The 1980s: the turbo years

1980–1989

Turbochargers defined the 1980s. Rally rules for Group B demanded road versions of extreme cars, and Ferrari and Porsche answered with the 288 GTO and the 959, then raced each other to build the fastest road car with the F40.

At the end of the decade Mazda's MX-5 brought back the small, simple roadster.

Audi QuattroAudi · 1980–1991Ferrari 288 GTOFerrari · 1984–1987Chevrolet Corvette (C4)Chevrolet · 1984–1996

Toyota MR2 (AW11)Toyota · 1984–1989Ford RS200Ford · 1984–1986Ferrari TestarossaFerrari · 1984–1991Porsche 944 TurboPorsche · 1985–1991Porsche 959Porsche · 1986–1993BMW M3 (E30)BMW · 1986–1991Aston Martin V8 Vantage ZagatoAston Martin · 1986–1990

RUF CTR 'Yellowbird'RUF · 1987–1989Ferrari F40Ferrari · 1987–1996Mazda MX-5 (NA)Mazda · 1989–1997Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32)Nissan · 1989–1994