pretty gracious run during its time. The 2.1 L engine is turbocharged and can churn out 179 bhp. This beast of a vehicle can deliver a maximum speed of 230 km/h.
1989 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 16V
If you're familiar with Volkswagen, you are probably aware of Jetta, the second-generation car. The car might not be impressive on its own. However, the "Wolfsburg Edition" is worth your hard-earned money! The Jetta GLI can go from 0 to 60 in as little as 9.3 seconds! The retro seats in this European sedan is another reason why we love it!

Photo Credit: https://wallpapercave.com
1989 Bentley Turbo R
The car might be old but holds all comforts and features. This one is a high-performance variant, and the R in its name stands for road holding. The car features turbocharged engines, retuned suspension, and wider tyres on alloy wheels. Under the bonnet is a robust 6.75-litre turbocharged V8 engine coupled with a three-speed turbo hydramatic 400.
1985 Volvo 740 5-Speed
This Volvo is perhaps one of the cars which is heavily underestimated. However, this car has more to offer than meets the eye. The engine can last for hundreds of miles, and its five-speed transmission is a bang for your buck! It features the Getrag 265 5-speed manual transmission and the 2.3-litre B230FT turbocharged engines.

Photo Credit: https://wallpapercave.com
Saab 900 Turbo
Saab cars maybe not be around anymore, but this does not mean we should overlook their past achievements. The owners were all gaga about its integrity and quality. The 900 Turbo featured an 8-valve engine and had a 16-valve intercooled unit. The model has single and twin Zenith carburettor, turbocharged, and fuel-injected engines. Moreover, the looks of this car will make you swoon!
BMW E28 M5
E28 dominated the luxury sedan market during its time. The stunning vehicle delivers both world-class performance and aesthetics. In 1984, this car bagged the world's fastest production sedan title. Initially, this car had straight-six and straight-four engines. An M88/3 and S38 straight-six engine powers this stunning sedan.

Photo Credit: https://wallpapercave.com
1987 Lancia Thema 8.32
The 1987 Lancia Thema 8.32 is a cross-over. The Lancia Thema might look ordinary from the outside, but the power unit inside is quite a surprise. Today, we think it is the perfect classic model to bid your money on! This front-wheel-drive super sedan deserves a place in your garage owing to its 32-valve, 3.0-litre engines built by Ducati. The stunning 215 horsepower matches the contemporary BMW 535i.
Mercedes-Benz 190E
The Mercedes Benz 190E was one of the strongest contenders in the market. Throughout its reign, the automobiles witnessed several types of trims. The car is a rare beauty, and we think you should bet your money on it! Thanks to the 3.2-litre twin cam sixteen-valve, four-cylinder engines, this baby can pump out 167 horsepower.

Photo Credit: https://wallpapercave.com
So, which of these classic sporty European sedans are you eyeing?
Latest News
Jaiveer Mehra | May 16, 2026BMW Vision Alpina GT Concept Revealed; Previews Alpina’s Upmarket PushBMW says that the Alpina brand will exist between itself and Rolls-Royce in the BMW Group with the first model – based on the 7 Series, due next year.1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | May 16, 2026Volkswagen ID.Polo GTI Revealed; 223 bhp Hot Hatch First EV To Wear GTI BadgeThe ID.Polo GTI is offered with a 52 kWh battery, offering up to 424 km of range, and has a sub-7-second 0-100 kmph sprint time.1 min read
car&bike Team | May 15, 2026Norton Manx R's Made-in-India V4 Engine: All You Need To KnowThe 1,200cc, 72-degree V4 engine of the Norton Manx R is perhaps the most sophisticated and powerful motorcycle engine built in India.1 min read
car&bike Team | May 15, 2026Norton Atlas To Be Fully Built In India Before LaunchThe Norton Atlas and Atlas GT will be the mid-size adventure touring models, which will be the first Norton models to be completely manufactured in India.1 min read
Hansaj Kukreti | May 15, 2026King's New Ride: Shah Rukh Khan Adds Rs 5 Crore American SUV Cadillac Escalade To His GarageBollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was recently spotted on the streets of Mumbai being driven around in a luxurious full-size SUV, and videos of the car have gone viral across social media.1 min read
car&bike Team | May 15, 2026Defender Leads JLR Volumes In India As Overall Sales Decline In FY26The brand has recorded a 14 per cent revenue growth, with the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender being the most popular models1 min read
Preetam Bora | May 11, 20262026 Suzuki Burgman Street 125 Review: What’s Good, What’s Not?The new Suzuki Burgman Street 125 gets refreshed design, minor but meaningful tweaks to the engine, a stiffened chassis, new features and more. But is it worth recommending? Read on, to find out.8 mins read
Bilal Firfiray | May 11, 2026Audi SQ8 Review: The Performance SUV That Actually Makes SenseThe Audi SQ8 has the performance of a V8 seamlessly combined with the everyday luxury and comfort, making it one of the most complete performance SUVs on sale in India today.5 mins read
Jafar Rizvi | May 3, 2026River Indie Gen 3 Long Term Report: 1 Month, 400 km AfterAfter a month and 400 km, the River Indie impresses with its utility-first approach, smooth ride and standout design, despite a few everyday usability compromises.8 mins read
Bilal Firfiray | May 2, 2026Volkswagen Taigun Facelift Review: Still The Driver’s SUV, But Improved!The updated Volkswagen Taigun gets a new 8-speed automatic, a refreshed design, and added features. But does it still deliver the best driving experience in the C-SUV segment?5 mins read
Shams Raza Naqvi | Apr 29, 2026Toyota Innova Hycross Vs Mahindra XEV 9S: Choosing The Right Three Row Family MoverIn a battle of three-row cars the electric Mahindra XEV 9S takes on the Toyota Innova Hycross. Which one ticks more boxes?1 min read



















































































































