We frequently wax lyrical about the superiority of the vintage engines and speak reverently of the vehicles they powered. And certainly, the greats of the past do deserve our admiration in light of what they accomplished at the time with the resources they had available to them and the technology we can only refer to as antiquated now.
An automobile's engine can make or break a vehicle, and the engines on this list are some of the greatest available. Some of them will be phased out in 2023, but they're leaving on a high note, particularly in the case of Dodge and its brand-new Challenger Demon 170 with 1,025 horsepower. So let's take use of these engines while we still can and savor the incredible sensations and sentiments that can only be brought about by powerful internal combustion engines. Perhaps a number of the engines will be permanently gone by the time this list is updated again.
What about today's best engines, though? The advancements that today's mills have achieved are astonishing, and many of these vehicles and engines may end up being timeless classics in the future. especially if a day comes when EVs predominate in the automotive sector and gasoline and diesel engines become obsolete. We can't predict what the future may bring, but we can recognize a good thing when we see it. Here are 10 of today's top engines for performance vehicles, some of which might become timeless cult favorites. EVs, kindly move aside.
10. The Ford Supercharged 5.2-Liter V8: A Beast of an Engine
Why did we refer to the engine that powers the priciest Mustang as a predator? because its name indicates as much. The Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 has a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces a whopping 760 horsepower, making it the most potent Mustang to date. A dual-clutch transmission is also connected to the engine; this is a first for a Mustang model. The Voodoo V8 engine from the previous GT350 has a same block and displacement, but everything else about it is larger, better, and much brasher. Imagine this as a rocket ship that follows the path and is destined to become a classic. A King of the Road upgrade option is also available from Shelby, increasing power to almost 900 hp and resulting in an even more powerful beast.
9. The Ram High Output Turbocharged 6.7-Liter Inline-Six: A Beast of an Engine
Are you shocked to see an inline-six in a piece about powerful engines? A significant surprise in a smaller packaging is the Cummins 6.7-liter inline-six diesel engine seen in Ram pickups. But even tiny displacements are capable of producing a powerful jet. This engine Ram has a 1,000 lb-ft torque and 400 horsepower capacity in its High Output variant. Additionally, it has a redesigned valve system, stronger pistons, and muted vibrations, making it quiet, smooth, and incredibly fuel-efficient. A classic in the making undoubtedly, with a 33.0 psi turbo-boost pressure.
8. The Mazda SKYACTIV-G 2.0-Liter Inline-Four: A Revolution in Engine Technology
This is the secret to the Mazda MX-5’s unmitigated success. An inline-four engine that has been its mill from the start only now comes in a 2.0-liter displacement with more changes. The weight of its pistons was reduced by 27 grams, which sounds like a minuscule difference, but each little change adds spunk to the engine, which is why now it makes 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. For a small roadster, its plenty of difference.
7. The High-Output 3.5-Liter Twin-Turbo V6: A Work of Art
With 510 lb-ft of torque and high output, the Ford 3.5-liter V6 is dual turbocharged for optimal performance. With 450 horsepower in the F-150 Raptor, you won't miss the two cylinders, especially when the trombone Baja exhaust mode is on. This is a departure from the typical V8s that Ford trucks have carried. To create greater power with less engine weight, the valvetrain is lighter and the crankshaft, bearings, and other components have all been strengthened. This engine enables the F-150 to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 5 seconds, despite its bulky dimensions. Not bad at all for a large, geared at families pickup vehicle with off-road tires.
6. The Volkswagen Auto Group Twin-Turbo 4.0-Liter V8: The New Standard for Luxury and Performance
Many vehicles from the Volkswagen Group, including Audis, Porsches, and Bentleys, are powered by this single engine. The Lamborghini Urus, for instance, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds thanks to its engine's staggering 640 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. That rivals some of the quickest super SUVs available today! This 4.0-liter V8 beneath the hood of the Urus sounds like something much bigger thanks to its aluminum construction and twin turbos positioned in between cylinder banks. Although it has a lower displacement, this engine has a lot of power and is a potential future classic.
5. The Chevrolet 6.2-Liter V8: The Engine That Changed Everything
The coolest Corvette to date, a mid-engine marvel that will take off when its more potent avatars are released, uses this engine. This stunning C8 has a 6.2-liter V8 engine with 490 horsepower. Due to the additional 5 horsepower from the Z51 option, this Chevrolet can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in exactly 2.8 seconds. Since the more costly, 650-horsepower C7 Z06 'Vette cannot match this performance, this engine will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the greatest of the 2020s. Nevertheless, the 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V8 in the C8 Z06 produces almost astronomical amounts of power and noise.
4. The Dodge Supercharged 6.2-Liter V8: The Beast of the Block
The Dodge 6.2-liter V8, supercharged and all, is as traditional as it gets, so to speak. The engine is completely iron, despite having a large displacement. The HEMI engines from the 1950s and 1960s used the same formula, and it even has pushrods and a vintage supercharger. However, why alter something that is so successful? It boasts 650 lb-ft of torque and an engine that, metaphorically speaking, could awaken the dead. It produces 707 horses in the Hellcat and 797 in the Hellcat Red Eye Challengers. With its 2.7-liter supercharger, a second fuel pump, and a highly robust rotating assembly, it still completely functions.
With the same engine producing 1,025 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque for the last of the "Last Call" versions, Dodge upped the ante and reduced the 0-60 mph sprint time to only 1.66 seconds. There isn't a finer way in our opinion to honor the American muscle vehicle. Do you?
3. The Ferrari Twin-Turbocharged 3.9-Liter V8: The Heart of the Prancing Horse
What do the three Maserati Trofeo models, the F8 Tribute, the Portofino, the SF90 Stradale, and the Ferrari Roma have in common? The 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 is the solution; with the Stradale, a 1.5 mm bore expansion has increased its capacity to a 4.0-liter V8. Additionally, the SF90 receives electric support to increase power to 1,000 hp. In 2019, this engine produced 568 lb-ft of torque and 710 horsepower. Power fluctuated as components including flywheels, crankshafts, and titanium connecting rods changed. Clearly deserving of a place in the engine Hall of Fame is this growing power mill.
The hybridized twin-turbo V6 in the 296 GTB appears to be the new standard engine, even if it served its purpose in the existing Ferrari V8 models.
2. The BMW Twin-Turbo 4.4-Liter V8: A Technological Masterpiece
The M5's 2.6-second 0-60 mph time is thanks to its engine, which also makes it a close to supercar. Since 2009, this engine has been used to power a sizable number of BMW vehicles, notably the M models. Why replace something that is nice and functional? Fortunately, BMW asked the same question and created a replacement engine that is precisely the same as the present one. The current engine has a respectable 4.4-liter displacement and generates 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque in the M Competition versions.
1. The Audi Turbocharged 2.5-Liter Inline-Five: An Icon of German Engineering
Being an inline-five, this Audi engine is a bit of an odd beast. In 2012, it made its debut in the TT RS. Its 1-2-4-5-3 cylinder firing sequence and 400 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque gave it a distinct sound. It sounded more like a yowl than a roar or whine, as if the engine itself contained a miniature V10. It features a 10.0:1 compression ratio and a cylinder block made of compressed graphite iron. The turbocharger also delivers power quickly. It also receives an additional pair of lungs and lots of gumption from that extra cylinder, making the engine one of the most distinctive ones on the market. But hurry, since it appears that the 5-pot will not be produced again after the present breed of RS3.
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