The V-10 engine remains one of the most thrilling powerplants ever wedged into a car, delivering the high-revving intensity of a naturally aspirated engine with enough displacement to generate serious grunt. Road & Track has compiled a list of the greatest V-10 cars ever made, celebrating machines that represent the pinnacle of this rare engine configuration.
V-10s occupy a unique space in automotive history. They're not as common as V-8s, nor as exotic as V-12s, yet they deliver a distinctive character that enthusiasts crave. The engine format produces a natural balance that feels smooth at idle yet screams at redline, with a distinctive exhaust note that stands apart from its competing configurations.
Several icons populate the V-10 hall of fame. The Dodge Viper dominated the conversation for decades, with its 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V-10 producing 645 horsepower in its final generation. Lamborghini's Gallardo relied on a 5.2-liter V-10 that became the supercar standard for nearly two decades. BMW's M5 E60 generation wielded a 5.0-liter V-10 with 507 horsepower, proving that the configuration works brilliantly in sport sedans too.
Audi's R8 inherited a 5.2-liter V-10 from its Lamborghini cousin, creating an attainable supercar alternative. The Carrera GT, Porsche's hybrid-free masterpiece, featured a 5.7-liter V-10 that many consider one of the greatest engines ever constructed. Even Ferrari dabbled with the V-10 format in the 360 Modena and F430, though fewer remember these models for their engine alone.
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