The 10 Quickest Four-Cylinder Cars Ever Made – CarBuzz

For decades, four-cylinder engines were predominantly used in low- and mid-range models. However, technologies like variable valve and cam timing, turbocharging, and hybridization have allowed these engines to develop serious horsepower. Back in the ’80s, a four-cylinder Ford Mustang made just 66 hp and was hardly any quicker than public transport. A modern-day four-cylinder Mustang produces 315 hp, and is almost as quick as the 5.0-liter V8. The same applies to many modern cars today, where performance models have now been downsized to high-tech four-cylinder engines to meet strict emissions requirements.

When it comes to top speed, we found that four-cylinder engines can more than hold their own against their V6 and V8 rivals. But now it’s time to see how quickly the fastest production four-cylinder cars can accelerate from a standstill; these are the ten cars that can sprint from 0-60 mph quickest.

10 2025 Audi S3

0-60 Time: 4.4 Seconds

The range-topping RS3 may steal the headlines, but the demure S3 is not much slower and costs $13,700 less. It has been around since 1999 and gets faster with each generation. The basic formula of an all-wheel-drive layout, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and plenty of boost has remained the same, making the S3 a seriously rapid machine that can deliver a sportscar-scaring pace on a slippery backroad. The latest model comes with a host of upgrades that include more power; the outgoing model offered up 306 horsepower from its four-pot, while the 2025 model ups the ante with 328 hp. That extra 22 hp shaves a tenth of the benchmark sprint.

9 2025 Lotus Emira

0-60 Time: 4.3 Seconds

The Lotus Emira may be priced to compete with top-spec Porsche Caymans, but it looks more like a junior supercar. The ‘base’ model is equipped with the impressive Mercedes-AMG-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, giving the light Emira a serious turn of speed. The optional 3.5-liter supercharged V6 isn’t any quicker to 60 mph and actually produces no more torque. The only real drawback to choosing the AMG-powered Emira is that it isn’t available with a manual transmission (the V6 can be had in both auto and manual forms).

---

Expert Opinion

A lightweight Lotus with a turbocharged four-pot AMG engine sounds like the perfect combination, but in reality, it’s an odd mix. We may have grown too accustomed to the raw sound of Toyota’s four-pot engines that used to power lesser Lotus models. The AMG gives you nice turbocharger noises, but the drone from the engine itself isn’t a patch on the V6 model. Thankfully, the power is more than enough to provide decent performance. The I4 gets you to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 180 mph. With those figures in mind, we can forgive the AMG engine’s lack of charm.

8 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C

0-60 Time: 4.1 Seconds

Alfas have always been beautiful, and most of them drive superbly, but build quality and reliability are not their strong points. The exotic little Alfa 4C was no different, but this detracted little from its popularity. Thanks to a light carbon fiber shell, the small 1.7-liter turbocharged engine was enough to launch it off the line in dramatic fashion.

Add CarBuzz to your Google News feed.

A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission was standard, and a coupe and convertible body style were offered. It wasn’t the most refined sports car in its class, but that mattered little when it went and handled so well.

7 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S

0-60 Time: 4.0 Seconds

Mercedes-AMG models have always had either a six or preferably an eight-cylinder engine under the hood. Then, in 2014, the AMG CLA 45 arrived with a 355 hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It has since evolved into the 400 hp+ monster as used in the latest CLA 45 S. Thanks to its combination of all-wheel drive and lightning-quick dual-clutch transmission, it will leave many V8 sports cars in its dust away from the lights, including the rear-wheel-drive Emira, which uses a slightly less powerful version of this same engine.

6 2010 Lotus Exige S 260

0-60 Time: 4.0 Seconds

The Lotus Exige is a rapid track-ready sports car that eschews just about every creature comfort in the pursuit of lightness. Some models have a supercharged V6, but the 260 S is the quickest with a four-cylinder engine. It uses a supercharger to boost performance, and thanks to its 2,000-lb curb weight, the 260S is almost supercar-quick. Those searching for a pure, unadulterated driving experience need look no further.

5 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman S

* With Sport Chrono Package and PDK transmission

There was a big outcry when Porsche replaced the flat-six engines in its base Cayman models with a pair of turbocharged four-cylinder units. But the truth is that apart from the uninspiring exhaust sound, these new motors offered more performance and used less fuel.

The current Cayman S uses a 2.5-liter flat-four engine that will blast to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds in standard guise with the automatic transmission (the manual takes 4.4 secondS) and lop another two-tenths off that time with the optional Sport Chrono pack. That’s almost as quick as the 4.0-liter flat-six-powered GTS 4.0.

4 2025 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance

0-60 Time: 3.5 Seconds

Surely, 671 hp for a four-cylinder engine must be a typo. Not when it’s coupled with Mercedes’ cutting-edge hybrid system and a massive turbocharger. This mad SUV will get to 60 mph before you can say Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance. Yes, the hybrid components add a lot of weight, but this is an SUV, so it was never going to be lightweight anyway. Whatever you may think of hybrid tech or four-cylinder engines, achieving this kind of power and performance while still meeting emissions requirements is incredible – and the fact that this near-5,000-pound SUV can get to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, even more so.

3 2024 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance

0-60 Time: 3.3 Seconds

The M139 engine in the AMG GLC above does duty here – and there’s a reason it’s the most powerful four-cylinder engine you can get in 2024. Fitting the same potent 671 hp power unit into the (slightly) lighter C-Class bodyshell gets you to 60 mph 0.2 seconds sooner. That makes the C 63 S E Performance quicker than any of its six-cylinder rivals, but in this case the additional weight may count against it around a track. This new range-topping AMG C-Class is now approaching supercar territory in both power and straight-line performance. We just wish it had that stirring exhaust note of the outgoing V8.

2 Caterham Seven 620

0-60 Time: 2.79 Seconds

When it comes to single-purpose vehicles, the Caterham Seven range is quite possibly as focused as it gets. The Seven 620 took things to the next level, and the very specific 0-60 claim shows just how serious Caterham is about its track-ready credentials. 310 hp may not seem like much today, but the 620 weighs only 1,201 lbs. That 671-hp C63 weighs four times as much. It would need 1,240 hp to have the same power-to-weight ratio as this little sportscar. You may point to the Ariel Atom or Radical as more logical rivals, but the Caterham is the only one available to buy in the US.

1 BAC Mono R

0-60 Time: 2.7 Seconds

The BAC Mono may look like it’s from the future, but it has been around for over a decade. It is essentially a single-seat race car for the road, and in Mono R trim, it has a race-spec naturally aspirated motor that makes an astounding 343 hp. The standard BAC Mono makes 311 hp, and the original model had a powerful 2.3-liter turbocharged engine. Regardless of the version, all are capable of supercar-rivaling acceleration times, making the BAC Mono the fastest-accelerating four-cylinder production car in the US.

Sources:
Auto-brochures.com
,
Alfa Romeo
,
Audi
,
BAC
,
Caterham
,
Lotus
,
Mercedes-Benz
,
Porsche