Why save, and then spend, a small fortune on a supercar when you could simply build one yourself. We’re not talking about a homegrown kit car here, either. More so, the fine art of taking an already fast car and transforming it into something much faster. A vehicle that will make a 4.2-liter V8-powered Audi R8 supercar appear like a very poor investment.
Whilst lovers of American devised muscle cars have a healthy choice of vehicles to work with when building a supercar flattening rival, much like the Shelby Mustang 500-based Hennessey Venom, those looking for a more European flavor need to look that little bit harder.
There is huge potential within the European performance car melting pot, and with some imagination, flair and a bit of cash turning a Eurobox into a fierce road warrior is a possibility as these ten European sports cars that can be modified to annihilate most supercars prove.
10 BMW E90 N54 335i
Often regarded as one of the best engines BMW ever created, the N54 engine as fitted to the 335 is a work of art. A twin-turbo straight-six engine of 3.0 liters, it can serve up 400hp on standard internals. Get out the wrenches though and things can get wild.
Extracting large horsepower numbers from the N54 is all about choices. Bigger turbos, forged pistons, and a better intercooler will yield massive results. Further tinkering will see performance levels explode, giving an N54-powered sedan ultimate sleeper status.
9 Volvo S60R
Overlooked by the performance car-loving masses on release, the S60R is a great car. Easily an equal to the BMW E46 M3 in real-world conditions, the Volvo was a police pursuit favorite in Europe. Fast, agile, and sedate-looking, it also makes a great base for big power.
Boasting a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbocharged engine that loves to be modified, the S60R can dish out frantic performance. Lavish some attention on an S60R, and you’re left with an AWD super-sedan capable of hunting down gaudy supercar exotica.
8th Audi TTS
An absolute second-hand bargain, the Audi TTS delivers an enormous bang for the buck. With 270hp as standard and a 0-60 mph sprint time of 5.3 seconds, it’s pretty fast in stock form. Throw a load of performance goodies at it, though, and it soon becomes a monster.
As with any good, almost Audi, the TTS can be easily tuned. The options are numerous, and getting about 400hp out of it seems to be common place. In such a light, reactive car, that power transforms the TTS into a true contender. Honestly, who actually needs a V10 R8?
7 Vauxhall VXR8
The Vauxhall VXR8 is a rare thing, a European V8 muscle car. Scratch away at the surface, though, and all is not as it seems. An Aussie behemoth in disguise, packing an American V8, the VXR8 is more like a global coming together of horsepower-loving minds and parts.
The standard car’s output can be elevated from a lame 411hp to 540hp by adding a supercharger. Further off-the-shelf modifications can lift this closer to 700hp. That’s because lurking beneath the hood is a 6.0-liter LS2 V8. The powerhouse that just keeps giving.
6 SAAB 93 Turbo X
Hugely ignored before the company went pop, a SAAB 93 Turbo X is a very underrated machine. Featuring a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 generating 276hp, it was modestly quick from the factory. Whilst its AWD system glued it to the highway.
Release the potential in the power plant, though, and the 5.5 second 0-60mph time can be pushed into the early 4s. Having been used in other vehicle platforms, the engine can easily put out in excess of 400hp, making this one very swift Swede.
5 Lotus Elise
Having rewritten the rule book on its release, the Elise showed gearheads what a little sports car should do. Its humble little 1.8-liter engines provide the light sports car with plenty of power. Driven with gusto, a base model will embarrass larger powered machinery.
Replace that engine with a much larger one, though, and you are left with an unbeatable weapon. Squeeze a turbocharged Honda K-series engine into the frame, turn up the boost, and 700hp is the result. It’ll eat supercars, and then start munching on hypercars for good measure.
4 Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo
Quite possibly the most excitingly styled car that Fiat has released, the Coupe still looks fantastic. Equipped with a 2.0-liter 20-valve 5-cylinder engine, that was turbo charged, it also proved to be fairly rapid. It can also be made much faster still.
Getting a usable 450hp out of the Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo delivers a car capable of an 11-second quarter mile. This means that the aging Italian coupe can now go out and show the younger generation a few new tricks. It also does it in unbeatable style.
3 Audi RS6 V10
At the heart of the RS6 read an absolute beast of an engine. A 5.2-liter twin-turbo V10 making 571hp. Not even running at its full potential, the potent V10 will propel the RS60 to 100mph in 8.8 seconds. Once tapped for more power, it just gets crazy.
When blessed with a few mechanical modifications, the RS6 V10 can churn out 1200hp. That will see a 0-100mph time of under 7 seconds. Sadly, the OEM speedo won’t be able to cope, as the beast just piles on the speed. Go on, get one and scare the whole family.
2 Renault Megane RS
There’s more to beating a supercar than just raw power. One of the finest handling hot hatches ever made, the Megane RS will keep exotic machinery in sight on a twisting track. Its highly impressive chassis counters the obvious power deficit efficiently.
Give the little French fancy a makeover though, and with an extra 200hp, the game has changed. Able to hunker down on any apex before launching out of corners with reckless abandon, the RS Megane is a supercar trackday-slaying fighter.
1 Peugeot T16
Homologated for the road, the Peugeot T16 was a detuned version of the bonkers Group B rally car. Its 1.8-liter engine offering up 197hp, it was a quick tool for blitzing across the countryside. Reintroduce all of the rally specification engine parts, though, and you get a legend.
Now producing in excess of 500hp, the little car will stomp on any supercar. Its AWD system ensures all of that power hits the tarmac. Ridiculously fast and highly entertaining, there is no better way to upset a supercar owner than in a French hatchback.
