For a long time, a V8 engine was crucial to completing the formula of a fast car, be it American performance cars or exotic European sports cars. Today, things are different, with downsized engines and electrification leading the way in performance. The V8 powerplant was so popular in the '90s and early 2000s that automakers used to fit it in anything and everything—from station wagons to pickup trucks.This resulted in many unique performance cars and trucks; some are revered even today, but others are forgotten in the herd. We want to remind you of the forgotten icons of the peak V8 era. This includes some cool, unassuming American sleeper cars, niche European exotics, and even Japanese workhorses on steroids.HotCars curated this list by scouting through the internet and validating the popularity of the models by looking into popular social media sites, reputed media houses, and even blogs. 2003 Dodge Dakota R/T Sport 0-60 MPH In 7.5 Seconds Bring a Trailer This compact muscle truck is a forgotten specimen in the cool '90s and early 2000s "fast truck list." When we think of performance trucks, the likes of the GMC Syclone and the classic Ford F-150 Lightning come to mind. But those were full-sized offerings. This Dodge shrunk that appeal into a compact truck.This Dodge Dakota gets cool 17-inch 255/55 section tires, a suspension drop of 19 mm (as compared to the standard Dakota), and a stiffer suspension thanks to a beefier stabilizer bar. But the coolest addition of them all was an exclusive 5.9-liter V8 that churns out 245 hp.It combines a performance dual exhaust system and a limited-slip rear differential. Power is sent to the rear wheels only via a 4-speed automatic transmission. It did 0-60 in 7.5 seconds, the same time the 2004 Buick LaCrosse CXS and the 2004 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro hit 0-60. A compact RWD pickup clocking simultaneously was quite an impressive feat. Engine Specs And Top Speed 2003 Mercury Marauder 0-60 MPH In 6.9 Seconds Dodge City Motors Via Cars & Bids This must be one of the coolest "sleeper cars" to come out of America. Under the common exterior car design, this Mercury Marauder packs an SVT-tuned version of the Ford 4.6-liter V8 that produces over 300 hp. Performance-driven upgrades like twin-cam 32-valve aluminum heads, a dual-bore 57mm throttle body, high-flow fuel injection, and a low-restriction bundle of aluminum intake and exhaust system assist this motor. It packs a 4-speed gearbox beefed up with a reinforced torque converter and a 1-inch one-way clutch.The result of its stealthy exterior and beefed-up powertrain is a Mercury Marauder that smokes the rear tires off in its 6.9-second 0-60 mph run. This car is a fine fusion of muscle car styling with refined performance and a nimble riding character, three things that have never come together in an affordable American car. Engine Specs And Top Speed (Data sourced from Automobile Catalog) 2002 Jaguar S-Type R 0-60 MPH In 5.3 Seconds Bring a Trailer If we're honest, the early 2000s Jaguar S-Type was not very pretty to look at. However, with an "R" added to it, the performance would make anyone forgive its polarizing 1960s-ish design. Under its curvy body is a 4.2-liter supercharged V8 that whines to close to 400 horses. This was about the same power rating that the 2004 Cadillac CTS-V had.Apart from a notable power bump, the S-Type R gets beefed-up suspension features like adaptive damping, bigger brakes, and stickier tires compared to the standard S-Type. Despite being a heavy car at 3,968 lbs., the 2002 Jaguar S-Type R still managed to do 0-60 in 5.3 seconds and hit an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. According to the Automobile Catalog, this Jag can hit 178 mph if unrestricted. Engine Specs And Top Speed (Data sourced from Automobile Catalog) Fourth-Gen Ford Mustang Mach 1 0-60 MPH In 5.1 Seconds Ford The fourth-gen Mustang Mach 1 was only made for two years, which adds to its exclusivity. It bridged the gap between the humble Mustang GT and the all-out Mustang Cobra SVT models. The 2003-2004 Mach 1 is an ode to the original Mach 1 from the 1960s. It utilized the same 4.6-liter V8 that the 2002 Mustang Cobra packed, but a couple of tweaks were made.The intake cams were taken from the Lincoln Navigator's 5.4-liter V8, and compression was bumped up to 10:1. The exhaust camshafts and manifolds were custom-made to facilitate the fourth-gen Mach 1's distinctive character. It was offered in either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. But the prior option helped the 2003-04 Mustang Mach 1 do 0-60 in 5.1 seconds. Engine Specs And Top Speed (Data sourced from Automobile Catalog and Zeroto60times) 2007 Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG 0-60 MPH In 4.7 Seconds Bring a Trailer Another powerful wagon on this list, the 2007 Mercedes R63 AMG, is a car we bet no one remembers. It was an enthusiastic take on a practical minivan form. It is extremely rare, with just 200 units being built for one year. Technically, this could be the only enthusiastic minivan ever made that fused both practicality and fun into one comfortable package.Powered by a 6.2-liter V8 that was the norm in many AMG cars back then, this van was the epitome of sleeper cars. It churned over 500 hp and a meaty 465 lb-ft of torque, which translated to a people mover doing 0-60 in an impressive 4.7 seconds. The top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph, but Mercedes offered an optional AMG Driver's Package that unlocked its 171-mph top speed. Engine Specs And Top Speed (Data sourced from Automobile Catalog) 2006 Cadillac XLR-V 0-60 MPH In 4.6 seconds Cars & BidsThe Cadillac V-Series performance cars are quite celebrated, but a few from the bunch are also forgotten, such as the uber-cool XLR-V convertible. A Corvette-derived chassis and suspension underpinned this swanky Caddy. The Caddy guys polished things further with a more interactive suspension and tire setup. Powering this plush American convertible is a 4.4-liter supercharged Northstar Twin-Cam V8 that churns out a healthy 443 hp.This car battled head-on with the Mercedes SL55 AMG and the Jaguar XKR. The Cadillac was lighter than both its competitors. This also plays a vital role in the XLR-V's 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds. This low-slung Cadillac with a timeless design was the coolest fusion of a sports car, a luxury convertible, and a modern American Hot Rod appeal. Engine Specs And Top Speed 2008 Toyota Tundra TRD Supercharged 0-60 MPH In 4.4 Seconds Cars & Bids Today, the most powerful Toyota truck you can buy is the 2023 Tundra i-Force Max Hybrid. The combination of an ICE engine and electric powertrain pumps out a combined 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. But in 2008, Toyota built a supercharged Tundra loaded with TRD goodies that toppled even the latest 2024 model. This 2008 Tundra was not a standalone trim level but a souped-up version fitted with performance parts made by the Toyota Racing Development team. It starts life as a stock 5.7-liter Tundra pickup.TRD adds some serious muscle to this engine with an Eaton Twin Vortices supercharger and a cat-back dual exhaust system. These and a few more tweaks transform this bulky Toyota pickup into a 504-hp tire-smoking monster. The result is a Tundra quicker in its 0-60 run than some pretty sporty 2008 cars like a Mustang GT, a Dodge Challenger SRT8, and even a Porsche Carrera S. Engine Specs And Top Speed 2003 Audi RS6 Wagon 0-60 MPH In 4.3 seconds Collecting Cars When Audi launched its first-gen RS6 line-up in 2002, the wagon broke the ice. The sedan was launched after the estate. Powering this sleeper Audi is a twin-turbocharged V8 that churns out 444 hp and does 0-60 in an impressive 4.3 seconds.It also gets some serious driving-enhancing features like DRC (Dynamic Ride Control), elevating its fast-driving appeal on the straights and the corners. Its top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, but if unlocked, the 2003 RS6 Wagon can reach close to 180 mph, as per Automobile-catalog's virtual speed test. Engine Specs And Top Speed (Data sourced from Automobile-Catalog and Fastestlaps) 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon 0-60 MPH In 4.1 Seconds Bring a Trailer Surprise, Surprise. Another wicked-fast wagon that has been forgotten. The early 2000s was a cool time indeed, with automakers thinking quite seriously about enthusiastic Dads. This wagon shares the same underpinnings as the sedan. The CTS-V was on the edge with its sleeper car appeal. The sedan could fool a few, but this wagon was foolproof.No one would think this family-hauling Cadillac wagon packed a 6.2-liter supercharged fire-breather under its hood that could propel the whole family from 0-60 in an impressive 4.1 seconds.To give you a clearer perspective on how cool this is, 4.1 seconds is the same time that the 2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage takes to do 0-60, as well as the 2008 Audi R8 and a slew of fast BMWs like the 2008 M3 Coupe and the M5. This Caddy was even quicker than the Pre-2010 Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed. It's too bad Cadillac pulled the plug on this car, as it was the epitome of wicked-fast sleeper cars. Engine Specs And Top Speed (Data sourced from Automobile Catalog and Fastest Laps) TVR Cerbera Speed Eight 0-60 MPH In 3.9 seconds Bring a Trailer TVR is a low-volume British automaker that makes extremely value-for-money sports cars. The Cerbera was their "turning a new leaf" car that packed an in-house V8 built using lightweight materials. This 2+2 sports car is also described as a capable Grand Tourer.Weight saving was critical to this car's character, and it was showcased proudly with its 267-pound V8 and lightweight yet rigid chassis. There were various iterations of this V8 from 1996, but the most powerful came along during its last years, post-2000. The previous iteration of this V8 churned out 420 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque.Numbers-wise, these are solid for a sports car, but when we add its impressive curb weight of just 2,425 lbs. to the picture, this classic-looking low-slung Brit slides into the supercar category with its power-to-weight ratio. The TVR Cerbera Eight has a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds, achieved with a 5-speed stickshift. This TVR is a clever combination of a high-revving V8, a lightweight body and chassis, and a slippery body, making it one quick car we have forgotten. Engine Specs And Top Speed (Data sourced from Autocar Road Test and TVR Car Club UK)