Top 10: Factory-built sleeper cars

Q-cars (or sleepers, depending on your choice of terminology) mix plain looks with rapid performance. For a particular breed of driver who's more concerned with 'go' rather than 'show', they hold a special appeal.

That allure is certainly understandable. After all, why attract unnecessary attention from boy racers, the police or outside-lane boors in their German repmobiles? The stealth effect is further heightened if the Q-car in question doesn't wear a so-called 'premium' badge.

While aftermarket customisers can achieve sleeper status by tuning or doing an engine swap, such models are also available direct from the production line. Sometimes a bit of hunting through brochures is needed to find them, though.

Here, in alphabetical order, are ten examples of the genre which are currently available to buy:

1. DS 4 Prestige THP 210

DS 4 Prestige THP 210 (2016) Configurator

Engine 1.6 litre I4 turbocharged petrol
Transmission 6-speed manual
Power 207 bhp (155 kW / 210 PS)
Torque 285 Nm (210 lb/ft)
0-62 mph (100 km/h) 7.8 seconds
Top speed 146 mph (235 km/h)
Combined cycle 47.9 mpg (5.9 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 138 g/km
Starting price £23,095


2. Ford Mondeo Titanium Hatchback 2.0T EcoBoost 240

Ford Mondeo Titanium Hatchback 2.0T EcoBoost 240 (2016) Configurator

Engine 2.0 litre I4 turbocharged petrol
Transmission 6-speed automatic
Power 236 bhp (176 kW / 240 PS)
Torque 340 Nm (250 lb/ft)
0-62 mph (100 km/h) 7.9 seconds
Top speed 149 mph (240 km/h)
Combined cycle 38.2 mpg (7.4 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 171 g/km
Starting price £26,750


3. Infiniti Q50S Hybrid Sport

Infiniti Q50S Hybrid Sport (2016) Configurator

Engine 3.5 litre V6 petrol + electric motor
Transmission 7-speed automatic
Power 359 bhp (268 kW / 364 PS) combined
Torque 546 Nm (402 lb/ft) combined
0-62 mph (100 km/h) 5.1 seconds
Top speed 155 mph (250 km/h)
Combined cycle 45.6 mpg (6.2 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 144 g/km
Starting price £40,700


4. Mazda 6 Sport Nav Saloon 175 Skyactiv-D

Mazda 6 Sport Nav Saloon 175 Skyactiv-D (2016) Configurator

Engine 2.2 litre I4 turbocharged diesel
Transmission 6-speed manual
Power 173 bhp (129 kW / 175 PS)
Torque 420 Nm (310 lb/ft)
0-62 mph (100 km/h) 7.9 seconds
Top speed 139 mph (223 km/h)
Combined cycle 62.8 mpg (4.5 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 119 g/km
Starting price £26,795


5. Seat Leon FR 1.8 TSI 180 DSG

Seat Leon FR 1.8 TSI 180 DSG (2016) Configurator

Engine 1.8 litre I4 turbocharged petrol
Transmission 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Power 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS)
Torque 250 Nm (184 lb/ft)
0-62 mph (100 km/h) 7.2 seconds
Top speed 139 mph (223 km/h)
Combined cycle 48.7 mpg (5.8 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 134 g/km
Starting price £23,045


6. Škoda Superb SE L Exec Hatch 2.0 TSI 280 4x4 DSG

Skoda Superb SE L Exec Hatch 2.0 TSI 280 4x4 DSG (2016) Configurator

Engine 2.0 litre I4 turbocharged petrol
Transmission 6-speed dual-clutch automatic + all-wheel drive
Power 276 bhp (206 kW / 280 PS)
Torque 350 Nm (258 lb/ft)
0-62 mph (100 km/h) 5.8 seconds
Top speed 155 mph (250 km/h)
Combined cycle 39.8 mpg (7.1 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 160 g/km
Starting price £31,020


7. Subaru Forester 2.0i XT Lineartronic

Subaru Forester 2.0i XT Lineartronic (2016) Configurator

Engine 2.0 litre H4 turbocharged petrol
Transmission Continuously variable + all-wheel drive
Power 237 bhp (177 kW / 241 PS)
Torque 350 Nm (258 lb/ft)
0-62 mph (100 km/h) 7.5 seconds
Top speed 137 mph (220 km/h)
Combined cycle 33.2 mpg (8.5 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 197 g/km
Starting price £30,995


8. Vauxhall Astra Elite 1.6i Turbo

Vauxhall Astra Elite 1.6i Turbo (2016) Configurator

Engine 1.6 litre I4 turbocharged petrol
Transmission 6-speed manual
Power 197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS)
Torque 300 Nm (221 lb/ft)
0-62 mph (100 km/h) 7.0 seconds
Top speed 146 mph (235 km/h)
Combined cycle 46.3 mpg (6.1 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 141 g/km
Starting price £21,155


9. Volkswagen Passat GT Saloon 2.0 BITDI SCR 240 4Motion

Volkswagen Passat GT Saloon 2.0 BITDI SCR 240 4Motion (2016) Configurator

Engine 2.0 litre I4 turbocharged diesel
Transmission 7-speed dual-clutch automatic + all-wheel drive
Power 236 bhp (176 kW / 240 PS)
Torque 500 Nm (369 lb/ft)
0-62 mph (100 km/h) 6.1 seconds
Top speed 149 mph (240 km/h)
Combined cycle 51.4 mpg (5.5 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 144 g/km
Starting price £34,955


10. Volvo V60 SE Lux Nav D6 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid

Volvo V60 SE Lux Nav D6 Twin Engine Plug-in Hybrid (2016) Front Side

Engine 2.4 litre I5 turbocharged diesel + electric motor
Transmission 6-speed automatic
Power 217 bhp (162 kW / 220 PS) + 67 bhp (50 kW / 68 PS)
Torque 440 Nm (324 lb/ft) + 200 Nm (147 lb/ft)
0-62 mph (100 km/h) 6.0 seconds
Top speed 143 mph (230 km/h)
Combined cycle 155.2 mpg (1.8 l/100km)
CO2 emissions 48 g/km
Starting price £50,175


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