Each Producer Still Constructing A V10 In 2024

In case you intended to pass over a record encompassing every car manufacturer manufacturing V10s for the general public right now, it would be a clear document. The ten-cylinder powerplant was always somewhat of an anomaly in the automobile realm, gaining popularity only as a very specialized choice. The V10 never truly existed as a mainstream, mass-market engine in recent times, and with the cessation of the Audi R8 and the Huracan, even the specialized market is dwindling.

When last verified, there were only three car manufacturers still retaining V10s in 2024 and just two firms producing them. Additionally, none of these powerplants are housed in vehicles readily available at the nearby dealership. Here’s all the relevant information concerning the ascent and decline of the V10 powerplant and where to search if you have a desire to operate one in 2024.

A Brief History of the V10

One of the most memorable vehicles equipped with a V10 may be the Dodge Viper, which debuted in 1991 with the base powerplant being a 488 cubic-inch 8.0-liter ten-cylinder generating 400 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, showcasing what was achievable by merely adding two more cylinders than any logical automaker would ever consider integrating into an engine. The Viper wasn’t the inaugural V10, being preceded by various diesel-powered locomotives, military vehicles, commercial trucks, and Daimler-Benz buses; however, Dodge’s two-door convertible contributed to the popularization of the V10 road car, being the first of its kind to run on gasoline, not diesel.

V10s held appeal because they boasted more potency than a V8 yet didn’t necessitate as much room as a V12. This facilitated the provision of V10s as an alternative in the same vehicles where V6 or V8 offerings were available.

The V10 experienced a peak in the 2000s. Roughly a decade following the introduction of the original Dodge Viper, there was an array of luxury and sports cars harboring ten cylinders, such as the Volkswagen Touareg in 2002, the Lamborghini Gallardo in 2003, and the Audi R8 coupe in 2006. The Lexus LFA was also famously outfitted with a V10 that revved so rapidly it necessitated a digital instrument cluster. Nevertheless, the configurationbarely evolved beyond a specialized item in the car sector.

Ford Triton V10

For most drivers, your best shot at owning a ten-cylinder vehicle would likely be a Ford Triton V10. This particular 6.8-liter powerhouse is currently found in select Ford commercial trucks such as the F-650 and F-750, as well as in sizable applications like the Blue Bird Vision school bus and the F53 motorhome chassis. If you aspire to drive these fresh beasts, acquiring a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is probably in your future.

Conversely, in the realm of pre-owned vehicles, you may come across a Ford Excursion with a V10 engine. Listings showcasing ten-cylinder Excursions have been sighted for as low as $7,500. While the initial cost may seem enticing, fuel consumption will likely offset the savings, averaging around 12 miles per gallon from a 2000 model. The upside is its compatibility with several components of Ford’s 5.4-liter V8, and the reputed simplicity and dependability of the Triton’s design should help reduce maintenance costs to a manageable level.

Judd V10 For The McLaren Solus GT

If you seek something more dynamic than a standard bus, you still have the opportunity to acquire a McLaren Solus GT, a high-performance vehicle equipped with a robust 5.2-liter Judd Power V10 that can accelerate from 0 to 60 in just 2.5 seconds. Judd’s official website showcases several V10 models, such as the 5.0-liter GV utilized by the Pescarolo team to secure fourth place in the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 2004 and second place in 2005. However, these are unique engines designed for competition. If you desire a civilian-friendly vehicle without the backing of a racing team, the Solus is your top choice. Moreover, it’s not street-legal, a single-seater, and carries a price tag of three million dollars.

The De Tomaso P900 is a limited edition track-oriented racer, with only 18 units produced, each priced at three million dollars. De Tomaso aims to ultimately develop an environmentally-friendly V12 engine that operates on synthetic fuels. As of now, the vehicle is offered with a Judd V10 engine inspired by the one found in the Benetton B197 F1 vehicle from 1997.

It serves to emphasize that V10 engines are becoming less common, evidenced by the fact that one of the few vehicles on the market today equipped with a ten-cylinder powerplant is transitioning to a more potent twelve-cylinder option.

Why Don’t They Make V10s Anymore?

The V10s are not very practical, struggle with passing emissions regulations, fall in an uncommon middle space where they may not be suitable for many road-legal vehicles, and lack the sheer power of larger V12s. Moreover, they are highly fuel-thirsty and exhibit less stability compared to V8s. Working akin to a pair of inline-fives, they introduce an unusual rocking effect. Nonetheless, these characteristics have held true for a substantial period. Thus, what has altered in the past decade or so to render the V10 essentially obsolete, even in high-performance cars and oversized trucks? Essentially, they are no longer essential.

In the genesis of the Dodge Viper, the foundation was laid with a Chrysler LA V8 engine. The power output was amplified by incorporating two additional cylinders, culminating in the creation of one of the most capacious engines ever produced. In a contemporary context, replicating this endeavor would likely involve taking a V6 or V8 powerplant and integrating it with a duo of electric motors and paired turbochargers to achieve similar outcomes in a more streamlined manner.

In actuality, this is precisely the approach Lamborghini is embracing with the forthcoming successor to the Huracan. The upcoming Lamborghini Temerario embodies a mid-mounted bi-turbo V8 endowed with a hybrid power unit that elevates its power output to 791 hp. Advancements in engine technology indicate that the V10 is more of a novelty rather than a practical engine around which to construct a vehicle, regardless of whether it is for the mass consumer market or affluent car collectors.

V10s produce some of the most melodious engine sounds you may encounter, yet, at the day’s end, automotive engineers seek the most efficient means to achieve exceptional power levels. A ten-cylinder configuration simply does not align with the objective of shaving off milliseconds from your 0-60 performance when you could achieve the same with an electric motor and a turbocharger without inviting scrutiny from the EPA.