10 Stupendous Saloons That Make Us Excited About The Four-Door GT86

There’s been plenty of fuss lately about Toyota’s decision to build a four-door version of its fabulous little GT86 sports car (aka the Scion FR-S, for our American contingent). It’s fair to say that it’s been a bit of a Marmite move, with some of you loving the idea, and many more thinking it’s the worst decision since Pontiac gave the Aztek the green light.

But a four-door doesn’t have to be a bad thing. In fact, some of the most exciting cars ever built have been saloons. Here's our run-down of top ten more-door heroes. And if you don’t find at least one car you love here, we’ll eat our hats. Maybe.

BMW M5 (E39)

Let’s start with an old favourite. Every BMW M5 proved that four doors could be mega fun, but the E39 was reckoned by many aficionados to be the finest of all. Its glorious 5.0-litre V8 kicked out 394bhp, and sat within a beautifully set-up chassis that was solid and stable yet deliciously involving and fantastically easy to hold in a drift. Anyone who says they reckon four-doors are dull has clearly forgotten this prime candidate for one of the best-ever enthusiasts’ saloons.

Lamborghini Estoque

Lamborghini won’t be making the Estoque. Which, frankly, is a crying shame, because… well, just look at the thing. This, or a Panamera? We know which we’d choose. The Estoque was all set to be powered by a tweaked version of the Gallardo V10, putting out over 500bhp, which would have made it pretty smashing to drive, too. But no – Lamborghini says it sees better business sense in opting to produce the Urus SUV instead. Which is, let’s be honest, a less attractive beast.

Aston Rapide S

Fortunately, Aston Martin did put its Panamera rival into production – and we’re glad it did. The Rapide S is a glorious thing, and while heavily flawed in several key areas – rear seat legroom being one of them – it’s still wonderful to behold, and of course, to drive too. Power – 550bhp of it – comes from a 5.9-litre V12, and gives the Rapide S a scintillating 0-60 time of just 4.9 seconds.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

We haven’t singled out any one particular Evo here, as we reckon it’s a fair bet that you’ll have your own favourite. But whether we’re talking one of the early Evo I or II cars, a mid-life V or VI, or even one of the last-of-the-line Evo Xs, every single one was a four-door – and such an “affliction” certainly didn’t prevent it from becoming one of the world’s foremost rally legends!

Sierra Sapphire Cosworth

It’s sometimes maligned as one of the least desirable Cosworths – partly because its four-door body was more sober than the bewinged three-door or Escort models – but that factor gave the Sierra Sapphire one unexpected trump card: subtlety. What’s more, you can take your pick between the earlier, lairier two-wheel-drive model, with 204bhp, or the later, grippier 224bhp four-wheel-drive – a choice you don’t get to make with either of the other two. What’s not to like?!

Vauxhall VXR8

But if all you want from your more-door is a thumping V8 and rear-wheel-drive, and you’re not fussed about the badge, the VXR8 will be right up your street. Early cars got a 6.0-litre V8 with 411bhp, which was then switched for a 424bhp 6.2 mid-way through – or if you’re feeling completely batsh*t mental, you can always plump for the insane 560bhp Bathurst Edition, with its supercharged engine and tweaked suspension. Bonkers? Oh yes. Deliciously so.

Lotus Carlton

The VXR8, though, is merely a modern-day successor to the most iconic Vauxhall of all. You thought we’d forgotten about it, didn’t you? Well, never fear. The Lotus Carlton is never far from our minds. This is the car that had newspapers up in arms about its ‘outrageous’ turn of speed – 177mph, to be precise, thanks to a 377bhp 3.6-litre twin-turbo straight-six. That might not sound much in this company, but it was capable of hitting 60 in 4.8 seconds – which, when it was launched in 1990, was practically unheard of even from a supercar, let alone a four-door saloon. It was, is, and always shall be a legend, and one of the best-known and most exciting four-doors ever made.

BMW 325i (E30)

You don’t always need massive power to enjoy a four-door, though. Indeed, the E30 325i was light and nimble, with a splendid chassis and feel-laden steering, even if it lacked the power of its bigger M-badged brethren. In fact, of all the cars here, it’s probably the most similar in concept to the forthcoming GT86 saloon. If it turns out like this, we won’t be disappointed.

Brabus Bullit

But if power really is your thing, this four-door really is the be-all-and-end-all. You can keep your V8s – this Brabus-engineered C-Class packs a 6.2-litre Mercedes V12 which, with the aid of not one but two turbos, kicks out a storming 720bhp and 811lb ft. Nope, no idea what the Brabus bods were smoking when they came up with this thing, but we want some. We want the car, too. And if there was anyone left out there thinking a four-door was a bit… well… beige, the Bullit can’t fail to wipe that last bastion of doubt away.

Citroen DS

And now for something… a little different. Speed isn’t everything, you see. Don't doubt us – ride in a DS and it becomes instantly, emphatically clear that there is another way. Every car here will beat the DS away from the lights, but its pillow-soft hydropneumatic ride, armchair-thick seats, and glorious styling make it an object of desire for completely different reasons. Think you need a coupé to look good? Think again. The DS is about as cool as it’s possible to get – and it proves that even without a whopping engine, a four-door saloon can truly be a thing of beauty.