The V8 has powered legends for more than half a century. It became the heartbeat of muscle cars, supercars and elite grand tourers. As engineering advanced, manufacturers pushed displacement, revs and forced induction to breathtaking levels. These ten V8s did not simply make power, they changed what road going performance looked like. Each lived inside a machine built to handle its fury.
Dodge Hellcat 6.2 Supercharged V8 in the Challenger and Charger
Dodge shocked the world when the Hellcat arrived in 2015. The supercharged 6.2 delivered a tidal wave of power that turned the Challenger and Charger into instant icons. Canadians quickly learned that winter traction became a suggestion rather than a guarantee. Yet the sound and straight line violence made the cars unforgettable. The Hellcat engine became a cultural moment that reignited the muscle era one burnout at a time.
Ford Predator 5.2 V8 in the Mustang Shelby GT500
The Predator engine entered the scene in 2020 and transformed the GT500 into a modern supercar hunter. Its supercharged powerband felt endless and its willingness to climb through the revs stunned anyone lucky enough to experience it. Ford built a Mustang that could demolish drag strips and chase down European exotics. The Predator proved that American engineering could still deliver high power sophistication.
Chevrolet LT5 6.2 Supercharged V8 in the Corvette ZR1
The LT5 arrived in the 2019 ZR1 and immediately became the most powerful production Corvette engine ever built. It delivered relentless acceleration and a top speed that pushed the Corvette deep into supercar territory. The ZR1 combined brute strength with surprising precision. It felt like a Corvette turned up to maximum which gave the LT5 a reputation for controlled chaos at every throttle press.
Mercedes AMG M178 4.0 Twin Turbo V8 in the AMG GT
The M178 brought German engineering to the front of the power race. Found in the AMG GT family starting in 2015, this compact twin turbo engine delivered explosive acceleration with a razor sharp throttle response. It also produced one of the most addictive soundtracks of any modern V8. The AMG GT became a highway missile wrapped in elegance which showed how refined massive power could be.
Ferrari F136 4.5 V8 in the 458 Italia
Ferrari created a masterpiece when it introduced the high revving 4.5 for the 458 Italia in 2009. The naturally aspirated magic felt alive at every rotation. It delivered its power with drama and immediacy that made the 458 one of the most celebrated Ferraris ever sold. This engine reminded the world why high rev V8s hold a special place in performance history.
Lexus 2UR GSE 5.0 V8 in the RC F and GS F
Lexus built its 5.0 to deliver durability and precision wrapped in a performance package. Used in the RC F and GS F from the mid 2010s onward, the engine breathed freely at high revs and produced a mechanical howl that surprised anyone who underestimated Lexus performance. It felt refined yet fierce. The 2UR GSE proved that Japan could still build a naturally aspirated V8 worthy of legend.
BMW S63 4.4 Twin Turbo V8 in the M5 and M8
The S63 turned the M5 and M8 into silent assassins on the highway. Its relentless surge and massive midrange power created an effortless sense of speed. From 2011 onward this engine appeared in various forms but always delivered towering acceleration. The S63 blurred the line between luxury sedan and supercar which made the M5 one of the most feared four doors in Canada.
Audi 4.0 Twin Turbo V8 in the RS7 and S8
Audi used its twin turbo 4.0 to transform large sedans into rocket ships. The RS7 and S8 handled the output with surprising elegance. The massive torque curve turned every merge into a performance event. Despite the power these cars remained composed which highlighted the brilliance of the engine. It offered comfort and ferocity in equal parts which appealed to Canadian buyers who wanted stealth speed.
McLaren M840T 4.0 Twin Turbo V8 in the 720S
McLaren engineered the M840T to feel otherworldly. Introduced with the 720S in 2017, it produced acceleration that made seasoned drivers question physics. The engine delivered instant thrust and a sense of weightlessness at full throttle. Paired with McLaren’s carbon body the 720S became one of the fastest real world supercars ever built. The M840T sits among the modern greats because of its violent yet controlled nature.
Chevrolet LS7 7.0 V8 in the Corvette Z06
The LS7 arrived in 2006 and proved that displacement was still a winning formula. Its massive seven litre capacity gave it a personality no turbo engine could replicate. Found in the C6 Z06, the LS7 revved eagerly and pulled with raw mechanical muscle. The car became a track day favourite across Canada because of its simplicity, reliability and intoxicating soundtrack.
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
Car loans are one of the most common ways people fund car purchases. Like any other kind of loan, car loans can have certain features that can be regarded as an advantage or a disadvantage to the borrower. Understanding all essential facts about car loans and how they work to ensure that you get the best deal for your financial situation is essential. Here are 25 shocking facts about car loans that most drivers don’t realize:
25 Facts About Car Loans That Most Drivers Don’t Realize
