10 NA V8 Sports Cars Real Driving Purists Refuse To Sell
There was a time when the performance and character of a vehicle were simply defined by its displacement and cylinder count. Big V8s simply made more power than V6 engines. There were no turbos or electric motors to assist in making power. In this era, the naturally aspirated V8 engine reigned supreme as it was the most versatile engine for almost any performance application.
Today, that era is effectively over. Strict emission regulations and the need for more efficient cars have forced an industry-wide shift to downsized, turbocharged engines, marking the slow end of the naturally aspirated V8s. But among the driving purists, instead of mourning the loss, they decided to celebrate the golden era of these engines. The cars we will discuss here aren’t just modes of transportation or status symbols anymore; they represent the peak of analog driver engagement, which is exactly why the enthusiasts who own them refuse to let them go.
10
Porsche 928 GTS
Power: 350 hp
While the automotive world is rightfully obsessed over air-cooled 911s, the final iteration of Porsche’s front-engined grand tourer has quietly become very desirable. The 928 GTS was the final version of the Porsche that was meant to replace the 911. It was powered by a 5.4-liter V8 with 350 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Most Porsches are known for their high-revving engines, but the 928 was all about effortless power and low-end grunt, and the sound from this one is unlike any Porsche of its time.
It has a deep but sophisticated German rumble about it, which would make you think of an E39 M5 or an Audi before being passed by a Porsche. Enthusiasts now hold onto the GTS because it represents a rare moment when Porsche threw its full engineering might behind a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive GT. Prices also reflect that, with an average market value of $93,000. Finding one with a five-speed manual transmission is rare, and those who own them know they will never see Porsche build a car like this again.
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9
BMW E92 M3
Power: 414 hp
The E92 M3 is a legendary chapter for the 3 series. It was the first, and ultimately the last, M3 to ever feature a V8 engine. We are talking about the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated S65 V8 engine. It featured eight individual throttle bodies, a high 12.0:1 compression ratio, and an 8,300 rpm redline. This engine made 414 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque because this M3 cared about revs and theater over low-end grunt. It makes good power, but you have to work for it, which in turn brings out one of the best engine notes you’ve ever heard from any BMW.
Combine that with BMW’s wonderful chassis and communicative steering, and the E92 M3 is a very engaging driving experience. Despite the issues that come with these engines, owners are willing to tolerate and even fix them to enjoy this experience. In the end, you’re rewarded with the sounds of the engine that sings to you at 8,000 rpm and is even more engaging with a manual transmission.
8
Lexus IS F
Power: 416 hp
Lexus wasn’t playing around when it wanted to build a sports sedan that would rival the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63. The competition wasn’t worried until the Lexus IS F arrived, packing a legendary 2UR-GSE 5.0-liter V8. This was developed in partnership with Yamaha and is a masterpiece of over-engineering. It features high-flow cylinder heads, titanium intake valves, and dual-stage intake tracks. Below 3,600 rpm, the IS F drives like a civilized, quiet luxury sedan. But once the secondary intake valve opens, the power surges instantly, releasing its 416 hp and 371 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.
The IS F holds a permanent spot in purist garages for two reasons: its V8 powertrain and bulletproof reliability. While its rivals face potentially catastrophic engine issues, the Lexus V8 runs flawlessly, with this engine still being used in new cars today, proving that high performance doesn’t have to come with so much anxiety.
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7
Aston Martin V8 Vantage: 4.3/4.7
Power: 380/420 hp
The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful automotive designs of the 21st century. But beneath Henrik Fisker’s elegant bodywork lies a raw, old-school sports car formula. Early models featured a dry-sump 4.3-liter V8 making 380 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque, which was later replaced in 2008 with a larger 4.7-liter V8 with 420 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque. This engine was hand-built by Aston Martin in a dedicated facility in Germany, and it produces one of the most distinct exhaust notes in automotive history.
The engine is placed far back in the chassis, making it a front-mid-engine car with a rear-mounted transaxle for near-perfect weight distribution. You can have it with either a six-speed auto or a heavy, mechanical six-speed manual shifter and a hydraulic steering rack with great feedback. These cars have seen a new appreciation since all new Astons have turbocharged engines, and these old Vantages aren’t as unreliable as people thought they would be.
6
B7 Audi RS4
Power: 420 hp
The B7 Audi RS4 remains one of the greatest all-weather driver’s cars ever made. The star of the show is a 4.2-liter FSI V8 that makes 420 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. It was directly related to the engine found in the mid-engined R8 supercar with an 8,250 rpm redline. The power delivery is immediate and linear, accompanied by a deep V8 growl.
Apart from the V8 engine, another reason you would want this car is its all-weather capability, using Audi’s signature Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which deploys that power easily without any fuss. The only transmission available for this car was a six-speed manual, and since the AWD system was rear-biased, you could get silly if you wanted. Combining all of these with Audi’s Dynamic Ride Control, the RS4 provides unbelievable grip and feedback. This is a sports sedan that you can confidently drive through a rainstorm or a blizzard and enjoy a great soundtrack.
5
Maserati GranTurismo S
Power: 434 hp
The Maserati GranTurismo was around for a very long time, but that does not diminish how special this car is. You buy it for one main reason: the Ferrari engine under the hood. This was the F136 V8 family used by cars like the F430, California, and 458. Maserati used a cross-plane crank version of this engine, and the initial cars used a 4.2-liter V8 but quickly introduced the larger 4.7 version in 2008 with the Gran Turismo S.
The 4.7-liter V8 made 434 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque with an exhaust note that sounds like it could easily be featured in an Opera. When the valves are fully open, it has a spine-tingling roar that can only be found in an engine like this. The Gran Turismo lineup represents the pinnacle of pure romance in a grand tourer. No turbos, no hybrid nonsense, just a pure engine with enough power, comfort, and luxury to make you fall in love with it over and over again despite its temperament.
4
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG W204
Power: 451 hp
If the Maserati makes you fall in love, the W204 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG makes you misbehave. It was the car that solidified AMG’s reputation for shoehorning massive, powerful engines into small luxury sedans. This car used the legendary 6.2-liter M156 V8 and was the first engine designed entirely from scratch by AMG. It produces 451 hp and a massive 443 lb-ft of torque, and it dominated the whole driving experience.
The startup is a sharp, thunderous bark that would make anyone jump at first, and accelerating feels like being hooked up to a freight train. It wants to break traction at the rear tires constantly, requiring a driver with good throttle modulation. Enthusiasts love the W204 because it is the ultimate expression of the “no replacement for displacement” philosophy. Modern C63s have famously moved to hybridized four-cylinder engines, which completely dilutes the AMG experience. This makes this 6.2-liter monster even more special, and it can still keep up with some of the quickest sports cars.
3
Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06
Power: 505 hp
The C6 Corvette Z06 has one of the largest, most aggressive naturally aspirated V8 engines ever put into a production passenger car. The LS7 is a 7.0-liter (427 cubic-inch) small-block V8 that produces 505 hp and 470 lb-ft, revving to a surprising 7,000 rpm. It had titanium connecting rods, intake valves, and a dry-sump oiling system directly born from Corvette’s Le Mans racing program. The torque is everywhere, pulling violently from idle all the way to redline with brute force.
The Z06 got a wider body, massive rear tires, a lighter aluminum frame, and more supporting upgrades to help contain that beastly engine. Weighing just over 3,100 lbs, it has a power-to-weight ratio that still embarrasses modern performance cars. The love for this car has gone beyond Corvette enthusiasts because of its raw and engaging driving experience. It can only be had as a manual, and you need to be a good driver to tame this car.
2
Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R S550
Power: 526 hp
The Shelby GT350 is not your typical straight-line muscle car. It is a precision track weapon built around an engine that sounds like it belongs on a European racing car. Ford knows how to give great names, and the “Voodoo” is the perfect name for this 5.2-liter flat-plane crank V8 masterpiece. It makes 526 hp and 429 lb-ft of torque revving to an ear-shattering 8,250 rpm. This is the type of engine usually reserved for European exotics like Ferraris.
The exhaust note is not your usual V8 growl but a mix of V8 burble at low end and high-pitched screams at redline. But the car also drove pretty well and has been described as having Porsche GT3-like handling. Paired with a Tremec six-speed manual transmission and MagneRide dampers, the level of front-end bite and chassis balance rewrote the book on what a Mustang could do. It is highly sought after because it represents Ford Performance operating at its absolute peak.
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1
Ferrari 458 Italia
Power: 562 hp
No list of naturally aspirated V8s is complete without the Ferrari 458, the final naturally aspirated, mid-engined V8 supercar to ever come out of Maranello. The F136 FB engine inside the 458 is a 4.5-liter flat-plane crank V8 that produces an astonishing 562 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque without a single turbo in sight, with a 9,000 rpm redline. Driving this car is just pure theater at any rpm, but it lets out a distinct F1-grade shriek at the top of the rev range.
This engine is paired with a lightning-fast seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and an e-diff that makes the car feel hyper-alert. The turbocharged 488 GTB was faster by every metric but lacked the soul and theater of the 458. That is why prices for the 458 Italia have remained incredibly strong: purists recognize it as the end of an era for the world’s most emotional supercar manufacturer.
Sources: Ford, Ferrari, Chevrolet, Audi, Maserati, Lexus, Mercedes, Aston, BMW, Porsche, Classic.com
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