The Best Porsche Engines Ever Made

Why It's On The List

Hans Mezger is a Porsche legend. In charge of racing-car design and development in the '70s, he oversaw the development of projects like the fearsome 917 and the 911-derived 935s.

He was also primarily responsible for engineering the original flat-six design for the Porsche 911.

The original configuration of the 911 flat-six engine was named in his honour. Mezger engines were famous for several reasons, including their racing pedigree, raucous sound and responsive throttle performance.

The 4.0 naturally aspirated flat-six, the last of the Mezger engines, was a truly magnificent swansong. For one thing, at 4.0-litres (and still without turbochargers), it was the largest of all Porsche flat-sixes at the time.

It shares several components with the hardcore RSR race car, such as the crankshaft, the block, and the titanium rods. In the 911 (997) GT3 RS, it made almost 500 bhp at 8,250 rpm on a truly impressive 12.4:1 compression ratio.

Why It's On The List

The M80/01 is a 5.7-litre V10 engine that stands as yet another testament to Porsche's unwavering pursuit of performance. The V10 engine's origins can be traced back to Formula One, where it saw a short and unsuccessful run in the 1992 Arrows FA12, ultimately being replaced by a more dependable Ford-Cosworth engine after only a few races.

It was then adapted for endurance racing and designed to be at the heart of Porsche's LMP1 project. Again, that project was shelved. Instead of discarding the engine, Porsche found a worthy platform in the Carrera GT.

This mid-engined supercar became the exclusive domain of the M80/01, its 603 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque delivered with a visceral, high-revving fury. The engine's 8,400 RPM redline and ability to rev freely to its limit created an intoxicating blend of sound and power.

The M80/01 is widely regarded as one of the best V10 engines ever made, and it's not all about its distinctive high-pitched wail. The V10 owes its legendary status to its motorsport roots. Then, there's the exclusivity angle, considering the fact that it was only used in the Porsche Carrera GT.

Why It's On The List

The Porsche 911 (991.2) GT2 RS is one of the most formidable modern supercars, with class-leading performance that rivals find hard to match. A good chunk of that performance is because of an ingenious aerodynamics package and superbly-balanced chassis. However, much of the 911 GT2 RS's fearsome reputation as a track monster is also down to its powerplant.

Packed within the frame of the GT2 RS is the MDH.NA engine, a 3.8-litre turbocharged flat-six. It is similar to the one found in the 911 Turbo S, but there have been some tweaks to improve its peak power output and overall performance.

Larger variable-geometry turbos help give a peak boost of 22.5 psi, 24% higher than the Turbo S. The MDH.NA is also bolstered with larger intercoolers, exhaust manifold primaries, redesigned pistons and a water-spray system.

The result is a powerplant that cranks out about 700 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. It's enough to make the 911 (991.2) GT2 RS one of the most powerful production Porsches ever.

Why It's On The List

The 911/83 was an evolution of the 2.4-litre Boxer flat-six engines found in the standard 911 sports car. First, its displacement was increased to 2.7 litres, primarily by using a thin nickel carbide coating called Niksail for the cylinders.

This is similar to the coating used for the engine in the Porsche 917 race car. It allowed Porsche engineers to increase the bore size to 90mm and, ultimately, the engine displacement.

The 2.7-litre air-cooled engine is at the heart of one of Porsche's most iconic models, the 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7, a car that laid the foundation for future Porsche 'RS' models.

The 911/83 engine, with a few clever mechanical tweaks and carefully engineered components, delivered impressive performance for the era. It produced around 210 hp, propelling the lightweight Carrera RS 2.7 to record speeds and, eventually, a place in the annals of automotive history.

Why It's On The List

Porsche's foray into V8 engines took off in the late '70s with the development of a 4.5-litre unit for the Porsche 928 grand tourer. This powerplant, with a 90-degree, 8-cylinder V-configuration, was a significant departure from Porsche's traditional flat-six layout.

Some of the engine's key highlights included a lightweight alloy construction and a relatively low compression ratio of 8.5:1 for improved practicality and durability.

The first V8 engines were single overhead cam (SOHC) with a rubber timing belt that also drove the water pump. 

The 928's V8, initially producing around 240 horsepower, steadily evolved over the years with increased displacement and other performance enhancements.

Porsche's flat-six remains a core part of the carmaker's DNA. However, the V8s have also played a crucial role in the company's storied history, powering a wide range of vehicles, including high-performance sedans and SUVs.

Why It's On The List

Yes, this is not the conventional ICE motor, but Porsche's electric powerplant is fully deserving of a spot on this list.

The carmaker's dual permanent magnetic synchronous AC motors underscore Porsche's purposeful entrance and subsequent expansion in the EV sector.

The electric motors are developed in-house at the Porsche Research and Development Centre in Weissach. They are also manufactured in-house by Porsche, demonstrating the carmaker's engineering depth.

Key advantages of Porsche's EV platform include high torque output, rapid acceleration and a compact framework that allows it to be integrated into various vehicle architectures.

The Taycan, Porsche's pioneering all-electric sports sedan, first showcased the capabilities of the carmaker's advanced motors.

The success of the Taycan has paved the way for further electrification, with the Macan EV joining the lineup and an all-new Porsche 718 EV expected sometime in 2025.