The Fastest 4 Cylinder Cars Ever Made

The automotive industry is rapidly changing with respect to powertrains, body styles, efficiency, electrification, and sustainability. Previously, performance-oriented vehicles were equipped with 6-cylinder, 8-cylinder, 12-cylinder, and even 16-cylinder engines. Gone are the days when people used to talk about V4 engine configurations.

This structure is certainly not possible, so the ideology of V4 engine cars is just a myth. The reason is heavy cost and comparatively lesser efficiency than an inline-4 cylinder engine. However, this trend is changing rapidly, and automakers have now shifted their focus to compact engines with forced induction technologies and hybrid powertrains to enhance the power-to-weight ratio and comply with emission norms.

One of the biggest examples of this is the new C63 AMG, which literally reduced half the cylinders from the bi-turbo V8 engine for the new generation. It was a shock for the whole automobile world to see that change, but the thing is that we have to comply with the new emission norms these days, and shrinking engines is the best way to do that.

In this article, we’ll be talking about the fastest four-cylinder cars of the 2022 model year. These cars come at a comparatively cheaper price than their 2023 counterparts since they don’t see a year-on-year price hike. However, V6 cars are pretty popular these days as well.

FAQs

What is the fastest 4-cylinder car?

The fastest 4-cylinder car is the Aerial Atom 4. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds. It has a top speed of 168 mph. It is also one of the lightest four-cylinder cars ever made.

What is the most powerful 4-cylinder car engine?

The most powerful 4-cylinder car engine is fitted in the upcoming 2024 Mercedes-AMG CL45 S. This 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine makes 416 HP and 369 LB-FT of torque.

Can a 4-cylinder beat a V6?

Automobile industries have seen momentous improvements in car technology and its workings. If the 4-cylinder engines are equipped properly with a set of turbochargers or superchargers, they will either beat the performance of a V6 engine or easily match their output.

10. 2022 BMW 530i 

Here is the first car on our list of fast 4-cylinder cars: a luxury sedan. The 2022 BMW 530i xDrive is the bread-and-butter mid-size sedan from BMW and is fast, with a 4-cylinder engine setting a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds when equipped with AWD.

The RWD version does 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, and irrespective of the drivetrain, it will top off at 130 mph. It does have the option of having a top speed of 155 mph, but you have to equip it with performance tires and increase the top speed to get it on the list of fastest four-cylinder cars.

The 530i xDrive is the base BMW 5 Series, but it is still very well equipped in the four-door car category. It features Sansatec upholstery with the option of either Dakota or Nappa leather, and the seats can be updated to luxury seating, which gets multi-contoured seats and also an option in the massage function. There is also the option of the M-Sport brakes, which also allow for the top speed to be increased.

9. 2021 Ford Mustang Ecoboost Fastback 

Next comes a car that gave muscle cars an identity and existence: the Mustang. The Ford Mustang Ecoboost Fastback comes with a smaller 2.3-liter EcoBoost (turbocharged) inline-4 engine that makes 310 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. This results in a fast 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 146 mph. As standard, the midsize coupe’s power goes to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic.

The Ford Mustang EcoBoost comes with an optional High-Performance Package, which increases the power by 25 hp to now make 335 hp, which is said to reduce the 0-60 time. The package also adds performance parts like an improved limited-slip axle, heavy-duty front springs, bigger brakes, a bigger radiator, an active valve performance exhaust, improved ABS and stability control, and some visual upgrades.

8. 2022 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LT

Next arrives another fastest V4 car. The 2021 Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LT is based on the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, making 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. With this engine, the Camaro does 0-60 in 5.1 seconds with the standard manual transmission and will take 5 seconds with the optional 8-speed automatic. Irrespective of the transmission, it has a top speed of 148 mph.

The 2022 Chevy Camaro, even in its 1LT trim, can be equipped with the 3 design packages, which add 20-inch wheels, Camaro emblems on more surfaces, and improvements to the interior. It is only available in three colors: Vivid Orange Metallic, Rapid Blue, and Wild Cherry Tricoat. The compact coupe is available with the Redline and RS packages.

7. 2022 Toyota GR Supra 2.0 

We do not need to introduce this name to you. This is probably the most beloved JDM car, the Supra. The 2022 Toyota GR Supra 2.0 was added as a more affordable version of the Supra 3.0, similar to the Mustang EcoBoost, but it makes it into the fast 4-cylinder cars as it does 0-60 in 4.7 seconds (with an 8-speed automatic) and reaches a top speed of 155 mph. The Supra 2.0 is powered by a BMW-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, which makes 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

The Toyota GR Supra 2.0 is a sports car built in collaboration with BMW. It uses the same platform and mechanical parts and is built on the same production line as the Z4 convertible, just with Supra body panels and tuning so that it gets its own unique driving dynamics, making it a perfect combination of German engineering and Japanese reliability.

6. 2021 Subaru WRX STI 

Next comes the most powerful Subaru car in our opinion—the WRX STI. The 2021 Subaru WRX STI is the performance trim of the WRX. The Subaru WRX STI does 0-60 in just 5.3 seconds and can reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph but has a 159 mph drag limit. It is equipped with a 2.4-liter flat-four turbocharged engine producing 310 horsepower and 290 pounds of torque.

The WRX STI is the only front-engined vehicle offering a flat or boxer engine layout. It also features AWD as standard and uses an electronically controlled Driver-Controlled Center Differential (DCCD), which helps in torque distribution between the front and rear wheels and allows for better acceleration and control while out on track.

5. 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman S

Any list of the fastest cars is incomplete without a Porsche in it. The 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman S does 0-60 sprint in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 177 mph, which is courtesy of a 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer-4 engine that makes 350 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque. However, when it comes equipped with the PDK transmission, it goes from 0-60 in 4.2 seconds. The 0-60 drops further with the Sport Chrono package and the PDK to 4.0 seconds.

The 718 Cayman S comes standard with sports seats, and like every Porsche available on the market, it can come with a bespoke interior, which will come at a premium price. The 718 Cayman S also comes with the option of 20-inch wheels, which were used on the previous-generation Carrera. However, the Porsche is the most expensive car on this list, priced at $73,850.

4. 2022 Audi S3 

The 2022 Audi S3 is the performance and luxury version of the A3 sedan and does 0-60 in 4.3 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The subcompact sedan is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine producing 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 7-speed DCT, and the Quattro AWD system is standard.

The Audi S3 is available in three trims, but the prestige is the most popular trim. There is also the optional black optic package and all-season tires, but those will limit the top speed a bit. As this is part of the new upgraded generation of the A3, it also gets a new set of colors, especially the very noticeable Python Yellow, but continues to offer its most popular Mythos Black as well.

3. 2022 Volkswagen Golf R 

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R is the only compact hatchback that made this list, setting a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds (automatic gearbox) and a top speed of 155 mph. This is thanks to the new 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4, which makes 315 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, with the power going to the AWD system via either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

The VW Golf R is the most powerful Golf ever made and is an all-new model for 2022. This time around, it will feature drift mode and also have an R-specific front bumper with a front splitter to improve cooling and performance. On the rear, there is also a diffuser to help with airflow under the car. The interior features sports seats with perforated Titan Black Nappa leather with blue detailing to distinguish it as an R model.

2. 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLA45 

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 packs some AMG magic and offers staggering performance from its small 2.0-liter engine with a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, pushing it into the top 3. The 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine makes 382 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque and is the most powerful of the four-cylinder engines.

The Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 is actually a coupe-style sedan and gets an all-new color option called Rose Gold Metallic. The AMG CLA 45 comes in at a price of $58,950, making it one of the most expensive four-cylinder cars on the list. It can also be made more performance-oriented with AMG Ride Control, which is essentially a more sporty suspension setup than the already sporty model.

1. Ariel Atom 4 

Here is the champion, beating all the fastest 4-cylinder cars. The Ariel Atom 4 is the fastest 4-cylinder car ever made, with a 0-60 time of 2.8 seconds and a top speed of 162 mph. The Atom 4 is equipped with a Honda-derived 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine producing 320 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a manual transmission, and all the power goes to the rear wheels, making it the fastest 4-cylinder car.

To further prove it is fast, it can reach 100 mph in 6.8 seconds, making it faster than most supercars available on the market. The Ariel Atom 4 is one of the most unique vehicles out there on the market, and on this list, it features no doors, and no roof, and you can also see the base of the seats from the outside. Everything about this car says it is an underpowered Formula 1 car for the road that can seat two people.