The Goodwood Aerodrome in West Sussex, England, is a place where speed is measured by the sound of engines: the grass track, the vintage aircraft, the smell of aviation fuel. Think of a collection of modern supercars parked on its grass on a cool spring morning. They are not antiques. They are not concours queens. They are the cars that contain the greatest engines of the modern era.
The period from 2000 to 2026 has seen a remarkable evolution in engine technology. Naturally aspirated engines reached their peak. Turbocharging became standard. Hybridization added electric power. But through all the changes, a few engines stood out. They delivered exceptional performance, unforgettable character, and lasting influence.
This article ranks the seven best supercar engines of the modern era. The ranking is based on performance, character, innovation, and legacy.
The Criteria: What Makes a Great Modern Engine?
A great modern engine has:
- Performance: Power output, torque, response, and reliability
- Character: Sound, feel, and the way it makes the driver feel
- Innovation: New technology that influenced other engines
- Legacy: Lasting impact on the industry and enthusiasts
The engines on this list have all of these qualities.
The Location: Goodwood Aerodrome
Goodwood is a place of history and speed. The aerodrome was built during World War II. The motor circuit opened in 1948. The Goodwood Revival celebrates vintage racing. It is the perfect setting to celebrate the greatest engines of the modern era.
The List
1. Ferrari F140 V12 (Enzo, LaFerrari, 812 Superfast, 2002 to present)
The F140 is a 6.0 to 6.5 liter naturally aspirated V12. It has powered the Enzo, the 599 GTB, the F12berlinetta, the LaFerrari, the 812 Superfast, and the Daytona SP3. It produces between 651 and 819 horsepower. It revs to 9,000 rpm in some applications. The sound is a deep, muscular roar that builds to a screaming wail.
Why it ranks: The F140 is the greatest V12 of the modern era. It is powerful, responsive, and sonorous. It has been in production for over 20 years and remains competitive. It is a masterpiece.
2. Porsche 9A1 4.0 Liter Flat Six (911 GT3, 911 GT3 RS, 718 Cayman GT4, 2013 to present)
The 9A1 is a 4.0 liter naturally aspirated flat six. It produces between 414 and 518 horsepower. It revs to 9,000 rpm. The sound is a sharp, mechanical wail. The engine is available with a six speed manual transmission.
Why it ranks: The 9A1 is the last naturally aspirated flat six. It is a tribute to what made Porsche great. It is responsive, characterful, and rewarding.
3. Lexus 1LR GUE V10 (LFA, 2010 to 2012)
The 1LR GUE is a 4.8 liter naturally aspirated V10. It produces 552 horsepower. It revs to 9,000 rpm. The sound was developed with Yamaha and is widely considered one of the best sounding engines ever made.
Why it ranks: The 1LR GUE is a work of art. It is smooth, responsive, and unforgettable. The LFA would not be the same without it.
4. Mercedes-AMG M178 V8 (AMG GT, 2014 to present)
The M178 is a 4.0 liter twin turbo V8. It produces between 469 and 720 horsepower. The hot vee configuration places the turbochargers inside the V, reducing lag and improving response. The sound is deep, aggressive, and muscular.
Why it ranks: The M178 is the definitive modern turbo V8. It has powered the AMG GT, the GT Black Series, and the GT63. It is powerful, responsive, and characterful.
5. Ferrari F136 V8 (458 Italia, 2009 to 2015)
The F136 is a 4.5 liter naturally aspirated V8. It produces 562 horsepower. It revs to 9,000 rpm. The sound is a sharp, metallic wail. It was the last naturally aspirated V8 Ferrari before the switch to turbocharging.
Why it ranks: The F136 is the best sounding modern Ferrari V8. It is a high water mark for naturally aspirated engines.
6. Lamborghini 5.2 Liter V10 (Gallardo, Huracán, 2003 to present)
The 5.2 liter V10 is a naturally aspirated engine that has powered the Gallardo and Huracán. It produces between 552 and 631 horsepower. It revs to 8,500 rpm. The sound is a high pitched wail, deeper and more muscular than the LFA’s V10.
Why it ranks: The V10 is a legend. It is the last naturally aspirated V10 in production. It is loud, proud, and unforgettable.
7. BMW S58 Inline Six (M3, M4, 2019 to present)
The S58 is a 3.0 liter twin turbo inline six. It produces between 473 and 543 horsepower. It has a 7,200 rpm redline. The engine is smooth, responsive, and powerful. It is the successor to the legendary S54.
Why it ranks: The S58 is the best modern inline six. It is powerful, reliable, and characterful. It proves that the inline six is not dead.
The Goodwood Drive: A Symphony of Engines
The cars take a slow lap around the Goodwood circuit. They are not racing. They are demonstrating.
The Ferrari F140 leads. The V12 roars, the sound bouncing off the trees. The driver is smiling.
The Porsche 9A1 follows. The flat six wails, sharp and mechanical. The driver is focused.
The Lexus 1LR GUE is next. The V10 screams, clean and pure. The driver is listening.
The Mercedes-AMG M178 rumbles. The V8 is deep, aggressive, and muscular.
The Ferrari F136 wails. The V8 is sharp, urgent, and emotional.
The Lamborghini V10 roars. The sound is high pitched, deeper than the Lexus, more aggressive.
The BMW S58 hums. The inline six is smooth, refined, and powerful.
The lap ends. The engines cool. The drivers talk.
What These Engines Teach Us
The engines on this list teach us that character matters as much as power. The F140 is powerful, but it is also sonorous. The 9A1 is responsive, but it is also rewarding. The 1LR GUE is high revving, but it is also beautiful.
Turbocharging has improved efficiency and power, but it has also muted sound. The naturally aspirated engines on this list are the last of their kind. They are dying breeds.
The Goodwood Sunset
The sun sets over the aerodrome. The cars are parked. The engines are silent.
The drivers are not sad. They are grateful. They have experienced the best engines of the modern era.
The Ranking Summary
| Rank | Engine | Car | Years | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferrari F140 V12 | Enzo, LaFerrari, 812 | 2002 to present | Powerful, sonorous, masterpiece |
| 2 | Porsche 9A1 4.0 Flat Six | 911 GT3, Cayman GT4 | 2013 to present | Responsive, mechanical, last of its kind |
| 3 | Lexus 1LR GUE V10 | LFA | 2010 to 2012 | High revving, beautiful, unforgettable |
| 4 | Mercedes-AMG M178 V8 | AMG GT, GT63 | 2014 to present | Aggressive, responsive, definitive turbo V8 |
| 5 | Ferrari F136 V8 | 458 Italia | 2009 to 2015 | Sharp, emotional, best sounding modern Ferrari V8 |
| 6 | Lamborghini 5.2L V10 | Gallardo, Huracán | 2003 to present | Loud, proud, legendary |
| 7 | BMW S58 Inline Six | M3, M4 | 2019 to present | Smooth, powerful, refined |
The Honorable Mentions
Engines that almost made the list:
- Audi 5.2 Liter V10 (R8): Similar to the Lamborghini V10, but detuned and less characterful.
- Ford 5.2 Liter V8 (GT350, GT500): A flat plane crank V8 with a great sound, but limited applications.
- Honda 3.5 Liter V6 (NSX): A hybrid V6 with impressive performance, but lacking character.
Conclusion
The best supercar engines of the modern era are not just about power. They are about character, sound, and the way they make the driver feel. The F140 V12, the 9A1 flat six, the 1LR GUE V10, the M178 V8, the F136 V8, the Lamborghini V10, and the S58 inline six they are masterpieces.
Goodwood is quiet now. The cars are gone. The engines are silent.
But the sounds remain. The memories remain. The legacy remains.
That is the mark of a great engine. It does not just move the car. It moves the soul.
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