The V8 engine is arguably the best powerplant a vehicle can have. The V8 always provides a healthy amount of power, torque, and performance for powering sports cars. Although there are other more advanced engine configurations like V10 or V12 cylinder units, the V8 is still king.
It represents the perfect balance between production cost and quality. The first mass-produced V8 engine was Ford’s famous Flathead V8 in 1932. After that, almost all major car manufacturers presented V8 engines with various displacements or power levels. Even though V8 engines use more fuel than six-cylinder units, there are many V8 choices on the market today.
Even though the auto industry is turning to hybrids, electric vehicles, and more fuel-efficient cars, drivers still can’t forget the time-honored V8. So we compiled a list of the 17 best modern V8s. These aren’t the old V8s in classic muscle cars you may have forgotten about. Some of the engines you may already know or possibly have in your vehicle. All of these engines represent the pinnacle of engineering excellence regarding power, performance, and sound. Check them out below.
17. Cadillac Blackwing Twin-Turbo V8
Although G’s powertrain division is amongst the best in the world with many great engines, drivers were still surprised to learn about Cadillac’s new Blackwing V8. It’s a clean-sheet design and also Cadillac’s first-ever twin-turbo unit ever. It’s an all-aluminum engine with modern cylinder head construction and “hot V” configuration, which means turbochargers are mounted between the cylinder banks.
The engine has a displacement of 4.2 liters and nominal power output from 500 to 550 HP. The interesting part is that this engine is available in only one model – the Cadillac CT6-V starting with the 2019 model year. This is a limited-production model that magazine testers call one of the best American sedans ever built.