10 Rare Powerhouses With A Short But Legendary Run

Electric cars are becoming more common, and traditional engines are changing. Many automakers are now building engines with fewer cylinders and less displacement, and some are switching to electric power entirely. This makes us think about the great engines of the past.

Some of the most

memorable engines
were only made for a short time. This article lists ten of these legendary engines. Each one was special and powerful, even though it wasn’t produced for many years. We’ve dug deep to show why they still matter to car enthusiasts.

10

McLaren F1

BMW S70/2 V12 (1993-1998)

The McLaren F1 is a car so great that its designer, Gordon Murray, later recreated its essence in the GMA T.50. The F1 achieved a top speed of 240.1 mph, a record that remained unbroken for several years until the Bugatti Veyron’s arrival. This feat was thanks to a combination of lightweight construction, aerodynamic efficiency, and, most notably, its incredible engine.

Performance Specifications

The BMW S70/2 V12, developed by BMW Motorsport, powered the F1 exclusively. This 6.1-liter naturally aspirated engine famously featured an engine bay lined with gold to manage the extreme temperatures generated. The GMA T.50, though it is the spiritual successor to the F1, is powered by a Cosworth engine which revs to 13,000 RPM.

9

Lexus LFA

1LR-GUE V10 (2010-2012)

The Lexus LFA, a Yamaha-tuned 4.8-liter V10, is renowned for its Formula 1-inspired sound. Some enthusiasts argue that the LFA’s exhaust note is so finely tuned that aftermarket modifications diminish its quality. Jeremy Clarkson famously listed this engine among his top three, alongside Audi’s V8 (found in the older RS4s) and Alfa Romeo’s Busso V6.

Performance Specifications

The car’s development took nearly a decade, with its chassis and body constructed from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. The LFA’s V10 engine, developed in collaboration with Yamaha, is the LFA’s defining characteristic. This engine was unique to the LFA. A successor is planned, but it is unlikely to match the original engine’s legendary status.

8

Bugatti EB110

3.5-Liter Quad-Turbo V12 (1991-1995)

The Bugatti EB110, a predecessor to the Veyron, receives less recognition than its successors. This quad-turbocharged V12 engine, with its unusually small displacement for a V12, is a remarkable feat of engineering.

Performance Specifications

The EB110 featured a 3.5-liter quad-turbocharged V12, a big difference from the larger displacements typically associated with V12 engines. The EB110 was also one of the few modern Bugatti models produced before the Volkswagen Group’s purchase of the brand.

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7

Ferrari F50

Tipo F130B V12 (1995-1997)

The Ferrari F50, part of Ferrari’s “F” series, followed the F40 and preceded the Enzo and LaFerrari. The F50’s 4.7-liter V12 engine was derived straight from Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars, which is why it sounds like a race car for the road.

Performance Specifications

With its open-top design, the F50 offered an unfiltered experience of its V12 engine’s sound. Ferrari also produced the F50 GT, a race-prepared version, which showcased just how good the engine was for racing.

6

Jaguar XJ220

3.5-Liter Twin-Turbo V6 (1992-1994)

Jaguar initially aimed to produce a supercar capable of exceeding 200 mph, with a V12 engine planned for the XJ220. However, the production model featured a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6. Despite this being half the number of planned cylinders, the XJ220 still met all of its performance targets.

Performance Specifications

This 3.5-liter V6 engine wasn’t developed just for the XJ220 either, but instead taken from a Group B rally car. Despite its unconventional routes, the engine was strong enough to push the XJ220 all the way to 217 mph in 1992, setting the record for the fastest production car ever made.

5

Ford GT

5.4-Liter Supercharged V8 (2004-2006)

The Ford GT, successor to the legendary GT40, featured a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine. This powerplant generated over 550 horsepower, contributing to the car’s exceptional performance. Despite its significance, the engine receives less attention than the Ford GT’s iconic design and racing heritage. The V8 engine, while powerful, is often overshadowed by the car’s Le Mans-inspired body. However, the engine’s performance allowed Ford to cement itself as a key player in the supercar world, as the GT could reach a top speed of 205 mph

Performance Specifications

What’s even more unique is that GT’s V8 engine shares many of its components with the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 used by the Ford Chip Ganassi Racing team in the IMSA World Championship. What this means is, decades on, the GT still represents motorsport performance for the road.

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4

Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR

6.9-Liter V12 (1997-1999)

The Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR, created to meet Le Mans homologation requirements, featured a 6.9-liter V12 engine which produced 604 horsepower in the road-going version. The road-going version shared the same architecture with the race car, with slight modifications to make it more suitable for road use, including softer suspension and less aggressive tuning.

Performance Specifications

The homologation rules of the era, which mandated a minimum production number of road cars for racing eligibility, resulted in the creation of extreme road cars like the CLK GTR and the Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion. Only 25 units were produced.

3

Porsche Carrera GT

5.7-Liter Naturally Aspirated V10 (2003-2006)

The Porsche Carrera GT’s 5.7-liter V10 engine, initially designed for Formula 1, is celebrated for its distinctive sound. This engine shares recognition with the Lexus LFA’s V10 as one of the most celebrated engine sounds. The Carrera GT’s engine, a bespoke unit, was originally intended for Formula 1, but Porsche repurposed it for road use.

Performance Specifications

Its high-revving nature and naturally aspirated design is what gave the Carrera GT its character, but also its performance, producing 603 horsepower and reaching a top speed of 205 mph. The Carrera GT’s engine revs to an impressive 8,400 rpm.

2

BMW M5 (E60)

S85 5.0-Liter V10 (2005-2010)

The BMW S85 5.0-liter V10 is one of the few engines to feature Formula One-derived technology. BMW collaborated with external partners, such as Williams F1, during its development process. The E60 M5, powered by the S85 V10, stands as one of the most popular M5s ever built due to its unique engine-note.

Performance Specifications

That beloved note is the sound of the S85 V10 revving all the way to 8,250 rpm. And though the E60 M5 had an electronically limited top speed of 155 MPH, without this limiter, it could reach 205 MPH.

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1

Audi Sport Quattro

2.1-Liter Inline-Five turbo (code: KW, 1984-1986)

The Audi Sport Quattro’s 2.1-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine played a key role in the car’s rally dominance, securing victories in the World Rally Championship. Drivers like Hannu Mikkola and Stig Blomqvist achieved wins in iconic events, cementing the Sport Quattro’s name in the world of motorsport.

Performance Specifications

The current Audi RS3 retains the five-cylinder configuration, a legacy of the Sport Quattro. While not the same engine, the sound remains similar, and it’s also the only five-cylinder production vehicle available in most countries today. The Sport Quattro’s engine produced 302 horsepower in its Group B racing specification, despite only having a displacement of 2.1-liters.