Revving through Time: The 30 Most Influential Engines in Car Manufacturing

Behind every great car is a heart of metal and fire: a great engine. 

In the age of electric vehicles, it’s easy to forget the impact that internal combustion engines have had on automotive history. Despite the increasing number of EVs on our roads, internal combustion engines still power the vast majority of vehicles worldwide, a testament to their enduring legacy and continuous innovation.

As we stand on the cusp of an automotive revolution, it’s the perfect time to look back at the engines that have left an indelible mark on the industry. 

1. Ford’s Game-Changing Flathead V8

In 1932, Henry Ford revolutionized the American auto industry with the introduction of the Flathead V8. (ref) Suddenly, V8 power was no longer the exclusive domain of luxury cars.

This 221 cubic inch (3.6-liter) marvel churned out 65 horsepower, igniting the hot rod movement and forever changing the face of automotive performance.

2. Chevrolet’s Small-Block: The Little Engine That Could

Versatility defined the Chevrolet Small-Block V8. Debuting in 1955, this compact powerhouse ranged from 262 to 400 cubic inches (4.3 to 6.6 liters). Nicknamed “The Mouse Motor,” it proved that big things come in small packages, powering everything from family cruisers to tire-shredding muscle cars.

3. Toyota’s 2JZ-GTE: The Tuner’s Dream

Few engines have achieved the cult status of Toyota’s 2JZ-GTE. This 3.0-liter inline-six twin-turbo beast, famous for its starring role in the fourth-generation Supra, became the holy grail for tuners.

Its overengineered design allowed for massive power increases with minimal modifications, cementing its place in automotive lore.

4. Honda Rewrites the Rules with VTEC

When Honda introduced its B-Series VTEC engines in the late 1980s, it was like teaching an old dog new tricks. The Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control system allowed these compact powerplants to deliver Jekyll and Hyde performance, with a noticeable kick as VTEC engaged at higher RPMs.

5. BMW’s S54: The Straight-Six Perfected

Powering the E46 M3 from 2000 to 2006, BMW’s 3.2-liter S54 was a masterclass in naturally aspirated performance.

Revving to a stratospheric 8,000 RPM and producing 333 horsepower, this inline-six combined silky smooth power delivery with a banshee wail that sent shivers down enthusiasts’ spines.

6. Mercedes-Benz M100: Luxury Meets Muscle

Who says luxury can’t have teeth? Mercedes-Benz proved otherwise with the M100 V8. First appearing in the 1963 600 limousine, this 6.3-liter behemoth later found its way into the 300SEL 6.3, creating one of the world’s first super sedans and redefining performance luxury.

7. Porsche’s Mezger: The Racing Legend

Named after its brilliant designer, Hans Mezger, this flat-six engine family became synonymous with Porsche’s motorsport dominance. (ref) From air-cooled beginnings to water-cooled evolutions, the Mezger engine powered countless 911 variants, reaching its zenith in the screaming GT3 models.

8. Ferrari F140: Twelve Cylinders of Fury

When Ferrari unveiled the Enzo in 2002, its heart was the mighty F140 V12. This naturally aspirated 65-degree masterpiece would go on to power Ferrari’s most exotic creations, culminating in the LaFerrari’s 789 horsepower symphony of internal combustion.

9. Lamborghini’s V12: Six Decades of Excellence

Since 1964, Lamborghini’s V12 has been the cornerstone of the brand’s most outrageous creations. Evolving over 60 years, this engine family reached its apex in the Aventador’s 6.5-liter powerhouse, unleashing 769 horsepower of unfiltered Italian passion.

10. Audi’s Five-Cylinder Symphony

Audi’s modern 2.5-liter TFSI five-cylinder is a nod to the brand’s rallying heritage. Found in the RS3 and TT RS, this compact powerhouse delivers up to 400 horsepower, accompanied by a distinctive exhaust note that harkens back to the Group B era.

11. Volkswagen’s VR6: Thinking outside the Box

In 1991, Volkswagen engineers had a eureka moment. The result? The VR6 – a narrow-angle V6 that combined the compact packaging of an inline engine with V6 power. Its unique configuration and mellifluous exhaust note made it a favorite in numerous VW and Audi models.

12. Mazda’s 13B-REW: Rotary Refined

Mazda’s commitment to the Wankel rotary engine reached its zenith with the 13B-REW. Powering the iconic RX-7 FD, this twin-turbocharged 1.3-liter marvel produced 276 horsepower, proving that sometimes, thinking outside the box (or circle) pays off.

13. Mitsubishi’s 4G63T: Rally-Bred Performance

The 4G63T, Mitsubishi’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, became the stuff of legend in the Lancer Evolution series.

Its robust design and tuning potential helped Mitsubishi dominate rally stages and street races alike, earning a devoted following among performance enthusiasts.

14. Subaru’s Boxer Rumble

Subaru’s EJ20, a 2.0-liter flat-four, became the heartbeat of the brand’s turbocharged all-wheel-drive monsters. Powering various iterations of the Impreza WRX and STI, its distinctive exhaust note and potent performance made it an instant classic in the tuner scene.

15. Nissan’s RB26DETT: Godzilla’s Roar

The RB26DETT, a 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six, achieved mythical status in the Skyline GT-R. Nicknamed “Godzilla,” this engine’s robust design and seemingly limitless tuning potential made it a favorite among speed demons and street racers worldwide.

16. Dodge’s 426 Hemi: The Elephant in the Room

Nicknamed “The Elephant” for its massive size and power, Dodge’s 426 Hemi V8 stomped the competition in NASCAR and drag strips throughout the 1960s and 1970s. (ref) This 7.0-liter monster’s hemispherical combustion chambers allowed it to breathe deeply, unleashing earth-shaking power.

17. Jaguar’s XK: The Engine That Wouldn’t Quit

Introduced in 1949, Jaguar’s XK inline-six proved that longevity and performance could go hand in hand. Powering Le Mans winners and luxury cruisers alike, this versatile powerplant remained in production for over four decades, adapting to changing times without losing its character.

18. Alfa Romeo’s Busso V6: Italian Passion Distilled

Named after its creator, Giuseppe Busso, this V6 engine family epitomized Italian engineering flair from 1979 to 2005. With its distinctive intake design and spine-tingling exhaust note, the Busso V6 was as much a musical instrument as it was an engine.

19. Volvo’s Redblock: Boxy but Good

Debuting in 1974, Volvo’s Redblock engine family became synonymous with the brand’s reputation for tank-like durability. Available in inline-four and inline-five configurations, these engines powered countless Volvos, with turbocharged variants offering a surprising turn of speed.

20. Lexus 1UZ-FE: Smooth Operator

When Lexus introduced the 1UZ-FE 4.0-liter V8 in 1989, it set new standards for refinement in luxury vehicles. So overengineered was this silky-smooth powerplant that it even received certification for use in aircraft – talk about flying first class!

21. Chrysler’s Slant-Six: The Indestructible Workhorse

Chrysler’s Slant-Six, introduced in 1960, earned a reputation for bulletproof reliability. Canted at a 30-degree angle for improved packaging, this inline-six powered a vast array of Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth models over its impressive 27-year production run.

22. Saab’s B234: Swedish Ingenuity Turbocharged

Saab’s B234, a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four, embodied the brand’s quirky approach to performance. Powering models like the 9000 Aero and later 9-5 Aero, this robust engine delivered impressive power and torque, often punching well above its weight class.

23. Bugatti’s W16: Engineering Taken to the Extreme

When Bugatti unveiled the Veyron, its quad-turbocharged 8.0-liter W16 engine redefined what was possible in a road car. Evolving to produce a mind-bending 1,578 horsepower in the Chiron Super Sport 300+, this engineering marvel pushed the boundaries of internal combustion.

24. Koenigsegg’s Giant-Killer V8

Don’t let its relatively small 5.0-liter displacement fool you. Koenigsegg’s in-house developed V8, used in models like the Agera and Jesko, is a technological tour de force. In its most extreme form, this compact powerhouse produces over 1,600 horsepower, embarrassing engines twice its size.

25. McLaren M838T: Compact Fury

McLaren’s return to road car production in 2011 was spearheaded by the M838T, a 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8. This compact yet potent engine formed the backbone of McLaren’s modern supercar lineup, evolving to produce over 800 horsepower in later iterations.

26. Aston Martin’s V12: License to Thrill

Introduced in the DB7 Vantage, Aston Martin’s 5.9-liter V12 became the signature of the brand’s grand tourers and sports cars. Its smooth power delivery and soul-stirring exhaust note perfectly embodied Aston Martin’s blend of performance and sophistication – shaken, not stirred.

27. Maserati’s Ferrari-Derived V8

The Ferrari-Maserati F136 engine family, a series of V8s ranging from 4.2 to 4.7 liters, brought Ferrari-derived technology to Maserati’s lineup in the 2000s and 2010s. Known for its high-revving character and spine-tingling sound, it proved that the prancing horse and the trident could coexist beautifully.

28. Pagani’s Heart Transplant

When Pagani needed an engine worthy of the Huayra, they turned to Mercedes-AMG. The result? The M158, a bespoke 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged V12 producing up to 827 horsepower. This collaboration showcased how boutique manufacturers could leverage mainstream expertise to create automotive art.

29. Rolls-Royce’s “Six and Three-Quarter”: Effortless Power

For over 60 years, Rolls-Royce’s 6.75-liter V8 powered the brand’s luxury vehicles with effortless grace. Affectionately known as the “six and three-quarter,” this engine’s longevity and continuous evolution exemplified Rolls-Royce’s commitment to engineering excellence and tradition. (ref)

30. Bentley’s W12: Power Meets Prestige

Bentley’s 6.0-liter W12, introduced in the 2003 Continental GT, combined massive power with refined operation. This unique engine configuration allowed Bentley to offer 12-cylinder prestige in a relatively compact package, defining the brand’s modern era of performance luxury.