Here Are Some More 'Performance' Cars You Probably Forgot About

One of the best parts about being a car enthusiast is that you’re constantly stumbling on cars and trims you never knew existed. I’ve gone down the forgotten performance car rabbit hole, and I can’t get free. A lot of these forgotten cars were actually produced in my lifetime, but I can’t remember ever seeing one. It’s been fun to dig into what powered these machines, how long they lasted, and why they ultimately failed. Today, I’m taking you with me on that journey.

Jeep Grand Cherokee TSi (ZJ)

While the 5.9 Limited is usually remembered as being the performance version of the ZJ Grand Cherokee, the Grand Cherokee also had another sporty trim that was around for a hot second. Only offered from 1997-1999, the Grand Cherokee TSi sat between the base Laredo and top-line Limited trims. You got a body-color grille, 16" five-spoke aluminum wheels with Goodyear Eagle all-weather performance tires, unique lower body cladding and Iris Blue pinstripes. Other than that, it was pretty much a Laredo with better trim and nicer features. They even shared the same 4.0-liter I6 engine.

Eagle/Dodge 2000 GTX

Another product of Mitsubishi and Chrysler’s Diamond Star Motors, the 2000 GTX was a rebadged sixth-generation Galant. It was only ever sold in the Canadian market. These things were special in that they were powered by the same 4G63 engine that was in the Galant VR-4, just without a turbocharger. They also has a slick computer controlled active suspension system called Dynamic ECS.

Chevrolet S-10 SS

The Chevy S-10 SS was rare. While it was produced from 1994 to 1998, the production numbers I could find say that a total of 10,002 were made over its four-year run. You could only get the SS in black, white or red.

While the S-10 wore an SS badge, it got no upgrades in the power department. All were equipped with GM’s 4.3-liter V6 making between 180 and 200 horsepower. The “performance” goodies were under the skin. The S-10 SS was equipped with a limited slip differential, lowered suspension, four-speed automatic transmissions, Bilstein shocks and bigger front and rear sway bars. The SS was replaced with the S-10 Xtreme.

Oldsmobile Achieva SCX

Replacing the weird Cutlass Calais 442, the Achieva SCX debuted in 1992. While the Achieva could be had in both sedan and coupe variants, the SCX could only be had on the coupe. Its performance modifications weirdly came from Oldsmobile’s desire to go racing, specifically in the IMSA Firehawk and SCCA Grand AM World Challenger stock car racing series.

Outside, the SCX received a deeper front bumper with fog lamps, dual exhausts, and W41 decals on the front fenders. This was in reference to the special version of Olds Quad 4 engine that powered the SCX. This high-output W41 Quad Four put out 190 hp and was paired with a Getrag five-speed manual transmission.

Mitsubishi Galant Ralliart