My Top 10 V10-powered Road Cars

The V10 engine dies tonight as Lamborghini is set to unveil the replacement of the Huracan powered by its newly developed V8 Twin Turbo engine. As the motoring world mourns the death of the ten-cylinder powerhouse, here comes my list of Top 10 V10-powered road cars.

2024 Lamborghini Huracan STJ

10) Dodge Ram SRT-10 - The Dodge Ram SRT10 was launched in 2004. It's the only pickup truck ever to be powered by a V10 engine. The engine is from the Viper SRT10 and has 510 horsepower. The transmission is either a 6-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. The Ram SRT10 came in a two-door regular cab or a four-door quad cab.

9) BMW M5 E60 - The E60 BMW M5 is the only BMW in history to be powered by a V10 engine. Specifically, it's powered by a 5.0L V10 naturally aspirated engine that produces 507PS of power and 520Nm of torque. Mated to a 7-speed SMG, it does 0-100kph in 4.7 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250kph or 305kph with the optional extra. It is offered in saloon and Touring wagon.

8) Dodge Viper (SR) - The Dodge Viper was first conceived as a concept car in 1989. It was intended to be a modern interpretation of the legendary Shelby Cobra. The first-generation Viper was introduced in 1991 as the RT/10 roadster and was later joined by the hardtop GTS variant. The Viper was the first road car to be powered by a V10 engine.

7) Dodge Viper SRT-10 (ZB) - The ZB-spec Dodge Viper is the second coming for America's only V10-powered powerhouse with styling inspired by the GTS-R Concept. Under the insanity of Chrysler's SRT team, the V10 engine's size was increased to 8.3L which resulted in 500HP of power output. Until its 2010 ending, the ZB-spec Viper underwent numerous changes with the ACR the King of Vipers.

6) Audi R8 (1st Gen) - Unveiled in 2007, the R8 is Audi's first exotic sports car that was named after a winning Le Mans Prototype, inspired by the Le Mans Quattro concept car, and it shares most of the Lamborghini components. The 4.2L V8 engine is the only engine offered at launch but in 2009, the Audi R8 V10 came into view. Powered by the same 5.2L V10 engine from the Gallardo, it produces 525hp of power. When the first-generation R8 got facelifted, it gained the V10 plus variant which features a new S tronic double-clutch transmission as well as the updated version of the 5.2 V10 engine generating 550HP of power output.

5) Lamborghini Gallardo - Unveiled in 2003, the Gallardo served as the little brother of the Murcielago and it's the first Lamborghini road car to be powered by a V10 engine. In 2008, the Gallardo received a big minor change known as the LP560-4. With Reventon-inspired styling, the V10 engine's size has been increased from the former's 5.0L to 5.2L, producing the titular 560PS of power through all four wheels. The Gallardo was replaced by the Huracan in 2014.

4) Dodge SRT Viper (VX) - Unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show, the SRT Viper GTS comes with the same 8.4L V10 OHV engine from the previous Dodge Viper SRT-10 but now it churns out 640HP of power and 600lb-ft of torque. It is mated with a Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual transmission with a shorter throw shifter, close gear ratio, and shorter final drive ratio of 3.07. With a triple-digit weight loss, the power-to-weight ratio is better than the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1. Production ended after the 2017 model year and Dodge offered customers a 1-of-1 customization program that allows them to create a bespoke Viper for themselves. 

3) Audi R8 (2nd Gen) - Premiered at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the all-new Audi R8 features a new Audi SpaceFrame, a new interior (including the Audi Virtual Cockpit), a new exterior, and so on. Because it features components from the Lamborghini Huracan, the new R8 features an updated 5.2L V10 engine with two power outputs; 540PS for the base model and 610PS for the range-topping V10 plus model. In the V10 plus model, equipped with the S tronic double-clutch transmission, 0-100kph takes about 3.2 seconds and onwards to 330kph. The second-generation Audi R8 was facelifted for the 2020 Model Year featuring a revised design and improved performance. Production of the R8 ended in the first half of 2024.

2) Lamborghini Huracan - Launched in 2014, the Lamborghini Huracan is the successor of the Lamborghini Gallardo which was named after a Mayan god. It was powered by a 5.2L V10 engine developing 602HP of power and when mated to a double-clutch gearbox derived from the Audi R8 as well as its 4WD system, it has a top speed of 202mph. The Lamborghini Huracan has gone through numerous updates over its near-decade lifespan and the STJ is in its final form with only 10 built and sold. This is the last-ever V10-powered road car in history.

1) Lexus LFA - The Lexus LFA was the pinnacle of Lexus' pursuit of perfection when it made a world premiere at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show and then went into production a year later. With 500 units built from its two-year lifespan, the LFA comes with Japan's first-ever V10 engine producing 552HP of power and 354lb-ft of torque. Even though production ended in 2012, the LFA is a legendary JDM supercar in its own right.

The V10 engine is an automotive icon. Its monstrous roar made it famous and will go down in history as one of the greatest engines of all time. From the Dodge Viper to the Lamborghini Huracan, the V10 powered some of the most iconic cars of our time.

Today is a sad day for automotive enthusiasts, as the V10 engine is being laid to rest. It joins other automotive dinosaurs, like pop-up headlights, in the automotive graveyard. The saying goes that nothing lives forever, and that includes the mighty V10 engine.

GOODBYE FOREVER, V10 ENGINE. You made us proud and loud.