Mercedes put a hand-built V8 in a four-door executive sedan, handed it to AMG’s one-engineer-one-engine process, and let it line up against supercars at the lights. The W212 E63 AMG started life with a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 before a twin-turbo 5.5 took over, and claimed 0–60 in 4.1 seconds while still seating five in leather. A Gallardo ran a 12.0-second quarter mile — the E63’s 12.1 cost $80,000 less. Subaru brought the STI to America in 2004 as a rally car you could buy at a dealership, built on a WRC pedigree that won three straight Manufacturers’ Championships from 1995 to 1997. A driver-controlled center differential, a 4.7-second sprint to 60, and a $31,595 base price meant it kept up with cars that cost twice as much.