The V10 engine has an almost cult-like following among gearheads. Although this engine configuration has existed since the 1930s, it never became popular for use in sports cars until it was fitted under the hood of the Dodge Viper.
V10 engines are far less common than V8 and V12 units because V8s are less complex and more economical, and V12s run more smoothly. Still, the V10 found its way under the hood of some legendary cars, and screaming V10s were even the F1 soundtrack for a while. As the V10 is now a dying breed, we should explore some of the best cars with ten cylinders under the hood.
Audi R8
The first Audi R8s had a V8 engine, and as cool as they may be, they can’t compare to the V10-powered ones that appeared soon after.
In 2009, Audi introduced the 5.2-liter V10 R8, and the engine is derived from the one found in the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. In the Audi, this ten-cylinder beast produced 525 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Clearly, Audi didn’t think that was enough, so the 2023 model delivers a whopping 602 horses.
Dodge Challenger 8.4 Drag Pak
Have you ever wondered why Dodge, the creator of the Viper, never built a V10-powered Challenger? Well, it turns out they actually did it in 2011. The Mopar Challenger V10 Drag Pak has an 8.4-liter V10 from the Viper, but Dodge didn’t stop there.
The stock 8.4-liter Viper engine produces 600 horsepower, but this one has racing headers and a different tune, and guesstimates place it closer to 900 horsepower. All that power goes to the rear wheels via a 2-speed automatic transmission and a solid rear axle. The Challenger isn’t road-legal and doesn’t have side mirrors, power steering, safety features, or anything else deemed unnecessary to go fast down the drag strip.
Lexus LFA
The Lexus LFA is perhaps the best supercar to ever emerge from the land of the rising sun. It was never a huge success when it was available, but it’s since become highly sought-after.
The screaming 4.8-liter V10 engine produces 563 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to launch the LFA from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 202 mph.
Audi RS6 Avant
Unfortunately, the C6 Audi RS6 Avant was never available in the States. This station wagon was as practical as it was ridiculous, and other than the crazy maintenance costs, we love everything about it.
The C6 RS6 Avant had a twin-turbo 5.0-liter V10 engine that’s a distant cousin to the V10s found in various Lambos and the Audi R8. They may have the same base, but the RS6’s V10 has 400 unique parts. This monster produces 572 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty in a body that’s designed to haul around the kids and groceries.
Dodge Viper GTS
In some ways, the Viper is the car that made the V10 a popular choice for sports car use. Before it, the V10 was most commonly found in diesel trucks. The first generation Viper was an untamable beast; in fact, all the generations were a bit wild.
In 1996, Dodge introduced the second iteration of the first-gen Viper, improving some flaws and imperfections. The 8.0-liter V10 engine in the GTS model produced 450 horsepower. If you worry about safety features, this car isn’t for you. The only safety feature is how you use the throttle.
Dodge Ram SRT-10
If you really want a Viper but need a pickup truck, don’t worry—Dodge has your back. The Ram SRT-10 has a massive 8.3-liter V10 engine straight out of the Viper, which means it can leave some fancy sports cars in its dust.
Thanks to 510 Detroit horses and 525 lb-ft of torque, the Ram SRT-10 will reach 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 154 mph. This is a proper old-school performance truck that kicks like Chuck Norris.
Porsche Carrera GT
Porsche is best known for its boxer engines, so when they announced that the Carrera GT would have a V10, gearheads were both shocked and excited. The Carrera GT was one of the last analog supercars, which meant it was more than a handful to drive.
Sadly, it’s famous for being involved in Paul Walker’s final ride, and it nearly took out Jay Leno years before that. On the plus side, the Carrera GT’s V10 engine sounds incredible, and the mid-mounted 5.7-liter unit sends 611 prancing German horses to the rear wheels. We’re half in awe and half terrified of this beast.
Lamborghini Huracán
Over the years, Lamborghini has perfected two engine configurations – the V12 and the V10. The V12 has traditionally been used in the Italian carmaker’s flagship models, and the V10 is found in the “entry-level” models. We use that term very loosely when talking about Lambos.
During its 10-year production run, several versions and special editions have been produced. It doesn’t matter which one you prefer, as they all have a 5.2-liter V10 engine behind the driver. With anywhere from 572 to 631 horses, the Huracán should be able to satisfy even the most power-hungry gearheads.
BMW M5
Back in the mid-2000s, carmakers went a bit nuts and fitted V10 engines in sedans and even SUVs. We miss those days. One of the models that received the V10 treatment was the E60 BMW M5. At first, the E60 BMW M5’s V10 engine won awards and was named Engine of the Year two years in a row, but then things started to fall apart—literally.
It soon turned out that the S85 V10 unit had a nasty habit of self-destructing. However, this article isn’t about cars you should buy; it’s about cars you should drive, and you should absolutely get behind the wheel of the E60 M5 at least once. It has a howl unlike anything you’ve ever heard, and 500 horsepower is enough to have some fun.
Audi S8
Audi entered proper luxury sedan territory when it released the A8, and the S8 is the sporty version, which makes it even better. The first generation, made famous by its appearance in Ronin, had a V8 engine, but Audi decided a V10 was the way to go when the second generation arrived in 2006.
Audi clearly didn’t want BMW and its V10-powered M5 to get the upper hand, so they went with a Lamborghini Gallardo-derived, naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 in the S8. With 444 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque sent to all four wheels, the S8 is one serious executive sedan.
Spania GTA Spano
Most gearheads have probably never heard of the Spania GTA Spano, but as the name suggests, this car comes from the land of paella and chorizo. While Spain does have a couple of car brands, it’s not in the league of its neighbors, Italy and France. You’d never guess that by looking at the Spania GTA Spano, though.
It’s a proper beast, powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 8.0-liter V10 engine normally associated with the Viper V10. With 912 horsepower and 900 lb-ft of torque, we’re willing to bet that the GTA Spano can scare even the most experienced driver.
Lamborghini Gallardo
When Lamborghini introduced the Gallardo, they singlehandedly created a new generation of gearheads. The Gallardo may not be a flagship model, but it adorned just as many bedroom walls in poster form as the Countach and Diablo before it. It just so happens to be the model that saved Lamborghini from bankruptcy as well.
During its production run, various Gallardo versions were available, all powered by a V10 engine. The early 5.0-liter Gallardos produced between 493 and 523 horsepower, and the later 5.2-liter versions had 552 to 562 horses, which meant the quickest Gallardos reached 60 mph in roughly three and a half seconds.
ItalDesign Zerouno
Italy is home to some of the world’s most famous supercars. It’s also the birthplace of the fairly unknown ItalDesign Zerouno. ItalDesign was founded by famous designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, and over the years, it has made its mark on the automotive world.
The ItalDesign Zerouno is based on a Volkswagen platform and the 5.2-liter V10 engine is derived from the one found in the Lambo Gallardo and Audi R8. With 602 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, the Zerouno is just as aggressive as it looks. It’ll reach 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 205 mph.
Ford Super Duty F-250
The Ford Super Duty F-250 belongs to the Blue Oval’s heavy-duty F-series. It’s available in three body styles: the Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab. Ford also offered the Super Duty F-250 with three different engines, but we’re interested in the 6.8-liter V10 unit.
The V10 engine is a SOHC unit with 362 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque. Obviously, this engine isn’t performance-oriented, as the F-250 is a work truck, not a performance truck like the Ram SRT-10.
Devon GTX
Devon Motorworks is a relatively unknown American sports car company. If you haven’t heard of the Devon GTX, it’s probably because it never entered production. Devon couldn’t meet Chrysler’s construction goal of $10 million, so Chrysler effectively put an end to the project.
The Devon GTX is based on the Dodge Viper but with some changes here and there. That means it has the Viper’s 8.4-liter V10 engine, fitted with a different exhaust and intake system, and it was supposed to produce 650 horsepower.
BMW M6
BMW didn’t just put its 5.0-liter V10 engine in the M5; it also found its way under the hood of the M6, where it was mated to a 6-speed manual or a seven-speed single-clutch automated manual.
The Chris Bangle-designed car had very controversial styling when it first arrived, but it has matured like fine wine and is widely accepted today. One thing that hasn’t aged as well is the infamous V10 engine. The M6 is an excellent car to drive, but owning one is almost guaranteed to cause headaches.
VW Touareg V10 TDI
Who knows what Volkswagen was thinking when they decided to drop a V10 diesel engine into an SUV, but we like it! The VW Touareg V10 is part sensible SUV, part hilarious performance vehicle.
Its 5.0-liter V10 diesel produces around 310 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. Stepping on the loud pedal means the passengers will get pushed firmly into their seats while the driver laughs maniacally. What more could you want from an SUV?
Alfa Romeo Zagato TZ3 Stradale
We wish the stunning Alfa Romeo Zagato TZ3 Stradale were as mass-produced as the Viper it’s based on, but Alfa only planned to make nine cars. The long hood gives us a hint that there’s something special hiding underneath it, and when the 600-horsepower 8.4-liter V10 fires up, our suspicions are confirmed.
The TZ3 Stradale has a carbon fiber body, and we think it looks even better than the Viper ACR-X it’s based on. However, interior-wise, it’s mostly the same as its American cousin.
Ford F-450
The Ford F-450 XL is a behemoth of a truck, and it’s available with the same 6.8-liter V10 engine that’s in the F-250. Thanks to its 362 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque, the F-450 can haul a massive 24,000 lbs.
As far as work trucks go, the Ford F-450 is one of the most capable machines on the market. If this monster can’t get the job done, you’ll need to look into getting a dump truck.
Bristol Fighter
Every gearhead knows about British sports carmakers such as Aston Martin, McLaren, and Jaguar. However, the island nation also has many smaller sports car manufacturers that have been around for ages. Bristol Cars was one of those companies, operating from 1945 to 2020.
During its years in business, Bristol produced some interesting cars, but the Fighter is the only one we’re really interested in. It was introduced in 2004 with a Dodge Viper engine under its long hood. One feature the Bristol Fighter had that you won’t find on the Viper is its gullwing doors, but that wasn’t enough to attract customers. No one knows exactly how many Bristol Fighters were built, but it’s between 9 and 14 cars.
VLF Force 1 V10
Have you heard of VLF Automotive? Most people haven’t, but the company had some big names involved. Bob Lutz and Gilbert Villareal founded it, and Henrik Fisker later joined them as the lead designer.
The VLF Force 1 is a high-end sports car based on the Dodge Viper, using its chassis and engine. American racing driver and Viper enthusiast Ben Keating was also involved with developing the Force 1, so the 8.4-liter V10 engine produces 745 horsepower instead of 640 as it does in the Viper. Apparently, the Force 1 will reach 60 mph in 3.0 seconds and has a 218 mph top speed.
VW Phaeton V10 TDI
If you don’t like SUVs, you may be pleased to learn that Volkswagen also installed its V10 diesel engine in the Phaeton luxury sedan. The Phaeton is pretty much considered a flop, but not because the car itself was bad; it isn’t. Customers didn’t see Volkswagen as a luxury brand and would rather spend the money on an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes.
In one way, that’s great news because it means the Phaeton is a used car bargain today, and some of them come with some crazy specs. If a V10 diesel sedan isn’t weird enough for you, there’s also the W12 version.
Fisker Latigo CS
If you ask a gearhead about Fisker, they’ll probably only remember the Fisker Karma. The carmaker did make other cars as well, and the Latigo CS is one model that every gearhead should drive at least once.
Whereas the Karma tried to position Fisker as a green car manufacturer, the Latigo CS did the exact opposite of that. It’s a coach-built car with the chassis from the BMW 645i, but the Latigo CS looks better than the Bimmer ever did. Another thing Fisker borrowed from the Germans was BMW’s 5.0-liter V10, which churned out as much as 665 horsepower.
Wiesmann MF5 Roadster
Wiesmann builds some uber-exclusive vehicles. The hand-built Wiesmann MF5 Roadster is a car for connoisseurs, so if you do see one, you know the driver is a proper gearhead. New, these cars sold for just under $200,000, and it’s probably worth every penny.
If there’s one questionable thing about the MF5, it’s the fact that it uses the infamous BMW S85 5.0-liter V10 engine. Yes, it has 500 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque, but the maintenance costs can potentially be astronomical. Then again, those with 200 grand to spend on a car probably aren’t overly worried about the occasional engine rebuild?!
