14 Most Powerful V8 Engines Currently Available

12. Jaguar 5.0-liter SVR Supercharged V8

As a luxury and performance car manufacturer, Jaguar needs powerful engines. So, the basis for their top V8 engine was the AJ133 V8. This engine debuted in 2009 and you can find it in many regular Jaguars and Land Rovers.

However, to attract customers who wanted both performance and speed, Jaguar attached the big Eaton supercharger and reinforced the engine’s internals. This created an all-out performance monster to deliver 575 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque. Those are quite respectable numbers for an all-alloy, supercharged V8.

Interestingly, the design of the block and the heads allow more development. Since Jaguar is always craving more power and better performance numbers, you can expect an even better version soon.

13. Lexus/Toyota 2UR-GSE 5.0-liter V8

The new Lexus LC 500 coupe is one magnificent driving machine. The design and the technology are fascinating, but a big part of its appeal is the engine. In days of supercharging and turbocharging, Lexus decided to go the traditional way and introduce a magnificent, naturally aspirated V8 with 5.0-liters of displacement.

The alloy V8 delivers 471 HP and 398 lb-ft of torque. Even though those numbers are somewhat smaller than the rest of the engines on this list, the 2UR-GSE has a high-revving capacity. It also has the VVTi system and it is lightweight. That is enough to provide a vivid performance to the Lexus LC 500 coupe.

14. Nissan 5.6-liter VK56VD V8

Available in various Nissan and Infiniti products, this V8 powerplant is not your average performance engine. But that is not why it is featured on this list. This engine is a perfect balance between performance, durability and practicality. You can find it in performance models, as well as in big SUVs and trucks.

They made the VK56VD out of light alloy materials, so it features 5.6-liters of displacement. The power ranges from 390 HP to 420 HP, depending on the application. In Australia, Nissan races in the V8 Supercar championship where those engines deliver up to 650 HP in race tune.

The quality of Nissan’s V8 also shined when they installed in the Titan pickup truck. In the Titan, this light but powerful unit shows its true nature. It is also durable and trouble-free for many miles, despite the hard working conditions.

These are the best modern V8 engines today, but keep your eyes open for future updates to this famous horsepower powerhouse.