Turbocharging has been around for over a century. A Swiss engineer named Alfred Büchi is credited with patenting the first turbocharger in 1905. Its first major automotive application occurred in the early 1960s. Since then, it’s seen countless applications, improvements, and records when it comes to speed and power. These days, more than half of all new vehicles produced feature a turbocharger, as it’s seen as the most cost-effective way to add power to an engine without compromising fuel economy.
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So, with such a rich history of performance, finding the most powerful turbocharged engine or the fastest turbocharged car is a relatively easy task. But what about something like the highest-revving turbocharged engine? CarBuzz aims to shed some light on that question with the following list. Read on, and we’ll look at some of the highest-revving turbocharged engines.
The following list was compiled using data pulled from sites such as Automobile-Catalog.com. Other vehicle-specific features were sourced from individual manufacturer’s websites.
10 Ferrari F154 CB: 8,000 RPM
Ferrari
Engine Specs
Years Produced
2015–2019
Displacement
3.9-Liter V8
Horsepower
661 HP
Torque
561 LB-FT
Popular Application(s)
Ferrari 488 GTB, Ferrari 488 Spider
Ferrari’s F154 V8 has seen several applications over its life span, which spans from 2013 to the present. However, we’re going to focus on a specific version of the F154, the F154 CB, which saw action from 2015 to 2019. The F154 CB was produced strictly for the Ferrari 488 GTB and Spider variants and was capable of reaching 8,000 RPM under wide-open throttle. It also featured a pair of turbochargers.
The F154 CB’s twin induction devices allowed the Ferrari 488 GTB to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in a blistering 2.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 205 MPH. Ferrari discontinued the F154 CB in 2019 and replaced it with an updated version of the F154, the F154 CG.
9 Koenigsegg Agera V8: 8,250 RPM
Koenigsegg
Engine Specs
Years Produced
2010–2018
Displacement
5.0-Liter V8
Horsepower
947 HP
Torque
811 LB-FT
Popular Application(s)
Koenigsegg Agera
*Power numbers denote standard-grade Agera metrics
One of the engines on our list comes from the Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg. Back in 2010, they released their Agera model, a 249-MPH screamer which also boasted nearly 1,000 horsepower and 811 lb-ft of torque. The Agera was in production for eight years, spanning from 2010 to 2018. In that time frame, Koenigsegg produced a few variations of the Agera, with one, the Agera Final, producing a mind-bending 1,341 horsepower.
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The V8 used in the Agera is Koenigsegg’s own creation. It features a pair of fixed-vane turbochargers, a carbon-fiber intake manifold, and an all-aluminum block casting. Thanks to the carbon-fiber and aluminum construction, the big V8 only weighs 434 pounds. It can rev up to a maximum of 8,250 RPM.
8 McLaren M630: 8,500 RPM
McLaren
Engine Specs
Years Produced
2021-Present
Displacement
3.0-Liter V6
Horsepower
571 HP
Torque
431 LB-FT
Popular Application(s)
McLaren Artura
*Power figures do not include combined electric powertrain totals
McLaren’s M630 twin-turbo V6 is a relatively new engine, having only been in production for the last three years. It was built exclusively for the McLaren Artura and features a cleverly designed hybrid-electric powertrain. The M630 also holds a world-first title, as its 120-degree bank angle (the angle at which the pistons operate) is the first one seen in any production V6 engine.
The hybrid powertrain found within the M630 is a single electric motor, which can produce 94 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque on its own. The Artura can drive on just electric power for 19 miles, and the battery used for the PHEV powertrain has a power rating of 7.4 kWh.
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7 Ferrari F163 BC: 8,500 RPM
Ferrari
Engine Specs
Years Produced
2021–Present
Displacement
3.0-Liter V6
Horsepower
654 HP
Torque
546 LB-FT
Popular Application(s)
Ferrari 296 GTB/GTS
*Power figures do not include combined electric powertrain totals
Ferrari’s F163 turbocharged V6 makes it onto our list. While there are a few F163 variations, we’re going to focus on the highest-revving variant, the F163 BC, found in the Ferrari 296 GTB and the Ferrari 296 GTS. Much like the McLaren M630 engine, the F163 boasts a 120-degree bank angle and a hybrid powertrain. It’s also Ferrari’s first twin-turbocharged V6 designed specifically for road use.
The F163 BC’s hybrid powertrain consists of a single electric motor that can produce 165 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. Using a 7.5-kWh battery, the little electric motor can drive the Ferrari 296 up to 16 miles under electric-only power.
6 Hennessey Fury V8: 8,500 RPM
Hennessey
Engine Specs
Years Produced
2020–Present
Displacement
6.6-Liter V8
Horsepower
1,817 HP
Torque
1,169 LB-FT
Popular Application(s)
Hennessey Venom F5
The Hennessey Fury V8 is one of the most impressive engines ever produced, just based on the sheer amount of power the motor can make. Because of this gigantic lump of horsepower and torque, Hennessey knew the Fury block needed to be strong enough to withstand it, so they opted for a more retrocasting material: iron. On top of its iron block, it also measures 6.6 liters of displacement, making it one of the largest engines currently available in a production car.
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The Fury V8 is able to produce 1,817 horsepower, or about the same amount of power as 12 brand-new Honda Civics combined, and 1,169 lb-ft of torque. It features two turbos and is also capable of revving up to 8,500 RPM. 0-60 MPH is taken care of in 2.5 seconds, and Hennessey estimates the Venom F5 as being able to reach a 301-MPH top speed based on a V-MAX speed tracking system.
5 McLaren M838T: 8,500 RPM
McLaren
Engine Specs
Years Produced
2011–2021
Displacement
3.8-Liter V8
Horsepower
592–679 HP
Torque
443–516 LB-FT
Popular Application(s)
McLaren MP4-12C, McLaren 570S, McLaren 675LT
Thanks to McLaren’s affinity for precise engineering, it’s no surprise one of their engines made it onto our list of high-revving turbocharged engines. Specifically, we’re looking at their M838T twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8. The M838T saw numerous applications, most notably in the McLaren MP4-12C, McLaren 570S, and the McLarewn 675LT. Speaking of science, the M838T featured what McLaren claimed to be the highest horsepower-to-CO2 emissions of any engine in production at the time.
As we mentioned before, the M838T saw many applications over its 10-year lifetime. During that time, its horsepower ranged from 592 to 679 horses, and torque figures ranged from 443 lb-ft to 516 lb-ft. However, throughout that time, it was always able to rev up to a maximum of 8,500 RPM.
4 Porsche M18.00: 9,200 RPM
Porsche
Engine Specs
Years Produced
2013-2015
Displacement
4.6-Liter V8
Horsepower
599 HP
Torque
398 LB-FT
Popular Application(s)
Porsche 918 Spyder
*Power figures do not include combined electric powertrain totals
Next on our list of high-revving turbocharged engines is Porsche’s M18.00 4.6-Liter V8. The M18.00 motor was loosely based on Porsche’s 3.4-liter MR6 V8 used in the Porsche RS Spyder racing car. However, despite sharing a racing pedigree, the M18.00 is still largely its own engine. Due to its racing heritage, the M18.00 V8 is capable of revving up to 9,200 RPM in its standard configuration, although with some minor tweaks, it can withstand up to 10,300 RPM.
The M18.00 engine found in the Porsche 918 Spyder was paired with a hybrid powertrain, creating one of the first hybrid supercars. An electric motor mounted at the front axle produces 127 horsepower, and one at the rear makes 154 horses. The 918 has a special disconnect which utilizes an electric clutch to disengage the front electric motor when not in use.
3 Suzuki K6A: 9,200 RPM
Wikimedia Commons: Mr.choppers
Engine Specs
Years Produced
1995-1998
Displacement
0.7-Liter Inline-Three
Horsepower
63 HP
Torque
63 LB-FT
Popular Application(s)
Suzuki Cappuccino, Suzuki Wagon R, Caterham 7 160/165
Our second-highest-revving turbocharged motor on the list is Suzuki’s K6A three-cylinder unit from the 1990s. It’s tiny, measuring just seven-tenths of a liter and having one of the smallest turbochargers ever fitted to a regular production car. The K6A was most famously found in the 1995-1998 Suzuki Cappuccino, but it was also found in the Caterham 7, Suzuki Wagon R, and even the Arctic Cat T660 Turbo.
As for power figures, we’ll focus on the Suzuki Cappuccino. The K6A produced 63 horses and an equal amount of torque, and it could rev up to a maximum of 9,200 RPM.
2 Mercedes-Benz PU106B: 11,000 RPM
Wikimedia Commons: David Merrett
Engine Specs
Years Produced
2022–Present
Displacement
1.6-Liter V6
Horsepower
566 HP
Torque
N/A
Popular Application(s)
Mercedes-AMG ONE
*Power figures do not include power derived from hybrid powertrain
We’ve reached our second-highest-revving production engine ever produced. It’s called the Mercedes-Benz PU106B and is installed in the Mercedes-AMG ONE supercar. The PU106B is a modified version of the Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid Formula One engine. In other words, the PU106B is capable of some truly amazing statistics. On its own, the PU106B can produce 566 horsepower. Torque figures are unknown due to the claimed complexity of the motor, rendering torque measurement too complex to undertake.
When all power is added from its four separate electric powerplants and the ICE unit itself, the PU106B is able to produce 1,049 horsepower. The bottom line is the PU106B can rev up to a screaming 11,000 RPM.
1 Czinger 21C V8: 11,000 RPM
Czinger
Engine Specs
Years Produced
2021–Present
Displacement
2.88-Liter V8
Horsepower
950 HP
Torque
550 LB-FT
Popular Application(s)
Czinger 21C
*Power figures do not include power derived from hybrid powertrain
We’ve arrived at our highest-revving turbocharged engine, which also happens to be the smallest V8 on our list. The engine in question is a 2.88-liter twin-turbo unit produced by Czinger for their supercar, the Czinger 21C. The little unit is capable of revving up to 11,000 RPM, a number that gets close to Formula One rev limits.
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When it comes to production engines with the most horsepower per liter, it’s not Koenigsegg, Hennessey, or even Bugatti that takes top honors.
When alone, the 2.88-liter engine can produce 950 horsepower and 550 lb-ft of torque. However, once it’s joined by Czinger’s hybrid powertrain, it can make 1,250 horsepower and an unknown amount of torque. There’s also a version that was recently made available that can muster 1,350 horsepower. In short, this Czinger V8 is the highest-revving turbocharged engine in a production car as of today.
Sources: Auto-Data.net, Automobile-Catalog.com