The Most Successful Touring Car of All Time, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the touring car you think is the most successful!
Updated on May 15, 2024 06:59
Fans of motor racing often debate which touring car stands above the rest in terms of success and influence. This discussion traces back to the early days of the sport when manufacturers began modifying sedans for competitive racing. Such debates can be subjective, making it difficult to arrive at a consensus without a clear comparative framework.
This website provides a dynamic and interactive way to gauge public opinion by allowing users to vote for what they believe is the most successful touring car. The cumulative votes are used to create a live ranking that reflects current preferences and perceptions. By participating, users not only learn about different cars' histories and achievements but also contribute to a broader community conversation.
What Is the Most Successful Touring Car of All Time?
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166votesWidely regarded as the most successful touring car of all time, the BMW E30 M3 dominated touring car racing in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It won numerous championships in Europe, North America, and Asia, and its success helped establish BMW's reputation as a performance brand.The BMW E30 M3 is a sporty and iconic compact luxury car that was produced between 1985 and 1992. It is considered one of the most beautiful BMWs of all time due to its elegant design and exceptional performance.
- Engine: 2.3L inline-four engine
- Power: 192 horsepower
- Torque: 170 lb-ft
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds
BMW E30 M3 in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most reliable BMW M3
- Position 9 of 10 in Most beautiful BMW of all time
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223votes
Lemmus · Public domainFord Sierra RS500
Ford MotorsportThe Ford Sierra RS500 was a hugely successful touring car in the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning numerous championships in Europe and Australia. Its turbocharged engine and advanced aerodynamics made it a formidable competitor on the track.The Ford Sierra RS500 is a high-performance touring car based on the Ford Sierra model. It was specifically designed for racing and was built in limited quantities to meet homologation requirements for the Group A touring car racing regulations.- Engine: 2.0L turbocharged inline-4
- Power: 224 to 500 horsepower
- Torque: 277 to 363 lb-ft
- Top Speed: 155 to 180 mph
- Acceleration (0-60 mph): 6.1 to 7.5 seconds
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323votes
Audi Quattro
AudiThe Audi Quattro revolutionized touring car racing in the 1980s with its all-wheel drive system, which provided superior traction and handling. It won multiple championships in Europe and North America and paved the way for the modern touring car era.The Audi Quattro is a legendary rally car that gained fame in the 1980s. It was the first car to feature the Quattro all-wheel drive system, which revolutionized the rally racing scene. The Quattro was known for its exceptional traction and handling, providing a significant advantage over its competitors. Its distinctive design, powerful engine, and innovative technology made it a force to be reckoned with on the rally stages.- Top Speed: Approximately 230 km/h (143 mph)
- Model: Audi Quattro
- Production Years: 1980-1991
- Body Style: Two-door coupe
- Engine: 2.1-liter 5-cylinder turbocharged engine
Audi Quattro in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular rally car
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411votes
Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI
Alfa RomeoThe Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI was a dominant force in touring car racing in the mid-1990s, winning multiple championships in Europe and Australia. Its powerful V6 engine and advanced aerodynamics made it one of the most advanced touring cars of its time.The Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI is a legendary touring car known for its dominance in motorsport during the mid-1990s. It was a high-performance racing version of the Alfa Romeo 155 sedan.- Engine: 2.5-liter V6
- Power Output: 420 horsepower
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Weight: 1,040 kilograms
- Top Speed: 280 km/h (174 mph)
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512votes
BMW 320 Turbo
BMW MotorsportThe BMW 320 Turbo was a successful touring car in the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning multiple championships in Europe and North America. Its turbocharged engine and lightweight construction made it a formidable competitor on the track.The BMW 320 Turbo is a legendary touring car that was developed by BMW in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is known for its impressive performance and dominance in various racing series.- Engine: 2.0 L inline-4 turbo
- Power Output: up to 700 hp
- Top Speed: over 180 mph
- Acceleration (0-60 mph): under 5 seconds
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
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65votes
Mr.choppers · CC BY-SA 3.0Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II
Mercedes-BenzThe Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II was a highly successful touring car in the early 1990s, winning multiple championships in Europe and Asia. Its advanced aerodynamics and powerful engine made it one of the most advanced touring cars of its time.The Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II is a high-performance touring car that was produced by Mercedes-Benz in the early 1990s. It was designed as a homologation special to meet the requirements for entry into the German Touring Car Championship (DTM). The car is renowned for its aggressive styling, exceptional performance, and success on the racetrack.- Engine: 2.5L inline-4
- Power: 235 horsepower
- Top Speed: 155 mph (250 km/h)
- Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds
- Transmission: Five-speed manual
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711votes
EurovisionNim · CC BY-SA 4.0Holden Commodore
HoldenThe Holden Commodore has been a dominant force in touring car racing in Australia for decades, winning multiple championships and races. Its powerful V8 engine and advanced aerodynamics make it a formidable competitor on the track.The Holden Commodore is a popular full-size car produced by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors. It has been a flagship model for Holden since its initial introduction in 1978 and continues to be one of the most recognized and beloved vehicles in Australia.- Model Years: 1978 - Present
- Body Style: Sedan, Station Wagon, Ute
- Engine Options: Various petrol and diesel engines
- Transmission Options: Manual or automatic
- Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
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85votes
Volvo 240 Turbo
VolvoThe Volvo 240 Turbo was a successful touring car in the 1980s, winning multiple championships in Europe and North America. Its turbocharged engine and boxy design made it a distinctive and effective competitor on the track.The Volvo 240 Turbo is a high-performance touring car that was produced by Volvo in the 1980s. It is known for its success in motorsports, particularly in the European Touring Car Championship.- Engine: 2.1L inline-4 turbocharged
- Power Output: 240 horsepower
- Torque: 340 Nm
- Top Speed: over 250 km/h
- 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) Time: 6.8 seconds
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95votes
Ellywa at Dutch Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0Opel Kadett GSi 16V
OpelThe Opel Kadett GSi 16V was a successful touring car in the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning multiple championships in Europe. Its powerful engine and lightweight construction made it a formidable competitor on the track.The Opel Kadett GSi 16V was a high-performance touring car produced by Opel, a German automotive manufacturer. It was part of the Kadett model range, which was introduced in 1984 and manufactured until 1991. The GSi 16V variant was renowned for its sporty design, impressive power, and agile handling.- Engine: 2.0L DOHC 16-valve inline-4
- Power: 156 horsepower
- Torque: 150 lb-ft
- Transmission: 5-speed manual
- Top Speed: 134 mph (216 km/h)
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1011votesThe Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 was a dominant force in rallying and touring car racing in the 1980s, winning multiple championships in Europe. Its advanced four-wheel drive system and powerful engine made it one of the most advanced touring cars of its time.The Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 was a highly successful rally car developed by Peugeot to compete in Group B rallying during the 1980s. It was based on the popular Peugeot 205 model but heavily modified for performance and agility.
- Engine: 1.8L turbocharged inline-4
- Power: 350 horsepower
- Transmission: All-wheel drive
- Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in under 3 seconds
- Top Speed: over 200 km/h
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About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most successful touring car of all time. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or touring car is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2227 views
- 167 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each touring car once every 24 hours. The rank of each touring car is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most successful touring car of all time
Touring car racing has been a popular motorsport discipline for decades, with various manufacturers vying for the top spot. With each year, newer and better cars are introduced, but there are some legendary touring cars that have made an indelible mark in the history of the sport. These cars have become synonymous with success and have been the inspiration for many modern-day touring cars.
When it comes to the most successful touring car of all time, opinions vary. Some argue that it's the BMW M3, which dominated touring car racing in the 1980s and 1990s, winning numerous championships around the world. Others believe it's the Ford Sierra RS500, which was a dominant force in the British Touring Car Championship during the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning three consecutive championships.
However, there are also other legendary touring cars that deserve a mention, such as the Audi A4, which won the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) five times in a row between 2002 and 2006, and the Honda Civic Type-R, which has been a dominant force in the British Touring Car Championship in recent years.
Regardless of which car you believe to be the most successful touring car of all time, one thing is for certain - touring car racing has produced some of the most iconic and memorable cars in motorsport history.
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