The growl of a V-8 engine is one of the most enthralling sounds for a car enthusiast. That distinct roar gives one a clue about the kind of engineering behind the internal combustion engine (ICE). That rumble can make you imagine how quick and how fast a car will be when you step on the pedal.

You can find V-8 engines in SUVs, pickup trucks, and some of the fastest sports cars in the world today. These vehicles are packed with horsepower and torque that can help outperform other vehicles on the road, racetrack, or trail. The eight cylinders of a V-8 usually come with four to six liters of displacement. The higher the displacement translates to getting more air that helps boost the combustion process that helps the vehicle go vroom.

V-8 powerplants are perfect for situations where you need more torque transferred to the ground or when you need a higher power ceiling. This is why despite its reputation for being heavy and fuel-thirsty, luxury car manufacturers put them in the engine bay of their top-tier vehicles, be it coupes, sedans, or wagons. While many car buyers today opt for smaller and more modern engines, the pump of adrenaline when driving a V-8 is still hard to beat. As a tribute to the beloved powerplant, here are some of the finest samples of luxury cars with V-8 engines.

We collected information from the manufacturers and consulted websites like KBB, Edmunds, and Car And Driver to come up with a list of the best V-8-powered luxury cars in the last two decades.

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10 2000 BMW M5

0-60 MPH: 5.3 Seconds

M is the most powerful letter when it comes to BMW cars. The emblem is not for mere aesthetics, but it means the vehicle was engineered by the high-performance division of the German carmaker. It is a guarantee that the car is packed with power.

Engine Specs

The 2000 BMW M5 specs sheet shows just that, as it is the first M5 with equipped with a V-8 engine. It sports a 5.0-liter V-8 engine that outputs 394 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Once you step on the accelerator, the V-8 transfers its power to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. The 2005 M specs four-door super sedan can quickly go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 5.3 seconds and hit a top speed of 186 MPH. The 2000 BMW M5, also known by Beemer fans as E39, came with a host of performance technologies never before seen in production cars during its time.

9 2006 Audi S4

0-60 MPH: 5.3 Seconds

The 2006 Audi S4 sourced its power from a V-8 mated to a six-speed manual gearbox that sends the power to all of its wheels. The 4.2-liter engine was capable of producing 340 horsepower and 302 pound-feet of peak torque.

This setup can bring the four-door sedan from full stop blazing at 60 MPH in 5.3 seconds. And a specially tuned exhaust screamed the tunes of its V-8 engine. The Audi S4 performance put it side by side with the likes of the BMW M3, the 2007 BMW 7 Series, and the 2006 Infiniti Q.

Engine Specs

For the 2006 iteration of the S4, Audi equipped it with its then-latest-gen Torsen drivetrain. This provided an asymmetrical torque split of 40 front/60 rear, which made the car more dynamic on the road.

8 2018 Lexus LC 500

0-60 MPH: 4.6 Seconds

The Lexus LC 500 first attracted the public eye when it was first unveiled at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show before hitting the production line. It was a spicy-looking prototype that sent out a strong statement. Powering the luxury super coupe is a naturally aspirated five-liter V-8 engine linked to a 10-speed automatic transmission. It might not have the best performance numbers for its price point, but the gorgeous styling combo with excellent build quality and a decent output makes it worthy of flagship status.

Engine Specs

The V-8 engine of the LC 500 churns 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. The aluminum block can still bring the 4,378-pound car from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.4 seconds. That proves that the 2018 Lexus LC 500 has the proper sports car pedigree.

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7 2003 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

0-60 MPH: 4.3 Seconds

Alfa Romeo unveiled the 8C Competizione Concept during the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. The full-size prototype was the work of the in-house styling center of the Italian carmaker. Painted in deep sparkling red, the 8C Competizione’s name pays homage to the straight-eight twin-supercharged vehicles in the 1930s designed by Vittorio Jano and the pre-World War II 6C 2500 Competizione that ruled the Mille Miglia.

Engine Specs

Under the hood of the two-seater is a marvelous 4.2-liter V-8 engine that produces 400 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, all transferred to the rear wheels by a six-speed manual transmission. The concept car brought Alfa Romeo’s mojo back with the production version of the 8C Competizione unwrapped at the 2006 Motor Show. Eighty-four samples of the 500 units produced hit the US shores in 2009. The production version was equipped with a larger Maserati-sourced V-8 that cranks out 444 horsepower.

6 2013 Jaguar XFR-S

0-60 MPH: 4.2 Seconds

Not everyone will be pleased by the exterior visuals of the stubby 2013 Jaguar XFR-S. However, what’s in the engine bay is the real game. With the sort of cold war going on between luxury car brands, the Jaguar XFR-S was a pushback to the likes of the BMW M5 or the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG. The British luxury carmaker decided to spice things up for its flagship sedan. It equipped the XFR-S with an uprated powerplant from its XKR-S cousin.

Engine Specs

The performance credentials? It is impressive with a 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 that delivers 550 horsepower and brings the car from 0 to 60 in a blink of 4.2 seconds. And who will not love a top speed of 186 MPH? While the 2013 Jaguar XF-R tries to hit these feats, there’s this visceral treat. You’ll hear a supercharger wine, your body pushed back to the seat, and that feeling of something monstrous pulling you like crazy on the road.

5 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo

0-60 MPH: 4.0 Seconds

Porsche built the Panamera on a new platform with a wheelbase longer than mid-size sedans such as the Mercedes E-Class and the BMW 5 Series. Looking at this four-door luxury sedan, you’ll be reminded of the 911 because of its distinct Porsche design lines.

Under the hood, the 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo has a V-8 twin-turbocharged DOHC with 4.8 liters of displacement. The block produces 500 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 516 pound-feet of torque between 2,250 and 4,500 RPM. The Panamera Turbo redlines at 6,700 RPM.

Engine Specs

The V-8 of this sporty four-seater brings power to all wheels via a seven-speed automated manual gearbox. It can hit a top speed of 188 MPH and go from 0 to 60 MPH in four seconds. This Porsche Panamera Turbo's performance numbers were enough to help it dominate the 24 Hours of Dayton, covering 1,078 miles.

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4 2009 Cadillac CTS-V

0-60 MPH: 3.9 Seconds

Aside from its distinct looks, the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V boasts neck-wrenching acceleration and admirable handling. The American luxury car manufacturer derived the DNA from the second generation of its CTS-V platform and engineered the four-door ride with record-breaking speed.

Under the hood is a slightly detuned version of the engine that you’ll find in the speed monster Corvette ZR-1. The 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 LSA engine brings the car from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.3 seconds. During its production run, this version of the eight-cylinder block was the most powerful offering of Cadillac. It produces 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque.

Engine Specs

While the V-8 delivered tremendous output, Cadillac designed the engine to be quiet for a more refined driving experience. Some of the components used that made this possible include piston oil spray cooling, center-feed fuel system, and hypereutectic pistons.

3 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG

0-60 MPH: 3.9 Seconds

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG comes with an impressive performance that most car enthusiasts would rather take the long way home. The base 2012 CLS 63 AMG relies on a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter direct-injected 90-degree V-8 engine that produces 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.

If you score one with an AMG Performance Package, things get a lot better. By that, we mean a good power bump to 550 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. The option also includes a sport suspension, lip spoiler, and red brake calipers, among other upgrades. The top speed also goes up from 155 MPH to 186 MPH when the buyer decides to make an already impressive car into a jaw-dropping one.

Engine Specs

The power of the engine is transferred to the wheels by a seven-speed AMG SPeedshift MCT. This system ensures you have seamless shifting between gears. Switch the driving mode to sport plus, and the MCT will make the two-door, four-passenger coupe plays better music– with a growling V-8 on the exhaust.

2 2020 Bentley Flying Spur V8

0-60 MPH: 3.7 Seconds

The Bentley Flying Spur with a W12 engine will give you that satisfying wave of power, but what would make the world’s best luxury four-door grand tourer even better? The engine notes from a V-8. That’s perfectly timed as studies by the ultra-luxury car manufacturer found a shift in the use of the Flying Spur from chauffeur-driven to owner-driven. The Flying Spur V8 made the ride more driver-centric, with increased range, reduced emissions, and a great-sounding V-8 engine.

Engine Specs

Bentley equipped the vehicle with a brand’s renowned four-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 powerplant that outputs 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. This is enough to bring the 2.2-ton ride from 0 to 60 in just four seconds. This Flying Spur can hit a crazy top speed of 198 MPH. The high torque of the engine is available at low RPMs, so luxury car drag race, anyone?

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1 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63

0-60 MPH: 3.3 Seconds

When the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT 63 came out, it was stylish as ever and packed with power and performance. The four-door sports sedan is powered by a 4.0-liter V-8. On the standard GT 63, the powerplant produces 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Meanwhile, on the more potent GT 63 S, it is cranked up to 630 horses and 664 pound-feet of torque. The powerful engine brings power to all the wheels through a nine-speed transmission. The GT63 can hit 0 to 60 MPH in 3.3 seconds, while its GT63 S sibling can do it in 3.1 seconds.

Engine Specs

The AMG GT 63 is an exquisite work of automotive art that perfectly combines exotic styling, refinement, and blazing performance. For the last, this is attributed to the robust V-8 with a host of technologies such as twin turbochargers, dry-sump oiling, and direct injection.