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Despite their innovative designs and power, these European cars slipped through the cracks in the '90s.

The '90s was a magical time for the automotive industry. Manufacturers were trying to make their vehicles with futuristic styles while others aimed at adding more performance. Despite the '90s being a strong decade for most manufacturers, there are several that fell through the cracks. Subscribe to HotCars Premium to read about five '90s cars that are already classics.

Manufacturers like Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, and many more built cars that didn’t get as much attention as other vehicles. This is a celebration of some cars that don’t get a fair share of the limelight or might have slipped most people’s minds.

The C36 AMG debuted in 1993 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It was the first C-Class AMG variant and went into production in 1995. Being at the top of the C Class range, the C36 had a turbocharged 3.6-liter inline-six engine producing 276 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque.

It was a rear-wheel-drive sports sedan available with a four-speed automatic that could help it hit 62 mph in under 6 seconds. Other improvements made on the C36 include lowered suspension and 17-inch AMG Monoblock wheels—all of which made it a worthy competitor to the then-new E36 M3.

Even with the GTV being a front-wheel drive car, there was a lot to love. It looked like a creature from space, but thanks to its lovely V6 engine, it made a wonderful sound. Nowadays, this V6 wedge-shaped coupe has started to gain a cult following.

The GTV was also available with 2.0-liter engines producing 148 hp. These were overlooked by many because of the great-sounding V6. However, the 2.0-liter engine was still peppy and produced enough power to propel the GTV quickly.

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Lotus created the Elan as a new small sports car for the company. It sat below the larger and more expensive Excel and Esprit models. The big idea for the M100 was to have a front-wheel drive system. This was a significant change from Lotus’ traditions, forcing them to ditch their front engine—rear-wheel drive model.

The M100 was launched in 1989, with the feedback from the media being positive. In the early 90s, Lotus had sold over 1,200 cars, but it wasn’t a commercial success for the company. Its front-wheel drive layout meant that the Elan didn’t have the traditional pure Lotus dynamics that appealed to most car enthusiasts.

In the early 90s, Volkswagen had some trouble with power and packaging. Their main goal was to combine the power of six cylinders with the compactness of four. The Corrado was built on the Volkswagen Golf Mk2 platform and was an upmarket alternative to the Scirocco.

Upon launch, the quickest version was the G60, with a supercharged four-cylinder producing 158 hp. However, things became more interesting in 1992 with the arrival of the 2.8-liter VR6 producing 178 hp. This translated to a V-inline engine which coupled the V and inline engine layouts.

Related: Here's What's Special About The Volkswagen Corrado

The 968 had the most powerful naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine in the world. The CS or Club Sport was Porsche’s last hurrah to their legendary transaxle era. It was the best non-turbo iteration of the 924/944/968 line.

The 968 delivered the ideal weight distribution thanks to its front-mounted engine and rear-mounted transmission setup. It shared most of the design and parts of the 944, even though Porsche claimed it was 83% new. However, the 968 lived in the shadow of its predecessor, the 944, and the successor, the Boxster.

To better understand the 850 R, we need to look at the 850 T-5 R. Volvo released its first performance variant, the 850 T-5 R, in 1995. It had a five-cylinder engine and was produced as a limited-run model. The popularity of the T-5 R gave Volvo the confidence to create the 850 R in 1996.

Upon release, the 850 R was available in a sedan and wagon variant. The 850 R was, in some essence, the T-5 R but with some helpful improvements. For starters, it produced 240 hp from its turbocharged five-cylinder and looked subtle enough to blend into the background.

Related: Check Out This Volvo 850 Wagon With BMW V8 RWD Swap Nicknamed "Ragnarok"

Mercedes creates some of the best sedans in the automotive industry. The 500E went on sale in the early 90s, combining the performance of a sports car with the comfort of a touring sedan. It set the standard for what a compact sedan should be.

The 500E came from the W124 platform, but for the extra power under the hood, Mercedes had to look for another option. This was the 5.0-liter V8 from the SL line. However, with all its impressive specs and reputation, the AMG Hammer remains one of the most memorable vehicles with the W124 chassis.

The second-generation BMW M5 was overshadowed by its predecessor, the E28 M5, and the successor, the E39 M5. Unlike its successor, the E34 maintained BMW’s lovely 3.5-liter straight-six engine producing 286 hp with a 0 to 62 mph time of 6.3 seconds.

It was an upgrade to the E28 M5, offering a better balance between elegance and high performance. The E34 also had a touring/wagon version that was among the rarest BMW M vehicles with less than 1,000 units produced.

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The S8 was considered the stealth bomber of super sedans. It came into the scene in 1996 and became famous on the movie screens two years later. The S8 was available with a sophisticated aluminum body, a 4.2-liter V8 engine producing 364 hp, and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

The interior was luxurious, with comfortable leather seats and a generous amount of tech. It lived up to the title of a luxury executive sedan with the best creature comforts and sporty performance. Nowadays, the S8 struggles to elbow its way in conversations like the E28 and E39 BMW M5s.

The 456 is one of the most underrated Ferrari’s of the moment. While the prices of the siblings like the 550 are shooting up, the 456 is among the cheaper Ferraris. In the mid-90s, it was one of the most expensive series production Ferrari.

Besides its relatively low price nowadays, Ferrari fitted the 456 with a 5.5-liter V12, producing 442 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. One of the most significant assets of this Ferrari was usability. It was available with a gated manual or automated gearbox with a proper 2+2 setup, making it better than the BMW 850 and the Porsche 928.

Brian is a husband, father and freelance writer. He's also a tech and automotive junkie passionate about cars and motorcycles. Brian is also an F1 fan - team Mercedes (LH). When he's not writing, Brian goes for impromptu drives and walks.