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The sound of a V10 engine is unmistakable. Many Formula 1 lovers still have it etched in our memories, even though today it is truly complicated to come across a vehicle with a power plant of these characteristics.
The miniaturization of technology has made us greener, but also more boring. There was a time —which is now over, but wasn’t all that long ago— when quite a few cars with 10-cylinder engines were marketed. In this article we are going to review them as part of a short journey through automotive history:
Lamborghini Gallardo
German engine and Italian soul. What could go wrong? Well, absolutely nothing. The Gallardo will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was the first small lambo, and it saved the brand from the abyss just as the Urus has recently done.
Its V10 served as the basis for many other Volkswagen Group cars. The model was sold for about 10 years, during which this engine underwent numerous iterations.
Audi RS6 Avant
The RS6 Avant marketed between 2008 and 2010 was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Whoever bought it knew perfectly well what was under that hood. However, not many people might have realized that behind that family car you use to drop the kids off at school lies a 5-liter naturally aspirated V10 inherited directly from the Lamborghini Gallardo.
With an output of 580 hp and 650 Nm of torque, this car remains even more capable than many modern sports cars. It’s not a car for track days, but it is a one-of-a-kind machine.
Audi R8 5.2 FSI
The brand with the four rings has built many incredible cars throughout its history, but few are cooler than the Audi R8 V10. This power plant, known as the 5.2 FSI, was also a version of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 block. It had a few variants, ranging from 560 to 580 hp.
BMW M5
Yes, there was a time when manufacturers were not afraid to mount absurdly giant engines in their vehicles. We didn’t have Greta Thunberg campaigning, so monstrosities like the BMW M5 V10 existed. This vehicle had a power plant whose development came from Formula 1, and it had a 5-liter displacement. It produced around 500 hp, the redline was set way up at 8,250 rpm, and it had about 515 Nm of torque.
BMW M6
The F1 V10 wasn’t going to pay for itself. Hence, BMW ended up mounting the power plant in another great vehicle in its lineup, the M6. It was a complete success, because whoever owns one today can have the pleasure of hitting the track and hearing a sound that has been absent from premier class racing for over 20 years.
Lexus LFA
The Lexus LFA is made of the stuff legends are made of. Scarcely 500 units were produced, and the car was the result of a brief marriage between Lexus and Yamaha. It is said that Yamaha even tuned the engine sound just like they do with their pianos.
The LFA had a 4.8-liter V10 that generated 552 hp. It was lightweight, very agile, and also had an exaggeratedly high price tag. It was only sold for a couple of years, but that was enough to become a modern supercar icon.
Dodge Viper
The Viper said goodbye in 2017. However, its 26-year history yielded a lot. This iconic American mid-engine sports car had a massive V10 block in its ACR version, measuring no less than 8.4 liters. This marvel produced 654 hp. However, if you managed to extract all its power, you would most likely end up making an appointment with an ENT specialist, as its sound was simply infernal.
Dodge RAM SRT-10
Just like the Audi RS6 Avant, the Dodge RAM SRT-10 is another machine that disguises what it carries under the sheet metal quite well. True, it features a more exaggerated body kit and flashier wheels. However, whoever owns one of these won’t stand out compared to any ordinary RAM 1500.
Well, this pickup featured an exaggeratedly large 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V10 engine. The block came from the Dodge Viper, and it is considered the ultimate performance truck.
Porsche Carrera GT
This marvel would deserve a separate article. Le Mans DNA and Formula 1 DNA run through the veins of the Carrera GT, making it a car that very well encapsulates the philosophy of the Stuttgart brand.
Its 5.7-liter V10 produced 605 hp. Although the car is no longer manufactured, it is considered by many experts to be one of the best sports cars ever made in history.
Volkswagen Touareg I V10 TDI
It wasn’t reliable, but it was a true act of daring by the VAG Group. To understand this car, you have to adopt the mindset of the turn of the century. There was prosperity and the housing bubble hadn’t burst yet. In the automotive world, German manufacturers started competing to see who could build the best luxury SUV. And Volkswagen took a gamble with the Touareg, whose first generation was a disaster. To make matters worse, the most radical model with a diesel engine carried a 5-liter V10.
Mind you, it wasn’t the most absurd engine this beast carried. There was also a variant with a W12 gasoline engine. Rumor has it that the few who bought it also had to acquire an oil tanker.
Audi S8 5.2 FSI Quattro
It was launched mid-generation, and it also carried the V10 from the Lamborghini Gallardo. This executive sedan produced 444 hp. It weighed nearly 2 tons, although you also have to keep in mind that they usually carried more mass, since it was the typical car for high authorities that often add armor to their vehicles.