One of the most interesting and exciting areas of automotive engineering is the attempt to combine speed, luxury, and practicality into a single car. This pursuit has given way to some of the most incredible sporting sedans, four-door beasts that defy conventions and deliver exhilarating acceleration.

When thinking of these sport sedans, one region stands tall above the rest, developing masterpiece after masterpiece that redefines the blend between speed and sophistication. Europe has always been a hotbed of automotive innovation, but the sport sedan is where they truly rain supreme.

From the winding mountain roads of Italy to the autobahn of Germany, Europe is home to some of the most breathtaking roads where you can truly unleash the full extent of your car. No wonder they have walked the cutting edge when it comes to performance.

In the sea of exciting European sport sedans, we take a look at some of the true standouts, the cars that push speed to its limit. Delving into some of the most impressive feats of engineering, these European cars are some of the fastest sedans in the world.

We sourced information from various automakers, Acceleration Times, and Top Gear to bring you 10 of the fastest European sedans on the market. All data is based on the 2023 model year of cars with 0 to 60 MPH times as well as top speeds being sourced from manufacturers.

Related: 10 Fastest European Supercars In The World, Ranked

10 Maserati Ghibli Trofeo

0 to 60 MPH: 4.0 Seconds

The Maserati Ghibli is truly Italian, with aesthetic styling that will take your breath away and a twin-turbo V-8 with an exhaust note that will make you swoon.

Performance

The base model of the Ghibli has a standard V-6 which offers some excellent fun. However, if you take the step-up to the Trofeo model, the V-8 it features is otherworldly. As we have come to expect, the sound of a Maserati engine is like no other, and the Ghibli Trofeo is no exception. To top the cake, the Ghibli sits on a chassis designed for fun as well as speed, meaning it is one of the most exciting cars to bend around corners.

9 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

0 to 60 MPH: 3.8 Seconds

Another Italian beauty, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio is a sport sedan that is loud and proud, being one of the best picks for any enthusiast wanting to go fast and look good doing it.

Performance

Alfa Romeo has an unfortunate reputation for being a little less than reliable, so it is saying something that the performance of this car completely outshines any issues it might have. Fitted with an engine with Ferrari DNA and an interior that perfectly blends luxury and sporty exhilaration, the Giulia Quadrifolgio is one of the most exciting sports sedans you can own.

8 Bentley Flying Spur

0 to 60 MPH: 3.7 Seconds

If you’re looking for a luxury driving experience, the Bentley Flying Spur is one of the finest choices available. What’s so incredible about the giant luxury sedan, is how it manages to rocket to 60 MPH despite being so heavy.

Performance

Some of the mysticism around its seemingly impossible burst of speed is explained when you look under the hood. The Flying Spur Speed trim level is fitted with a massive twin-turbo W-12 engine pumping out 626 horsepower. It is one of the fastest sedans with this level of comfort and luxury you can buy.

Related: 10 Sedans That Can Outrun The C8 Corvette Any Day

7 Audi RS3

0 to 60 MPH: 3.6 Seconds

With an MSRP sitting just above the $60,000 mark, the RS3 is one of the cheapest cars on this list, all while still delivering some intoxicating performance.

Performance

One of the most interesting aspects of the RS3 is its unique cylinder count, with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. It clearly works for Audi though as the engine delivers some truly impressive horsepower along with a soundtrack that would stir emotions in even the most stoic drivers. Comfortable on street roads and feisty around a track, the RS3 won’t disappoint anyone looking for a thrill.

6 Audi RS7

0 to 60 MPH: 3.3 Seconds

The RS7 is the bigger, higher-end big brother to the RS3, and it shows. Its larger power, better performance, and larger, more luxury interior all make up for the difference in price.

Performance

Like the Bentley, the RS7 is another heavy sedan, coming in just shy of 5000 pounds. However, its incredibly engineered rear steering and its powerful V-8 paired with a 48-volt motor make it feel surprisingly agile. With 590 pound-feet of torque, it's no wonder this sport sedan rockets to 60 MPH as quickly as it does.

5 BMW M5 Competition

0 to 60 MPH: 3.2 Seconds

Any conversation about performance sedans would be incomplete without a mention of BMW, and the M5 Competition represents one of the fastest German sedans available to buy.

Performance

Based on the same platform as the regular 5 Series, the M5 uses its insane V-8 powertrain to reach new heights of speed. The M5 Competition is built for speed, but its variable all-wheel drive allows 100 percent of the torque to be sent to the rear wheels for some brilliant levels of fun.

Related: 10 High-Performance Sedans Perfect For Enthusiasts That Need 4 Doors

4 BMW M8 Competition

0 to 60 MPH: 3 Seconds

While the M5 is perfectly capable, if you're wanting to up your experience, both in terms of luxury and performance, then the M8 Competition is your best choice. That is assuming you're happy with the much bigger price tag.

Performance

The Gran Coupe model is the four-door option for this legendary BMW. It may not have the exciting exhaust note featured on some rival sports sedans, but it is mind-blowingly quick. The M8 Competition may be a compelling partner on the open road, but its true home is the track, designed to grip apexes and set fastest lap times.

3 Mercedes-AMG E63 S

0 to 60 MPH: 3 Seconds

Another of the legendary German automakers, Mercedes-AMG, prides itslef on top-tier performance vehicles, of which, the E63 S is a prime example.

Performance

AMG’s excellent tuning capabilities are on full show with the E63 S, being one of the fastest European sedans ever. The 2023 E63 S is the last year model to receive a pure-bread internal combustion V-8, but it has gone out with a bang. The E63 S is a Jack-of-all-trades, it has blindingly quick gear changes and brilliant powertrain which make it a rocket around the track; then on your way home you can pop it into comfort mode and enjoy a luxurious ride like no other.

2 Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid

0 to 60 MPH: 3 Seconds

The Porsche Panamera is a brilliant performance sedan, with the Turbo S E-Hybrid being the absolute pinnacle of its speed.

Performance

The Panamera often gets overlooked in Porsche’s line-up of sports cars, which is understandable considering its in-house competition. However, the long-hooded sedan pumps out some incredible numbers, particularly in this hybrid option. With handling akin to the likes of a supercar and hyper-precise steering, you’re likely to forget this car has four-doors at all when you put your foot down. At over 5000 pounds, the acceleration and overall speed this sedan produces is absolutely insane.

Related: 10 Fastest Sedans In The World, Ranked

1 Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E-Performance

0 to 60 MPH: 2.8 Seconds

Don’t let its name fool you, it's not actually based on the GT, but rather the E-Class sedan. This sports sedan is the pinnacle of European engineering.

Performance

The GT63 S represents the top-of-the-line package for this AMG, and it delivers top-of-the-line speed. This incredible sports sedan that Mercedes-AMG has put together is not just the fastest German sedan, or the fastest European sedan, but has a claim as one of the fastest sedans in the world. This is especially true when you consider the E-Performance trim which adds an extra layer of hybrid performance to the already incredibly engineered sedan.