New flagship convertible brings unprecedented drama, power and speed to the category

Exploring Every Engine That Powers Sports Cars

Tracing the evolution of sports car engines and the unique character each configuration brings to the road

27 August 2025 09:14 PM

The story of the sports car is not merely a chronicle of engineering progress but a grand narrative of human imagination and ambition rendered in steel and fire. From the earliest days when the motorcar was little more than a novelty contraption for the adventurous elite, there existed a yearning to imbue it with spirit, to make it not only a means of transportation but an instrument of exhilaration and desire. The sports car became that vessel of dreams, a glittering marriage of aesthetics and velocity, whose very essence is distilled in its engine. Every configuration of power, whether modest or magnificent, has carried within it the philosophy of its makers and the aspirations of its admirers. To contemplate these engines is to contemplate not simply machinery but the pulse of an era, the identity of a nation and the eternal human craving for mastery over motion.

Nissan GT-R

Looking back on the R35 GT-R’s extensive history, the vehicle set a new standard as the ultimate Grand Tourer
Over the course of its production run, a core team of just nine master craftsman called Takumi at Nissan’s plant in Yokohama, Japan passionately hand assemble each of the engine

The final edition of the Nissan GT-R stands as a fitting tribute to one of Japan’s most celebrated performance icons, with its heart still beating to the rhythm of a formidable V6. Beneath its sculpted bodywork lies the hand-built twin-turbocharged V6, an engine that has defined the GT-R’s identity since the R35 first roared onto the scene in 2007. Meticulously crafted by Takumi master technicians, this powerplant embodies both engineering precision and relentless power, delivering explosive acceleration while retaining an almost mechanical purity in an era increasingly dominated by hybrids and electrification. In its final guise, the V6 not only underscores the GT-R’s unyielding devotion to performance, but also symbolises the end of a remarkable chapter in Nissan’s legacy, where raw energy, balance, and tradition came together in one of the most revered Japanese sports cars ever built.

Ford Mustang

The all-new 2025 Mustang GTD 1 has redefined what Mustang means to performance
Revised intake and exhaust, a standard titanium exhaust, and a smaller supercharger pulley help achieve the engine output ratings

The Ford Mustang’s Gen IV 5.0-litre V8 is not merely an engine but the very heartbeat of an American legend, a powerplant that has come to symbolise freedom, rebellion and unbridled performance for six decades. In its latest form the powerpl9ant delivers a visceral blend of thunderous torque and high-revving excitement, a mechanical symphony that resonates as much with purists as it does with a new generation of enthusiasts. Each press of the throttle summons a deep baritone growl, a sound so emblematic that it has become part of automotive folklore. More than sheer numbers on a dyno sheet, the Mustang’s V8 represents continuity, tracing its lineage back to the original pony car of 1964 while embracing modern technologies that refine, but never dilute, its character.

 Lamborghini Huracán STJ

Automobili Lamborghini celebrates its iconic V10 super sports car with a limited edition of ten units equipped with an exclusive performance enhancement package
With a design based on the Huracán STO , the STJ represents the pinnacle of performance achieved in the Huracán family’s history, thanks to the introduction of an exclusive package designed to further enhance the racing spirit of the Huracán STO

The Lamborghini Huracán STJ marks the end of an era, a celebratory farewell to the legendary naturally aspirated V10 that has defined the soul of Sant’Agata’s modern machines. Powered by the 5.2-litre V10 engine delivering over 630 horsepower to the rear wheels, the STJ refines the ferocity of the Huracán STO with sharper aerodynamics, race-derived suspension and bespoke Bridgestone Potenza tyres. Limited to just ten examples, each one is crafted as a collector’s jewel, its carbon fibre details and commemorative plaque underscoring its rarity. The STJ name itself pays homage to Lamborghini’s Super Trofeo heritage and the racing regulations of Appendix J, anchoring its identity firmly in motorsport. More than just a final edition, the Huracán STJ serves as a symbolic passing of the torch, closing the chapter on the thunderous V10 era as Lamborghini prepares to embrace a new age of hybridised performance.

Aston Martin Vanquish 

Innovative K-fold roof and intelligent structural reinforcement
Iconic Aston Martin design creates a shape of stunning purpose and beauty

The Aston Martin Vanquish embodies the grandeur of the V12 tradition, a car that channels British craftsmanship and unbridled performance into a single, commanding presence. At its heart beats a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine, a powerplant that delivers its strength with a cultured yet ferocious character, offering over 823 horsepower in its later guise. Every surge of acceleration is accompanied by a sonorous soundtrack, a deep, operatic note that has become inseparable from the Vanquish name. Sculpted in lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre, its flowing lines speak of elegance while its performance is unapologetically formidable, capable of whisking driver and passenger alike across continents with effortless authority. More than a grand tourer, the Vanquish stands as a tribute to Aston Martin’s heritage of marrying luxury and performance, its V12 engine symbolising both engineering purity and the timeless allure of the long-bonneted British thoroughbred.

Bugatti Mistral

Bugatti has a storied history when it comes to performance roadsters
Significant in so many ways, the W16 Mistral represents the first open-top model to leave Molsheim since 2015 and a swansong for the brand’s incomparable W16 engine

The Bugatti Mistral stands as the final symphony for one of the most extraordinary engines ever created, the mighty quad turbocharged eight litre W16. With an output exceeding one thousand six hundred horsepower, this engineering marvel propels the open top roadster into the realm of automotive legend, combining monumental performance with a level of refinement that remains uniquely Bugatti. Every detail of the Mistral has been designed to celebrate this farewell, from its sculpted carbon fibre bodywork inspired by flowing winds to the meticulous craftsmanship of its opulent cabin. The sound of the W16, a deep mechanical thunder laced with turbine like urgency, is now elevated by the open air experience, allowing driver and passenger to revel in the last great expression of Bugatti’s defining powerplant. As production draws to a close, the Mistral does more than mark the end of the W16 era, it stands as a rolling monument to the audacity of human ambition and the pursuit of performance without compromise.

Published At:

Recent Stories

  1. Exploring Every Engine That Powers Sports Cars
  2. Top 5 Luxury Yachts That Define Modern Elegance
  3. The Palace Edit: 9 Luxury Indian Venues For A Fairytale Wedding
  4. It’s A Love Story: Decoding Taylor Swift’s $550,000 Engagement Ring And Luxe Look
  5. Palazzo Versace Dubai Is An Escape To A Couture-Clad Fantasy World
  6. From Aristocrats To Aesthetes: Museo Camera’s ‘Touching Light’ Exhibit Traces Over 200 Years Of Analogue Photography
  7. Around The World Exploring The Most Exclusive Race Circuits Of Speed
  8. Six Newly-Opened Fine-Dines In Delhi-NCR To Try In August
  9. Top 5 Residences Created With Car Brands That Have Redefined Design
  10. Pawsh And Polished: Luxury Pet Accessories by Iconic Fashion Houses
  11. The Zodiac Signs as Luxury Brands: Which Iconic Fashion House Defines Your Star Sign?
  12. The Week in Luxury: From Rahul Mishra’s Mumbai Flagship to Lamborghini’s Fenomeno
  13. 7 Luxury Perfumes That Smell Like Monsoon Magic
  14. The OWO In London Launches Heritage Tour—Here’s Why It Belongs On Your Luxury Itinerary
  15. Five One-of-One Masterpieces That Define Automotive Exclusivity