Key Takeaways
Turbocharging engines is crucial for sustaining energy density and effectivity within the age of electrification.
Excessive-end automakers like Czinger are combining turbocharging and electrification to maintain the ICE alive innovatively.
Vehicles just like the Koenigsegg Jesko and SSC Tuatara showcase highly effective engines with spectacular energy densities, difficult the electrical pattern.
Within the age of electrification, the interior combustion engine could appear to be it is going extinct, however there are automakers on the market who refuse to offer in. Due to laws, engineers have been pressured to assume outdoors the field, and one of many best methods to get essentially the most out of an engine is turbocharging. In excessive instances, high-end automakers will turbocharge and electrify an engine, all within the title of conserving ICE alive.
Associated
5 Upcoming Supercars That Refuse To Go Electrical
The world could be going EV mad, however there are a number of supercar producers conserving the combustion flame burning.
The principle objective is to provide essentially the most power-dense engine doable. Energy density, or particular output, is basically a measurement of inner combustion effectivity. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 400 horsepower is far more power-dense than a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that solely produces 350-odd horses. We already know that essentially the most power-dense engine on this planet is made in America, however we thought it could be attention-grabbing to see what engines occupy second to tenth place.
Czinger 21C
Engine kind
2.88-liter V8, plus two electrical motors
Energy output (ICE solely)
950 hp
Energy density (ICE solely)
330 hp/l
Energy output (mixed)
1,250 hp (non-obligatory 1,350 hp)
0-62 mph
1.9 seconds
High Velocity
253 mph
The Czinger 21C is on the high of the listing. It’s an upcoming hybrid hypercar that debuted in 2021. Solely 80 can be made, and they’re going to price $2 million a pop. It is probably the most modern vehicles ever made, and components of it will likely be 3D printed. To make its mark, it set a brand new lap report at Laguna Seca shortly after its debut.
Associated
The Most Energy-Dense Manufacturing Engine In The World Comes From America
With regards to manufacturing engines with essentially the most horsepower per liter, it isn’t Koenigsegg, Hennessey, and even Bugatti that takes high honors.
In 2023, the particular “Blackbird” version of the C21 was launched, devoted to the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird plane. This model of the C21 got here with an all-black paint job and touches of carbon fiber for a jet-inspired look.
Not solely is the C21’s combustion engine one of many highest-revving within the automotive world, however it is usually astonishingly environment friendly, getting almost a thousand horsepower out of lower than three liters. It will possibly additionally function as a totally zero-emissions powertrain; it might probably run on a number of kinds of e-fuels, reminiscent of carbon-recycled methanol and common gasoline.
Koenigsegg Jesko
Engine kind
5.1-liter twin-turbo V8
Energy output
1600 hp (E85), 1280 hp (common gas)
Energy density
316 hp/l (E85), 256 hp/l (common gas)
0-62 mph
2.5 seconds
High Velocity
300+ mph
Named after Jesko von Koenigsegg, the daddy of firm founder Christian, the Jesko is a successor to the Agera hypercar. It was first launched to the world on the 2019 Geneva Motor Present and offered out earlier than the present ended. The Jesko exists in two variations: the “Assault” and “Absolut.”
The Assault is the default model of the Jesko, with a number of track-oriented efficiency options, reminiscent of a big rear wing and a carbon fiber entrance splitter, that maximize the automotive’s downforce and efficiency in a observe setting. The Jesko Absolut is the Assault’s sooner sibling, and its format is solely geared in the direction of reaching the very best doable high velocity; two rear fins exchange the rear wing, and there’s no entrance splitter. The Absolut can also be about three inches longer than the Assault resulting from its physique having been redesigned for max aerodynamic effectivity and minimal drag. Koenigsegg has claimed the Absolut is able to crossing the 300 mph barrier.
SSC Tuatara
Engine kind
5.9-liter twin-turbo V8
Energy output
1750 hp (on ethanol or methanol), 1350 hp (on common gas)
Energy density
297 hp/l
0-62 mph
2.5 seconds
High Velocity
295 mph
Named after a New Zealand reptile whose major declare to fame is having the quickest molecular evolution within the animal kingdom, the Shelby Tremendous Vehicles Tuatara was first launched in 2011. At the beginning of 2021, the Tuatara broke the world report for the quickest manufacturing automotive with a two-way common high velocity of 283 mph, dethroning the Koenigsegg Agera RS.
A second try was made the next yr to get nearer to the 300 mph barrier, and a velocity of 295 mph was achieved. Nonetheless, this was not a report breaker resulting from technical points (this high velocity was solely recorded in a single course). A track-only, limited-edition 2,200 hp variant known as the Tuatara Aggressor was revealed in 2021; solely ten Aggressors have been produced. One other particular version, the Striker, provides a number of aerodynamic upgrades to the “commonplace” Tuatara whereas nonetheless conserving its road-legal standing.
Koenigsegg Gemera
Gemera TFG
Gemera HV8
Engine kind
2.0-liter twin-turbo three-cylinder, plus one electrical motor
5.0-liter twin-turbo V8, plus one electrical motor
Energy output (ICE solely)
592 hp
1479 hp
Energy density (ICE solely)
296 hp/l
256 hp/l
Energy output (mixed)
1381 hp
2269 hp
0-62 mph
1.9 seconds
1.9 seconds
High Velocity
248+ mph
248+ mph
The Koenigsegg Gemera (Swedish for “to supply extra”) is the primary four-seater automotive ever produced by Koenigsegg. After a difficult begin because of the cancelation of the 2020 Geneva Motor Present, manufacturing is about to begin later this yr, with the primary vehicles being delivered to clients initially of 2025.
Two engine decisions can be found: the three-cylinder, nicknamed the TFG (Tiny Pleasant Large), was the primary to be introduced when the Gemera made its debut. Nonetheless, when Koenigsegg confirmed the automotive’s specs in 2023, a second, extra thrilling choice was thrown into the combination. The HV8 (“Sizzling V8”), borrowed from the Jesko, has a a lot increased displacement than the TFG, and in consequence, it would not fairly obtain the latter’s very excessive energy density. Each engines are absolutely appropriate with a variety of biofuels that flip the Gemera right into a zero-emissions automobile, together with second-generation ethanol and CO2-neutral methanol.
Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Efficiency
Engine kind
2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, plus one electrical motor
Energy output (ICE solely)
469 hp
Energy density (ICE solely)
235 hp/l
Energy output (mixed)
671 hp
0-62 mph
3.3 seconds
High Velocity
196 mph
Shifting away from the hypercar stratosphere and nearer to the world of bizarre street vehicles, the subsequent contender within the power-density combat is the S E Efficiency, the aptly-named performance-oriented trim of the AMG C63. AMG’s high-performance sedan ditches the V8 and takes inspiration from the world of System 1 in its 2024 incarnation, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that pairs its two-liter engine with a 400-volt electrical motor. The C63’s ICE is extremely environment friendly, managing to provide the next particular output than the three-liter V6 discovered within the Ferrari 296 GTB.
Ferrari 296 GTB
Engine kind
3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6
Energy output (ICE solely)
654 hp
Energy density (ICE solely)
219 hp/l
Energy output (mixed)
819 hp
0-62 mph
2.4 seconds
High Velocity
205 mph
First launched in 2022, the 296 hybrid supercar embodies Ferrari’s journey in the direction of electrification by pairing a turbocharged V6 with an electrical motor. It may also be pushed on electrical energy just for a brief distance. An eight-speed automated transmission sends energy to the rear wheels.
The 296 is offered in each coupe (GTB) and convertible (GTS) kind; a variety of non-obligatory extras can be found, together with carbon fiber wheels and carbon fiber seats. Inside-wise, one attribute that units the 296 aside is its uncommon infotainment system, which integrates audio and navigation features into the gauge cluster and provides an additional show for the passenger. The 296 comes with 4 driving modes: eDrive (electrical energy solely), Hybrid, Efficiency, and Qualify (a track-oriented mode that unlocks the automotive’s full efficiency capabilities).
Maserati MC20
Engine kind
3.0-liter twin-turbo V6
Energy output
621 hp
Energy density
207.6 hp/l
0-62 mph
2.9 seconds
High Velocity
202 mph
The Maserati MC20 has an all-new V6 engine known as “Nettuno.” It’s solely designed in-house, signaling a break from the Maserati custom of borrowing engines from its company companions. The MC20 additionally borrows expertise from the world of motorsport. The Nettuno engine’s twin combustion system is tailored from System 1 race vehicles. An eight-speed automated transmission sends energy to the rear wheels.
With its bare-bones inside, the MC20 is a driver’s automotive via and thru. Prolonged use of carbon fiber all through the chassis and bodywork retains the automotive’s weight down for optimum efficiency.
McLaren Elva
Engine kind
4.0-liter twin-turbo V8
Energy output
804 hp
Energy density
201 hp/l
0-62 mph
2.8 seconds
High Velocity
203 mph
The McLaren Elva is a singular two-seater automotive and not using a roof or windshield (though US fashions have a hard and fast windshield to satisfy authorized necessities). Its title is a name again to the historical past of McLaren; within the Nineteen Sixties, Bruce McLaren outsourced manufacturing of his open-top race vehicles to a British carmaker known as Elva. Primarily based on the Senna, the Elva is powered by a modified model of the Senna’s engine with a good better energy output, paired with a seven-speed automated transmission. The similarities to the Senna don’t prolong to the suspension setup, which is much extra comfort-oriented and fewer aggressive.
The Elva was a limited-edition automotive; solely 149 examples have been constructed, every individually personalized based on the proprietor’s needs by the corporate’s bespoke division, MSO (McLaren Particular Operations).
McLaren Artura
Engine kind
3.0-liter twin-turbo V6
Energy output (ICE solely)
596 hp
Energy density (ICE solely)
198.6 hp/l
Energy output (mixed)
690 hp
0-62 mph
3.0 seconds
High Velocity
205 mph
The McLaren Artura, McLaren’s first series-production hybrid supercar, was first launched in 2022. McLaren was no stranger to hybrid expertise after constructing the P1 almost a decade earlier. The Artura, nevertheless, is a really completely different animal, having made it into full-scale manufacturing as an alternative of being a limited-edition rarity. It is usually outfitted with a V6 as an alternative of the P1’s V8.
The upcoming 2025 mannequin introduces a number of modifications, the most important one being the introduction of a drop-top model, the Artura Spider. The opposite enchancment comes on the efficiency entrance, with a lift in energy output and a faster-shifting, extra environment friendly gearbox. A few of the Artura’s mechanical elements, together with the suspension and the braking system, have acquired a slight improve as properly.
Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale
Engine kind
4.0-liter twin-turbo V8
Energy output (ICE solely)
786 hp
Energy density (ICE solely)
196.5 hp/l
Energy output (mixed)
1016 hp
0-62 mph
2.3 seconds
High Velocity
199 mph
The SF90 Stradale is Ferrari’s first enterprise into the world of plug-in hybrids. It first debuted in 2019, celebrating the ninetieth anniversary of Ferrari’s motorsport division, Scuderia Ferrari (therefore the title). The SF90 title can also be shared by Ferrari’s System 1 automotive for the 2019 championship. To tell apart the 2 vehicles, Ferrari added the “Stradale” label (Italian for “for the street”).
Its four-liter V8 is paired with three electrical motors, together with an eight-speed automated transmission that sends energy to all 4 wheels, making the SF90 the primary mid-engine Ferrari with all-wheel-drive. 4 driving modes can be found, together with an all-electric and track-oriented “Qualify” modes to maximise the automotive’s efficiency. The XX variant is a brand new, performance-oriented addition to the lineup for 2024; regardless of being primarily made for observe use, it’s nonetheless road-legal. The XX comes with aerodynamic enhancements, a stripped-down inside, and an additional horsepower.
Honorable Point out: Toyota GR Corolla
Engine kind
1.6-liter 3-cylinder
Energy output
300 hp
Energy density
185 hp/l
0-62 mph
4.99 seconds
High Velocity
142.9 mph
Suppose you are on the lookout for excessive energy density in a automotive that is a bit nearer (properly, lots nearer) to an bizarre individual’s price range. In that case, the Toyota GR Corolla is a strong contender, which earns it an honorable point out on this listing. Getting a great deal of energy and enjoyable out of a diminutive three-cylinder engine, the GR Corolla is doing its half to maintain the reasonably priced sizzling hatch alive.
The 2024 GR Corolla is offered in three trim ranges: the reasonably priced Core, the mid-level Premium (a brand new addition for 2024), and the top-spec Circuit Version. The latter comes with many upgrades, together with solid aluminum 18-inch wheels and a carbon-fiber roof. Though essentially the most excessive member of the lineup, the track-ready Morizo version, is unfortunately not out there for 2024, Toyota has hinted that extra one-off particular editions could also be within the pipeline within the close to future, so in case you’re a fan of hot-hatch insanity (and what automotive fanatic is not, actually?) be certain that to maintain your eyes peeled.