Holden's 2017 HSV GTSR W1 and more superfast four-door cars

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Want space and pace? The two don't have to be mutually exclusive as the latest breed of executive expresses reinforces.

And while Europe has been a mainstay of go-fast four-doors, Australia has come out fighting for a final time with the HSV GTSR W1. It's a mouthful of a name but packs a mighty punch in what is an exclusive segment of the market.

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HSV GTSR W1

HSV wanted its Commodore-based V8 models to go out with a bang and the GTSR W1 does just that.

Utilising the 6.2-litre supercharged V8 formerly reserved for the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 the W1 is all about big performance and big noise.

With 474kW and one of the loudest barks on the planet the Holden is a beast, outgunning even Mercedes-Benz's V12-powered S65 AMG.

The W1 has carbon fibre from the same company that supplies Ferrari, seats inspired by the Lamborghini Aventador, suspension from a V8 Supercar and tyres designed for race cars.

Price: $169,990

Power: 474kW

0-100km/h: 4.2 seconds

Tesla Model S P100D

In a land of twin turbos and copious cylinders the Tesla P100D certainly stands out by having no engine at all. Instead, the flagship P100D gets two electric motors providing an almighty power hit for some of the most brutal acceleration of any car on the road.

Tesla doesn't quote a power figure these days – apparently it's too difficult to define – but the general feeling is the two motors combine to punch out in excess of 500kW.

The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 2.7 seconds, but if you unlock the digital "Easter egg" buried in the software (Tesla likes to do things differently) it'll lower that to 2.6 seconds.

So, for that initial acceleration the P100D will comfortably beat many Lamborghinis and Ferraris, although the excitement wears off slightly as speed builds.

Price: $270,000

Power: NA

0-100km/h: 2.6 seconds

Mercedes-AMG E63 S

The new Mercedes-AMG E63 S is yet to go on sale in Australia (it arrives mid-year) but when it does it promises to reset the bar for German performance sedans. The pinnacle of the expansive E-Class range gets the most powerful version of the AMG sub-brand's latest 4.0-litre twin turbo V8.

But it's the drivetrain that helps control all that grunt. For the first time in Australia the E63 will power all four wheels, something that guarantees ballistic take-offs.

That the E-Class can be so serene and sensible is all part of its wolf-in-sheep's clothing appeal.

Price: $250,000 (estimated)

Power: 450kW

0-100km/h: 3.4 seconds

Porsche Panamera Turbo

As the longest and most luxurious Porsche on the market the Panamera straddles some interesting four-wheel ground, sandwiched somewhere between a sports car and a limousine.

The second generation model that arrives in Australia next week brings new engines and fresh styling that more heavily leans on the iconic 911 that defines the brand.

Combined with a slick PDK automatic transmission it promises to shift the sizeable hatchback to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds – but only if you've ticked the box for the optional Sport Chrono pack that enables a launch control function.

Price: $376,000

Power: 404kW

0-100km/h: 3.6 seconds

Audi RS6 Avant Performance

Audi's go-fast family car also happens to be a wagon, hence the Avant name.

Utilising the spacious body of the A6 the RS6 adds plenty of spice in the form of a twin-turbo V8 that muscles up 445kW.

Audi's 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has pedigree, also used in various guises in Bentleys.

If you don't want a wagon then there's always the RS7, with its swoopier coupe-like profile.

Price: $245,116

Power: 445kW

0-100km/h: 3.7 seconds

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Italian brand Alfa Romeo has been lost in the luxury wilderness for years but it's come out fighting with the all-new Giulia. Like Alfas of old – and most rivals – it sends its power to the rear wheels for an exciting driving experience.

Beneath the skin is a new 2.9-litre twin turbo V6 said to be "inspired" by sister brand Ferrari. That's code for "we nicked some engineers from Ferrari and they built us a new engine".

The 375kW unit is claimed to launch the top-of-the-range Quadrifoglio model to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, just pipping key rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG C63 S and BMW M3.

But it's the 7 minute, 32 second lap time around the infamous Nurburgring track in Germany – the unofficial test track of supercars the world over – that's put the Giulia on the map, making it the fastest four-door to lap the challenging 20.8km circuit.

Price: $143,900

Power: 375kW

0-100km/h: 3.9 seconds

Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge

Money to burn? Then the Rolls-Royce Ghost could be just the ticket.

Rolls-Royce has traditionally described its engines as having "adequate" power, something that endows them with the waftability the brand is known for. But the Ghost amps things up with some genuine performance courtesy of a twin-turbocharged V12 that started life in the cars of its parent, BMW.

With extra oomph as part of the Black Badge model – it has lots of black design cues, such as "dark chrome" highlights – the 450kW output ensures the elegant four-door wafts to 100km/h in a sprightly 4.8 seconds.

Price: $695,000

Power: 450kW

0-100km/h: 4.8 seconds

Bentley Flying Spur W12

The V engine configuration works beautifully to help stuff a lot of engine into not much space. But Bentley has taken the packaging challenge a step further with its W12 engine. Effectively two Volkswagen V6s sharing a common crankshaft (the thing that collects all the power from the pistons) the engine is surprisingly compact, at least by big engine standards.

Powerful, too, with a full 467kW on tap from the 6.0-litre unit. It ensures brisk and effortless progress, albeit dulled by the hefty 2475kg weight.

There's also just the right amount of exhaust snarl to complement the distinctive wood and leather luxury within.

Start saving, though, because all that luxury costs plenty – almost half a million dollars – unless you're content with the less powerful Flying Spur V8.

Price: $423,160

Power: 467kW

0-100km/h: 4.2 seconds

Check out the gallery above to see some of the world's fastest four door cars.

Executive Style