Four wheel drive cars aren’t exactly known for their speed, but speed isn’t really what four wheel drive is about, right? Or is it?
Well, there is one area of the fast car market where four driven wheels can turn seemingly mundane cars into fire breathing monsters. These cars are known in petrol head circles as ‘sleepers’ which are cars that don’t look fast but are packing some serious heat under the bonnet!
There are thousands of sleepers out there but below we have picked out 3 of our favourites that offer you anonymity as well as speed;
Golf R32 Mk5 (from £5,500)
A Golf with a 3200cc engine was never going to be a disappointment was it? With 62mph from a standstill coming up in as little as 6.0 seconds and a 155mph top speed, this car is a real wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The great thing about this car is that it is incredibly practical and civilised most of the time, but is still happy to show all but the hottest of hot hatches a clean pair of rears when called upon. With cars available for as little as £5,500, it is wise to spend a little more and get a low mileage car with service history.
Top tip: Removing the R32 badge front and back furthers this cars sleeper appeal.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (from £2,000)
Now, in terms of subtlety this car is a little too boy racer to really be known as a sleeper but to all but the petrol head elite this is simply a Japanese saloon car. Under the skin is where the magic of this car lies.
With a 2000cc highly tuned and turbocharged engine powering all four wheels through an incredibly complex network of clever differentials and yaw sensors this car is incredibly quick across even the most challenging surfaces.
Top tip: Tuners love these cars but don’t always know what they are doing, look for an un-abused original car if you want it to last.
Audi RS6 Avant (from £5,500)
A large Audi estate car is one of the most unassuming cars that it’s possible to own, but when these cars carry an RS badge, they are also fire spitting monsters. The C5 option is readily available for under £10,000 and still provides incredible performance… how incredible you ask? How does 450bhp and 62mph in 4.7 seconds sound to you?
The really great thing about the Avant (estate) version of this car is that it has acres of space in the back so you sacrifice nothing in practicality.
Top tip: Don’t be gentle on your test drive, driving these cars hard is the best way to highlight any mechanical issues that they may have.
As well as practicality, speed and value, let’s not forget that all of these cars are four wheel drive so they will cope easily with rough roads and harsh weather conditions. Come rain, shine or even snow, you’ll be ready.
If, however, you prefer your 4x4s a little more traditional then worry not, as there are still plenty of options out there that are sure to be perfect for your needs. Oh, and if you have already invested in a 4×4 that is in need of a little repair then you are in the right place. With a selection of 4×4 parts including engines and 4×4 gear boxes that will help you to get back on the road in no time at all.
For more information on our selection of parts, simply contact us today and our experienced team of specialists will be more than happy to help.