Advertisement

Every New Car You Can Buy with a V-8 Engine

cars with v 8 engines
Every New Car You Can Buy with a V-8 EngineThe Manufacturers

Big engines are looking like an endangered species these days. Blame downsizing and electrification, brought on by fuel-economy and emissions regulations. In many new cars, turbochargers and electric motors are now doing the job that an extra pair of cylinders once did. Sure, you can pump any sound you want into an EV, but no digital stand-in can fully recreate the sensation that an eight-cylinder engine provides.

Fear not, however, because the V-8 engine is far from dead. What follows is an impressively long list of new cars that still offer V-8 engines, including a wide variety of sedans, coupes, convertibles, station wagons, and sports cars. Most of these cars you can go out and buy today, while a few of them will go on sale within the next few months.

More Car Rankings: Best Cars That Still Offer a Manual Transmission | Cheap Sports Cars That Are Surprisingly Affordable | Best Cars under $100,000 | Best Cars for the Money

Aston Martin DB12

Base Price: $248,086
Horsepower: 671 hp

In the transition from DB11 to DB12, the mid-level Aston coupe gained 143 horsepower. No displacement change, just a ton of updates to its AMG-sourced twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 powerplant. That's a healthy boost. The car wrapped around that engine isn't too bad, either. Aston's classic grille has never looked better in a modern incarnation. Note: This is not the last time you'll see an AMG 4.0-liter on this list. Far from it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Review: DB12 Feels More Compete Than the DB11

aston martin db12 volante
Aston Martin

Aston Martin Vantage

Base Price: $194,400
Horsepower: 656 hp


As promised, here's that AMG V-8 again! Power output in the Vantage is just slightly behind that of the DB12, but torque is the same at 590 lb-ft. So it's a relative bargain at about four-fifths the price. It's also close to a nineteen-twentieths-scale DB, and that smallness (again, relative) allows it to hit 60 mph a tenth quicker than big brother. We may have just talked ourselves out of a DB12 order. One Buckinghamshire Green Vantage, please!

Why the New Vantage Is a Luxury Muscle Car

2025 aston martin vantage
Aston Martin

Audi RS6 Avant / RS7 Sportback

Base Price: $126,895
Horsepower: 621 hp

At this point in the RS6 and RS7's evolution, all models are called Performance, and they have 30 more horsepower than before. If you're having trouble deciding between the two, the RS6 wagon is less expensive, more capacious, and generally cooler-looking. Given that information, the correct answer is Avant. One additional point in the wagon's favor: For 2025, Audi is offering an RS6 Avant GT, which is mostly a dress-up package. But it's dress-up done right, with a graphics package meant to evoke the Audi 90 IMSA GTO racecar, down to the white wheels. Unless you pony up for the Performance's Dynamic Ride Control system, you'll have to get out and grab some tools to adjust the GT's suspension. Seems like a fair trade.

The Performance Trim Doesn't Ruin a Good Thing

2024 audi rs6 avant performance
Brian Silvestro

Audi S8

Base Price: $124,495
Horsepower: 563 hp


For those who would rather fly under the radar in their Audi, there's the relatively sleeper-ish S8. The V-10 went away a few generations ago and the W-12 is now gone; the A8 lineup has been pared down to just a V-6 in the standard car and this V-8 missile. This is obviously the one you want, or you wouldn't be perusing this list. If you need some inspiration for what to do with a large vehicle such as this, go stream The Transporter 2.

The S8 Is What Audi Does Best

2022 audi s8 blue
Brian Silvestro

Bentley Continental GT

Base Price: $245,425
Horsepower: 542–771 hp

Bentley is in the process of phasing out its unassisted twin-turbo V-8, with an Edition 8 set to usher the "simple" Continental out the factory door in the coming years. Next on the horizon is the new-for-2025 Speed model, which ditches the now-departed W-12 (may it rest in smooth-revving tranquility) and slots in a version of the V-8 with an electric motor, a battery, and a charge port. The new Speed's plug-in-hybrid powertrain makes it the most powerful Bentley road car yet. Power is great and all, but our EIC was smitten by the steering, which masks this 5500-pounder's heft. W-12 who?

More Info on the New Continental GT

2025 bentley continental gt speed
Bentley Motors

Bentley Flying Spur

Base Price: $218,050
Horsepower: 542 hp

The Flying Spur sedan hasn't been redesigned yet like its Continental GT coupe and convertible siblings. Expect much of the goodness in the new GT Speed to trickle down into this four-door once the new model arrives. For now, though, you get the regular-strength twin-turbo V-8 just like in the nonhybrid GT. Then again, this is the last place in the Bentley lineup to get a W-12, so maybe do that instead. That's a different list, though.

Review: The Flying Spur V-8 Is a Real Bentley

flying spur
Marc Urbano

BMW 7-Series

Base Price: $122,475
Horsepower: 536 hp

The V-12 7er may be gone, but its prodigious power production is not forgotten. Queue up The Transporter or Tomorrow Never Dies on the 31-inch, 8K Theater Screen, sit back, relax, and enjoy this twin-turbo 4.4-liter engine from the comfort of a reclining rear seat while you wonder how much a good used E38 goes for these days. Or, you know, drive the 760i yourself.

We Drive the 7-Series' Electric Sibling, the I7

2023 bmw 760i xdrive
BMW

BMW 8-Series / M8

Base Price: $107,475
Horsepower: 523–617 hp

For a car that doesn't sell in huge numbers, the 8 Series sure offers the luxury of choice: three body styles and a trio of engines in standard, M, and Alpina-fettled strengths. These twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 mills aren't identical, but they're good friends, and there isn't a bad one in the bunch. Like torque? Go for the 590-lb-ft Alpina. Fancy a unique one-make race series? Pick up a few M8 Competitions for you and your friends. The more V-8s, the merrier.

Why the Alpina B8 Is the Ideal Grand Tourer

a black sports car parked on the side of a road
Chris Perkins

BMW M5

Base Price: $120,675
Horsepower: 717 hp

The latest generation of the BMW M5 is a controversial beast, but at least it still has a V-8 engine. Available now only as a plug-in hybrid, the new model is considerably heavier than before. It packs 717 horsepower in total thanks to a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 plus an electric motor, and an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive are standard.

We Drive a Prototype of the New M5

2025 bmw m5 green
BMW

Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing

Base Price: $94,890
Horsepower: 668 hp

This generation's four-door Corvette is the best kind of overkill, and its sledgehammer of an engine is Peak American V-8. We put one up against an E39 M5 and it held its own, which is saying something. Not to be doom and gloom, but cars in general, and specifically ones like the Blackwing, are on their way out, so take advantage while you still can. And just a reminder: The CT5-V BW can and should be had with a manual transmission, something you can't even get in a Corvette anymore.

More Info on the Updated 2025 Model

2025 cadillac ct5 v blackwing in studio
David Bush

Chevrolet Camaro

Base Price: $40,395
Horsepower: 455–650 hp

The Camaro is on its way out for the second time in its history. Maybe it'll resurface as an EV. Regardless, you can still buy a gas-swilling V-8 version today, with an honest-to-goodness manual transmission, no less. Just promise us you won't hermetically seal a Collector Edition in one of those bubbles, okay? These V-8s are meant to be used and enjoyed. And maybe abused just a little bit.

Why the Sixth-Gen Camaro Deserved Better

chevrolet camaro zl1
Chevrolet

Chevrolet Corvette

Base Price: $69,995
Horsepower: 490–670 hp

Ah, yes, the Corvette, America's sports car. Now America's only mid-engine sports car as well. The clutch pedal may be gone, but there's no shortage of driver involvement in these evolved machines. Affordable performance? Check. An 8600-rpm screamer? The Z06 has you covered. Wait, a hybrid? With all-wheel drive? Sure, as long as you keep the V-8 in back, we're good. And if you have your heart set on something with a bit more power and forced induction, there's not too much longer to wait: The ZR1 will be unveiled July 25, and we expect it to pack a twin-turbo version of the Z06's flat-plane-crank LT6 V-8. Delicious.

Why the Corvette Z06 Is Astonishing

2024 chevrolet corvette eray
Greg Pajo

Ferrari Roma

Base Price: $247,308
Horsepower: 612 hp

The Roma's 3.9-liter engine is among the smaller-displacement V-8s on this list, but it's plenty sweet. Some people say the Roma looks too much like an Aston, but we prefer to instead focus on its lineage to and lines borrowed from the 250 GTO. And until Aston starts sourcing parts from Maranello, there won't be a DB with a manettino on the steering wheel. That's how you know it's a real modern Ferrari, right?

Someone Got Their Roma Stuck in an Italian Alleyway

2024 ferrari roma spider
Ferrari

Ferrari SF90 Stradale

Base Price: $528,764
Horsepower: 986–1016 hp

This Ferrari V-8 sits amidships and is aided in its savagery by a trio of stout electric motors, two of which act on the front axle to give it all-wheel drive. The SF90 is beautiful, but a different kind of expression than the Roma. Grab an SF90 from the XX program, and you'll get a bit more power along with track-focused updates (two wings!) and the time and coaching to make use of it all. They'll even keep your car safe by the Fiorano racetrack for you. So kind.

Why the SF90 Is Ridiculously Easy to Drive

ferrari sf90 stradale
Ferrari

Ford Mustang

Base Price: $44,055
Horsepower: 480–500 hp

Ford continues to refine the 5.0, and we are here for it. Changes have been incremental over the past couple of generations, but this engine continues to trend in the right direction—a little more power, higher revs, and no shortage of V-8 rumble. This time around, Ford's cowboys brought the goods right out of the gate, with the Dark Horse joining the lineup in year one of the S650 generation. Plus, the Dark Horse just looks dope. Soon to find itself in a class of one with the Camaro's departure, the Mustang is nonetheless not resting on its laurels.

The Dark Horse Is the Perfect American Track Car

2024 ford mustang dark horse
Greg Pajo

Jaguar F-Type

Base Price: $79,175
Horsepower: 444–575 hp

Remember the F-Type? This stylish coupe and convertible is still cranking out the pop-crackle-burble tunes from its supercharged 5.0-liter. The dilemma here is that this soundtrack is best appreciated from a convertible with the top down, while the coupe is the more elegant design. And the clock is running out, as 2024 is the final year for this slinky number. Get em' while they're poppin' and cracklin'.

The 75 Edition Is Last Call for the F-Type

2024 jaguar f type zp edition
Jaguar

Lexus IS

Base Price: $60,020
Horsepower: 472 hp

The IS 500 F Sport Performance is not an IS F, just a suspiciously similar sedan with the same 5.0-liter engine and that letter stuck all over it. (The F, if you're wondering, stands for either flagship or Fuji Speedway, depending on who you ask.) This isn't a knock on the V-8 IS. The IS F wasn't quite an M3-beater, and the more relaxed character of the 500 suits this chassis better anyway. It's charmingly old-fashioned and likely one of the last V-8s Lexus will offer.

Review: Lexus Builds a Muscle Car

gray 2024 lexus is 500 f sport performance on a pier with a grain terminal and ships behind
Will Sabel Courtney

Lexus LC

Base Price: $99,800
Horsepower: 471 hp

The same engine that motivates the not-an-IS-F we just discussed finds a welcome home in this boulevardier. It's down a whole one horsepower here, likely due to differences in plumbing. We're okay with that because the LC 500 is not a numbers car. It is, instead, a vibe, one communicated in hushed tones—unless you straight-pipe the thing, in which case you may need to find some of those F badges. Better letters would be G and T (for grand touring), but those seem to be taken already.

The Convertible Lets You Hear the V-8 More Clearly

2021 lexus lc 500 convertible
DW Burnett

Lexus RC F

Base Price: $68,295
Horsepower: 472 hp

Unlike the IS 500 F Sport Performance, the RC F is indeed a full-blown F car. That may be to its slight detriment, and the RC F is aging, yet this Japanese Mustang soldiers on. It sells in small numbers and keeps a true F car in the lineup. It at least looks the part, especially the Track Edition, which has tweaks including a black hood and roof, a giant wing, and a front splitter that could could double as a very expensive snow plow. Keep F weird, we say.

What's the Point of the Track Edition?

2020 lexus rc f white
Mack Hogan

McLaren GTS / 750S

Base Price: $224,400 (GTS); $329,500 (750S)
Horsepower: 626–740 hp

We've lumped these McLaren supercars together because they share a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-8 engine, the smallest-displacement engine on this list. The 750S is the more powerful of the two, with 740 horsepower, while the GTS aims to be more of a grand tourer. Its 626-hp V-8 is no slouch, though. Both McLarens are mid-engined and ludicrously quick around a racetrack.

More Info on the New GTS

mclaren gts
McLaren Automotive

Mercedes-AMG SL / GT

Base Price: $136,050
Horsepower: 469–577 hp

As promised, we're back to the AMG 4.0Ls. Now that the SL rides on the same platform as the GT, effectively replacing the GT roadster, their powertrains are nicely aligned as well. Some more newness for this generation: coupe and convertible get standard all-wheel drive, the SL has gone AMG-only, and both have a back seat. Despite a bit of weight gain, these two still know how to dance. Mercedes gives the people what they want.

The SL Is the 2020s in One Car

2022 mercedes amg sl 55 63
Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door

Base Price: $154,500
Horsepower: 575 hp

The four-door AMG GT is built on a different platform than the two-door GT and SL, so we've broken it out separately here. This is another AMG-only affair, also powered by a twin-turbo 4.0, and yet another attempt by Mercedes to call something with four doors a coupe. It's also the reason we don't get the CLS anymore—the two were so similar in look and purpose that one had to win out. We won't call this a coupe, but no complaints about the rest of the package.

Learn about the Upcoming Hybrid Version

mercedes amg gt63 4 door
Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-Benz / AMG / Maybach S-Class

Base Price: $129,300
Horsepower: 496–791 hp

Here we have ultra luxury, hyper luxury, and high performance sharing the same engine. One is the range-topper (the Benz), one is the choice of the oligarch on a budget (the Maybach), and one is the performance-oriented S63 AMG plug-in hybrid. V-12s are gauche, you know? You're not likely to hear or feel the engine working in any of these S-classes. With its extended wheelbase and standard rear entertainment system, the Maybach is the perfect place to stretch out and relax.

We Drive the AMG S63 Plug-In Hybrid

2021 mercedes benz s580
Mack Hogan

Porsche Panamera

Base Price: $192,995
Horsepower: 670 hp

Like many of the other sports sedans on this list, the Panamera's V-8 engine is supplanted by a hybrid setup. In Porsche-speak, the Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid is the top dog, and it's the one with a V-8. This powertrain uses uses a—you guessed it—twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 combined with a plug-in-hybrid system to produce a total of 670 horsepower.

We Drive the New Panamera V-8 Hybrid

porsche panamera turbo e hybrid
Porsche

Honorable Mention: Bugatti Chiron

Base Price: $3,300,000
Horsepower: 1500 hp

What's better than a V-8? Two V-8s joined at the hip. Okay, so you can't go out and buy one of these since they're all spoken for. But: Two V-8s for the price of… um, 26.5 of the least-expensive car equipped with a Volkswagen Group 4.0-liter. Good luck tying all those S8s together, though.

See the Last Chiron

bugatti chiron l ultime
Bugatti

You Might Also Like