10 Classic German Sleeper Cars Every Gearhead Should Drive

In the past, some German cars were hyped. Sometimes cars are just over-engineered and don't deliver real results. Nevertheless, in some cases, the Germans have built surprisingly fast ordinary cars that defy logic. Today everyone knows what these cars are, but when they came out they were real sleepers. classic, Others are still really achievable. What they all have in common is that they are all really fun to drive. If you get the chance, jump at the wheel of one of these German classic cars. Sleeper. RELATED: 10 Classic American Sleepers Every Gearhead Should Drive

10/10 VW Corrado

In the world of VW cars, the Corrado is like a drop in the ocean. It's a weird two-door coupe that sold pretty poorly.

What most people don't realize is the fact that some of these were powered by the rather experimental G60 1.8-liter supercharged engine. It proved to be reliable, but was thirsty and no further development took place. But it packs more punch than any GTI of its era.

9/10 BMW M5

Today, the M5 badge is revered and holds a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts around the world. Not just for BMW fans.

This original M5 was a completely unknown entity when it first came out, most expected German luxury and got a German hot rod. 1984 with 280 hp (Euro spec) and had a modern Ferrari for breakfast.

8/10 VW Jetta VR6

The VR6 debuted in the 90's and promised the same performance potential as the traditional V6 packaged for small front drive applications.

It was and still is a great engine, and in the family-friendly Mk3 Jetta, the boredom of boring sedans is gone. RELATED: Here's What Made The VR6 Engine Unique

7/10 Mercedes-Benz 190E Cosworth

For a while, it seemed like everyone wanted to work with Cosworth. He seemed to draw more reliable power out of just about any engine, so it was for good reason.

One of those engines was the ubiquitous Mercedes-Benz M102 engine. Cosworth created his own 16-valve his head, making entry his level luxury car sporty and lively. Producing up to 185 horsepower, this model has become a coveted classic, thanks in large part to its Cosworth-tuned engine.

6/10 VW Passat W8

For VW enthusiasts, Piech-era cars are both a blessing and a curse. They offer incredible power and efficiency, but they also offer an almost absurd level of complexity.

VW was a low-budget brand, but the Passat has always been a luxury car and decided it would be a good fit to equip these cars with one of the most complex engines ever built, the W8. Did. It puts out a whopping 270 horsepower, making any modern sports car look ridiculous. It also breaks down at least once a week.

5/10 BMW 325i

Whenever the E30 BMW comes along, it's only natural to think of the first M3. It was an incredible car, but incredibly rare.

The 325i looks just like the base model 316. The relatively light and smooth Inline 6 made him one of the most popular BMWs ever made. More powerful than most people think.

4/10 Audi RS2

Nothing defines a sleeper more than a fast wagon. A station wagon is a person-carrying vehicle, not a sports car.

But this was a sports car. The RS2 project was entrusted to Porsche. For Porsche enthusiasts who are quick to identify wheels and door mirrors, it's obvious at first sight. That Turbo 5 too he's been tweaked to over 300 horsepower and gets the Boxster pretty close in a straight line (oops!). Related: 10 Things to Know Before Buying a Used 986 Porsche Boxster

3/10 VW Golf GTI

The Mk1 is famous now, but when it first came out, it had unprecedented power and speed for a small econobox.

Accelerating from 0-60 mph in 8 seconds might not seem like much today, but the Ferrari Mondial, launched in the same year, also hit 60 mph in 8 seconds. It was a wolf in rabbit skin.

2/10 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG Estate

If there was ever an instant classic, the E55 AMG Estate should be it. Notably, he's one of the fastest, most powerful wagons we've ever seen.

The V8's thunderous sound is impressive, but you can't tell what's going to happen just by looking in the rearview mirror. 469 horsepower in a car like this is staggering and built to rip the Autobahn. This is a car you can't help but love.

1/10 BMW 745i

With the Euro-spec 745i now fitted with a turbocharged engine, BMW's South Africa branch no longer has a flagship model. The turbo interfered with the steering column of right-hand drive cars, and turbo cars were not popular in the South African market at the time.

So they decided to build their own special 745i. They took the M1 engine and popped it straight into the big Luxe bus. Source: BMW Heritage, Hagerty, Mecum, Collecting Cars