
Executive Sedans
With the continuing popularity of sedans and touring cars racing around the world, some executive cars in the 1990s became much more sporty, but others concentrated on comfort and refinement. All were increasingly fitted with complex electronics, gadgets, and driving aids, while multiple camshafts and valves, as well as light alloy construction, helped keep engine power up and weight down.
Saab 900 Carlsson, 1990

Origin | Sweden |
Engine | 1,985 cc, straight-four |
Top speed | 135 mph (217 km/h) |
Built from 1978 and based on the 1967 Saab 99 floorpan, the 900 was still a surprisingly refined and potent front-wheel-drive sedan in the ultimate “Carlsson” version.
BMW 5-Series, 1995

Origin | Germany |
Engine | 2,793 cc, straight-six |
Top speed | 142 mph (229 km/h) |
The E39 5-series was launched with 2-liter straight-six to 4.4-liter V8 engines and developed with electronic and trim options, retaining the model’s strong position in the luxury sedan sector.
Audi A4 Quattro, 1994

Origin | Germany |
Engine | 1,781 cc, straight-four |
Top speed | 137 mph (220 km/h) |
Five valves per cylinder and a turbo gave the four-wheel-drive A4 a reliable 150bhp and made it a success on road and track. This car was Frank Biela’s BTCC-winner.
Lincoln Continental, 1995

Origin | USA |
Engine | 4,601 cc, V8 |
Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
Ford’s top Lincoln model since 1939, the Continental for 1995 had the Mustang Cobra twin-cam V8 and many luxury fittings, including air-ride suspension.
Audi A8, 1994

Origin | Germany |
Engine | 4,172 cc, V8 |
Top speed | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
Audi’s flagship sedan used the world’s first production aluminum monocoque, keeping weight down and performance up. It sold with two-or four-wheel drive and 2.8-liter V6 to 4.2-liter V8 engines.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class, 1991

Origin | Germany |
Engine | 5,987 cc, V12 |
Top speed | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
Mercedes’ 1990s flagship car was not the most elegant, but it was one of the biggest and was technically magnificent, with double glazing, and engines from 2.8-liter straight-six to 6-liter V12.
Mercedes-Benz C220, 1993

Origin | Germany |
Engine | 2,199 cc, straight-four |
Top speed | 130 mph (209 km/h) |
The C-class was the entry-level sedan from Mercedes for the 1990s. Engines ranged from 1.8-liter four-cylinder to 2.8-liter six-cylinder-or 4.3-liter V8 in the 1998 AMG models.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class, 1999

Origin | Germany |
Engine | 5,786 cc, V12 |
Top speed | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
The new S-class was lighter, smaller, and more elegant than before, with more interior space, but proved to be less well built. Engines ranged from 3.2-liter V6 to 6.3-liter V12.
Chrysler LHS, 1994

Origin | USA |
Engine | 3,518 cc, V6 |
Top speed | 136 mph (219 km/h) |
Eight years in development and via various show cars, the LHS was a radical move for Chrysler, with a large cabin in overall compact dimensions, and a new overhead-cam V6.
Lexus GS300, 1997

Origin | Japan |
Engine | 2,997 cc, V6 |
Top speed | 143 mph (230 km/h) |
High on technology, the GS sports sedan could be ordered with twin turbos, electronic four-wheel steering, and stability control. The U.S. had a 4-liter V8 GS400 option.
Holden VR Commodore SS, 1993

Origin | Australia |
Engine | 4,987 cc, V8 |
Top speed | 143 mph (230 km/h) |
Australia’s native car maker added anti-lock brakes and independent rear suspension to its big sedan’s refinements. This is the 1995 Bathurst Great Race winner.
Bentley Arnage, 1998

Origin | UK |
Engine | 4,398 cc, V8 |
Top speed | 150 mph (241 km/h) |
Developed under Vickers’ ownership of Rolls-Royce/Bentley and visually reminiscent of earlier models, the all-new Arnage featured a Cosworth-tuned BMW engine.
Cadillac Seville STS, 1998

Origin | USA |
Engine | 4,565 cc, V8 |
Top speed | 150 mph (241 km/h) |
The first Cadillac engineered for both left-and right-hand drive was also the most powerful front-wheel-drive car on the market at its launch, with 300bhp in STS from.
Jaguar S-type, 1999

Origin | UK |
Engine | 3,996 cc, V8 |
Top speed | 149 mph (240 km/h) |
For the new millennium, Jaguar tried retro styling echoing the 1963 S-type for its executive sporting sedan. Offered with 2.5-liter V6 to 4.2-liter V8 engines, it sold well.
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011