Almost each automaker nonetheless alive right this moment has, in some unspecified time in the future, used a V8 engine in a number of of its fashions. There have been varied interpretations of the V8 engine that haven’t been unique to a single phase. Nonetheless, within the trendy period, we’re accustomed to seeing V8 engines energy a handful of various autos, primarily muscle automobiles, supercars, and the odd fire-spitting hypercar.
Listed here are probably the most iconic V8 engines utilized by supercars and sports activities automotive manufacturers.
Associated
Whereas V8s are disappearing, these 10 automobiles nonetheless supply the fabled engine, together with some much-needed reliability.
This checklist consists of engines which were utilized in road-going fashions. This checklist can also be one a part of a three-part sequence discussing each automaker’s V8 engine.
18 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione: F136 YC V8
Engine
4.7-liter, naturally aspirated, V8
Horsepower
450 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque
354 lb-ft @ 4,750 rpm
0-62
4.4 seconds
The Alfa Romeo 8C was the one Alfa Romeo mannequin to make the most of a V8. Not solely did it have a V8 engine, but it surely was a Ferrari-derived V8 engine, particularly the F136 YC V8, that was praised for its exhaust be aware and afforded the three,500 lbs two-seater an sufficient output by right this moment’s requirements. In essence, this was a naturally aspirated V8 that includes twin overhead camshafts, variable valve timing, and a cross-plane crankshaft. The 8C’s most important mission was to be fairly, nevertheless. It was fairly clear from its efficiency figures that Alfa was informed to remain nicely away from its siblings from Maserati and Ferrari.
17 Aston Martin Vantage: AJ-V8
Engine
4.3-liter, naturally aspirated, V8
Horsepower
380 hp @ 7,300 rpm
Torque
302 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
0-62
5 seconds
For the 2005 Aston Martin Vantage, the British automaker employed a 4.3-liter V8, dubbed the AM05. Like many high-performance engines, the AM05 featured a dry sump system, an aluminum alloy block and cylinder heads, and a compression ratio of 11.3:1. Regardless of all of the modifications it made to the Jaguar-sourced V8, it simply did not present sufficient energy to make the preliminary run of V8 Vantages really feel fast. It was a brisk automotive, but it surely misplaced out badly in any comparability with the evergreen Porsche 911. In 2008, Aston Martin debuted a bigger 4.7-liter model known as the AM14. This model would characteristic totally different elements like pressed cylinder liners and, in comparison with the AM05, extra energy and torque.
Add CarBuzz to your Google Information feed.
16 Audi: 4.2FSI 32V V8
Engine
4.2-liter, naturally aspirated, V8
Horsepower
414 hp
Torque
328 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
0-62
5.7 seconds
Whereas Audi isn’t any stranger to the V8 platform, the 4.2FSI 32V V8 engine is royalty. It powered the Audi R8, earlier than the introduction of the V10, and the B7 RS4, which was the primary naturally aspirated “RS” mannequin. Though the 2 fashions make the most of the identical engine, the R8 did characteristic a special dry sump system and a revised camshaft drive system. The athletic V8 consisted of a pairing of a cat aluminum alloy engine block and cylinder heads shrouding a die-forged metal crankshaft, and twin overhead camshafts, amongst different issues.
For those who’re searching for inexpensive supercar thrills, get a first-generation R8 with a gated handbook. It is one of the crucial distinctive automobiles ever made.
Associated
America is synonomous with the V8 engine, however what are probably the most highly effective all-American V8s?
15 BMW: S65 4.0L V8
Engine
4.0-liter, naturally aspirated
Horsepower
420 hp @ 8,300 rpm
Torque
295 lb-ft @ 3,900 rpm
0-62
4.6 seconds
In contrast to the BMW E36 M3 and the E46 M3, the E9X M3 era bucked the potent six-cylinder platform. As a substitute, it sourced energy from a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated all-aluminum V8 engine, whose full title was the S65B40. The fourth installment of the M3 moniker was powered by an engine that options twin VANOS, particular person throttle our bodies, and a mighty plenum that dominated the E90 M2 and E92 M3 engine bay. Regardless of having extra displacement and two further cylinders, the S65B40 was nonetheless lighter than the S50B32 six-cylinder used within the E36 M3 and the S54B32 used within the E46 M3.
The S65B40 was additionally particular within the sense that it wasn’t shared with every other road-legal BMW. It was solely used to energy the M3, Z4 endurance racers, and the Wiesmann MF4-S.
14 Chevrolet: LS1 V8
Engine
5.7-liter, naturally aspirated, V8
Horsepower
345 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Torque
350 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
0-60
4.9 seconds
Chevrolet’s total LS engine household is steeped in automotive acclaim and reward. The founding member of the LS household debuted in 1997 on the core of the Chevrolet C5 Corvette. It was the successor of the second era LT1 small block V8 and outmoded by the LS6. There have been many variations of the LS engine platform that consisted of an all-aluminum or cast-iron configuration. The LS1 was a forged aluminum engine that featured a forged iron crankshaft, a billet metal camshaft, and solid connecting rods. The engine was revised and improved, finally rising energy to 350 hp and 365 lb-ft.
13 Dodge/GMC/Ram: 6.2L V8
Engine
6.2-liter, supercharged, V8
Horsepower
807 hp
Torque
707 lb-ft
0-60
3.7 seconds
This supercharged model of the HEMI engine, which debuted in 2015, is known as the “Hellcat”. Over time, this by-product of the HEMI lineup can be used to energy a handful of various fashions throughout varied producer fleets. Whereas it was employed within the Dodge Challenger till the very finish of that mannequin, it was additionally discovered within the RAM 1500 TRX and GMC Sierra 1500. On the time, this was probably the most highly effective engine produced by Chrysler, however can be surpassed in energy output by the Dodge Demon 170’s V8, which debuted a number of years later.
Associated
Apprehensive about the way forward for V8 energy? Listed here are 10 fashions securing its survival.
12 Ferrari: F136 V8
Engine
4.5-liter, naturally aspirated, V8
Horsepower
597 hp @ 9,000 rpm
Torque
398 lb-ft @ 6,000 rpm
0-62
3 seconds
The F136 V8 engine was the final naturally aspirated V8 engine used within the Italian automaker’s street automobiles. It was not solely the final naturally aspirated V8 engine within the Ferrari vary, however was additionally probably the most highly effective naturally aspirated engine ever constructed by Ferrari. When it comes to particular output, the F136 engine mustered 133 hp/liter and allowed the 458 Speciale to lap the Fiorano Circuit in 1:23.5 minutes, which is roughly solely 5 seconds slower than the SF90 XX Stradale, regardless of the XX mannequin being extra highly effective, newer and extra superior.
11 Ford: Coyote V8
Engine
5.0-liter, naturally aspirated, V8
Horsepower
412 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque
390 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm
0-60
4.6 seconds
The Coyote V8 debuted in 2010 and was an evolution of Ford’s Modular engine platform. It shared the bore and stroke of the 4.6L engine it outmoded however was distinguished by its 4-valve DOHC cylinder heads, revised consumption port traits, Ford’s Twin Unbiased Variable Cam Timing system, reinforcements to the casting, and a re-positioned consumption plenum. When it debuted, the Coyote V8 would energy each the 2011 Mustang GT and the 2011 Ford F-150 and remains to be used, though in a barely totally different kind, right this moment.
10 Hennessey Efficiency: “Fury” V8
Engine
6.6-liter, twin-turbocharged, V8
Horsepower
1,817 hp @ 8,000 rpm
Torque
1,193 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
0-60
2.5 seconds
Aptly named “Fury”, Hennessey Efficiency’s 6.6-liter V8 paired with two 76 mm precision ball bearing turbochargers has been employed in each variation of the Venom F5 vary, and every has been blessed with an nearly disturbing quantity of energy and torque. Commanding 277 hp/liter, the Fury engine is without doubt one of the strongest engines and one of the crucial power-dense engines accessible within the trendy age. Enjoyable reality, it’s primarily based on the LS V8 engine.
Associated
How do you make a 1,817-hp hypercar extra visceral, extra partaking, extra thrilling to drive? You stick a six-speed gated handbook in it, in fact.
9 Jaguar Land Rover: Supercharged 5.0L V8
Engine
5.0-liter, supercharged, V8
Horsepower
567 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque
516 lb-ft @ 3,500 rpm
0-60
3.7 seconds
The 5.0-liter V8 platform has been utilized in Jaguar and Land Rover’s ranks for years. Most notably, the F-Tempo SVR and Defender. These fashions make the most of a variation of the AJ-V8 Gen III, which is analogous to the Aston Martin Vantage’s V8 engine. It debuted in 2009 and featured a brand-new engine block, spray-guided direct injection, exhaust camshaft timing, and variable consumption timing. The supercharged derivatives, like these used within the fashions talked about beforehand, featured a Twin Vortices Sequence supercharger. Each fashions’ 2025 choices nonetheless make use of the supercharged 5.0L energy unit.
Associated
This specific phase has all however vanished.
8 Koenigsegg ONE:1 V8
Engine
5.0-liter, twin-turbocharged, V8
Horsepower
1,341 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque
1,011 hp @ 6,000 rpm
0-60
2.5 seconds
The Koenigsegg ONE:1 is iconic and the V8, which it depends on for its four-figure energy output, is much more so. The ONE:1 was the earliest Swedish MegaCar to characteristic the seemingly omnipresent V8 engine. Just like the Jesko that may come after, this V8 consists of an aluminum physique working at a compression ratio of 9.0:1 and permitting the sultry hypercar to blister from a standstill to 248 mph in 20 seconds.
Associated
For those who’re searching for a thunderous V8, you got here to the correct place.
7 Lamborghini Jalpa V8
Engine
3.5-liter, naturally aspirated, V8
Horsepower
255 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque
225 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
0-60
6 seconds
The Lamborghini Jalpa was one of many earliest V8-powered merchandise from the high-end Italian producer and was the final mannequin with a V8 engine earlier than the introduction of the Urus greater than 40 years after the previous’s debut. It was a transverse 3.5-liter unit that propelled a 3,329-pound two-seater from one finish of 1 / 4 mile strip to the opposite in 15.4 seconds, in response to Lamborghini’s claims. Solely 410 examples of the Jalpa have been produced from 1981 to 1988.
6 Lotus Esprit V8
Engine
3.5-liter, twin-turbocharged, V8
Horsepower
350 hp @ 6,500 rpm
Torque
295 lb-ft @ 4,250 rpm
0-60
4.4 seconds
The Lotus Esprit wasn’t initially supplied with a V8 engine. In truth, for a lot of the mannequin’s historical past, it was powered by a four-cylinder. It was solely in 1996 that the V8-powered by-product debuted. The eight-cylinder energy unit was known as the Kind 918 and initially may produce 500 hp however was configured to output much less to keep away from transmission injury. That is hardly stunning as Lotus was low on cash and needed to borrow a gearbox from Renault.
The Esprit V8 was produced between 1996 and 2004 and break up between “SE” and “GT” variants.
5 Maserati 5000GT V8
Engine
4.9-liter, naturally aspirated, V8
Horsepower
325 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque
Undisclosed
0-60
Undisclosed
Maserati’s first V8-powered sedan was the 5000GT. It was produced between 1959 and 1965, completely counting on a front-engine V8 paired with 4 twin-choke IDM Weber carburetors, and 4 overhead camshafts, and despatched all of its energy to the rear wheels. There have been two variations of the V8 engine, though each maintained the 4.9-liter displacement.
4 McLaren M838T
Engine
3.8-liter, twin-turbocharged, V8
Horsepower
616 bhp @ 7,000 rpm
Torque
443 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
0-62
3.1 seconds
The M838T was the engine that was designed and constructed for the McLaren MP4-12C. It was the successor to the M840T 4.0L V8 and was distinguished by its MHI twin-turbochargers and flat-plane crankshaft. It was developed in collaboration with Ricardo PLC, which is similar firm that makes the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s transmission. The M838T would energy a number of fashions, together with the GT3 variant of the 12C, the 650S, and the 675LT. It was additionally used as the idea of the McLaren P1’s M838TQ engine and the 2020 McLaren 620R’s M838TE engines.
Associated
McLaren’s P1 successor, the W1, is powered by probably the most power-dense V8 the model has ever created. How does it evaluate to different trendy hypercars?
3 Mercedes-AMG M156 V8
Engine
6.2-liter, naturally aspirated, V8
Horsepower
451 bhp @ 6,800 rpm
Torque
442 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
0-60
3.9 seconds
This was the primary engine designed and developed solely by the Mercedes-AMG wing after the separation from the principle Mercedes-Benz division. It’s an iconic engine, famously identified for being the roaring coronary heart of fashions just like the AMG W204 C63. In comparison with the engines produced by the usual Mercedes-Benz arm, the M156’s elements have been distinctive and though it had a displacement of 6.2 liters, it was nonetheless marketed as “63”. Within the C63 configuration, the M156 was detuned in comparison with different AMG fashions, but it surely nonetheless supplied greater than sufficient energy to deal with its rivals.
2 Nissan VK Sequence
Engine
4.5-liter, naturally aspirated, V8
Horsepower
305 hp – 650 hp
Torque
385 lb-ft – 485 lb-ft
0-60
Mannequin particular
The VK engine household was a sequence of V8 engines developed by Yokohama to be used in varied Nissan fashions. Among the roadgoing purposes of this engine embrace the Nissan President and Nissan Fuga. It was additionally utilized in different producer fashions just like the Infiniti Q45, which used bigger variations of the Vk engine. Nonetheless, probably the most notable purposes of this engine are in motorsport, particularly Tremendous GT.
1 Porsche 918 Spyder
Engine
4.6-liter, naturally aspirated, hybrid, V8
Horsepower
887 hp @ 8,600 rpm
Torque
944 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
0-60
2.6 seconds
On the time of its debut, the Porsche 918 Spyder was the head of the acclaimed automaker’s efficiency requirements and engineering. A key side of the sultry Holy Trinity member’s design was the V8 engine, assisted by two electrical motors to propel the 918 Spyder from a standstill to 186 mph in 22 seconds. Years after its debut, the 918 Spyder and its power-laden drivetrain nonetheless stand shoulder-to-shoulder with many trendy V8 engines which have since debuted.
Associated
The Holy Trinity consisting of the 918 Spyder, P1, and the LaFerrari, represented the head of the automotive world. How do they evaluate right this moment?