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News

10 Sleeper Cars That Are Ridiculously Fast But Not So Cool

In the world of auto enthusiasts, it’s quite normal to want your car to be fast. Many people dream of pulling up to a set of stop lights and leaving their competitors in a cloud of smoke and burnt rubber. Some car enthusiasts even want to turn a cool-looking car that’s not particularly quick into a fast car. However, there are some people who go a step further and want to add an extra layer of humiliation to their victories.

There is a community of people who spend their lives hunting for normal, mundane-looking cars and transforming them into racing monsters. Nobody expects a beat-up sedan to beat them in a quarter-mile race. In the world of sleepers, there are a few cars that look exceptionally uncool but come with unbelievable performance straight from the factory. These ten cars are guaranteed to deceive any unsuspecting competitor.

This list of 10 sleeper cars that are incredibly quick but not cool is based on information sourced from various automakers’ press releases.

RELATED: 10 American Performance Cars That Can Be Classified As Ultimate Sleepers

10 1991 GMC Syclone

Top Speed: 126 MPH

Front right side of the 1991 GMC Syclone
Mr.choppers Via Wikimedia

The GMC Syclone was the high-performance model of GMC’s Sonoma pick-up truck. Despite its unimpressive appearance, it was the fastest pick-up truck available at the time of its production. It has the anonymous look of a sleeper car and is the fastest truck you could get from that era.

Performance

Engine

4.3-Liter Turbocharged V-6

0 to 60 MPH

4.6 Seconds

Top Speed

126 MPH

Horsepower

280 HP

Torque

350 lb-ft

Curb Weight

3598 lb

Transmission

4-Speed Automatic

Layout

Front Engine, All-Wheel Drive

Looking at this truck, you’d never guess that it has a 4.3-Liter turbocharged V-6 engine under the hood. Its boxy design helps it stay under the radar. Reviews from that time compared it to sports cars like the Corvette and Ferrari 348 ts because of its impressive acceleration.

9 1990 MG Maestro Turbo

Top Speed: 128 MPH

Head on shot of the 1990 MG Maestro Turbo
Cactuseasy Via Wikimedia

The MG Maestro Turbo was a limited-run hot hatchback with only 500 produced. Despite being the R run of the Maestro, its boxy design made it look like a budget version of its rival, the Golf Citi.

Performance

Engine

2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder

0 to 60 MPH

5.6 Seconds

Top Speed

128 MPH

Horsepower

150 HP

Torque

169 lb-ft

Curb Weight

2396 lb

Transmission

5-Speed Manual

Layout

Front Engine, Front-Wheel Drive

The MG Maestro Turbo had impressive performance for its class, but its looks were dull and unexciting.

8 1996 Ford Taurus SHO

Top Speed: 136 MPH

Front left 3/4 shot of the 1996 Ford Taurus SHO
Clechien Via Wikimedia 

The Taurus SHO was the high-performance trim of the Ford Taurus. While the second generation of the Taurus looked like a blocky Mustang, the third generation lost its appeal and looked like a stripped-down Toyota Celica.

Performance

Engine

3.4-Liter Naturally Aspirated V-8

0 to 60 MPH

8 Seconds

Top Speed

136 MPH

Horsepower

235 HP

Torque

230 lb-ft

Curb Weight

3574 lb

Transmission

4-Speed Automatic

Layout

Front Engine, Front-Wheel Drive

The Taurus SHO looked nearly identical to the regular Taurus, but it housed a V-8 engine. Its low production numbers and mundane design made it a great sleeper sedan.

RELATED: 10 Sleeper SUVs That Are Really Fast

7 2003 Mercury Marauder

Top Speed: 137 MPH

Front 3/4 shot of the 2003 Mercury Marauder
Mercury

The 2003 model marked the return of the Marauder after a 33-year hiatus. This luxury car had a calm and composed appearance. The Marauder was essentially a Grand Marquis with an upgraded chassis, suspension, and powertrain, giving it a mild-mannered appearance.

Performance

Engine

4.6-Liter Naturally Aspirated V-8

0 to 60 MPH

6.7 Seconds

Top Speed

137 MPH

Horsepower

302 HP

Torque

300 lb-ft

Curb Weight

4709 lb

Transmission

4-Speed Automatic

Layout

Front Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive

The Marauder is a popular choice for those seeking a sleeper car. Its professional-looking exterior distracts from its powerful V-8 engine. Its four doors and long body make it difficult to identify as a speed machine.

6 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

Top Speed: 149 MPH

Front 3/4 of the 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth
Calreyn88 via Wikimedia

The Ford Sierra RS Cosworth is a legendary name. This compact hatchback is known for its impressive performance. However, its appearance is far from cool. It may not turn heads, but it is guaranteed to surprise many with its performance.

Performance

Engine

2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four

0 to 60 MPH

6.5 Seconds

Top Speed

149 MPH

Horsepower

204 HP

Torque

203 lb-ft

Curb Weight

2657 lb

Transmission

5-Speed Manual

Layout

Front Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive

The Sierra RS Cosworth doesn’t have any standout features in terms of looks, but its lightweight construction and powerful engine make it a beast on the road.

5 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

Top Speed: 155

Front 3/4 shot of the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
Chevrolet
 

The Chevrolet Cobalt SS is one of the most well-known sleeper cars. Its sedan form has some sporty elements at the rear, but the front end is rather dull.

Performance

Engine

2.0-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four

0 to 60 MPH

5.5 Seconds

Top Speed

155 MPH

Horsepower

260 HP

Torque

260 lb-ft

Curb Weight

3974 lb

Transmission

5-Speed Manual

Layout

Front Engine, Front-Wheel Drive

The Cobalt SS may not look like a performance car, but it’s equipped with parts from the Chevy C6, showcasing Chevrolet’s commitment to building a fast car with a design that doesn’t match its impressive capabilities.

RELATED: 10 Best Sleeper Trucks Of All Time

4 2001 Passat W8 Station Wagon

Top Speed: 155 MPH

Silver 2001 Volkswagen Passat Wagon W8
Bring A Trailer

The 2001 Passat station wagon from Volkswagen is known for its unimpressive and mundane design. However, Volkswagen surprised everyone by equipping it with a 4.0-liter W8 engine.

Performance

Engine

4.0-Liter Naturally Aspirated W8

0 to 60 MPH

6.5 Seconds

Top Speed

155 MPH

Horsepower

275 HP

Torque

273 lb-ft

Curb Weight

3854 lb

Transmission

6-Speed Manual or 4-Speed Automatic

Layout

Front Engine, All-Wheel Drive

The Passat W8 may not be a looker, but its powerful engine and unique specifications make it an interesting and standout choice for those seeking a sleeper car.

3 2003 Volvo V70 R

Top Speed: 155 MPH

Front 3/4 action shot of the 2003 Volvo V70 R
Volvo

The Volvo V70 is another fast station wagon. Unfortunately, its appearance is rather unappealing. This estate looks like a hearse and is possibly one of the worst designs to come out of the Swedish automaker.

Performance

Engine

2.5-Liter Turbocharged Inline Five-Cylinder

0 to 60 MPH

5.6 Seconds

Top Speed

155 MPH

Horsepower

300 HP

Torque

295 lb-ft

Curb Weight

3671 lb

Transmission

6-Speed Manual or 5-Speed Automatic

Layout

Front Engine, All-Wheel Drive

The V70 was designed to cater to family men who needed a larger car but still wanted something exciting. While the driver’s seat provided an exhilarating experience, the exterior appearance was far from it.

2 1990 Mazda Eunos Cosmo

Top Speed: 158 MPH

3/4 shot of the 1990 Mazda Eunos Cosmo at the Mazda Museum
NAParish Via Wikimedia 

The Eunos Cosmo is a name that many hardcore enthusiasts will recognize. It’s a two-door coupe that was part of Mazda’s luxury line to compete with Lexus. Its exterior may not be cool, but its performance is impressive.

Performance

Engine

2.0-Liter Twin-Turbocharged Triple-Rotor

0 to 60 MPH

6 Seconds

Top Speed

158 MPH

Horsepower

276 HP

Torque

297 lb-ft

Curb Weight

3549 lb

Transmission

4-Speed Automatic

Layout

Front Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive

The Sierra RS Cosworth may not be stylish, but it is equipped with a triple rotor setup and two sequential superchargers, making it a unique and underrated JDM car.

RELATED: Top 10 Sleeper Cars Of All Time

1 2006 Pontiac GTO

Top Speed: 180 MPH

Front 3/4 action shot of the 2006 Pontiac GTO
Pontiac

The Pontiac GTO is a name associated with one of the greatest muscle cars of the 60s and 70s. The fifth-generation GTO was a revival of the name. While other muscle car manufacturers were sticking with aggressive designs, Pontiac took a different direction with a smooth and rounded silhouette.

Performance

Engine

6.0-Liter Naturally Aspirated V-8

0 to 60 MPH

4.8 Seconds

Top Speed

180 MPH

Horsepower

400 HP

Torque

400 lb-ft

Curb Weight

3792 lb

Transmission

6-Speed Manual or 5-Speed Automatic

Layout

Front Engine, Rear-Wheel Drive

The fifth-generation Pontiac GTO may not have the same mean appearance as its predecessors, but it is one of the best-performing sedans of its time.

News

Spotted: 2025 KTM RC 990 Prototype Goes Out For A Ride On Public Roads

A recent batch of spy photos shows a prototype of the upcoming KTM RC 990 being tested on public roads in Europe. This motorcycle is powered by the same heavily modified LC8c engine as the KTM 990 Duke Prototype, which has also been seen testing in Europe. It is expected to have the same chassis underneath its fairings.

Comparing the spy photos of the RC 990 and the 990 Duke Prototype reveals similarities in the swingarm and exhaust canister design. The RC 990 features fairings reminiscent of KTM’s previous fully faired sport bikes such as the RC8 and RC8 C. The riding position on the RC 990 is more aggressive compared to the 990 Duke Prototype.


KTM RC990 Spy Photos - Riding 8

24 Photos

It is rumored that the RC 990 will have an engine power output of over 140 horsepower, although torque figures are still unknown. The prototype shown in the photos has partially disguised Brembo Stylema calipers, indicating possible developments in the braking system. However, it’s important to note that these are all speculations at this point.

The headlight on the RC 990 prototype is also partly disguised, more so than on the 990 Duke prototype. The development of the RC 990 seems to be progressing, but it is not expected to be available for production until 2025 or later.

Motorsport

Koenigsegg Jesko In-Car Video From Goodwood Looks Amazing And Terrifying

Watching the Goodwood Festival of Speed from a third-person perspective is one thing. The course may be narrow in certain spots, but there’s still enough room to maneuver, right? However, switching to a first-person view changes the perspective entirely. And when you add speed to the mix, you gain a newfound appreciation for the bravery required to achieve a quick time over the tight 1.1-mile ascent.

Fortunately, Koenigsegg decided to install a camera inside the blue Jesko that tackled the hill at the recent Goodwood event. Factory development driver Markus Lundh was behind the wheel while YouTuber Mr. JWW (James William Walker) occupied the passenger seat. Throughout the first half of the run, Mr. JWW can be seen laughing and clearly enjoying the Jesko’s power. As they zoom down the open straight past the spectator area, the digital speedometer shows a glimpse of 213 kph, which translates to just over 130 mph. This is an incredibly impressive speed for such a short stretch of road.


Gaming

How To Safely Clean Your Nintendo Switch And Joy-Cons

Hand holding Switch Joy-cons Natsia27/Shutterstock

Modern electronics are always changing, improving, and even innovating, but there’s one thing many of them still haven’t found a fix for: day-to-day dirt. It doesn’t help that humans, by our very nature, aren’t perfectly clean creatures. Sure we wash our hands, wash laundry, take showers, and so on, but since we’re all mammals composed of organic matter we also produce oil from our skin. Between years of unavoidable oily buildup and regular old dust particles (and the odd mishap), your regularly-used gadgets can and will get dirty.

Your Nintendo Switch and its Joy-Con controllers are no exception. If you play in handheld mode often, chances are good that you’ll begin to see that telltale buildup that most game players have gotten used to over the decades. If you primarily play in docked mode with a different controller, on the other hand, you likely won’t have much (if any) oily buildup content, but the console is far more susceptible to gathering dust since it isn’t being moved often.

Fortunately, cleaning both your Switch console and Joy-Cons is a relatively simple process. And as long as you’re careful, and don’t deviate from Nintendo‘s recommended instructions, you won’t have to worry about damaging the hardware, either.

How to clean your Nintendo Switch and Joy-Cons

Yellow Nintendo Switch Lite case Esolex/Getty Images

A big thing to remember with cleaning your Switch (or any electronics, really) is to never pour water or cleaning solutions onto it directly and never submerge your devices in water or cleaner. Using an appropriate applicator (i.e., wipe, cloth, etc.) is much safer as it uses far less liquid and gives you much more control over where said liquid goes.

  1. Get a hold of a clean cloth. This can be a clean rag or soft screen wipe. Paper towels or napkins will also work so long as you aren’t wiping off the screen, as they’re more abrasive and could potentially create scratches.
  2. Make sure the Switch and Joy-Cons are powered down completely (i.e., not just in Sleep Mode), and unplugged if applicable.
  3. Dampen the cloth with water, then wring out the excess. If it’s too wet, the excess moisture could get inside the housing — or at least take longer to dry.
  4. Gently wipe the surface of your Switch or Joy-Cons with the damp cloth. Rinse and wring out the cloth, then repeat as needed.
  5. Wait for the surfaces to dry completely before turning anything back on. Similarly, wait until the Switch is dry before putting it back in its dock.

In the event that you need to disinfect your Switch or Joy-Cons rather than simply clean their surfaces, Nintendo suggests following the same steps as above — only using a “consumer-grade disinfectant” with no more than 70 percent alcohol instead of water.

News

MV Agusta Dragster RR SCS America Special Edition Is A US Exclusive

MV Agusta has unveiled its latest creation, the MV Agusta Dragster RR SCS America Special Edition. This bike is a tribute to the original America model that was introduced by MV Agusta in 1975. Although the name is a reference, the new special edition bike features many advanced technological upgrades.


MV Agusta Dragster RR SCS America Special Edition - Right Front Closeup

37 Photos

MV Agusta Dragster RR SCS America Special Edition Equipment

In 2023, the MV Agusta Dragster RR SCS America Special Edition features a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 12-valve, 798cc triple engine. It offers 140 horsepower at 12,300 rpm and 87 newton-meters of torque at 12,800 rpm. The bike is equipped with a six-speed transmission and MV’s Smart Clutch System (SCS) 3.0, which is an automatic clutch.

The suspension includes an upside-down Marzocchi fully adjustable front fork and a fully adjustable progressive Sachs monoshock unit in the rear. The brakes are provided by Brembo, with radial four-piston calipers and floating discs in the front, and a two-piston caliper and disc in the rear. The bike also features Continental ABS with rear wheel lift-up mitigation and cornering functionality.

The MV Agusta Dragster RR SCS America Special Edition rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and has a carbon fiber cover for the rear wheel. The bike is adorned with red, white, and blue livery throughout.

The dry weight of the bike is 385.80 pounds, but it can be reduced to 368.17 pounds with the optional Special Parts full exhaust intended for track use only.

1975 MV Agusta 750S America Equipment

The original 1975 MV Agusta 750S America was equipped with an air-cooled, 789cc inline four-cylinder engine that produced 75 horsepower. It had a five-speed gearbox and a shaft final drive. The suspension utilized Ceriani components, and the brakes consisted of a dual disc setup in the front and an SLS drum in the rear. The dry weight of the bike was 517 pounds.

When it was released, the 1975 MV Agusta 750S America had a price tag of $6,000, which is equivalent to about $35,024 today.

Pricing and Availability of the Dragster RR SCS America Special Edition

The MV Agusta Dragster RR SCS America Special Edition starts at $28,247. Only 300 of these bikes will be manufactured and sold, so interested buyers should contact their local MV Agusta dealer in the US as soon as possible.

News

French Gear Label Ixon Presents The Vortex GL Racing Gloves

Riding on the street and riding on the track require different gear to optimize performance and protection. French brand Ixon has released its newest race-spec gloves called the Vortex GL, designed with technology from MotoGP. These gloves are favored by top racers like Alexi Espargaro, Miguel Oliveira, and Takaaki Nakagami.

Franch Gear Label Ixon Presents The Vortex GL Racing Gloves

The Vortex GL gloves have a full gauntlet design suitable for the track and are designed to keep hands cool in hot weather. They feature lightweight and durable goatskin panels that offer excellent tactile response. The gloves have pre-shaped hand construction to reduce fatigue and accelerate the break-in process. They also have ventilation through perforations in the leather and an internal mesh lining with moisture-wicking properties.

In terms of safety, the Vortex GL gloves have top-shelf features including reinforced leather on the palm, aramid fiber reinforcements at the back of the hand and fingers, a TPR palm slider, and extra TPR protection on the cuff. The joints and fingers have overmolded reinforcements with ventilation for added comfort. These gloves are certified under the EN13594:2015 Level 1KP standard for personal protective equipment.

The Vortex GL gloves provide comfort with a partially elastic Velcro tab on the wrist, a double-Velcro system to tighten the cuff, and a pull-on tab for easy wearing. The index finger even has a tactile insert for using touchscreen devices. These gloves are available in three colors – black, black/white, black/white/red, and sizes ranging from XS to 3XL. The retail price is 259.90 Euros or about $284 USD.

Franch Gear Label Ixon Presents The Vortex GL Racing Gloves
News

Exploring the Rare 1942 Harley TT Engine at Dale’s Wheels Through Time Museum

Watching Matt Walksler get his hands on a new-to-him piece of ultra-rare American motorcycle history is almost as exciting as new bike day. Walksler is known for his vast realm of knowledge in his area of expertise, making his unboxing videos even more enjoyable to watch. In this video, he explores a 1942-ish Harley-Davidson TT racer which the Museum received about six months ago. Walksler believes it is an ultra-rare 80 cubic inch version of the typical 45 cubic inch race bikes at the time.

The excitement begins as Walksler takes a quick walk around the bike in its complete form, noting the racing features such as a set of Flanders racing bars, a TT racing seat, and a short oil tank for racing which ultimately allows for better ground clearance and better cornering on a TT bike. The engine cases, although dirty and grimy, give no indication of the fascinating details on the inside that Walksler is about to share.

Assisted by a colleague, Walksler delves deeper into the bike, showing off the polished connecting rods, ported cylinders, and shortened three-ring pistons. He points out that everything inside the engine case has been lightened in the interest of going faster, from lightened flywheels to gears with holes drilled out to add lightness. However, Walksler also acknowledges that everything done to improve the bike’s speed is what people typically did in the early days of racing. They didn’t have the knowledge that we have now, making it all the more fascinating today.

Wheels Through Time plans to restore and fire up the bike in their next video. Stay tuned.

Motorsport

Catamaran Superyacht Takes Inspiration From 1920s Era Boattail Speedsters

Suppose you had a thing for 1920s-era car design and wanted to make a Gatsby-esque statement at the next Monaco Grand Prix. Or perhaps you want a lair on the high seas worthy of a James Bond villain. If the answer to either of these scenarios is “yes, please,” then Andy Waugh Yacht Design has something for you. 

Dubbed the Decadence, the 80-meter, or 262-foot catamaran concept is inspired by the automotive and aeronautical advances of the 1920s. It looks like an Auburn Speedster or the “Count Trossi” 1930 Mercedes-Benz SSK. But according to the design firm, it “exemplifies the potential of the SWATH hull form,” which refers to the concept of small-waterplane-area-twin-hull vessels.