When we think of great German cars, like Porsches and Audis and more, we also have to mention the greatest German engines that power them. Because what’s a great looking car without a cool engine under the hood?
German engineering has produced the best and fastest cars in the world, be they sports cars or luxury cars. Think of Porsche, Volkswagen, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz … These are all great automakers from Germany and have some of the best German engines of all time.
We all agree that how a car looks is pretty important. But in the end, a car is only as good as its engine. Because of this, the Porsche 914 with a VW engine was a flop, while most Porsches do well. So here are the largest German engines used in classic and modern cars. These are the engines that made legendary many of the cars that used them. And rightly so.
10
Porsche six-cylinder boxer engine used in the Porsche 911
Via: i
The air-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine from Porsche had a long and mature life of 35 years. And although it was one of the largest German engines due to its power and performance, the rattlesnake hissing when turning was another reason for its success.
Via: i
With its low center of gravity, this engine was the perfect grinder for a sports car, and there have been many changes over the years, including turbocharging. In 1997 the engine changed and was reborn as a water-cooled six-cylinder boxer and still seems to be going strong.
9
Volkswagen Type 1 engine used in the VW Beetle
Via: i
The main reason why many of the classic Beetles still run with their original engine today is quite simple. VW’s Type 1 engine was supplied air-cooled and would not freeze or boil in the absence of water, and it tended to last a long time.
Via: i
This engine powered the Beetle for a lifetime from 1939 to 2003. It also powered the Type 2 commercial vehicles, the Type 3 sedan and even the Karmann Ghia. It ranged from 985 cc to 1.6-liter and even motorized light aircraft.
8th
Audi V12 diesel engine used in the Audi R10 TDI
Via: AudiMediaCenter
The Audi R10 was an incredibly successful car. In his debut year 2006, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the LMP1 class of the American Le Mans Series. And the biggest surprise was that it ran on diesel.
Via: AudiMediaCenter
Its success lies in one of the largest German engines that drives it, a 5.5-liter V12 diesel, which proved that the VW Group is outstanding when it comes to diesel engines. And not only with V-engines, but also with W-mills. More on that later.
7th
Audi / Volkswagen EA827 engine used in the VW Golf GTI
Via: Flickr
The EA827 is considered to be one of the largest German engines, but it also remains one of the outsiders. Although it’s now a WV engine, it made its debut in 1972 in the Audi 80, which was sold in the US as the Audi Fox. Initially it came in 1.3 liters to 1.5 liters, but later also to 2.0 liters.
Via: Pinterest
It powered the VW Golf GTI, a hot hatch with a lot of reputation and popularity, but was also used in SEATs, Skodas, and other cars. It later came in a supercharged version too.
6th
Mercedes M156 engine used in Mercedes E63 AMG
Via: Pinterest
You have to admit, the Mercedes E63 AMG was a great car indeed and was powered by the iconic M156 engine. This is one of the largest German engines because it is not just a Mercedes engine, it was newly manufactured by AMG.
Via: Cars & Commandments
It displaced 6,208 liters, but was marketed as a 6.3-liter V8 in honor of the 6.3 M100. Initially it offered an output of 475 hp, but was later increased to 525 hp. All cars equipped with this engine had 63 in their titles, such as the E63 AMG.
5
Audi R5 engine used in the Audi Quattro
Via: Pinterest
The R5 engine wasn’t one, but an engine family, with the 5 standing for a five-cylinder placement. The first of these was created in the series-production in-line engine that was used in the Audi 100 and the rally racing legend Audi, which was later developed.
Via: Pinterest
From 1980 a 2.1-liter turbo engine powered the Audi Quattro. This is the car that justified the sheer power of the Audi Quattro in the racing world with the typical engine growl that always attracted everyone’s attention.
4th
BMW S14 engine used in the first generation BMW M3
Via BMW
The BMW S14 engine was born from the lower part of the M10 and about two-thirds of the M88 cylinder heads. BMW might not have known it at the time, but in the end it created a touring car beast that helped the BMW M3 decimate all rivals.
Via: BMW
It initially came in a 2.3-liter four-cylinder format that developed 195 hp with a catalytic converter. This later became a 2.5-liter six-cylinder with 238 hp in the BMW Sport Evo. The scream of the engine made the BMW M3 a rally car that you heard before you saw it, and made it one of the greatest German engines of all time.
3rd
Mercedes M139 engine used in Mercedes-AMG GLA 45
Via: Mercedes-Benz
The Mercedes M139 engine is not only one of the largest German engines, it is one of the largest engines in the world. Born as a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, AMG managed to get a massive 421 horses out of it, making it one of the most powerful four-cylinder series car engines in the world.
Via: Mercedes-Benz
Available in the AMG class of the 45 series, the M139 receives a successor in the C63 as a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder, which now has 442 horses, with a PHEV system. AMG has a replacement for the cubic capacity.
2
Volkswagen W8 engine used in VW Passat
Via: NetCarShow
Volkswagen’s W engine is powerful enough to power Bugatti and Bentley models in the unprecedented W16 format. But the VW W8 engine is also one of the largest German engines in view of its unique layout: two narrow-angled 2.0-liter V4s that run on a single crankshaft.
Via: NetCarShow
Think of it as half a Bugatti Veyron engine, and it offers a smaller but more powerful alternative to the traditional V6 or V8 grinders. It made 275 horses, and the 2001-04 VW Passat was the only car that carried it. The engine and the car have been legendary ever since.
1
BMW S70 / 2 V12 engine used in the McLaren F1
Via: YouTube
Pretty ironic that one of BMW’s coolest engines never went in the hood of a BMW. The BMW S70 / 2 V12 engine was the result of McLaren’s desire for an engine for his F1 supercar. McLaren first turned to Honda, which did not want to commit to the required 550 hp. BMW was only too happy to do this and instead delivered 70 additional horses.
Via: BMWBlog
The 6.1 liter V12 squirted 627 horses and left the McLaren F1 jet 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. One of the largest German engines, the S70 / 2 V12, also powered the LMR LeMans prototypes and the V12 LM.
Sources: Road & Track, CarandDriver
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About the author
Arun Singh Pundir
(942 published articles)
Arun Singh Pundir is a longtime media cracker and has worked in sales and marketing for most of his life. In 2018 he officially turned around and switched sides to the editorial. He lives with his wife, two villain sons, and is a car and motorcycle freak in his spare time. Not that he has too much free time. He is currently writing for HotCars about anything that has any number or type of wheels. He also writes pop culture, lifestyle, and anything that is rich for TheRichest. At the moment he considers his Isuzu D-Max V-Cross, Suzuki Ciaz and Royal Enfield Classic 500 to be the three current flames of his life. His dream is to drive around the world; even if it takes more than eighty days.
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