9. 1987 Buick GNX
The 1987 Buick GNX was a turbocharged compact muscle car that demonstrated how small displacement and forced induction could outperform larger V8s. (motortrend.com) Powered by a 3.8-liter turbocharged V6 engine, the GNX produced 276 horsepower and 360 lb-ft of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds and complete the quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds at 104 mph. (motortrend.com) This performance surpassed that of contemporaries like the Chevrolet Corvette, which took 5.8 seconds to reach 60 mph and 14.6 seconds in the quarter-mile. (motortrend.com) The GNX’s impressive capabilities earned it the nickname “The Supercar Slayer,” as it outperformed many exotic sports cars of its time. (topspeed.com)