When you think of V8 power, you probably imagine boulevard cruisers from Detroit or pony cars tearing up drag strips. Yet the thunder of eight cylinders is just as thrilling when it hails from Munich or Modena. These foreign marques have been quietly stuffing big V8 engines into sleek sedans, coupes, and convertibles that deliver ear-to-ear grins and unforgettable back-road memories.
Picture yourself behind the wheel of a non-American V8 on the open road with nothing but your favorite soundtrack and the rumble echoing off canyon walls. From super sedans that blast you back in your seat to Italian grand tourers made for silver screen escapes, these twelve rides prove you do not need a star-spangled hood ornament to feel pure automotive bliss.
BMW M5 Competition (F90, 2019 to 2023)
The BMW M5 Competition blends executive sedan comfort with supercar pace. In the prior F90 generation (2019 to 2023), the Competition used a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 rated at 617 horsepower, and BMW quoted zero to 60 in about 3.1 seconds. The current 2025 and newer M5 is a plug-in hybrid with 717 hp total system output, so its specs are different.
The xDrive All Wheel Drive system tethers you to the pavement through flowing corners, while the restrained exterior hides its rocket-ship performance. Slip into the driver’s seat and you’ll half expect a spy-movie theme to kick in.
Mercedes-AMG E63 S
The Mercedes-AMG E63 S pairs boardroom polish with rock-concert volume. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 serves up 603 horsepower and hits zero to 60 in roughly 3.3 seconds. Engage drift mode, and everyday streets transform into a playground worthy of chase-scene cinematics.
It’s the kind of sedan that makes you wonder how long it’s been hiding your inner speed demon.
Audi RS7 Sportback
Audi RS7 Sportback is the undercover hero of performance sedans. Beneath its sweeping roofline lives a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 pushing 591 horsepower and propelling you to 60 in near-supercar territory at about 3.5 seconds.
Its five-door layout swallows weekend luggage for two yet handles like a laser-focused sports car. Slide into the cabin, and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into your own high-tech lounge.
Jaguar F-Type R
The Jaguar F-Type R prowls pavements with the poise of a big cat and the roar to match. Its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 unleashes up to 575 horsepower and rockets you past highway speeds before warning signs can blink.
Offered in both coupe and convertible form, it marries classic British curves with modern muscle. Every stab of the throttle feels like a salute to Jaguar’s racing heritage.
Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance
The Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance surprised purists by shoehorning a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 under its hood. With 472 horsepower and a rev-happy powerband, it feels like a Japanese tribute to the golden era of American muscle.
Rear-wheel drive and a limited-slip differential sharpen handling so every twist in the road becomes a joyride. It’s muscle-car nostalgia wrapped in premium refinement.
Lexus LC 500
The Lexus LC 500 is an automotive theater you can drive. Its 5.0-liter V8 churns out 471 horsepower and a soundtrack so melodic you’d swear it was a live concert. The swoopy profile and dramatic grille look lifted from a concept sketch, yet this grand tourer is entirely road legal.
Whether carving canyon roads or cruising the Interstate, it delivers drama and comfort in equal measure.
Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo
The Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo stakes its claim as the four-door Ferrari. Its 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 makes 580 horsepower, and Maserati quotes 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, which puts 0 to 60 mph in the low 4-second range. Inside, you’re cocooned in Italian luxury stitched for late-night passages on winding coastal roads.
Every press of the muscle car-style start button reminds you that Maserati means passion, not just performance.
Maserati GranTurismo Sport (2007 to 2019)
The Maserati GranTurismo Sport (2007 to 2019) is a styling icon with grand touring roots. In U.S. spec, its Ferrari-derived 4.7-liter naturally aspirated V8 made 454 horsepower and delivered the kind of high-rev soundtrack people still associate with Maserati coupes.
The current GranTurismo Trofeo uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, so it does not belong on a V8 list.
Aston Martin DB12
The Aston Martin DB12 bridges classic grand tourer elegance with modern firepower. Its AMG-sourced 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 pushes out 671 horsepower and hits 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds.
The cabin pairs hand-stitched leather with the latest tech, yet never feels cold behind the wheel. Slip on your driving gloves and imagine Bond pulling up in the villain’s driveway.
Aston Martin Vantage (2025 and Newer)
The Aston Martin Vantage feels like a blockbuster soundtrack on wheels with its reworked 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 delivering 656 horsepower in U.S. spec, and Aston Martin claims zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. Its rear-drive chassis and sharp steering make mountain passes feel like a private racetrack.
The sculpted bodywork looks lifted from a concept car sketch, while the exhaust chorus will remind you of the best chase scenes in action cinema. Slip into the snug cabin, and you may catch yourself humming the theme to Top Gun.
Ferrari Portofino M
The Ferrari Portofino M is the convertible grand tourer your inner rock star always wanted. Its 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 pumps out 612 horsepower through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, blasting you from zero to 60 in just over three seconds.
Drop the top and let the wind tousle your hair as you drift along coastal roads, soundtrack courtesy of classic rock. This drop-top Italian rocket proves that sometimes life really is better with a little wind in your face.
Ferrari Roma
Ferrari Roma dresses performance in a tailored suit with a fastback silhouette that belongs in a modern art gallery. Its 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 cranks out 612 horsepower and mates to an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission for lightning-quick shifts.
The result is the kind of immediate throttle response that makes red lights feel like polite suggestions. Press the start button and savor an exhaust note that echoes Italian opera on wheels.
Wrapping It Up
From nimble British roadsters to drop-top Italian aristocrats, these final three cars remind us that global muscle knows no borders. Each one brings its own brand of theater, whether you crave cinematic chase scenes in a Vantage, weekend rock star freedom in a Portofino M, or artful aggression in a Roma.
So when your next road trip beckons, trust your ears as much as your eyes. These non-American V8s deliver the rumble, the prestige, and the moments you will still be talking about decades from now.