A Farewell to One of the Most Special Engines in History

The year 2025 marks the end of a very special engine type: the V10. As quickly as this engine made a splash in the automotive world, it disappeared. The V10 was a rare configuration, difficult to balance but unique in character. Many manufacturers found it to be a middle ground — more exotic than a V8 yet more compact than a V12. Before hybrid powertrains and widespread turbocharging, it was an ideal solution. The V10 became synonymous with performance cars that were made even cooler by having such an unusual engine.

Here are some of the most memorable vehicles powered by a V10.

Dodge Viper

The first production V10 for a road car appeared in 1992 with the Dodge Viper. This wild sports car was Chrysler’s attempt to create a modern Shelby Cobra — a fast, simple machine focused strictly on the driving experience. Like the Cobra, it was defined by its massive engine. The Viper used a truck-derived 8.0L V10 producing 400 hp, making it the largest production engine of its time — a title it held until the end of its run.

True to the Cobra’s spirit, the first-generation Viper stripped away modern comforts. It lacked a roof, a radio, and even locking doors. It was a go-kart with a giant engine, and as a result, it gained a reputation for being difficult to handle. The Viper lasted three generations before being cancelled in 2016 due to poor sales and tightening emissions regulations.

The Viper’s V10 also appeared in the Dodge Ram SRT-10 truck, produced from 2004 to 2006. Using an upgraded 8.4L version of the same V10 engine, it made 510 hp and 525 lb-ft of torque. The result was one of the coolest — and most gas-guzzling — pickups ever built. Today, SRT-10 Rams are rare and highly collectible.

Ford Excursion

In 2000, Ford introduced the V10 in a very different vehicle: the Excursion. Based on the F-250 Super Duty, this three-row SUV was enormous, measuring nearly a metre longer and half a tonne heavier than the Hummer H2, making it a novelty. At 5,758 mm and 3,300 kg (7,200 lb), it is huge by today’s standards and simply massive for the early 2000s.

The V10 in the Excursion wasn’t designed for performance; instead, it focused on towing. With a 4,535-kg (10,000-lb) rating, it excelled at hauling. After its cancellation, the Excursion gained a cult following among buyers who favoured its unmatched size and capability.

Lamborghini and Audi

When the Volkswagen Group acquired Lamborghini in 1998, it immediately started developing a new engine for the brand’s entry-level model, the Gallardo. This was the first small Lamborghini since the 1980s, which made headlines for its striking design but, more importantly, its excellent engine. Launched in 2003, the Gallardo made 493 hp — over 100 hp more than the Ferrari 360 and even its successor, the F430. The V10 would remain in production until 2025, powering the Gallardo’s successor, the Huracán.

The 2000s saw the start of the horsepower wars between the big three German luxury brands — Audi, BMW, and Mercedes. To rival Mercedes’ supercharged V8, Audi adopted Lamborghini’s V10 to power its high-performance RS6, S6, and S8 sedans. The RS6 was the highlight of the bunch. Released in 2007, it made an impressive 572 hp. 

This V10 would also come to power the Audi R8, the brand’s wildly styled halo car that was the poster car for the brand for more than a decade. It offered Lamborghini-level performance at a more approachable price, making it an instant hit. It quickly became a fan favourite for its sharp design and exquisite engine.

BMW

Not to be left out of the horsepower war, BMW launched its own V10 in 2004. The M5 and M6 of that era used a naturally aspirated 5.0L V10 engine producing 500 hp. Known for its screaming, high-revving, exhilarating power delivery, it remains the only V10 BMW has ever made. In later M5 models, BMW would opt for smaller displacement, turbocharged V8 engines.

The BMW V10 gained a reputation for rod bearing failures that could destroy the engine, but despite the reliability concerns, it developed a cult following for its uniqueness and screeching supercar-like sound.

Porsche Carrera GT

One of the most legendary V10-powered cars was the Porsche Carrera GT. Debuting in 2003, only 1,270 units were produced, making Carrera GTs extremely valuable and rare today. The engine was born out of Porsche’s abandoned Formula One project, originally developed as a 5.5L racing unit before being adapted for road use in the Carrera GT.

Producing 603 hp and weighing just 1,380 kg, the Carrera GT came exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission and no driver aids. The car was particularly renowned for its high-pitched, wailing sound that resembled that of a Formula One car. The car was notoriously difficult to drive, which only added to its mythical reputation.

Lexus LFA

The last new V10 production car was the Lexus LFA, released in 2010 after nearly a decade of development. Production of this halo car lasted just two years, with only 500 cars built. Despite an MSRP of $375,000 US in 2010, Lexus reportedly sold each car at a loss.

Its Yamaha-developed 4.8L V10 made 553 hp. By 2010 standards, that was respectable but hardly groundbreaking, as many cheaper supercars could easily match or outperform the LFA. Still, the LFA was widely praised for its driving dynamics and what many consider the greatest engine sound of all time. Though it was not a sales success, the LFA became a cult classic, with values skyrocketing in the years since production ended, thanks to its rarity and wild sound. The LFA’s V10 was the only V10 ever developed by Toyota.

The End of the V10

The V10 era officially ended in 2025 with the discontinuation of the Lamborghini Huracán and Audi R8. Rare and inherently complex, the V10 was essentially two inline-five-cylinder engines combined, a layout that was already unusual and unbalanced due to its unbalanced firing order. This gave most V10s their high-revving nature and unforgettable sound.

The V10 may be gone, but its legacy remains. This engine defined an era of performance cars, and it’s one the automotive world will certainly miss.